Roundtable: Impact recruit in 2012 
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
12:00
PM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Which Oklahoma commit in the class of 2012 will make the biggest impact next season?
CB Kass Everett (Philadelphia/Pierce College)
With Jamell Fleming graduated, the Sooners are in desperate need of help at cornerback. Enter Everett. The junior-college transfer, who picked OU over Texas Tech, is already on campus, and with the benefit of spring practice, Everett could enter the fall as the favorite to start opposite Demontre Hurst. The Sooners would prefer to leave Aaron Colvin at safety. Everett’s presence could allow them to do just that.
- Jake Trotter
CB Kass Everett (Philadelphia/Pierce College)
With Jamell Fleming graduated, the Sooners are in desperate need of help at cornerback. Enter Everett. The junior-college transfer, who picked OU over Texas Tech, is already on campus, and with the benefit of spring practice, Everett could enter the fall as the favorite to start opposite Demontre Hurst. The Sooners would prefer to leave Aaron Colvin at safety. Everett’s presence could allow them to do just that.
- Jake Trotter
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Preview: Oklahoma at No. 8 Kansas
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
11:50
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Coming off its best win of the season, Oklahoma travels to Kansas on Wednesday night. The Sooners suffered a 72-61 loss to the Jayhawks at the Lloyd Noble Center on Jan. 7 and are looking to split the regular season series with a road win.
The Sooners would love to get another 30-point effort from guard Steven Pledger but it will take solid defense and slowing down Thomas Robinson for OU to win in Lawrence, Kan.
Key to OU win: Containing Thomas Robinson. The KU forward is the only Big 12 player who is averaging a double double (17.5 points, 11.8 rebounds) this season. OU will need to force him into a poor shooting night and keep him off the boards or get him into foul trouble.
Key to KU win: Knocking the Sooners out of their offensive rhythm. If they are able to force Pledger away from his sweet spots and force other Sooners to carry the offensive load, they should be able to hold OU to a low shooting percentage.
Stat line that will tell the tale: Points in the paint. KU held a 48-12 advantage in that category in the Jan. 7 meeting. That cannot happen again if the Sooners hope to win.
Sooners X factor: Andrew Fitzgerald. The Jayhawks are going to go inside to Robinson so the Sooners need to return the favor with Fitzgerald and try to get KU’s monster forward in foul trouble.
Jayhawks X factor: Travis Releford. He was a huge reason why KU knocked of the Sooners in the first meeting with 28 points on 9 of 13 shooting.
The Sooners would love to get another 30-point effort from guard Steven Pledger but it will take solid defense and slowing down Thomas Robinson for OU to win in Lawrence, Kan.
Key to OU win: Containing Thomas Robinson. The KU forward is the only Big 12 player who is averaging a double double (17.5 points, 11.8 rebounds) this season. OU will need to force him into a poor shooting night and keep him off the boards or get him into foul trouble.
Key to KU win: Knocking the Sooners out of their offensive rhythm. If they are able to force Pledger away from his sweet spots and force other Sooners to carry the offensive load, they should be able to hold OU to a low shooting percentage.
Stat line that will tell the tale: Points in the paint. KU held a 48-12 advantage in that category in the Jan. 7 meeting. That cannot happen again if the Sooners hope to win.
Sooners X factor: Andrew Fitzgerald. The Jayhawks are going to go inside to Robinson so the Sooners need to return the favor with Fitzgerald and try to get KU’s monster forward in foul trouble.
Jayhawks X factor: Travis Releford. He was a huge reason why KU knocked of the Sooners in the first meeting with 28 points on 9 of 13 shooting.
Juco RB Damien Williams signs with OU
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
11:36
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
For all the star ratings and target boards, recruiting can simply be a matter of timing, and the timing couldn’t have worked out better for Oklahoma and junior college running back Damien Williams (San Diego/Arizona Western College).
Williams became yet another California native to sign with Oklahoma, sending in his national letter of intent to the Sooners on Wednesday.
Williams was set, committed to Arizona State until the Sun Devils underwent coaching changes. OU was set at running back, had good depth at the spot until Jermie Calhoun and Jonathon Miller left the team in the middle of the season.
Williams became yet another California native to sign with Oklahoma, sending in his national letter of intent to the Sooners on Wednesday.
Williams was set, committed to Arizona State until the Sun Devils underwent coaching changes. OU was set at running back, had good depth at the spot until Jermie Calhoun and Jonathon Miller left the team in the middle of the season.
