Oklahoma Sooners: Cody Thomas
What Heupel looks for in OU quarterbacks 
April, 17, 2013
Apr 17
8:00
AM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- When recruiting quarterbacks, Oklahoma offensive coordinator Josh Heupel searches for the same attributes every other college coach probably does.
The strong arm. Quick release. Prototypical size. Steadfast leadership.
Heupel, however, covets something else other coaches might not -- quarterbacks who don’t just play football.
The strong arm. Quick release. Prototypical size. Steadfast leadership.
Heupel, however, covets something else other coaches might not -- quarterbacks who don’t just play football.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Sooners quarterback pursuit taking shape
March, 18, 2013
Mar 18
8:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- If you’re waiting for a litany of Oklahoma quarterback offers for the Class of 2014, you’re going to be waiting for a long time.
Sorry, that’s simply just not the way OU quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel has approached the pursuit of his quarterbacks. He’s patient. He’s deliberate. He’s thorough. And you might even say he’s stingy. He knows how important it is to not miss at the quarterback position.
With spring break this week, it’s a great time to evaluate who exactly are the leading contenders for the OU spot, the story behind the candidates and ultimately and who will be the recruit to pledge to the Sooners:
Sorry, that’s simply just not the way OU quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel has approached the pursuit of his quarterbacks. He’s patient. He’s deliberate. He’s thorough. And you might even say he’s stingy. He knows how important it is to not miss at the quarterback position.
With spring break this week, it’s a great time to evaluate who exactly are the leading contenders for the OU spot, the story behind the candidates and ultimately and who will be the recruit to pledge to the Sooners:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
When talking about Oklahoma’s quarterbacks race for 2013, most of the talk centers on Blake Bell and Trevor Knight.
The feeling has been that Bell is the favorite and Knight has a legitimate chance to win the spot. But what about Cody Thomas?
The feeling has been that Bell is the favorite and Knight has a legitimate chance to win the spot. But what about Cody Thomas?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Roundtable: OU's starting quarterback
February, 28, 2013
Feb 28
10:00
AM CT
By SoonerNation staff | ESPN.com
Every Thursday, the SoonerNation staff will answer a roundtable question about OU football. Leave a comment or talk about it in our "There's Only One" forum.
Based on what we know right now, who will open the season as Oklahoma's starting quarterback?
• I keep hearing good things about Trevor Knight's chances of winning the starting job. Really good things. But right now, it's difficult for me to bet against Blake Bell. The Belldozer has more experience in the offense, more experience on the field, and a skill set that often gets overlooked. Bell can make all the throws, and his accuracy has really progressed over the last two years. As a proven thumper on the ground, he gives the Sooners a true dual-threat, too. Knight's future is bright in Norman. But the odds are against that future beginning this year.
Based on what we know right now, who will open the season as Oklahoma's starting quarterback?
• I keep hearing good things about Trevor Knight's chances of winning the starting job. Really good things. But right now, it's difficult for me to bet against Blake Bell. The Belldozer has more experience in the offense, more experience on the field, and a skill set that often gets overlooked. Bell can make all the throws, and his accuracy has really progressed over the last two years. As a proven thumper on the ground, he gives the Sooners a true dual-threat, too. Knight's future is bright in Norman. But the odds are against that future beginning this year.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Roundtable: Must-get recruit for OU in '14
February, 21, 2013
Feb 21
10:30
AM CT
By SoonerNation staff | ESPN.com
Every Thursday, the SoonerNation staff will answer a roundtable question about OU football. Leave a comment or talk about it in our "There's Only One" forum.
Name one recruit who is a must-get for the Sooners in the Class of 2014:
Name one recruit who is a must-get for the Sooners in the Class of 2014:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
After recruiting them for several months, Oklahoma's coaching staff was finally able to talk publicly about the players the Sooners added to the program on signing day. Over the next week or so, SoonerNation will review some of the key things coaches had to say about the players signed at each position group during their signing day webcast on Soonersports.com. Quarterback Cody Thomas (Colleyville, Texas/Heritage) will kick off the series.
