Triple option: Who's next at LB coach? 
January, 20, 2012
1/20/12
9:00
AM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
Three thoughts this morning:
1. Based on his connection to Mike Stoops, roots in Ohio and reputation as a top-notch recruiter, Tim Kish has to be considered one of the frontrunners to replace Brent Venables. Kish was Stoops' defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Arizona and was the interim head coach there after Stoops was fired.
2. It will be interesting to see what, if any, effect Venables' departure will have on the Sooners' recruiting. So far, it doesn't appear to be creating huge waves, although it sounds like Wagoner CB Kevin Peterson may be giving Oklahoma State another look. The Stoops brothers were proactive about the possibility of Venables leaving and made sure Mike got in to meet several of the key commitments before Venables announced his decision.
3. OU is having problems putting together its 2012 schedule, because of conference realignment and the uncertainty surrounding West Virginia's entry into the Big 12. The Sooners were counting on having on slot to fill in the non-conference schedule going into the off-season. Then OU's game with TCU became a conference game, leaving OU with two holes. If West Virginia is forced to remain in the Big East, the Sooners would have three dates to fill. This late in the game, it will be close to impossible to schedule opponents that won't damage OU's overall strength of schedule. For a team that hopes to make a run at the national championship next season, this could turn out to be immensely problematic.
1. Based on his connection to Mike Stoops, roots in Ohio and reputation as a top-notch recruiter, Tim Kish has to be considered one of the frontrunners to replace Brent Venables. Kish was Stoops' defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Arizona and was the interim head coach there after Stoops was fired.
2. It will be interesting to see what, if any, effect Venables' departure will have on the Sooners' recruiting. So far, it doesn't appear to be creating huge waves, although it sounds like Wagoner CB Kevin Peterson may be giving Oklahoma State another look. The Stoops brothers were proactive about the possibility of Venables leaving and made sure Mike got in to meet several of the key commitments before Venables announced his decision.
3. OU is having problems putting together its 2012 schedule, because of conference realignment and the uncertainty surrounding West Virginia's entry into the Big 12. The Sooners were counting on having on slot to fill in the non-conference schedule going into the off-season. Then OU's game with TCU became a conference game, leaving OU with two holes. If West Virginia is forced to remain in the Big East, the Sooners would have three dates to fill. This late in the game, it will be close to impossible to schedule opponents that won't damage OU's overall strength of schedule. For a team that hopes to make a run at the national championship next season, this could turn out to be immensely problematic.
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Sooner Snapshot: OL John Michael McGee
January, 20, 2012
1/20/12
7:45
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
As National Signing Day approaches on Feb. 1, Brandon Chatmon is breaking down every commitment and signee in the Sooners' 2012 recruiting class. View all of our profiles here.
Name: John Michael McGee
Position: Offensive guard
Height, Weight: 6-foot-3, 275 pounds
Hometown/School: Texarkana,Texas/Texas
Committed: June 23, 2011
Scout grade: 80. Four-star prospect.
It’s been an interesting week for Dorial Green-Beckham (Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest). The nation’s top-ranked receiver and one of the most highly touted uncommitted players has been courted by the best coaches and has seen coaches go all out just to show their interest.
Case in point, Green-Beckham was visited earlier this week by Missouri coach Gary Pinkel -- who arrived at Hillcrest High School in a helicopter. It is believed that Missouri is neck and neck with Arkansas for Green-Beckham’s services. Officially, Green-Beckham has Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas as his final five schools.
A lot can be determined this weekend, as Green-Beckham is expected to take an official visit to Arkansas. This will be only his second official visit – Texas was the first in November – and it is known that the Razorbacks are a fan favorite to Green-Beckham’s younger brother, Darnell.
“With Arkansas, it’s the atmosphere. It’s football,” Green-Beckham said about the Razorbacks during the week of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. “Everybody likes to be around football there. It’s kind of like Dallas with the Cowboys. The whole atmosphere is unbelievable.”
Case in point, Green-Beckham was visited earlier this week by Missouri coach Gary Pinkel -- who arrived at Hillcrest High School in a helicopter. It is believed that Missouri is neck and neck with Arkansas for Green-Beckham’s services. Officially, Green-Beckham has Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas as his final five schools.
