2023 Recruiting Class - #...............Discussion Thread

[AdonijahAijalon]

I don’t really what all the Instagram pictures mean, but this surely looks like our new recruit from a week ago is already taking visits to other schools??

This interview was a month ago. He said he the only school he visited was Louisville and UCF at the time. Perhaps it's a picture from his visit.

[AdonijahAijalon]

I don’t really what all the Instagram pictures mean, but this surely looks like our new recruit from a week ago is already taking visits to other schools??

Yeah. I went and looked at his Instagram. You posted a picture from January 23.

[Mindreader101]

Yeah. I went and looked at his Instagram. You posted a picture from January 23.

well that’s good. Again that’s why i said I don’t know how all this Instagram thing works, but not sure why he’s posting that now in his IG story…

[soonerbms]

I don’t really what all the Instagram pictures mean, but this surely looks like our new recruit from a week ago is already taking visits to other schools??

I predicted a few pages ago that Brown would never actually sign with us, but I think this pic is from his Louisville visit in January. It’s in one of his posts on his Insta. I think he just reposted it as a story cause he likes how he looks in it. I will say again, though, that his recruitment is about to really take flight and he will inform of us of his de commitment in the fall.

[soonerbms]

Reid Mikeska, the TE who flirted with us a bit after his decommitment from Clemson, appears set to commit to Miami tomorrow per all the 247 crystal balls.

[Mindreader101]

Reid Mikeska, the TE who flirted with us a bit after his decommitment from Clemson, appears set to commit to Miami tomorrow per all the 247 crystal balls.

that’s a big blow, especially when he could be getting starting minutes right away. Really was hoping this massive avalanche of commits that the experts have predicted for champU would be materializing by now…

[TheBoots]

Definitely sounds like the tradition continued.

on the other hand, Shane Beamer is also getting a lot of traction after just one season at SC, already got 7 commits since Sunday. Guess we gotta be patient with BV but it still hurts to see all these commitments starting to fly in for other schools. Really hoping we can still get Payton Kirkland and DJ Hicks and / or Anthony Hill. We should also lock in the OK Boys Bai Jobe and Micah Tease and Cole Adams

Shane has had those recruiting pipelines established for many, many years. One of the main reason he was brought to OU.

[really]

Recruiting going about how I thought it would..still to early for any panic

[TheBoots]

Reid Mikeska, the TE who flirted with us a bit after his decommitment from Clemson, appears set to commit to Miami tomorrow per all the 247 crystal balls.

Meh.

TE is not a huge priority at the moment. We had three come in last class.

Really have to go back and see the types of TE Lebby likes. Mikeska fits the body type but was not a huge pass catcher. Lebby wants people with hands

[MichSooner]

I don’t really what all the Instagram pictures mean, but this surely looks like our new recruit from a week ago is already taking visits to other schools??

Coach Venables told them the definition of Commitment. When one decides to do something, do it and make it stick. Don't say you are committed and then keep looking at more options.

Rather, take your visits. Take all of them. Look it over. Then make a decision and be committed to your decision.

I have no idea who number seven is. You said he came to visit OU. He went to visit Louisville. Probably has some more visits. He obviously listened to Coach Venables. If he is right for OU and OU is right for him, he will commit to OU and hopefully not flip.

[TheBoots]

I have no idea who number seven is. You said he came to visit OU. He went to visit Louisville. Probably has some more visits. He obviously listened to Coach Venables. If he is right for OU and OU is right for him, he will commit to OU and hopefully not flip.

Kenyon Brown.

He committed to Oklahoma June 5th

[SoonerHank]

that’s a big blow, especially when he could be getting starting minutes right away. Really was hoping this massive avalanche of commits that the experts have predicted for champU would be materializing by now…

A big blow? What? We signed 3 TE last class that we should all be very excited about. This is not a big blow and TE is not a pressing need. He wouldn’t be starting right away either. Maybe put down the crack pipe.

[SoonerHank]

Coach Venables told them the definition of Commitment. When one decides to do something, do it and make it stick. Don't say you are committed and then keep looking at more options.

