Well, the Ohio State Game sucked, ending OU’s slim chances of being relevant in the College Football Playoff chase. Despite all the message board wailing, however, the loss had a limited immediate impact on OU’s overall recruiting. No verbals decommitted en masse.
Actually, the huge recruiting weekend was pretty successful for OU. A big win would have been better, but recruits in attendance talked about loving the new stadium and connecting with the coaches and #SoonerSquad17.
OU did not come away without some dents. (We will get to that.) On the field, OU needs to go on a winning streak and recapture some momentum.
2017 Verbal Commitments
Projected class size (Approx. 25-27)
Chris Robison, QB – 6-2, 185 (Texas)
Four stars, Rivals100, top 10 in Texas.
Levi Draper, LB – 6-3, 225, 4.6 (Oklahoma)
Four stars, Rivals top 150, No. 1 prospect in Oklahoma, Army All-American.
Robert Barnes, S – 6-3, 195, 4.6 (Texas)
Four stars, Rivals top 150, top 30 in Texas, Army All-American.
Tyrese Robinson, OL – 6-5, 300, 5.2 (Texas)
Four stars, Rivals100, top 10 in Texas, Under Armour All-American.
Justin Broiles, DB – 6-0, 175, 4.5 (Oklahoma)
Four stars, Rivals250, No. 2 prospect in Oklahoma, Under Armour All-American.
Tre Brown, DB – 5-11, 175, 4.4 (Oklahoma)
Four stars, Rivals250, No. 3 prospect in Oklahoma, Under Armour All-American.
Marcelias Sutton, RB – 5-10, 190, 4.4 (JUCO)
Three stars.
Charleston Rambo, WR – 6-2, 175. 4.45 (Texas)
Four stars, Rivals250, top 30 in Texas.
Jalen Reagor, WR – 6-0, 185, 4.4 (Texas)
Four stars, ESPN’s top 100 players, Under Armour All-American.
Grant Calcaterra, WR/TE – 6-4, 210, 4.7 (California)
Four stars, ESPN 300, Scout 300, Under Armour All-American.
Trey Sermon, RB – 6-1, 210, 4.6 (Georgia)
Four stars. Rivals’ top 150 players, top 30 in Georgia.
Isaiah Thomas, DE/OLB – 6-5, 230, 4.7 (Oklahoma)
Four stars, Scout 300, No. 5 prospect in Oklahoma.
Jeremiah Hall, TE/H-Back – 6-3, 225, 4.6 (North Carolina)
Three stars.
Reeves Mundschau, P – 6-0, 170
Marquis Hayes, OL – 6-6, 320, 5.4 OG (Missouri)
Four stars, Rivals250.
Cedarian Lamb, WR – 6-3, 186, 4.45 (Texas)
Four stars, Rivals top 150 players.
Creed Humphrey, OL – 6-5, 300, 5.2 (Oklahoma)
Scout 300, No. 3 center overall.
Kenneth Murray, LB – 6-3, 210, 4.6 (Texas)
Three stars.
Addison Gumbs, OLB – 6-4, 215, 4.6 (California)
Four stars, Rivals100, Army All American Game.
2017 Players to Watch
OU leans
Any player leaning to OU is a very fluid situation right now. Limited scholarships mean some players are vying for the same spots.
These four projected leans would go a huge way to removing the few remaining gaps in the class.
1. Jacob Phillips, ILB – 6-3, 225, 4.6 (Tennessee)
Phillips has shot up the Rivals rankings, going from a three-star recruit to inside Rivals’ top 150. In addition, he just dominated the 5 Star Rivals Challenge. He might jump all the way into top 50 by the end of the year. Phillips and his whole family visited for the Louisiana-Monroe game.
It’s looking like Alabama versus OU for Phillips, and OU has made Phillips much more of a focus for longer than the Crimson Tide. This key battle might get resolved by mid-October.
2. Adrian Ealy, OT – 6-6, 300, 5.3. (Louisiana)
Bill Bedenbaugh has his power interior players in this class. Now he just needs an athletic left tackle prospect. Ealy fits perfectly. Miami appears to be OU’s biggest opponent.
