Sooners Recruiting Update: Good news, bad news
Oklahoma had a very productive Bedlam weekend from a recruiting standpoint. In fact, I wish that OU had held back some official visits (Marvin Wilson/Jeffrey Okudah), instead of using the Ohio State game.
The weekend produced a new verbal commitment: Marquise Brown, the No. 2 JUCO wide receiver in the country. Brown, who enrolls in January, has three years of eligibility, so he’s not your typical prospect. His film from this year is elite.
Brown had offers from USC, West Virginia and OU. His decision came down to WVU and OU. He saw the Sooners smash the Mountaineers in Morgantown, then two weeks later watched OU dominate OSU in Norman.
Brown will be in spring ball, ready to help fill the massive void left by Dede Westbrook. In addition, he is an excellent return specialist and could fit that role as well.
OU’s other new verbal commitment was a lightning bolt out of nowhere at defensive line. Before Dec. 17, only hard ore recruitniks had been tracking Zack McKinney. His senior film shows great improvement, and his offer list was about to blow up. McKinney had just been offered by Texas, but McKinney grabbed an offer from OU and committed almost immediately.
According to the Football Brainiacs, McKinney came to Norman for an unofficial visit for the Kansas game, and defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux tracked him all fall.
There’s a little Jordan Phillips to McKinney's senior year highlights, making lots of plays in the opponents’ backfield. He’s a good addition with a high upside at a critical spot. It allows Thibs/OU to go long into recruiting season with some other prospects.
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Now the bad news.
The Sooners took some hits in recruiting in the last week or so. It's to be expected as kids narrow down their decisions.
- OU lost out on defensive back Noah Daniels, who verbaled to TCU after visiting for the Oklahoma State game.
- OU tried to get into Deangelo Gibbs’ top five, but he’s locked down his recruiting to make an all-star game decision.
- JUCO DL Lee Autry kept his commitment to Mississippi State.
- Josh Pascal chose Kentucky, where his brother is on staff.
- December visitor Matt Leo, a JUCO DL from Australia, stunned everyone by bypassing his Arizona commitment to sign with Iowa State, not OU.
- Jerry Drake, who visited OU, but did not garner an offer, chose Pitt.
2017 Verbal Commitments
Projected class size (Approx. 27-29)
*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.
*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, Army All-American Game.
*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.
Kennedy Brooks, RB – 6-0, 195, 4.55 RB (Texas)
Four stars, Rivals250.
K’Jakrye Daley, OLB – 6-3, 215, 4.6 (Florida)
Three stars.
Jacob Phillips, ILB – 6-3, 225, 4.6 (Tennessee)
Four stars, No. 37 overall by Rivals, Army All-American.
*Marquise Brown, WR – 5-11, 175, 4.35 (JUCO)
Four stars.
Zack McKinney, DT – 6-5, 300, 5.0 (Texas)
Three stars.
*Signed
**Potential early enrollee
-Atlantasooner