Rather, take your visits. Take all of them. Look it over. Then make a decision and be committed to your decision.

I have no idea who number seven is. You said he came to visit OU. He went to visit Louisville. Probably has some more visits. He obviously listened to Coach Venables. If he is right for OU and OU is right for him, he will commit to OU and hopefully not flip.

I believe those pictures are old from his Louisville visit which was before he committed to OU.

[TheBoots]

A big blow? What? We signed 3 TE last class that we should all be very excited about. This is not a big blow and TE is not a pressing need. He wouldn’t be starting right away either. Maybe put down the crack pipe.

Top TE's in college are at 4.4 40's and Reid is at 4.6+ and was not used I the passing game much.

We have ten TE offers out for 2023 and he is at the low end as far as ranking

[AppySooner]

Venables and the assistants he brought do have a record that speaks for itself. But there are three key differences.

Brent was not the HC at Clemson. He definitely looks like HC material on the field and around campus, but that doesn’t automatically make you a perennial top-10 recruiter at OU. We recently had the greatest HC of the previous decade and a consummate professional here, a coach who had recruited at a high level before, pulling #15-25 type classes because the recruiting game changed on him. The recruiting game is changing again now.

Brent had time to build on-field results at Clemson under low expectations, and Dabo had already started that process before he got there. There was no expectation of signing any Rivals 100 guys until that staff had proven they would put them all in the NFL. It was fine when they went to a Russell Athletic Bowl, the same game that was OU’s lowest moment of the century. OU doesn’t want to fall off to 2010-ish Clemson talent levels until the verdict is in on this staff, and simply can’t afford it with the SEC looming.

And there were boosters and off-campus organizations widely reputed to be doing things at Clemson that they are not going to be allowed to do here, at least not beyond what every other recruiting rival is doing under the cover of NIL.

I understand that we’re “close” with a lot of top guys, and there may be a wave of blue chips who take Venables’ message to heart and commit late when they’re good and ready. But personally, I kinda have to see that work at least once—here, with faraway talent and a fledgling at best NIL operation—before I feel good about it.

[SoonerHank]

Venables and the assistants he brought do have a record that speaks for itself. But there are three key differences.

Brent was not the HC at Clemson. He definitely looks like HC material on the field and around campus, but that doesn’t automatically make you a perennial top-10 recruiter at OU. We recently had the greatest HC of the previous decade and a consummate professional here, a coach who had recruited at a high level before, pulling #15-25 type classes because the recruiting game changed on him. The recruiting game is changing again now.

Brent had time to build on-field results at Clemson under low expectations, and Dabo had already started that process before he got there. There was no expectation of signing any Rivals 100 guys until that staff had proven they would put them all in the NFL. It was fine when they went to a Russell Athletic Bowl, the same game that was OU’s lowest moment of the century. OU doesn’t want to fall off to 2010-ish Clemson talent levels until the verdict is in on this staff, and simply can’t afford it with the SEC looming.

And there were boosters and off-campus organizations widely reputed to be doing things at Clemson that they are not going to be allowed to do here, at least not beyond what every other recruiting rival is doing under the cover of NIL.

I understand that we’re “close” with a lot of top guys, and there may be a wave of blue chips who take Venables’ message to heart and commit late when they’re good and ready. But personally, I kinda have to see that work at least once—here, with faraway talent and a fledgling at best NIL operation—before I feel good about it.

How do you know OU boosters won’t be able to do what they did at Clemson? That may have been true in the past but things are changing at OU too. Everyone at OU knows we either adapt or die in this environment. Do you think they’re going to quietly allow OU football to die? Do think they’re not aware of what it’s going to take to compete and win in the SEC?

You assume quite a bit. You’re looking backwards and trying to predict the future.

[MichSooner]

How do you know OU boosters won’t be able to do what they did at Clemson? That may have been true in the past but things are changing at OU too. Everyone at OU knows we either adapt or die in this environment. Do you think they’re going to quietly allow OU football to die? Do think they’re not aware of what it’s going to take to compete and win in the SEC?

