Dorial Green-Beckham signs with Missouri
Not even the most optimistic Sooner fan started today thinking OU had any chance of signing Dorial Green-Beckham today. And it’s only worth mentioning here because there was a time a month ago when it looked like OU was running strong in the race for the nation’s top receiving recruit.
But the son of Springfield, Mo., has decided to stay close to home, picking Missouri over Arkansas, Texas — and yes, Oklahoma. He made his announcement this morning at his high school.
Apparently, the “MIZ-DGB” chants worked.
9:30 a.m. update: Sooners have 13 LOIs
CAMPUS CORNER – OL Kyle Marrs (9:08 a.m.), CB Gary Simon (9:13 a.m.) and OL Ty Darlington (9:26 a.m.) are in. Simon was in earlier, was off the board while OU waited for additional paperwork and now he’s back, officially. Everyone I’ve spoken with — coaches, analysts — is really high on Simon. Likely the most underrated player in the class. It would be surprising if you don’t hear his name in the coming years.
OU is still waiting on letters of intent from:
-Laith Harlow, TE, Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby
-Will Latu, OL, College of the Canyons
-Alex Ross, RB, Jenks
-Eric Striker, LB, Seffner (Fla.) Armwood
-Derrick Woods, WR, Inglewood, Calif.
OU is still waiting on decisions from:
-Courtney Gardner, WR, Sierra CC
-Damien Williams, RB, Arizona Western CC
= Ryan, Trav
Sooners add Gary Simon
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
One of the pieces of suspense for OU’s recruiting class entering signing day was taken care of pretty quickly when St. Petersburg (Fla.) Gibbs cornerback Gary Simon committed to the Sooners this morning ahead of his official announcement.
Simon (6-foot-1, 177 pounds) chose the Sooners over Iowa State and Arkansas.
Other players who the Sooners could add to their class by the end of the day are juco wide receiver Courtney Gardner and running back Damien Williams.
Other than the official latter from Simon, OU is still waiting on letters of intent from:
-Ty Darlington, OL, Apopka (Fla.)
-Laith Harlow, TE, Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby
-Will Latu, OL, College of the Canyons
-Kyle Marrs, OL, San Antonio Brandeis
-Alex Ross, RB, Jenks
-Eric Striker, LB, Seffner (Fla.) Armwood
-Charles Tapper, DE, Baltimore (Md.) City College
-Derrick Woods, WR, Inglewood, Calif.
Top recruit Mario Edwards Jr. opens door to Sooners
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
Edwards leaving door open to OU
Denton (Texas) Ryan defensive end Mario Edwards Jr., the top player on the ESPNU 150 for the 2012 class, insists he hasn’t withdrawn his commitment from Florida State.
But though he might still be technically committed to the Seminoles, it’s clear he’s not 100 percent sold on signing with Florida State.
“Right now OU is above FSU … I’m VERBALLY committed to FSU, but I’m still open and looking,” Edwards told the Orlando Sentinel in a message.
Edwards was at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday for OU’s blowout win over Texas.
Edwards, the son of former Florida State and NFL player Mario Edwards Sr., is scheduled to be in Austin for Saturday’s Texas-Oklahoma State game, in LSU when the Tigers play Auburn in two weeks and in Norman on Nov. 5 when the Sooners host Texas A&M.
Sooners pick up commit No. 14: Polo Manukainiu
Euless (Texas) Trinity defensive end Polo Manukainiu committed to OU on Monday, according to SoonerScoop.com.
Manukainiu (6-foot-6, 256 pounds) is OU’s 14th commitment for the class of 2012 and the sixth from Texas. He’s also the second defensive end to pledge to the Sooners, joining Baltimore City College High’s Charles Tepper.
Manukainiu chose the Sooners over Baylor. He also had offers from Arkansas, Miami and Nebraska, among others.
Sooners freshman offensive lineman Nila Kasitati is also a Euless Trinity product. The Sooners are also recruiting linebacker Brian Nance from the school. Nance is likely to take an official visit to Norman later this season.
Here’s Manukainiu’s junior highlights:
OU commit Ty Darlington works hard in the classroom as well as on the field
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
OU commit Ty Darlington, a center from Apopka, Fla., was named the top player on the latest update of the Orlando Sentinel’s Central Florida Super 60 list:
Darlington, who committed to the Sooners in June, isn’t only a standout on the field but in the classroom as well.
The last time he got a B in a class was in elementary school and he’s got a chance to be the valedictorian of his class.
His dad, Rick, is his high school coach and his mom, Shelly, was an OU cheerleader in the 1980s.
With Ben Habern entering his junior season at center, having started 24 games there over the last two years, Darlington figures to have another year to develop after arriving in Norman.
Bell earns Elite status
Sooner QB recruit Blake Bell, the Wichita standout, can add another level of accomplishment to his stud status.
Elite 11 quarterback.
Bell is among 12 quarterbacks picked to participate at the EA Sports Elite 11 camp.
As for the math, 12 QBs/Elite 11, it must require some newfangled calculator. Or the 11 stands for something beyond the number of players in the mix.
But the consensus is that Bell belongs.