“He’s extremely athletic, we love his overall competitiveness as a baseball player. Because he’s a baseball player he hasn’t spent a ton of time developing himself, he doesn’t have a quarterbacks coach. He’s athletic enough to run with the football, accurate with the football to every area of the field. We feel like he has a ton of upside.” - Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel.
The Sooners clearly feel Thomas' best football is ahead of him and consider him terrific athlete at quarterback with plenty of room to grow and improve. It's a sign that being a quality athlete has become a priority as the staff searches for signal-callers.
"As he grows into his body, he’s going to continue to grow his arm strength. I love his makeup. He’s a great football player, great baseball player, likes competitive situations. He’s extremely bright, we believe he’s going to be an asset to our program. You have to be able to process things extremely quickly on the field, you have to be able to translate things from the quarterback room onto the field. He has the right makeup to be a special player down the road.” - Heupel
Heupel stressed some of the intangibles Thomas brings to the table along with his superb athletic ability. Thomas joins Trevor Knight and Blake Bell as quarterbacks who were lauded for their intangibles when they signed.
[+] Enlarge
Bob Przybylo/ESPN.comESPN 300 quarterback Cody Thomas will also play baseball for the Sooners.
Bob Przybylo/ESPN.comESPN 300 quarterback Cody Thomas will also play baseball for the Sooners.The Sooners clearly feel Thomas' best football is ahead of him and consider him terrific athlete at quarterback with plenty of room to grow and improve. It's a sign that being a quality athlete has become a priority as the staff searches for signal-callers.
"As he grows into his body, he’s going to continue to grow his arm strength. I love his makeup. He’s a great football player, great baseball player, likes competitive situations. He’s extremely bright, we believe he’s going to be an asset to our program. You have to be able to process things extremely quickly on the field, you have to be able to translate things from the quarterback room onto the field. He has the right makeup to be a special player down the road.” - Heupel
Heupel stressed some of the intangibles Thomas brings to the table along with his superb athletic ability. Thomas joins Trevor Knight and Blake Bell as quarterbacks who were lauded for their intangibles when they signed.
Sooners move toward dual-threat QBs
February, 8, 2013
Feb 8
8:00
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops was talking about Johnny Manziel as his team prepared to face Texas A&M’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in the Cotton Bowl. Yet his words revealed the driving force behind the Sooners’ change in recruiting strategy at the quarterback position.
“Sometimes the worst thing you can do is cover everybody,” Stoops said in December.
It’s every defensive coordinator’s nightmare to play great defense, have all receiving options covered, then watch helplessly as the quarterback scrambles for a big gain. It happened time and time again during the Cotton Bowl as Manziel set a Cotton Bowl record with 516 total yards against OU.
The Sooners are hoping they’re on the positive side of that equation this fall and beyond. With Blake Bell, Trevor Knight and Kendal Thompson, the Sooners have quarterbacks who can make defenses pay with their feet if they’ve run out of options through the air.
A glimpse at the skill set of OU’s quarterbacks has led to speculation that the Sooners offense would undergo drastic changes with a shift towards an offense that features the quarterback run game.
There are several signs that will not be the case, however. The Sooners signed four receivers on Wednesday, a sign that receiver-heavy formations are here to stay.
Most importantly, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel is very diligent on the recruiting trail in his search for athletic quarterbacks who are passers first. Mental makeup, intangibles, accuracy and arm strength sit alongside mobility on the Sooners list of priorities when recruiting quarterbacks.
[+] Enlarge
Michael C. Johnson/US PresswireIf Blake Bell wins OU's quarterback job, expect more designed runs for the signal-caller.
Michael C. Johnson/US PresswireIf Blake Bell wins OU's quarterback job, expect more designed runs for the signal-caller.It’s every defensive coordinator’s nightmare to play great defense, have all receiving options covered, then watch helplessly as the quarterback scrambles for a big gain. It happened time and time again during the Cotton Bowl as Manziel set a Cotton Bowl record with 516 total yards against OU.
The Sooners are hoping they’re on the positive side of that equation this fall and beyond. With Blake Bell, Trevor Knight and Kendal Thompson, the Sooners have quarterbacks who can make defenses pay with their feet if they’ve run out of options through the air.
A glimpse at the skill set of OU’s quarterbacks has led to speculation that the Sooners offense would undergo drastic changes with a shift towards an offense that features the quarterback run game.
There are several signs that will not be the case, however. The Sooners signed four receivers on Wednesday, a sign that receiver-heavy formations are here to stay.
Most importantly, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel is very diligent on the recruiting trail in his search for athletic quarterbacks who are passers first. Mental makeup, intangibles, accuracy and arm strength sit alongside mobility on the Sooners list of priorities when recruiting quarterbacks.
Roundtable: Grading Oklahoma's class
February, 7, 2013
Feb 7
12:30
PM CT
By SoonerNation staff | ESPN.com
Every Thursday, the SoonerNation staff will answer a roundtable question about OU football. Leave a comment or talk about it in our "There's Only One" forum.
How would you grade Oklahoma's 2013 recruiting class based on the Sooners filling their needs?
How would you grade Oklahoma's 2013 recruiting class based on the Sooners filling their needs?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
NORMAN, Okla. – With immediate needs elsewhere, little attention has been paid to ESPN 300 quarterback Cody Thomas, who inked with the Sooners on signing day.
But Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops made it clear Wednesday that Thomas wasn’t just a thrown-in quarterback the Sooners added to fill out numbers.
Stoops believes Oklahoma is bringing in a player with elite quarterbacking potential -- even daring to compare him to former Heisman winner Sam Bradford.
“With Sam it just seemed so effortless with how quick his release was, and Cody has got a great release, a great arm, he’s just so athletic,” Stoops said. “With Sam, he picks up a golf club he shoots even par, on a basketball court he would be one of the top three guys picked in the room. Whatever he did he did it well, and Cody is like that. Everything he does, he does it well.”
Before signing with the Sooners, Bradford was also a prolific high school basketball player and a scratch golfer. Thomas is a multi-sport prep star as well, and is one of the top high school baseball outfielders in the country. Thomas, who threw for 4,154 yards and 51 TDs as a senior for Colleyville (Texas) Heritage, also plans to play baseball for the Sooners, something Stoops said he not only agreed to, but encouraged.
“He’s too talented not to play,” Stoops said. “If God gives you that kind of talent, then you need to use it, and we can work around that.
But Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops made it clear Wednesday that Thomas wasn’t just a thrown-in quarterback the Sooners added to fill out numbers.
[+] Enlarge
Bob Przybylo/ESPN.comOklahoma coach Bob Stoops expects big things out of 2013 quarterback signee Cody Thomas.
Bob Przybylo/ESPN.comOklahoma coach Bob Stoops expects big things out of 2013 quarterback signee Cody Thomas.“With Sam it just seemed so effortless with how quick his release was, and Cody has got a great release, a great arm, he’s just so athletic,” Stoops said. “With Sam, he picks up a golf club he shoots even par, on a basketball court he would be one of the top three guys picked in the room. Whatever he did he did it well, and Cody is like that. Everything he does, he does it well.”
Before signing with the Sooners, Bradford was also a prolific high school basketball player and a scratch golfer. Thomas is a multi-sport prep star as well, and is one of the top high school baseball outfielders in the country. Thomas, who threw for 4,154 yards and 51 TDs as a senior for Colleyville (Texas) Heritage, also plans to play baseball for the Sooners, something Stoops said he not only agreed to, but encouraged.
“He’s too talented not to play,” Stoops said. “If God gives you that kind of talent, then you need to use it, and we can work around that.
Damon Sayles/ESPNCornerback Dakota Austin committed to the Sooners over the weekend and signed on Wednesday.Watch live coverage on ESPNU | Talk signing day on our SoonerNation forum
| OU class
Follow the live blog after the jump.