You assume quite a bit. You’re looking backwards and trying to predict the future.

He is looking at the OU Compliance Dept, a department that was highly criticized by the NCAA, former President Boren, and serious adjustments were made by JC. The degree to which compliance operates under a new President and under the rules or non-rules of the NCAA is unknown in the era of NIL . We can say that the university is not going to let recruiting fall behind with the advent of NIL and the transfer portal because we are fans of OU. But what The University of Oklahoma is going to actually do under the leadership of Harroz is an unknown. Are we still on any type of probation from the Bomar or Coach Sampson incidents? As far as what Clemson boosters did in the past 10 years, all we can do is speculate because bagmen, if there are bagmen, operate discreetly. Superstars may have ended up at Clemson because they were paid or because they trusted and believed in Dabo and his staff. I believe OU is aware of what it is going to take to compete and win in the SEC under NIL-hence the collective that was announced last spring. Since that time, the NCAA said collectives are not legal. Who knows what is happening in the Wild West of FBS athletics?

[novasooner]

Here's something to cheer you up: Rueben Owens, a top-two running back nationally and long considered a heavy Texas lean with A&M and USC in hot pursuit, just committed to...Louisville.

[MichSooner]

Here's something to cheer you up: Rueben Owens, a top-two running back nationally and long considered a heavy Texas lean with A&M and USC in hot pursuit, just committed to...Louisville.

Louisville seems to be tearing it up. Are they promising race horses to the recruits? Or maybe a distillery?

[TheBoots]

Louisville seems to be tearing it up. Are they promising race horses to the recruits? Or maybe a distillery?

Going back ten or so years, they have been ranked as low as 30 and as high as 70.

Reminds me of that 2013 Ole Miss class ranked fifth that they got put on probation for.

[SoopaSooner]

Louisville seems to be tearing it up. Are they promising race horses to the recruits? Or maybe a distillery?

All the Papa Johns money can buy.

[MichSooner]

Any news on the recruiting front for 2023? The BBQ was weekend number one of June, several more visitors came week 2. Is it going to take a packed stadium regardless of kick time, with deafening noise by the crowd-no matter who we are playing-to set an atmosphere which, on top of the coaches, players, facilities, and NIL to get players to commit? And most of all, on the field, an exciting offense with a suffocating defense with win after win after win to get these recruits to trust and believe? Signing Day is right before Christmas. Seems a Brent team with a 13-0, 12-1 record and headed to the CFP would attract great players and even flip a few our way. 11-2 would be solid, too.

[TheBoots]

Brent was not the HC at Clemson.

Dabo Sweeney HC record is 150–36

In the three years full years before Brent, Dabo was:

9-5
6-7
10-4

Not exactly world-beaters, but not bad in a weak conference.

Since Brent, there never won less than 10 games with two Natty's and a perfect season in 2018.

People know what was going on there.

[Empire]

Any news on the recruiting front for 2023? The BBQ was weekend number one of June, several more visitors came week 2. Is it going to take a packed stadium regardless of kick time, with deafening noise by the crowd-no matter who we are playing-to set an atmosphere which, on top of the coaches, players, facilities, and NIL to get players to commit? And most of all, on the field, an exciting offense with a suffocating defense with win after win after win to get these recruits to trust and believe? Signing Day is right before Christmas. Seems a Brent team with a 13-0, 12-1 record and headed to the CFP would attract great players and even flip a few our way. 11-2 would be solid, too.

OU missed on a couple of Oline prospects Wilkin Formby and Brycen Sanders. Not too worried yet, but they need to land 3 of Cayden Green, Jaydon Chatman, Logan Howland, Payton Kirkland, Miles Mcvay, etc.

[soonerbms]

Tyler Turner is trending towards Oregon on all the sites and he just announced on Twitter that he’ll be committing soon. We’re losing a lot of these battles. We really need to turn the tide in recruiting this summer.