3. Greg Rogers, DT – 6-4, 300, 4.9 DT (Las Vegas)
Two weeks ago, it looked like Rogers was staying on the West Coast. He still may, but USC’s implosion opened a window for OU. Rogers apparently loved the big-time football feel in Norman. He’s talking about a return visit on Twitter. Calvin Thibodeaux may have grabbed his first elite defensive tackle for the Sooners.
4. K’Jakyre Daley, OLB – 6-3, 230, 4.6 (Florida)
Is the pass-rushing demon from Florida ready to grab OU’s last OLB spot? Daley and Gumbs would give OU an unreal duo. Like Rogers, Daley appears to have loved his OU visit. He’s got some other visits planned, but it looks as though OU is leading.
In the Hunt
After the aforementioned four, who is left on the board?
Marvin Wilson, DT – 6-5, 320, 5.1 (Texas)
You know the name. The Ohio State loss crushed any momentum OU had with Wilson. The only reason why OU may still have a shot is that his other perceived top five, save for ‘Bama, all had bad weeks recently (LSU, Texas, Florida State).
Jeff Okudah, DB – 6-1, 200, 4.5 (Texas)
Okudah has been to Norman at least five times. He’s buddies with the entire #SoonerSquad17. The Ohio State loss probably ensures a verbal to to the Buckeyes later this fall. OU’s only real chance? Distance becoming a factor down the road.
Joseph Lewis, WR – 6-2, 205, 4.6 (California)
An elite big WR who has a three-year relationship with Dennis Simmons. He’s coming for an official visit for the Baylor game. Will OU hold its fourth WR scholarship for him? Just how good a shot does Simmons think OU has? Just like with Rogers, the USC implosion might give the Sooners a better shot than previously thought.
James Robinson, WR – 6-3, 200, 4.55 (Florida)
Is OU back in the top five for this elite big WR? His list seems very fluid. An OU official visit could make things interesting.
Jaylon Johnson, CB – 6-2, 185 4.45 (California)
Went from unknown to top 100 player in the nation after a summer camp session where he dominated elite WRs. The latest elite prospect from the Fresno area, Johnson could probably play any of the Sooners’ five DB spots. He’s visiting for the Baylor game.
K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB – 6-4, 220, 4.6 (Texas)
Is OU still in play here or not? It’s kind of confusing. Chaisson did retweet footage of Eric Striker recently, so who knows?
Tyler Taylor, LB – 6-3, 225, 4.6 (Georgia)
Ranked right behind Phillips and Anthony Hines at MIKE LB. The time frame for his decision is unknown. He visited for the Ohio State game, and OU appears to be in a battle with Auburn. Uncertainty with that coaching staff could help OU.
Joshua Pascal, DE – 6-4, 255, 4.75 (Maryland)
Another ULM visitor. News from Pascal is scarce. Hopefully, as he visits other schools, more info about OU’s chances will become apparent.
Elijah Conliffe, DE – 6-5, 270, 4.9 (Virginia)
The ideal 3-4 DE prospect. OU’s in his top 10, and the Sooners are pushing hard for a visit. So is Alabama.
Chuck Filiaga, OT – 6-6, 320, 5.3 (Texas via California)
OU will get a visit this fall. USC might be out. Seems like a Bedenbaugh offensive lineman. OU is paying him a lot of attention. Paired with Ealy, Filiaga would make for a great OT class for OU.
Dayo Odeyingbo, DE – 6-5, 250, 4.7 (Texas)
Vanderbilt commitment who has a high ceiling at DE. Huge frame, wingspan and the ability to easily be a very mobile 6-5, 280-plus DE in OU’s 3-4 scheme. Maybe not as productive right now as players like Taquon Graham, but the upside is absurd.
A.J. Davis, RB – 5-10, 180, 4.4 (Florida)
OU recently reappeared on this recruit’s radar. I think it all comes down to OU’s RB situation with respect to the NFL. A dual exit from Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, and OU signs a second high school RB. Davis would make a perfect one-two punch at RB with Trey Sermon.
Joshua Rogers, DE – 6-6, 280, 5.0 (Houston)
A new name from Twitter and a new offer by Thibs. Really, the only question is where has he been hiding? Great film, perfect fit for the OU defense. Hopefully OU can get him on campus soon for an official.
Akial Byers, DE – 6-5, 280, 4.9
‘Bama verbal commitment. Byers looked very good at The Opening. OU will keep working him.
-Atlantasooner