Big 12 source: schedule “getting close” but not done
CAMPUS CORNER — Perhaps the idea of the Big 12 schedule coming out today was merely wishful thinking on the part of Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt.
Someone within the league told me this morning that officials are “getting close,” but they’re still not quite there. So maybe West Virginia’s legal matters with the Big East are not fully resolved — or at least as far along as Hocutt thinks they are. Can’t blame Hocutt for his optimism, but it sounds as if there’s a good chance the wait continues into next week.
Again, on OU’s front, the Sooners are essentially set on their pair of open non-conference dates — it’s just a matter of the Big 12 schedule coming out first, before those are truly finalized. And maybe there’s still wiggle room to keep OU-Texas on Oct. 6, but, at last check, it sounded as if it was going back a week to Oct. 13.
= Trav
Texas Tech AD: Expect Big 12 schedule on Friday
THE HI-NOTES
* Big 12 schedule coming Friday, Texas Tech’s Kirby Hocutt says
* Source: OU has its two vacant non-conference dates all but finalized
* Expectation is that OU-Texas will be Oct. 13, a week later than originally scheduled
CAMPUS CORNER — Texas Tech Kirby Hocutt was gathered in front of media types Thursday to talk about renovations to the school’s baseball stadium. The conversation inevitably turned toward football — and football scheduling.
Hocutt, sounding relieved, said to expect the Big 12 football schedule Friday. As in tomorrow. (At least we think he meant tomorrow. He just said Friday.)
Hocutt said changes were being adopted and discussed even as late as Wednesday night. But school officials, you can tell, have been getting closer and closer to releasing this. As we reported earlier in the week, interim league commish Chuck Neinas said TV execs received the tentative schedule last week, in time for the Feb. 1 deadline.
It could not be publicly released then because of West Virginia’s legal entanglements, but most parties felt as if the Mountaineers — at some cost — would be coming west in 2012. I’m not even sure if two schedules were actually developed. (That’ll be a good question, in hindsight.)
Sounds as if West Virginia has its issues with the Big East essentially settled. Remember that Feb. 9 — today — was the initial mediation date.
As far as OU is concerned, I’m told the pair of vacant non-conference opponents — Notre Dame has been set for years — are all but set. One is done, I’m told. The other’s finalization is dependent on the release of the Big 12 schedule. But they’re in place. I know, I know … you all want to know who the teams are — and where. Soon.
I can tell you it looks like the Red River game will be moved back a week, to Oct. 13. That’s still in the framework of the fair, but someone mentioned it’s Austin City Limits weekend in Austin, which I’m sure will disappoint some — mostly on the UT side of the rivalry.
We’ll be monitoring all of this tomorrow and in the next week, as it’s released.
= Trav
2012 Big 12 football schedule update
The conference is close to finalizing the 2012 Big 12 football schedule, according to a person familiar with the tedious task being tackled by league officials. The schedule should be released “soon,” according to the source. The schedule could be announced later this week or sometime next week.
West Virginia trying to join the Big 12, hoping to play in the conference this fall, certainly is a variable. But the reason there’s been a slight delay is two or three games are still under discussion and might be moved to different dates.
While most of the schedule is complete, and a few schools know for certain what their 2012 Big 12 football league schedule looks like, the conference wants to wait until every team’s schedule is complete before releasing the entire schedule.
Interim Big 12 commissioner Chuck Neinas has said the schedule has been sent to TV partners. Athletic directors have a copy of the tentative schedule.
Since October, the Mountaineers have been petitioning the Big East to leave the conference to join the Big 12. West Virginia has informed Florida State it is cancelling its home-and-home series which some believe is a sign the Mountaineers are close to escaping the Big East.
West Virginia president James Clements has been on record saying the school’s plan is to exit from the Big East in time to begin Big 12 competition by July 1.
OU and OSU fans simply need to show a little more patience. The schedule will be released “soon.”
Rooting for Justin McCay
Covering sports you see different players try to overcome various obstacles. A story that appeared this week on KUSpots.com shows why former Oklahoma wide receiver Justin McCay is one of those kids you hope the NCAA shows some mercy.
McCay, a wide receiver from the Kansas City area, was a highly touted recruit. It just didn’t work out for McCay at OU, which has a roster loaded with talented wide receivers.
McCay has transferred to Kansas under new coach Charlie Weis. The question is whether the NCAA “waives” the customary year McCay must sit out so he could play immediately this fall for the Jayhawks.
Having already used his redshirt year, plus seeing limited playing time this past year as a redshirt freshman, McCay is appealing to the NCAA so he doesn’t have to sit out one season. The appeal is McCay would have three years eligibility the next three years, staring with the 2012 season.
Tim Grunhard, a former NFL player with the Kansas City Chiefs who was hired by Weis, was close with McCay, who has a unique story. His father died when he was in high school at Bishop Miege.
“We’re hoping that he can play next year,” Grunhard is quoted in the story. “If you read the story and you read the letter and you read about some of the things he’s gone through in his life, I want to meet the NCAA compliance person that says no to him. Because if you say no to him, then obviously you don’t understand what’s so important to this kid and what a great person he is. We’re hoping it all works out.”