[Mindreader101]

Tyler Turner is trending towards Oregon on all the sites and he just announced on Twitter that he’ll be committing soon. We’re losing a lot of these battles. We really need to turn the tide in recruiting this summer.

him and Colton Vasek seems tied in their decisions so probably losing both to UO. Oregon has beaten us to a lot of recruits lately it feels. Conerly, cozart flip etc

[soonerbms]

him and Colton Vasek seems tied in their decisions so probably losing both to UO. Oregon has beaten us to a lot of recruits lately it feels. Conerly, cozart flip etc

Forget the big dogs who always beat us in recruiting. Schools like Oregon, Louisville, Nebraska, etc seem far more serious about NIL projects that we do. I’m not being an alarmist. I’m just telling it like it is. If we don’t get with the program, we’ll fall off a cliff.

[Empire]

[TheBoots]

10.5 seconds in the 100-meter dash

[soonerbms]

Dylan Edwards is committing tomorrow. K State is the favorite.

[Salt City Sooner]

Dylan Edwards is committing tomorrow. K State is the favorite.

Got his little feelers hurt when OU had the audacity to have him not be the only RB at the BBQ. If he’s going to be that big of a brat, then que’ sera as far as I’m concerned.

[novasooner]

Pettaway beginning to pick up some steam...

[Ruprecht]

Got his little feelers hurt when OU had the audacity to have him not be the only RB at the BBQ. If he’s going to be that big of a brat, then que’ sera as far as I’m concerned.

I think you are being a bit hard on a guy who is a K-State legacy. And furthermore, K-State has a pretty good track record with midget running backs.

[Empire]

OU backed off of Dylan Edwards for anyone who’s curious. Khalib Hicks took his spot. I was never high on Edwards to begin with.

[Salt City Sooner]

I think you are being a bit hard on a guy who is a K-State legacy. And furthermore, K-State has a pretty good track record with midget running backs.

Just repeating what I’ve heard from more than one source. If he’s happy up there, more power to him.

[AdonijahAijalon]

Forget the big dogs who always beat us in recruiting. Schools like Oregon, Louisville, Nebraska, etc seem far more serious about NIL projects that we do. I’m not being an alarmist. I’m just telling it like it is. If we don’t get with the program, we’ll fall off a cliff.

We'll be fine. Last year we picked up Kanak, Evers, Barnes, Gibson, Mason, Halton, Henry, Burt, and Nic Anderson after the first signing day. That's 9 recruits no one expected to sign.

Imo, our current roster and the transfer portal gives Brent two years to build an elite roster. No need to get into a bidding war for a high school player who might not live up to the hype, and who has the potential to hit the portal in the future.

[Ruprecht]

Just repeating what I’ve heard from more than one source. If he’s happy up there, more power to him.

Yes, I trust you with your local sources up there. Was just trying to set up a midget joke (while we still can still make midget jokes).

The only thing I regret about it is that OU rarely gets a Kansas HS player. But when we do they usually end up being good players.

[TheBoots]

OU backed off of Dylan Edwards for anyone who’s curious. Khalib Hicks took his spot. I was never high on Edwards to begin with.

That is kind of what I was thinking.

i have been looking at the recuting classes Lebby and even Art were making at Baylor UCF and Ole Miss. I mean, he would arguably be telling DM what he wants in the offensive scheme and DM finding them? Not a ton of small guys. Medium to larger, can block, speed and can catch out ofnthe backfield. Running is a compliment to the game, not a centerpiece

[MichSooner]

Yes, I trust you with your local sources up there. Was just trying to set up a midget joke (while we still can still make midget jokes).

The only thing I regret about it is that OU rarely gets a Kansas HS player. But when we do they usually end up being good players.

Like a guy named Blake Bell.

[NWOSURanger]

missed out on Barry.

[Empire]

Arch manning to Texas for anyone who’s curious. That’s a good pickup for them.

[OUrage]

Arch manning to Texas for anyone who’s curious. That’s a good pickup for them.

And a bad decision for him. His stock will drop the first snap he takes.

[IKE93]

Arch manning to Texas for anyone who’s curious. That’s a good pickup for them.