Oklahoma's seven ESPN 300 signees are in
February, 6, 2013
Feb 6
10:50
AM CT
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Oklahoma's top commits have all signed their letters of intent and are locked in to becoming future Sooners. Here's who Oklahoma's bringing in from our ESPN 300, the list of the nation's top 300 prospects:
Not many surprises for the Sooners, though Dimon had some power issues at his high school and couldn't get his letter of intent to the Oklahoma coaches until 8:48 a.m. Oklahoma's class is at No. 20 in the ESPN class rankings, the same spot it began the day. Byrd also made headlines last month when word surfaced that coaches had told him he's likely going to be able to start at safety from the moment he gets on campus. Very interesting stuff. Oklahoma signed a lot of high-quality defensive talent in this class, as you can see, and Taylor is likely to play cornerback for the Sooners.
Mostly a drama-free day across the Big 12 on the recruiting trail.
- No. 27: Keith Ford, RB, Cypress, Texas
- No. 137: D.J. Ward, DE, Moore, Okla. (signed in December, early enrollee)
- No. 178: Cody Thomas, QB-PP, Colleyville, Texas
- No. 199: Stanvon Taylor, ATH, Tulsa, Okla.
- No. 240: Dannon Cavil, WR, San Antonio, Texas (signed in December, early enrollee)
- No. 284: Matt Dimon, DE, Katy, Texas
- No. 293: Hatari Byrd, S, Fresno, Calif.
Not many surprises for the Sooners, though Dimon had some power issues at his high school and couldn't get his letter of intent to the Oklahoma coaches until 8:48 a.m. Oklahoma's class is at No. 20 in the ESPN class rankings, the same spot it began the day. Byrd also made headlines last month when word surfaced that coaches had told him he's likely going to be able to start at safety from the moment he gets on campus. Very interesting stuff. Oklahoma signed a lot of high-quality defensive talent in this class, as you can see, and Taylor is likely to play cornerback for the Sooners.
Mostly a drama-free day across the Big 12 on the recruiting trail.
Leading up to signing day, SoonerNation will take a closer look at the Class of 2013 prospects currently committed to Oklahoma. The in-depth analysis pieces will take a look at the ranking, estimated year of impact and potential role of each future Sooner.
Vitals: Quarterback Cody Thomas (Colleyville, Texas/Heritage) | 6-foot-5, 220 pounds
Committed: May 17, 2012
Vitals: Quarterback Cody Thomas (Colleyville, Texas/Heritage) | 6-foot-5, 220 pounds
Committed: May 17, 2012
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Team needs: For the first time in a long time, the quarterback position is up for debate in 2013. With Landry Jones graduating, there isn’t a clear-cut favorite, although it appears Blake Bell has been pegged as the guy. As for the rest of the offense, the Sooners are in pretty good shape. If you’re looking for OU’s real issues, though, it’s on defense. OU knew it was losing cornerback Demontre Hurst and safety Javon Harris, but with safety Tony Jefferson opting to not come back for his senior season, OU doesn’t have either of its safeties returning for 2013. Linebacker became a sore spot for the program during the latter half of 2012, culminating in linebacker Tom Wort declaring for the NFL draft because the scheme isn’t really tailored for him.
Help is on the way: OU fans can debate whether Josh Heupel is the guy to run OU’s offense, but you cannot question his ability to recruit. Heupel has landed yet another top quarterback in ESPN 300 prospect Cody Thomas (Colleyville, Texas/Heritage, ranked No. 178). OU needs help in the secondary, and Mike Stoops attacked the position hard during the spring. Three-star safety Ahmad Thomas (Miami/Central) is enrolling early, and ESPN 300 safety Hatari Byrd (Fresno, Calif./Central East) said he is ready to replace Jefferson. Corner shouldn’t be hurting either with the pledge of ESPN 300 athlete Stanvon Taylor (Tulsa, Okla./East Central).