Although Grunhard didn’t provide specific details about the content of McCay’s letter, Grunhard painted a picture of a young man having been through more in his first two decades of life than most people endure during far longer stretches of time.
“He’s had a rough go of it,” Grunhard said. “Here’s a kid that pretty much couch-surfed all through high school and never had a home. His father passed away going into his senior year. He’s down in Oklahoma. He had some family issues. I think he was homesick. He was red-shirted, and he lost that football instinct for a little bit. But he’s the same old Justin being back here.”
The NCAA has to enforce rules to make it fair for all schools. But there are exceptions to every rule. If you know McCay’s story, which I wrote about two summers ago, you would hope the NCAA grants McCay’s “waiver” and he’s allowed to play this fall.
Power Lunch Chat with Mike Baldwin
Report: Florida State contacts OU re: 2012 football game
CAMPUS CORNER — Just saw a report in the Orlando Sentinel from my buddy Coley Harvey that Florida State has reached out to, among other teams, Oklahoma to fill a void in its 2012 football schedule.
Wouldn’t that be interesting, a Stoops family homecoming? Get Ron Jr. and Youngstown State down here for some sort of jamboree, maybe?
Hypothetically, the teams would continue their home-and-home series with another round. OU clobbered the Seminoles here in 2010 and escaped with a 10-point victory in Tallahassee this past fall.
The Sooners want to build a formidable non-conference schedule, sure, but Notre Dame and Florida State? That might be a bit much, even if there would be plethora of Stoopses.
The Seminoles are suddenly in the market for a game because West Virginia dropped them earlier in the day Saturday. Let’s take that as an indication that the move to the Big 12 is likely, with the Mountaineers dumbing down their schedule since the conference season would be much more difficult than the Big East.
WVU’s move is what’s holding up the release of the Big 12 schedule. Some TV execs might have been given the tentative schedule, but no info will be divulged until the Mountaineers get things settled with the Big East.
Sept. 8 is the date FSU is eyeing, for what that’s worth. The only date OU has said it doesn’t want to touch is the Oct. 27 Notre Dame game.
Note, too, that the ‘Noles have spoken with Rutgers officials. That’s a school OU AD Joe Castiglione has spoken with, potentially for a neutral site game in the Meadowlands. If FSU snatches the Knights up first, I highly doubt they’d want to play both teams.
= Trav
Kruger can “flat out coach”
At halftime of Oklahoma’s loss Wednesday night at Kansas, the buzz in the media room was “Lon Kruger can flat out coach.” A couple of reporters were discussing whether Kruger might be one of the most underrated coaches in the country.
The Jayhawks were on the verge of blowing out the Sooners but OU battled back to within 34-31 at halftime. Hitting its first 10 shots after intermission, No. 8 Kansas dominated the early segments of the second half to coast to an easy win at historic Allen Fieldhouse.
But heading into the home stretch of Kruger’s inaugural season in Norman it’s apparent the Sooners rarely, if ever, be at a coaching disadvantage.
The Sooners are improved. Individual players have improved. Part of that is a testament to players putting in the work. But it’s also a reflection of the impact being made by Kruger and his staff.
More than whether OU can reach the NIT, a realistic goal, this season is about laying a foundation for next season as much about where the Sooners finish in the Big 12 standings or their post-season fate.
Kruger’s comments in recent weeks have been revealing. He’s downplayed wins and losses. He’s stressed repeatedly the No. 1 goal is to improve on a daily basis, emphasizing the importance of learning how to compete mentally and physically in one of the top conferences in America.
Next season the Sooners essentially return their entire roster, losing only senior backup power forward C.J. Washington. A veteran team that will be bolstered five newcomers could develop into a top 25 team.
Progress is being made in Kruger’s inaugural season. Kruger and his staff are changing the culture. It’s another example of how the 59-year-old Silver Lake, Kan., product “can flat out coach.”
Power Lunch Chat with Mike Baldwin
Summing up Sooners’ signing day
CAMPUS CORNER — Much appreciation to Bob Stoops and his staff for having signing day virtually completed by noon local time.
I think they’re done, although some fans are already chattering that the Sooners have a chance with Davonte Neal. It would be a big surprise, at this point. I know Tim Kish has that connection with Neal, from Phoenix, but I would be surprised if he wound up somewhere other than Ohio State. Neal is expected to sign in the next couple of weeks. He’s working on his own timeline, which is fine. If it starts to heat up with him in February, we’ll let you know.
But let’s talk about who is here, so to speak.
The themes …
** JUCO
It’s what jumps out first, to me. I’ll find this out this afternoon, but this has to be a new record for junior college players in the Stoops era. Right? Maybe not. I know the Josh Heupel class leaned heavily on them, as well. But doesn’t that indicate where OU is right now? It needs immediate help, because of transfers and others who did not work out.
I remember Stoops telling us after the bowl game that OU rarely goes after junior college players, but it typically gets good ones when it does. Not sure all of these signees will be stars, but I’ll be two-thirds are. My guesses on top contributors … latter three over the former three. Look for good things from Will Latu, Courtney Gardner and Damien Williams. Not to say the other trio will not help, but the last three could make the bigger splash in 2012.
