Oklahoma Sooners: Kyle Marrs
Recruiting faceoff: Biggest disappointment 
This week’s question: OU has some work to do to close out its 2013 class, and some of it might not have a fix with this year’s cycle. Where have the Sooners made the most mistakes in 2013 recruiting?
Bob Przybylo: Offensive tackles coach Bruce Kittle cannot catch a break. He has put the Sooners in great position for several top prospects only to see every single one of them commit to other schools here down the stretch. But his inability to seal the deal is worrisome because it was the exact same scenario for the 2012 class when looking at names like Zach Banner. Four-star offensive tackle Aaron Cochran (Atwater, Calif./Buhach) is the latest to have OU in the mix but ended up committing to California. Kittle has a unique life story that appeals to recruits and their families, but it has yet to really garner the positive results on the trail needed for the Sooners at the position.
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The Sooners are hoping redshirting freshman Kyle Marrs can develop into an anchor at guard. A high school tackle, Marrs has spent the past five months making the transition to the offensive interior.
“Kyle is doing good,” said guards/centers coach James Patton, noting that Marrs had earned scout team player of the week on at least one occasion. “He’s a young guy who needs to continue to develop, [OU strength coach] Coach [Jerry] Schmidt is really changing his body, he’s lost some weight and is starting to tighten up his body.”
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Three-star commit comfortable with OU
It wasn’t his first time, but it was a much better time. Daimler made an unofficial visit with his father during the summer where Daimler admitted he fell in love with the Sooners.
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Oklahoma redshirt plan coming into focus
SoonerNation breaks down the rest of the freshman class, from those most likely to least likely to make an impact in 2013:
1. Alex Ross, running back: The Sooners could have an opening in the backfield for Ross with Dominique Whaley due to graduate. Damien Williams figures to be projected starter, and then there’s Brennan Clay and Roy Finch. But Ross nearly avoided this redshirt this season with an even more crowded backfield. Ross’ future is bright.
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Chat wrap: Transfer receiver standing out
SoonerNation writer Jake Trotter chatted with readers on Monday about Oklahoma football and recruiting. Here's the full transcript. If you didn't get your question answered, send it to the SoonerNation mailbag.
Here are a few highlights from the chat:
Jay (Wichita): What is the word on Jalen Saunders? Why is he getting so many reps, do the coaches have information that he will be cleared to play?
Jake Trotter: Two pretty good sources told us on Sunday that Saunders had NOT yet heard back from the NCAA on his waiver request. The coaches obviously feel decent about his chances, else they wouldn't be playing him on the second team. But no official word yet. Could come any day now.
Billy Joe Bob (Enid): If called into action, will Ty Darlington, Derek Farniok, Nila Kasitati, Kyle Marrs, and Nathan Hughes be able to play at a high level?
Jake Trotter: The second team offensive line is a concern now. Nila Kasitati is practicing, but only a couple weeks from having a heart procedure. OU's other most experienced interior reserve, Austin Woods, is going through chemo. Darlington could emerge as Gabe Ikard's backup at center -- he's gotten some 2nd team reps there. Don't see Farniok, Marrs or Hughes being a factor this season.
Brett (RI): Any word on how the tight ends are looking this year and how they will factor into the offense?
Jake Trotter: They're going to really on Brannon Green to be this year's Brody Eldridge. He's not going to be a big factor in the passing game, but they'll ask him to run block a lot. I expect Trey Millard to get time at tight end in one-back sets. Taylor McNamara could add a catch here or there.
Dig (Doug): How big of a game is the Texas Tech game this year?
Jake Trotter: Big in the sense that's it a dangerous game. OU has never played well in Lubbock, and Tech has to feel confident coming of its win last season. It's also the week before Texas. I would like Tech's chances a lot more, though, if they hadn't beaten OU last season. Sooners should be focused for this one.
Sooners shore up depth with Matt Beyer
Offensive tackle Matt Beyer (San Antonio/Reagan) picked the Sooners over Oregon, Oklahoma State, Baylor and others on Monday. He becomes OU’s 12th commitment and second tackle of the class.
A former teammate of current Sooners Trevor and Connor Knight, