One top Texas high school prospect released his top 12 on Friday afternoon. Another Texas high school recruit wanted to wait until a little later in the day.
Three-star offensive tackle Ty Barrett (Dallas/Skyline) waited until Friday evening but said his top seven schools in no particular order are Baylor, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, TCU and Texas Tech.
Three-star offensive tackle Ty Barrett (Dallas/Skyline) waited until Friday evening but said his top seven schools in no particular order are Baylor, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, TCU and Texas Tech.
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We're walking through each Big 12 team and identifying its most irreplaceable talent. He's the guy they can least afford to lose, and the guy to whom an injury or departure would have the most effect.
Let's move on with Oklahoma.
More most indispensable players.
Most indispensable player: OL Gabe Ikard
Why Oklahoma can't afford to lose him: This was a tough pick, and I narrowed it down to three players: CB Aaron Colvin, LB Corey Nelson and Ikard. Oklahoma doesn't have any All-Americans on this roster in terms of pure talent, so it's tough to look at one player and say, "Man, if Oklahoma loses him, they're a completely different team." There's just not a guy like that on Oklahoma's roster.
Still, I point to Ikard because he's held down Oklahoma's offensive line together even as it was trimmed to a razor-thin unit. It was a unit basically reduced to five guys that couldn't afford to sit for exhaustion or injury at the end of 2012. He's the most talented player on the Sooners' offensive line and showed some versatility by moving over to center from left guard last year following Ben Habern's injury in preseason camp.
With a new quarterback, strong play up front on the offensive line is a must-have. That's going to make life easier on any quarterback, but the gap between an inexperienced quarterback with a good offensive line and a poor offensive line is enormous. That extra second or two in the pocket can be the difference between 10-15 percent of third-down conversions to keep the ball, move the chains and put points on the board. Ikard's the biggest key and most experienced member of the Sooners' line with 38 career starts entering the season. Oklahoma simply can't afford to lose him. It just might be the difference between an eight-win season and an 11-win season.
Let's move on with Oklahoma.
More most indispensable players.
Most indispensable player: OL Gabe Ikard
Why Oklahoma can't afford to lose him: This was a tough pick, and I narrowed it down to three players: CB Aaron Colvin, LB Corey Nelson and Ikard. Oklahoma doesn't have any All-Americans on this roster in terms of pure talent, so it's tough to look at one player and say, "Man, if Oklahoma loses him, they're a completely different team." There's just not a guy like that on Oklahoma's roster.
Still, I point to Ikard because he's held down Oklahoma's offensive line together even as it was trimmed to a razor-thin unit. It was a unit basically reduced to five guys that couldn't afford to sit for exhaustion or injury at the end of 2012. He's the most talented player on the Sooners' offensive line and showed some versatility by moving over to center from left guard last year following Ben Habern's injury in preseason camp.
With a new quarterback, strong play up front on the offensive line is a must-have. That's going to make life easier on any quarterback, but the gap between an inexperienced quarterback with a good offensive line and a poor offensive line is enormous. That extra second or two in the pocket can be the difference between 10-15 percent of third-down conversions to keep the ball, move the chains and put points on the board. Ikard's the biggest key and most experienced member of the Sooners' line with 38 career starts entering the season. Oklahoma simply can't afford to lose him. It just might be the difference between an eight-win season and an 11-win season.
During the summer months, SoonerNation will take a closer look at each player on Oklahoma’s roster in our Crimson Countdown series. Each day, we will analyze each player’s impact on the program since arriving on campus, his potential impact this fall and his long-term impact. Starting with No. 1 Kendal Thompson, the series will follow the roster numerically through our final analysis of No. 99 Chaz Nelson.
No. 22 Roy Finch
Running back, 5-foot-7, 167 pounds, senior
No. 22 Roy Finch
Running back, 5-foot-7, 167 pounds, senior
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For most college football recruits, announcing a top 12 doesn’t attract a ton of views. For someone like ESPN 150 safety Jamal Adams (Lewisville, Texas/Hebron), a top 12 is news that many programs have anticipated for months.
That’s because Adams, a 6-foot, 199-pound, four-star defensive back, has been quite vocal about his high school football team's expectations and teammates but very tight-lipped about his recruiting. Many have speculated his interest, but he’s rarely confirmed or denied any reports.
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Every Friday, SoonerNation releases the Sooner Intel, a sneak peek inside Oklahoma Sooners football recruiting with news and notes on the latest happenings around the program. Talk about it on our forum. A few things discussed in this week's update:
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
- A recent defensive offer will be at the Sooners' summer camp.
- A Houston wideout has Oklahoma on top of his list.
- One Arizona ESPN 150 cornerback is planning to take an official visit to OU.
- ESPN 150 athlete and his coach will be in Norman for OU's camp.
- More on the Sooners' sleeper commit, cornerback Tito Windham.
- Was OU's offensive line commit always destined to be a Sooner?
- An in-state defensive tackle could be offered soon.
- Why OU hasn't made up ground with four-star defensive end Deondre Clark.
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
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Midlands Regional Coordinator Damon Sayles stops by to talk about the recent success of the Oklahoma Sooners, and the strategy ESPN 150 safety Jamal Adams is using in his recruitment.
During the summer months, SoonerNation will take a closer look at each player on Oklahoma’s roster in our Crimson Countdown series. Each day, we will analyze each player’s impact on the program since arriving on campus, his potential impact this fall and his long-term impact. Starting with No. 1 Kendal Thompson, the series will follow the roster numerically through our final analysis of No. 99 Chaz Nelson.
No. 20 Frank Shannon
Linebacker, 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, sophomore
No. 20 Frank Shannon
Linebacker, 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, sophomore
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Oklahoma City Millwood hasn’t been too kind to Oklahoma. For one reason or another, the top prospects from the tradition-rich school usually don’t become Sooners. When Josh Turner was the No. 1 prospect in the state in the Class of 2011, he chose Texas.
The Class of 2014 looks like another strong year from Oklahoma City Millwood. Wide receiver Cameron Batson is already committed to Texas Tech, and schools are starting to take notice of defensive back Alfonzo McMillian.
OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops was one of those coaches who made the trek to practice last week to get a look at the 5-foot-11, 184-pound safety.
The Class of 2014 looks like another strong year from Oklahoma City Millwood. Wide receiver Cameron Batson is already committed to Texas Tech, and schools are starting to take notice of defensive back Alfonzo McMillian.
OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops was one of those coaches who made the trek to practice last week to get a look at the 5-foot-11, 184-pound safety.
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States the Sooners should recruit harder 
May, 23, 2013
May 23
8:00
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- One look at Oklahoma’s offense in 2008, the year of the Sooners’ last BCS title game appearance, provides a revealing look at that squad’s success.
St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford triggered the offense with Pro Bowl tight end Jermaine Gresham of the Cincinnati Bengals and three NFL draft picks (Ryan Broyles, Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson) at receiver. Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray lined up alongside Bradford with Pro Bowl offensive lineman Trent Williams and Minnesota Vikings tackle Phil Loadholt up front. The defense, meanwhile, was led by Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy of Tampa Bay and Detroit Lions linebacker Travis Lewis.
St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford triggered the offense with Pro Bowl tight end Jermaine Gresham of the Cincinnati Bengals and three NFL draft picks (Ryan Broyles, Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson) at receiver. Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray lined up alongside Bradford with Pro Bowl offensive lineman Trent Williams and Minnesota Vikings tackle Phil Loadholt up front. The defense, meanwhile, was led by Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy of Tampa Bay and Detroit Lions linebacker Travis Lewis.
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TE Meier stays in Oklahoma, picks Sooners
May, 22, 2013
May 22
2:37
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
The commits keep coming for Oklahoma. The Sooners entered last week with four verbal pledges. OU has picked up its fourth in 12 days.
And it’s back to Oklahoma for this one, as Tulsa (Okla.) Union tight end Carson Meier confirmed he committed to the Sooners on Wednesday afternoon. He is the second in-state commit, joining ESPN 150 quarterback Justice Hansen (Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe).
Things can happen fast in the recruiting world, as at this time last week Meier wasn’t sure how seriously the Sooners were really pursuing him.
Meier attended OU’s first junior day in February and received letters from the school, but nothing that shouted out he was being pursued.
That changed last Monday when OU wide receivers coach Jay Norvell stopped by to watch Tulsa Union wide receiver Jeffery Mead, who already has an offer from the Sooners.
Norvell took some video with his phone of Meier working out. Three days later Meier was told by Tulsa Union coach Kirk Fridrich to give OU tight ends coach Jay Boulware a call.
“It’s awesome,” Meier said earlier this week. “It’s a big-time offer. It was really surprising because I didn’t know it was coming.”
Meier, who is 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, also has offers from Wisconsin, Oregon State and Duke, among several others.
It has been known for a while Meier would be playing a sport in college, but most thought it would be basketball.
He has had some interest with basketball, but he realized recently that his focus had to be on football.
“I really like them both,” Meier said. “I’m starting to love football more and more. You get to hit people. You don’t get to do that in basketball, at least legally.”
The Meier commitment swings the momentum to OU in the Meier household. His father went to Tulsa. His mother went to Oklahoma State. But his sister was a Sooner, and now so is Meier.
Meier is the eighth commitment for OU’s 2014 class and the first tight end since the Class of 2012. OU pursued several tight ends for 2013 but could not nab any of them.
Meier was being recruited at defensive end by SMU, but he said he is definitely a tight end in the eyes of the OU coaching staff.
And it’s back to Oklahoma for this one, as Tulsa (Okla.) Union tight end Carson Meier confirmed he committed to the Sooners on Wednesday afternoon. He is the second in-state commit, joining ESPN 150 quarterback Justice Hansen (Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe).
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Bob Przybylo/ESPNTulsa Union tight end Carson Meier is Oklahoma's second in-state commit of the Class of 2014.
Bob Przybylo/ESPNTulsa Union tight end Carson Meier is Oklahoma's second in-state commit of the Class of 2014.Meier attended OU’s first junior day in February and received letters from the school, but nothing that shouted out he was being pursued.
That changed last Monday when OU wide receivers coach Jay Norvell stopped by to watch Tulsa Union wide receiver Jeffery Mead, who already has an offer from the Sooners.
Norvell took some video with his phone of Meier working out. Three days later Meier was told by Tulsa Union coach Kirk Fridrich to give OU tight ends coach Jay Boulware a call.
“It’s awesome,” Meier said earlier this week. “It’s a big-time offer. It was really surprising because I didn’t know it was coming.”
Meier, who is 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, also has offers from Wisconsin, Oregon State and Duke, among several others.
It has been known for a while Meier would be playing a sport in college, but most thought it would be basketball.
He has had some interest with basketball, but he realized recently that his focus had to be on football.
“I really like them both,” Meier said. “I’m starting to love football more and more. You get to hit people. You don’t get to do that in basketball, at least legally.”
The Meier commitment swings the momentum to OU in the Meier household. His father went to Tulsa. His mother went to Oklahoma State. But his sister was a Sooner, and now so is Meier.
Meier is the eighth commitment for OU’s 2014 class and the first tight end since the Class of 2012. OU pursued several tight ends for 2013 but could not nab any of them.
Meier was being recruited at defensive end by SMU, but he said he is definitely a tight end in the eyes of the OU coaching staff.
Receiver Jeffery Mead (Tulsa, Okla./Union) talks about his recruitment and juggling playing three sports.
During the summer months, SoonerNation will take a closer look at each player on Oklahoma’s roster in our Crimson Countdown series. Each day, we will analyze each player’s impact on the program since arriving on campus, his potential impact this fall and his long-term impact. Starting with No. 1 Kendal Thompson, the series will follow the roster numerically through our final analysis of No. 99 Chaz Nelson.
No. 19 Eric Striker
Linebacker, 6-foot, 198 pounds, sophomore
No. 19 Eric Striker
Linebacker, 6-foot, 198 pounds, sophomore
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Every Wednesday the SoonerNation staff will take a quick hit look at some of the top recruits and storylines facing Oklahoma recruiting for the week.
Oklahoma
This week’s targets: Louisiana isn’t usually a typical recruiting area of interest for Oklahoma. But with 11 prospects in the ESPN 150 from the state, OU coaches are migrating there. One recruit in particular stands out, as defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery is doing everything he can to secure the commitment of ESPN 150 defensive tackle Garrald McDowell (Covington, La./Covington). OU wasn’t there in the beginning for McDowell, ranked No. 105 in the ESPN 150, but Montgomery is making sure the Sooners will be there until the end. With OU in desperate need for defensive tackle help, McDowell would be exactly what OU is looking for.
Oklahoma
This week’s targets: Louisiana isn’t usually a typical recruiting area of interest for Oklahoma. But with 11 prospects in the ESPN 150 from the state, OU coaches are migrating there. One recruit in particular stands out, as defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery is doing everything he can to secure the commitment of ESPN 150 defensive tackle Garrald McDowell (Covington, La./Covington). OU wasn’t there in the beginning for McDowell, ranked No. 105 in the ESPN 150, but Montgomery is making sure the Sooners will be there until the end. With OU in desperate need for defensive tackle help, McDowell would be exactly what OU is looking for.
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JENKS, Okla. -- Jenks (Okla.) High returned to the mountaintop in 2012. After losing their first two games, the Trojans won their next 12 and were dominant en route to another Oklahoma Class 6A championship. It was their first title since 2007.
Jenks doesn’t need any help, but it’s getting some in running back transfer Cameron Booty.
Jenks doesn’t need any help, but it’s getting some in running back transfer Cameron Booty.
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NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma has struck gold in the Golden State before.
In 2010, the Sooners plucked safety Tony Jefferson out of San Diego and away from the West Coast powers. Jefferson became an instant starter in the secondary, leading Oklahoma with 119 tackles last season.
In 2010, the Sooners plucked safety Tony Jefferson out of San Diego and away from the West Coast powers. Jefferson became an instant starter in the secondary, leading Oklahoma with 119 tackles last season.
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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.