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Southern Cal has won the seemingly wide open recruiting battle for Under Armour All-American athlete Nelson Agholor (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley). The 6-foot-1, 180-pound talent selected USC over Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame and Oklahoma on Wednesday on ESPN.
Auburn, South Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Texas, Alabama, Miami-FL, Oregon, TCU and Tennessee also offered the nation’s No. 47-rated prospect in the ESPNU 150.
Auburn, South Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Texas, Alabama, Miami-FL, Oregon, TCU and Tennessee also offered the nation’s No. 47-rated prospect in the ESPNU 150.
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Photo: Charles Tapper's signing ceremony
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
11:05
AM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Courtesy Cory RobinsonThree-star defensive end Charles Tapper signs his letter of intent with Oklahoma.Analysis: Gardner a big late get for OU
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
10:55
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Courtney Gardner (Reno, Nev./Serra College) looks like a pretty good consolation gift.
After Oklahoma lost out on Dorial Green-Beckham (Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest), Gardner faxed his letter of intent to Norman on Wednesday morning. One of the top junior college receivers in the class, Gardner should have an immediate impact with the Sooners.
What it means for OU’s class: Landing Gardner is huge for the Sooners. He has the talent to become one of Landry Jones go-to targets in 2012 thanks to his size and playmaking ability. He’s one of the reasons the Sooners could be considered one of the teams who finished strong on Signing Day.
After Oklahoma lost out on Dorial Green-Beckham (Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest), Gardner faxed his letter of intent to Norman on Wednesday morning. One of the top junior college receivers in the class, Gardner should have an immediate impact with the Sooners.
What it means for OU’s class: Landing Gardner is huge for the Sooners. He has the talent to become one of Landry Jones go-to targets in 2012 thanks to his size and playmaking ability. He’s one of the reasons the Sooners could be considered one of the teams who finished strong on Signing Day.
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WR Courtney Gardner signs with Sooners
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
10:38
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Add one more wide receiver to Oklahoma's incredible 2012 class. Junior college product Courtney Gardner (Reno, Nev./Sierra College) did as expected and switched his commitment from Arkansas to OU on Wednesday, signing with the Sooners around 10:30 a.m. CT.
Gardner had been committed to the Razorbacks since December, but OU wide receivers coach Jay Norvell made a huge impression on Gardner in the last month. A great official visit to Norman, Okla., last weekend sealed the deal.
Gardner tried to keep it quiet, but fellow commit Zack Sanchez (Keller, Texas/Central) let the cat out of the bag Monday in a radio interview by saying Gardner had committed to OU, too.
Gardner had been committed to the Razorbacks since December, but OU wide receivers coach Jay Norvell made a huge impression on Gardner in the last month. A great official visit to Norman, Okla., last weekend sealed the deal.
Gardner tried to keep it quiet, but fellow commit Zack Sanchez (Keller, Texas/Central) let the cat out of the bag Monday in a radio interview by saying Gardner had committed to OU, too.
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Analysis: Sooners are OK without DGB
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
10:03
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Dorial Green-Beckham’s decision is a blow for Oklahoma but not an unexpected one. The elite receiver prospect from Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest. announced he was going to Missouri over Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Green-Beckham is the No. 3 player on the ESPNU150 and No. 1 receiver in the nation.
What it means for the class: The Sooners should be fine without Green-Beckham. Commitments Durron Neal (St.Louis/DeSmet), Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma City, Okla./Heritage Hall) and Derrick Woods (Inglewood, Calif./Inglewood) have plenty of talent and spring enrollee Trey Metoyer, one of the top receivers in the Class of 2011 who spent one year in prep school, could be a difference-maker. In addition, junior college receiver Courtney Gardner could announce for the Sooners later today.
What it means for the class: The Sooners should be fine without Green-Beckham. Commitments Durron Neal (St.Louis/DeSmet), Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma City, Okla./Heritage Hall) and Derrick Woods (Inglewood, Calif./Inglewood) have plenty of talent and spring enrollee Trey Metoyer, one of the top receivers in the Class of 2011 who spent one year in prep school, could be a difference-maker. In addition, junior college receiver Courtney Gardner could announce for the Sooners later today.
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Analysis: OU misses out on Colin Blake
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
9:30
AM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
As expected, the Sooners missed out on San Antonio, Texas, cornerback Colin Blake, who faxed in his letter of intent to Florida State. Blake was rated the No. 30 cornerback in the country by ESPNU and the No. 90 overall player from the state of Texas. Blake became a hot name for the Sooners in December when he took an official visit on Dec. 16. But Blake followed that up with visits to Florida State and TCU, and speculation was that Blake ultimately decided between the Seminoles and Horned Frogs.