Other key commits: Cannot talk OU’s 2013 class without mentioning running back Keith Ford (Cypress, Texas/Ranch). Ranked No. 27 in the ESPN 150, Ford is the top-ranked recruit for OU’s class. OU is also getting help from the juco ranks with the commitment of four-star ESPN JC 100 offensive tackle Josiah St. John (Athens, Texas/Trinity Valley). Defensive end was locked up in April with two ESPN 300 commits in D.J. Ward (Moore, Okla./Southmoore) and Matt Dimon (Katy, Texas/Katy).
Other key targets: OU is still seeking help in the secondary and is looking at ESPN 300 athlete Adrian Baker (Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna) and four-star cornerback L.J. Moore (Fresno, Calif./Central East). The Sooners are still keeping tabs on several offensive tackles after four-star tackle Aaron Cochran (Atwater, Calif./Buhach) committed to Cal earlier this week.
Help is on the way: OU fans can debate whether Josh Heupel is the guy to run OU’s offense, but you cannot question his ability to recruit. Heupel has landed yet another top quarterback in ESPN 300 prospect Cody Thomas (Colleyville, Texas/Heritage, ranked No. 178). OU needs help in the secondary, and Mike Stoops attacked the position hard during the spring. Three-star safety Ahmad Thomas (Miami/Central) is enrolling early, and ESPN 300 safety Hatari Byrd (Fresno, Calif./Central East) said he is ready to replace Jefferson. Corner shouldn’t be hurting either with the pledge of ESPN 300 athlete Stanvon Taylor (Tulsa, Okla./East Central).
Other key commits: Cannot talk OU’s 2013 class without mentioning running back Keith Ford (Cypress, Texas/Ranch). Ranked No. 27 in the ESPN 150, Ford is the top-ranked recruit for OU’s class. OU is also getting help from the juco ranks with the commitment of four-star ESPN JC 100 offensive tackle Josiah St. John (Athens, Texas/Trinity Valley). Defensive end was locked up in April with two ESPN 300 commits in D.J. Ward (Moore, Okla./Southmoore) and Matt Dimon (Katy, Texas/Katy).
Other key targets: OU is still seeking help in the secondary and is looking at ESPN 300 athlete Adrian Baker (Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna) and four-star cornerback L.J. Moore (Fresno, Calif./Central East). The Sooners are still keeping tabs on several offensive tackles after four-star tackle Aaron Cochran (Atwater, Calif./Buhach) committed to Cal earlier this week.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Baker, Treadwell top OU banquet visitors
December, 14, 2012
12/14/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Every year it's said: Banquet weekend is important for Oklahoma. It would get repetitive if it weren’t for the fact it is so true.
The 2012 edition is no different, as the Sooners are welcoming several top prospects, none ranked higher than ESPN’s No. 1 wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (Crete, Ill./Crete-Monee).
In 2011, OU hosted Denton (Texas) Ryan’s Mario Edwards, ESPN’s No. 1-ranked recruit. Edwards riled up a lot of OU fans following the visit when, after initially saying he liked it, he added that he didn’t feel the vibe in Norman, Okla., and didn’t feel the team chemistry.
The 2012 edition is no different, as the Sooners are welcoming several top prospects, none ranked higher than ESPN’s No. 1 wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (Crete, Ill./Crete-Monee).
In 2011, OU hosted Denton (Texas) Ryan’s Mario Edwards, ESPN’s No. 1-ranked recruit. Edwards riled up a lot of OU fans following the visit when, after initially saying he liked it, he added that he didn’t feel the vibe in Norman, Okla., and didn’t feel the team chemistry.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Offensive tackles remain OU's focus
December, 10, 2012
12/10/12
10:30
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Oklahoma’s last offensive commit for its 2013 class was three-star athlete Austin Bennett (Manvel, Texas/Manvel) on June 20.
June 20? The Sooners have gone nearly six months without a commit on that side of the ball. Heading into the final two months until national signing day, that will obviously have to change.
Here is a position-by-position breakdown of who OU is looking at to close out the class.
June 20? The Sooners have gone nearly six months without a commit on that side of the ball. Heading into the final two months until national signing day, that will obviously have to change.
Here is a position-by-position breakdown of who OU is looking at to close out the class.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.