** National reach
I haven’t been here long, but this has to be the fewest Texas commitments/signees in a while. OU has a total of five from the Lone Star State, not counting the early enrollees (Trey Metoyer, Jordan Wade). That’s two offensive linemen, John Michael McGee and Kyle Marrs. Marrs’ fellow San Antonio native Trevor Knight is another. Cornerback signee Zack Sanchez, from Keller, is the another. Athlete Daniel Brooks, from Port Lavaca, is the other. There will be a tug of war over where Brooks will play. Corner would be the most likely place he’ll land; he could return, as well.
Here’s the state breakdown of this class, geographically: California (3), Florida (4), Kansas, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio (2), Nevada, Oklahoma (3), Pennsylvania, Texas (7).
What’s the tell ya? It’s an evolving approach at OU. Two more kids (originally) from San Diego, continuing that pipeline.
** Filling the needs
While the guys on ESPNU are talking ad nauseum about the SEC and Southern Cal and Notre Dame, Oklahoma very quietly got what it needed out of this class (though, I guess we’ll have to wait and see if that’s true, to some extent). I think the Sooners signed so many receivers and tight ends – and even a couple of running backs – that it figured all won’t pan out, but some really will in a big way. And, with the JUCO players, the wait might be shorter.
** Best on the board: WR Durron Neal. That’s why we wrote about him today. He seems to think he’s underrated; we don’t, and I know OU doesn’t. His impact could be somewhere between Kenny Stills and Kameel Jackson in their first years.
** Most underrated: CB Gary Simon. If everyone’s calling you underrated, are you really underrated? Still, Simon is a middle-level recruit, according to those scouting services, so we’ll deem him under the radar. Simon could develop into an all-conference kind of player, if things shake out right. Simon and Sanchez signing smoothed over the losses of De’Vante Harris and Kevin Peterson.
** Most surprising: Nothing’s really come out of left field, really. The Sooners got the players this week that they were after. They recognized a while back, I feel like, that players such as Dorial Green-Beckham, Nelson Agholor, Zach Banner weren’t coming, so they focused on guys who were seriously considering OU.
** Don’t forget about: Metoyer. He was highly regarded in the last class, and he won’t be talked about much today because of the receivers who signed. But he’s big (6-2, 198) and should make the biggest impact of any of the new receivers.
= Trav
Courtney Gardner: The many travels of a JUCO standout the Sooners swiped from Arkansas
News that California junior college wide receiver Courtney Gardner signed with Oklahoma can’t be sitting too well with Arkansas. First the Hogs lost out on the nation’s top prep receiver (Dorial Green-Beckham) to Missouri. Then, in Gardner, they lost the nati0n’s top JUCO pass catcher to the Sooners.
But its cause to celebrate in the Sooner coaching offices. Co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell has restocked his receiving corps quite well.
Here’s the receivers on the OU roster before classes were in session: Kenny Stills, Jaz Reynolds, Trey Franks and Kameel Jackson. That’s it.
Here’s the receiving corps Norvell and the Sooners since have signed:
– Trey Metoyer, perhaps the nation’s top receiving recruiting last year, returns to Norman from Hargrave Military Academy as the top prep school recruit. The five-star recruit probably has a different perspective on campus life now, having worn a military uniform to class last fall.
– Duron Neal of St. Louis spent his prep career playing in DGB shadow and comes to Norman with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, looking to prove he’s underrated — hence the Twitter handle @UnderratedNeal. Norvell calls him a student of Sooner football history and one of the favorite kids he’s ever recruited.
– Those of us who have watched Sterling Shepard’s career and know his background wonder if Norvell wasn’t actually talking about the Heritage Hall star, who signed Wednesday. Norvell made it clear in his segment on OU’s signing day webcast that he was looking for ways to the ball in the hands of late Sooner receiver Derrick Shepard soon.
– Derrick Woods of Inglewood, Calif. grew up just blocks from the Fabulous Forum, former home of the Los Angeles Lakers. Norvell enjoyed talking about Woods’ Los Angeles roots, and holding off a late charge from USC to sign him.
– And then there’s Gardner, who along with fellow juco standout Damien Williams (a running back from Arizona Western) provided the Sooners with a couple pleasant signing day surprises.
Norvell said when he was in the NFL for six years as an assistant he spent time looking for receivers like Gardner, a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder with speed. The guy was a state champion in the long jump (25-7) and triple jump (48-6). Other measurables: 10.67 100 meters, 21.4 200 meters, 315 bench, 425 squats.
You can watch him in action in the video above.
And after watching him and seeing Norvell’s words its natural to wonder what a guy like that is doing at Roseville (Calif.) Sierra Community College. Academic eligibility issues usually play a role for juco standouts. In Gardner’s case, the impact of Hurricane Katrina can’t be dismissed in his travels, which took him from Louisiana, to Reno, Nev., to prep school in North Carolina to the northwest outskirts of Sacramento and now, apparently, to Norman, Oklahoma.
Beyond signing day, this is the kind of story we like to tell in The Oklahoman and on NewsOK. Looking forward to learning more about Courtney Gardner.