What it means for the class and where he fits in: Even though the Sooners missed out on Blake and had De'Vante Harris and Kevin Peterson, they feel solid about their cornerback class. OU got Baylor commit Zack Sanchez to flip and sign with the Sooners (he already sent in his letter of intent). OU is also hoping for good news from Florida cornerback Gary Simon, who is expected to sign any moment now.
What it means for the class and where he fits in: Even though the Sooners missed out on Blake and had De'Vante Harris and Kevin Peterson, they feel solid about their cornerback class. OU got Baylor commit Zack Sanchez to flip and sign with the Sooners (he already sent in his letter of intent). OU is also hoping for good news from Florida cornerback Gary Simon, who is expected to sign any moment now.
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Analysis: Simon solidifies secondary
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
9:27
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Two out of three ain’t bad. Heading into the final weekend before national signing day, the goal for Oklahoma had to be to land two defensive backs out of the three the Sooners were targeting the most.
The first commit came Monday when three-star cornerback Zack Sanchez (Keller, Texas/Central) switched from Baylor to OU. And the second came Wednesday morning when three-star athlete Gary Simon (St. Petersburg, Fla./Gibbs) announced he was signing with the Sooners.
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Three-star cornerback Gary Simon (St. Petersburg, Fla./Gibbs) was blown away by his visit to Oklahoma and decided to sign his letter of intent with the Sooners during a ceremony at the school Wednesday.
The 6-foot-1, 177-pound athlete chose Oklahoma over Arkansas and Iowa State. He plans to play cornerback for the Sooners.
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High three-star cornerback Colin Blake (San Antonio, Texas/Brandeis) has signed a letter of intent with Florida State.
Blake took official visits to Oklahoma (Dec. 16) and TCU (Jan. 20) as well as FSU (Jan. 13). He also had offers from Arizona, Baylor, California, Michigan State, Missouri, Texas A&M and Texas Tech.
Blake took official visits to Oklahoma (Dec. 16) and TCU (Jan. 20) as well as FSU (Jan. 13). He also had offers from Arizona, Baylor, California, Michigan State, Missouri, Texas A&M and Texas Tech.
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SoonerNation signing day live blog
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
8:01
AM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Welcome to SoonerNation's live coverage of national signing day for the Oklahoma Sooners. We'll be with you throughout the day providing up-to-the minute updates on OU's class of 2012.
Watch live coverage on ESPN3 | Talk signing day on our "There's Only One" forum
Follow the live blog after the jump.
Watch live coverage on ESPN3 | Talk signing day on our "There's Only One" forum
Follow the live blog after the jump.
National signing day live chat
February, 1, 2012
2/01/12
8:00
AM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Michael Onuoha staying home, picks OU
January, 31, 2012
1/31/12
10:33
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
It was better late than never for three-star defensive end Michael Onuoha (Edmond Okla./Santa Fe) as he verbally committed to Oklahoma on Tuesday night.
Onuoha was scheduled to announce Tuesday morning between the Sooners and Missouri but decided earlier in the afternoon that he might wait until Wednesday’s signing ceremony. But he couldn’t wait any more as Onuoha tweeted “#BOOMER SOONER!!” on Tuesday night, ending the drama.
“It was just a gut feeling I had,” Onuoha said. “I thought about it for so long. I prayed about it. I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision and what was the best spot for me.”
Onuoha was scheduled to announce Tuesday morning between the Sooners and Missouri but decided earlier in the afternoon that he might wait until Wednesday’s signing ceremony. But he couldn’t wait any more as Onuoha tweeted “#BOOMER SOONER!!” on Tuesday night, ending the drama.
“It was just a gut feeling I had,” Onuoha said. “I thought about it for so long. I prayed about it. I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision and what was the best spot for me.”
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ABOUT SOONER NATION
Jake Trotter
Jake Trotter joined ESPN.com in 2011 after four years with The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman, covering OU and Big 12 football. He's a graduate of Washington and Lee (Va.) University and lives in Oklahoma City with his wife. Email him at trotterjake@gmail.com.
Brandon Chatmon
Brandon Chatmon joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending eight years with The Oklahoman, covering Oklahoma State University, high schools and recruiting. Chatmon lives in Norman, Okla. Email him at bchatmonespn@gmail.com.
Bob Przybylo
Bob Przybylo joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending four years with The Oklahoman, covering high schools and recruiting. Przybylo lives in Oklahoma City. Email him at bprzybyloespn@gmail.com.