Here’s the take of ESPN’s Tom Luginbill on Bell:
“Bell’s physical measurables (6-foot-5, 212 pounds) and upside are enormous. He did not have a great regional workout, but his tape does not lie. He’s been a starter at quarterback for only one season — he was an All-State wide receiver prior to that as a sophomore — but there are lots to work with here.”
Bell will be among some premier QBs at the camp, working alongside, among other touted signal callers, Nick Montana, Joe’s son.
The experience should be invaluable, not only as a checkpoint to measure himself with the nation’s best, but the instruction there is outstanding.
– By John Helsley
Clay and Finch highlights
We have more video of Brennan Clay and Roy Finch on the way. But here’s a peak at some video of the two blue-chip running backs who committed to Oklahoma in June.
Roy Finch (No. 24)
Brennan Clay (No. 15)
By Jake Trotter
Where did the three wins go?
On a previous comment, Claude Raines claimed that Oklahoma possesses 791 victories, three fewer than I had given the Sooners when comparing all-time wins.
The College Football Data Warehouse, which stores loads of information about all-time college football results, lists 788 wins for OU. But the university, which claims CFDW as its source as well, lists 791.
So, why the discrepancy?
I was curious. So after a little research, I discovered the reason is 1972.
That year, OU was forced to forfeit three games due to, as the Sports Illustrated vault recounts, “Kerry Jackson, the hotshot quarterback whose high school transcript was altered, resulting in OU being put on probation for two years and costing the Sooners three 1972 victories.”
Wins over Missouri, Kansas and OSU were changed to losses.
So in reality, OU has both 788 wins and 791 wins, depending on how you view those three games in question (by the way, forfeits are different from vacated victories. A forfeit is a loss. A “vacate” is neither a win nor loss).
Either way, the Sooners are 7th all-time in wins, and 5th in winning percentage.
** Predictably, Alabama announced Wed. that the school would appeal the 21 victories that are currently being vacated by the NCAA for violations. Will be interesting to see what happens, but my guess is that the Tide will get their victories back.
** Got an email from a writer who covers Missouri a couple of days ago, asking who would be OU’s top newcomer this season (freshman, redshirt freshman, JUCO). I responded with JUCO WR Cameron Kenney, who I interviewed and wrote a story about earlier this summer. Kenney’s ability to help OU on special teams is intriguing, in addition to his obvious talents at receiver.
But what about others? Is there another newcomer to watch who may overtake Kenney in terms of impact?
Here are some possibilities:
Tress Way, punter
Way is almost assured of handling the punting duties this year
Bryce Easley, kicker
Obviously, if he wins the place-kicking job, that would be a big-time impact
Brian Lepak, guard/center
He’s one injury away from being a starter
David King or R.J. Washington, defensive end
One of the two will play significant snaps; lately, OU has annually produced a standout newcomer at DE
** Picture of the day
Imagine this happening on a weekly basis next season. Q Carter can lay the hammer down.
Photo by The Oklahoman's Bryan Terry
** Video of the day
OU running back commitment Brennan Clay (No. 24 here) of San Diego Scripps Ranch High School. Clay will be among the top RB recruits for the Class of 2010.
** Congrats to Trent, Shane, Jason and Dog for their right answers to Boise State boasting one of the top-10 all-time winning percentages.
Next trivia question: How many college football offenses in history have had a 4,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard receiver, and two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season? How many, and who were they? Bonus points for specific players.
By Jake Trotter
OU hoops boast No. 6 class
The bad news of Juan Pattillo being kicked off the team this week shouldn’t linger too long.
That’s because the Sooners have the No. 6-ranked incoming recruiting class, according to ESPN.com.
Said ESPN, “Four ESPNU 100 players, two of whom are McDonald’s All-Americans, will help soften the blow of Blake Griffin’s early departure from Norman. Center Keith Gallon (Houston/Oak Hill Academy) and PG Tommy Mason-Griffin (Houston/Madison) are the headliners for OU; the duo will be counted upon to be productive from day one. Gallon, at 6-9 and 300 pounds, can score inside, face up to the arc and is a physical rebounding presence. The 5-10 Mason-Griffin is a complete point guard because he can handle, pass and shoot with NBA range. He also is strong enough to handle the contact as a freshman in the Big 12 at 190 pounds. Coach Jeff Capel also added a big-time wing shooter and zone buster in Steve Pledger (Chesapeake, Va./Atlantic Shores). Bookend power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (Owings Mills, Md./Brewster Academy) is a physical scorer on the blocks and a deft offensive rebounder. Powerful rebounder and finisher Kyle Hardrick (Oklahoma City/Putnam City) brings the effort and intensity.”
(To see more recruiting analysis from ESPN, click here. Other notable rankings, Kentucky No. 1, Texas No. 4, Kansas No. 5, Oklahoma State No. 10).
I expect Mason-Griffin and Gallon to be instant starters. With Pattillo gone, Fitzgerald could work his way into the starting lineup as well.
That would leave a starting line up of:
PG Mason-Griffin
SG Willie Warren
SF Tony Crocker
PF Fitzgerald
C Gallon
You won’t win in December with a team like that. But in March, if the youth-movement Sooners gel around superstar Willie Warren, look out, perhaps even for another deep run into the NCAA Tournament.
By Jake Trotter