A lot can be determined this weekend, as Green-Beckham is expected to take an official visit to Arkansas. This will be only his second official visit – Texas was the first in November – and it is known that the Razorbacks are a fan favorite to Green-Beckham’s younger brother, Darnell.
“With Arkansas, it’s the atmosphere. It’s football,” Green-Beckham said about the Razorbacks during the week of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. “Everybody likes to be around football there. It’s kind of like Dallas with the Cowboys. The whole atmosphere is unbelievable.”
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Tapper not affected by Venables' departure
January, 19, 2012
1/19/12
8:42
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Count Charles Tapper (Baltimore/City College) among Oklahoma's defensive recruits who won't let Brent Venables departure impact his decision to be a Sooner.
"It hasn’t changed my opinion at all," Tapper said Thursday night. "I met him once when I came on a visit and we didn't talk a lot. It's mainly coach (Bobby Jack) Wright and Coach (Bob) Stoops I speak with.
"It doesn't affect my decision."
"It hasn’t changed my opinion at all," Tapper said Thursday night. "I met him once when I came on a visit and we didn't talk a lot. It's mainly coach (Bobby Jack) Wright and Coach (Bob) Stoops I speak with.
"It doesn't affect my decision."
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Eric Striker, Daniel Brooks firm with OU
January, 19, 2012
1/19/12
7:26
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
One phone call from Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops was all it took to reassure safety commit Eric Striker (Seffner, Fla./Armwood) that the Sooners were the right fit for the three-star prospect.
No commit had a better relationship with former OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables than Striker. When it came to recruiting, Striker said Venables was the only coach he had heard from.
On Wednesday evening Striker said he wasn’t sure what he would do if Venables left the program. But a phone call from Bob Stoops on that night sealed the deal.
No commit had a better relationship with former OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables than Striker. When it came to recruiting, Striker said Venables was the only coach he had heard from.
On Wednesday evening Striker said he wasn’t sure what he would do if Venables left the program. But a phone call from Bob Stoops on that night sealed the deal.
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Oklahoma's special teams MVP in 2011
January, 19, 2012
1/19/12
5:05
PM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
The SoonerNation staff is wrapping up Oklahoma's 10-3 season by answering 10 questions, just like we did during the Sooners' bye week in November. Today:
Who was the Sooners' special teams MVP for the 2011 season?
K Michael Hunnicutt
Even though he missed a critical chip shot in the loss to Texas Tech, Hunnicutt stabilized a position that had been anything but since 2007. The freshman former walk-on ended up making 21 of 24 field goals, including four of four from 40 yards or farther. The Sooners have several holes to fill next season. Field goal kicker is not one of them. Finally.
- Jake Trotter
K Michael Hunnicutt
OU’s special teams went from a team weakness in 2010 to a team strength in 2011 thanks in large part to Hunnicutt. He provided consistent, and trustworthy, field goal kicking as he missed just three of 24 field goal attempts this season.
- Brandon Chatmon
K Michael Hunnicutt
With all the transfers that have been happening, scholarships have opened up for the 2012 class. The one spot the Sooners are not actively pursuing? Kicker. OU is set with Hunnicutt at the position, following a great 2011 season. Oklahoma was looking at kickers in October but that has not been a focus at all in the last couple of months.
- Bob Przybylo
K Michael Hunnicutt
I believe this is our first unanimous decision out of all the awards we've done. And rightfully so. Hunnicutt brought stability to the Sooners this season after years (!) of fans shielding their eyes when Jimmy Stevens stepped up for a kick longer than 30 yards. For the first time since Garrett Hartley, OU fans can finally feel confident. And he's got three years of eligibility remaining.
- Dane Beavers
What do you think? Do you agree?
Who was the Sooners' special teams MVP for the 2011 season?
K Michael Hunnicutt
Even though he missed a critical chip shot in the loss to Texas Tech, Hunnicutt stabilized a position that had been anything but since 2007. The freshman former walk-on ended up making 21 of 24 field goals, including four of four from 40 yards or farther. The Sooners have several holes to fill next season. Field goal kicker is not one of them. Finally.
- Jake Trotter
[+] Enlarge
Icon SMIFreshman kicker Michael Hunnicutt made 21 field goals for the Sooners in 2011.