Naw I don’t think anyone is curious
BOOMER!

[BoomerAnon]

Looks like that makes Ewers the next Tate Martel

[novasooner]

Downplay it all you want, but this commit is huge for Texas. They're already getting a run of crystal balls for Johntay Cook and Mikal Harrison-Pilot (at one time a supposed OU lean). Elite RB Cedric Baxter just got Fonged to UT, as well.

Meanwhile, Payton Kirkland is getting crystal balls to Michigan State and OU is getting crystal balls for yet another three-star whom nobody's heard of:

https://247sports.com/Player/Heath-Ozaeta-46097432/

I'm not saying that UT is "back." We've seen this script before. But I don't think we should pretend that this isn't a legitimate challenge, and possibly a problem. OU needs to start landing it's top-level guys, period. A class of diamonds in the rough ain't gonna cut it.

[IKE93]

Downplay it all you want, but this commit is huge for Texas. They're already getting a run of crystal balls for Johntay Cook and Mikal Harrison-Pilot (at one time a supposed OU lean). Elite RB Cedric Baxter just got Fonged to UT, as well.

Meanwhile, Payton Kirkland is getting crystal balls to Michigan State and OU is getting crystal balls for yet another three-star whom nobody's heard of:

https://247sports.com/Player/Heath-Ozaeta-46097432/

I'm not saying that UT is "back." We've seen this script before. But I don't think we should pretend that this isn't a legitimate challenge, and possibly a problem. OU needs to start landing it's top-level guys, period. A class of diamonds in the rough ain't gonna cut it.

Somehow I remember texsa having a higher ranked recruiting class than OU for the best part of the last decades and somehow I can remember Oklahoma pushing their shit in pretty much every year.. it’s ok you can pull your skirt back down
BOOMER!

[Empire]

Downplay it all you want, but this commit is huge for Texas. They're already getting a run of crystal balls for Johntay Cook and Mikal Harrison-Pilot (at one time a supposed OU lean). Elite RB Cedric Baxter just got Fonged to UT, as well.

Meanwhile, Payton Kirkland is getting crystal balls to Michigan State and OU is getting crystal balls for yet another three-star whom nobody's heard of:

https://247sports.com/Player/Heath-Ozaeta-46097432/

I'm not saying that UT is "back." We've seen this script before. But I don't think we should pretend that this isn't a legitimate challenge, and possibly a problem. OU needs to start landing it's top-level guys, period. A class of diamonds in the rough ain't gonna cut it.

I’m not to thrilled about the recruiting right now either. This Heath Ozeata kid doesn’t move the needle for me at all, it definitely seems like a plan C. I don’t mind getting outrecruited by Bama or Ohio State. But Michigan State, Ole Miss, or Oregon? That should never happen.

[SoopaSooner]

This is not surprising. Talk to me in October.

[SoonerBurglar]

Downplay it all you want, but this commit is huge for Texas. They're already getting a run of crystal balls for Johntay Cook and Mikal Harrison-Pilot (at one time a supposed OU lean). Elite RB Cedric Baxter just got Fonged to UT, as well.

Meanwhile, Payton Kirkland is getting crystal balls to Michigan State and OU is getting crystal balls for yet another three-star whom nobody's heard of:

https://247sports.com/Player/Heath-Ozaeta-46097432/

I'm not saying that UT is "back." We've seen this script before. But I don't think we should pretend that this isn't a legitimate challenge, and possibly a problem. OU needs to start landing it's top-level guys, period. A class of diamonds in the rough ain't gonna cut it.

Recruiting and the publicity surrounding it has become a competition in and of itself. People want to see high profile commits and a string of Top 100 crystal balls. Watching the competition's unfettered success day after day just doesn't sit well. While some of these lower ranked recruits may well be NFL draft picks you can't win without landing a large share of 5*s and top 50 type players.

Right now our team recruiting profile more closely resembles fOSU as opposed to tOSU.

[LakelandSooner]

It could end up working out, but so far this staff's approach to recruiting isn't working.