Icon SMIFreshman kicker Michael Hunnicutt made 21 field goals for the Sooners in 2011.OU’s special teams went from a team weakness in 2010 to a team strength in 2011 thanks in large part to Hunnicutt. He provided consistent, and trustworthy, field goal kicking as he missed just three of 24 field goal attempts this season.
- Brandon Chatmon
K Michael Hunnicutt
With all the transfers that have been happening, scholarships have opened up for the 2012 class. The one spot the Sooners are not actively pursuing? Kicker. OU is set with Hunnicutt at the position, following a great 2011 season. Oklahoma was looking at kickers in October but that has not been a focus at all in the last couple of months.
- Bob Przybylo
K Michael Hunnicutt
I believe this is our first unanimous decision out of all the awards we've done. And rightfully so. Hunnicutt brought stability to the Sooners this season after years (!) of fans shielding their eyes when Jimmy Stevens stepped up for a kick longer than 30 yards. For the first time since Garrett Hartley, OU fans can finally feel confident. And he's got three years of eligibility remaining.
- Dane Beavers
What do you think? Do you agree?
Offensive lineman Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes) will take his final official visit this weekend and also set the date for when he’ll be making his college choice.
Banner has already visited Michigan, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Washington and will head to USC this week. He’s narrowed his choices to the Sooners, the Huskies and the Trojans.
“This will be my third time visiting USC,” Banner said. “I’m pretty excited about it. USC has been recruiting me hard for a long time, and I have a great relationship with the coaches there. I know a lot of the recruits, I’m familiar and like the area and campus and USC is a school that I loved watching when I was younger.
Banner has already visited Michigan, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Washington and will head to USC this week. He’s narrowed his choices to the Sooners, the Huskies and the Trojans.
“This will be my third time visiting USC,” Banner said. “I’m pretty excited about it. USC has been recruiting me hard for a long time, and I have a great relationship with the coaches there. I know a lot of the recruits, I’m familiar and like the area and campus and USC is a school that I loved watching when I was younger.
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Closer look: Brent Venables' recruiting
January, 19, 2012
1/19/12
4:00
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
The loss of Brent Venables will have a tremendous impact on Oklahoma each Saturday but could have a even bigger impact on the Sooners on National Signing Day each February.
Venables was one of the best recruiters on the Sooners staff, recruiting the Dallas/Fort Worth area as good as anyone in the country while also closing quality recruits from Florida, Las Vegas and Kansas in the last six years.
Here’s a look at various recruits Venables has recruited to Oklahoma since 2006 and their impact (or lack thereof) on the program:
Venables was one of the best recruiters on the Sooners staff, recruiting the Dallas/Fort Worth area as good as anyone in the country while also closing quality recruits from Florida, Las Vegas and Kansas in the last six years.
Here’s a look at various recruits Venables has recruited to Oklahoma since 2006 and their impact (or lack thereof) on the program:
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Sooner Intel: Recruiting news and notes
January, 19, 2012
1/19/12
2:30
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
John Albright/Icon SMI
For the latest on No. 1 receiver prospect Dorial Green-Beckham, read below.
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Thursday's episode of RecruitingNation
January, 19, 2012
1/19/12
1:51
PM CT
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Tune in to ESPNU at 5:30 p.m. ET today for RecruitingNation. Tom Luginbill, Craig Haubert and national and local writers from RecruitingNation break down the latest recruiting news from across the country.
Thursday's show will look at the impact on Gunner Kiel’s decision to attend Notre Dame, what the pledge does for the Irish and where does LSU go now at quarterback? There will also be analysis on Mario Edwards’ decision to eliminate Texas from consideration on Thursday, what Jameis Winston is going to do and how Oklahoma is going do to recover from losing one of its best recruiters.
Luginbill and Haubert will also review the new ESPNU 150 rankings that were released on Thursday and highlight some of the big risers and fallers.
The broadcast can also be seen on WatchESPN.
Thursday's show will look at the impact on Gunner Kiel’s decision to attend Notre Dame, what the pledge does for the Irish and where does LSU go now at quarterback? There will also be analysis on Mario Edwards’ decision to eliminate Texas from consideration on Thursday, what Jameis Winston is going to do and how Oklahoma is going do to recover from losing one of its best recruiters.
Luginbill and Haubert will also review the new ESPNU 150 rankings that were released on Thursday and highlight some of the big risers and fallers.
The broadcast can also be seen on WatchESPN.
Daniel Brooks has 'great' in-home visit
January, 19, 2012
1/19/12
1:15
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Minutes after Oklahoma picked up a running back verbal commitment from three-star running back David Smith (Midlothian, Ill./Bremen) on Tuesday afternoon, OU head coach Bob Stoops was making an in-home visit with three-star prospect Daniel Brooks (Rockdale, Texas/Rockdale).
With all the persistent rumors that have followed Brooks throughout the season, would the Sooners taking another running back be a cause for concern for the Brooks family?
“Not at all. You need all the help you can get,” said Tony Brooks, Daniel’s father. “You got to have some backs that can run the tackles and others that can have success in space. It’s not about being selfish.”
With all the persistent rumors that have followed Brooks throughout the season, would the Sooners taking another running back be a cause for concern for the Brooks family?
“Not at all. You need all the help you can get,” said Tony Brooks, Daniel’s father. “You got to have some backs that can run the tackles and others that can have success in space. It’s not about being selfish.”
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Grooms: Sooners must play in transition
January, 19, 2012
1/19/12
12:52
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Oklahoma struggled shooting the ball in its first three Big 12 games, shooting less than 40 percent in losses to Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma State.
Point guard Sam Grooms thinks he knows the key, particularly after OU’s dominating win over Kansas State on Saturday.
“I think we are at our best when we play at high tempo especially since we weren’t really scoring the ball as well as we are supposed to those first couple of games,” he said. “We weren’t in transition like we usually were, last game we were in transition from beginning to end.”
Point guard Sam Grooms thinks he knows the key, particularly after OU’s dominating win over Kansas State on Saturday.
“I think we are at our best when we play at high tempo especially since we weren’t really scoring the ball as well as we are supposed to those first couple of games,” he said. “We weren’t in transition like we usually were, last game we were in transition from beginning to end.”
Three-star running back Akeel Lynch (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis) is no longer considering Oklahoma, he confirmed via text message to ESPN.com on Thursday morning.
Lynch was supposed to make an official visit to OU last weekend but was snowed in and unable to make the trip. Another three-star running back, David Smith (Midlothian, Ill./Bremen) did make his visit to OU and committed to the Sooners on Tuesday.
Following Smith’s commitment, Lynch said nothing had changed because he knew OU is still searching for one more running back in the class. The situation has changed as Lynch said, “They are out,” in his Thursday text.
Lynch was supposed to make an official visit to OU last weekend but was snowed in and unable to make the trip. Another three-star running back, David Smith (Midlothian, Ill./Bremen) did make his visit to OU and committed to the Sooners on Tuesday.
Following Smith’s commitment, Lynch said nothing had changed because he knew OU is still searching for one more running back in the class. The situation has changed as Lynch said, “They are out,” in his Thursday text.
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OU prospects fall in final ESPNU 150
January, 19, 2012
1/19/12
11:18
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
The final ESPNU 150 rankings for the 2012 class released Thursday reflect exactly what is going on with Oklahoma’s recruiting class. The last couple of months have seen more questions than answers for the Sooners and many of their top prospects have taken a tumble in the list.
The highest-ranked OU commit is now wide receiver Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma City/Heritage Hall) but even Shepard slid a few spots. Shepard dropped two spots from No. 58 to No. 60 and has gone from the seventh-ranked receiver to No. 9.
Four spots below Shepard is receiver Durron Neal (St. Louis/De Smet Jesuit). Despite strong practice performances at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Neal dropped four spots to No. 64 and is No. 10 at receiver.
The drops for Shepard and Neal are blips on the radar compared to what happened for running back Alex Ross (Jenks, Okla./Jenks) and center Ty Darlington (Apopka, Fla./Apopka).
Ross has gone from No. 38 and the fourth-ranked back to No. 70 and No. 7 at the position. An ankle injury and a collarbone injury no doubt played a role in Ross' free-fall.
For Darlington, losing 20 pounds during the season put him at around 250 pounds for the U.S. Army game and one of the smallest lineman there. Darlington slipped 51 spots to No. 148 though he is still the second-ranked center.
The only OU commit to move up the list is receiver Derrick Woods (Inglewood, Calif./Inglewood), who went up three slots to No. 137. However, he dropped from No. 17 at receiver to No. 19.
OU’s top target remains receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest), who stands pat at No. 3 on the list and No. 1 at the position.
Florida star Nelson Agholor (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep) dipped a little from No. 41 to No. 47 on the list, while offensive tackle target Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes) moved up one spot to No. 122 and is the 15th-ranked tackle for 2012.
Despite all the uncertainty with the state of the defense, the Sooners are still ranked No. 10 for this year’s class in the team rankings.
The highest-ranked OU commit is now wide receiver Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma City/Heritage Hall) but even Shepard slid a few spots. Shepard dropped two spots from No. 58 to No. 60 and has gone from the seventh-ranked receiver to No. 9.
Four spots below Shepard is receiver Durron Neal (St. Louis/De Smet Jesuit). Despite strong practice performances at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Neal dropped four spots to No. 64 and is No. 10 at receiver.
The drops for Shepard and Neal are blips on the radar compared to what happened for running back Alex Ross (Jenks, Okla./Jenks) and center Ty Darlington (Apopka, Fla./Apopka).
Ross has gone from No. 38 and the fourth-ranked back to No. 70 and No. 7 at the position. An ankle injury and a collarbone injury no doubt played a role in Ross' free-fall.
For Darlington, losing 20 pounds during the season put him at around 250 pounds for the U.S. Army game and one of the smallest lineman there. Darlington slipped 51 spots to No. 148 though he is still the second-ranked center.
The only OU commit to move up the list is receiver Derrick Woods (Inglewood, Calif./Inglewood), who went up three slots to No. 137. However, he dropped from No. 17 at receiver to No. 19.
OU’s top target remains receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest), who stands pat at No. 3 on the list and No. 1 at the position.
Florida star Nelson Agholor (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep) dipped a little from No. 41 to No. 47 on the list, while offensive tackle target Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes) moved up one spot to No. 122 and is the 15th-ranked tackle for 2012.
Despite all the uncertainty with the state of the defense, the Sooners are still ranked No. 10 for this year’s class in the team rankings.
OU's Venables: 'It was time to make a move'
January, 19, 2012
1/19/12
10:27
AM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
Brent Venables called the decision to leave Oklahoma for Clemson a "really difficult" one full one of "pros and cons" in an emotional interview Thursday morning on KREF Sports Talk 1400 with OU play-by-play radio voice Toby Rowland.
"I've been happy at Oklahoma," Venables said. "But I felt deep down this was the right thing for me to do at the right time."
Venables said he was excited about the team the Sooners had returning next season, and actually was "really happy" about the chance to work with Mike Stoops as co-defensive coordinators again. But Venables said the opportunity to improve his chances of one day becoming a head coach prompted him to make the move.
"I've got a fabulous relationship with Mike Stoops and felt together we are better," Venables said. "I thought really we could rekindle the old magic if you will and was really looking forward to that.
"But it was time to make a move. This could be an opportunity for me down the road to become a head coach as well."
Venables had been an Oklahoma assistant under Bob Stoops since 1999. All four of his children were born in Norman. Underscoring the difficulty of the decision, Venables broke up at the end of the interview talking about how special Oklahoma and Norman has been to he and his family.
"All my children are Normanites," he said before a long pause. "This will always be great memories. Believe it or not I'll still call this home."
"I've been happy at Oklahoma," Venables said. "But I felt deep down this was the right thing for me to do at the right time."
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"I've got a fabulous relationship with Mike Stoops and felt together we are better," Venables said. "I thought really we could rekindle the old magic if you will and was really looking forward to that.
"But it was time to make a move. This could be an opportunity for me down the road to become a head coach as well."
Venables had been an Oklahoma assistant under Bob Stoops since 1999. All four of his children were born in Norman. Underscoring the difficulty of the decision, Venables broke up at the end of the interview talking about how special Oklahoma and Norman has been to he and his family.
"All my children are Normanites," he said before a long pause. "This will always be great memories. Believe it or not I'll still call this home."
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.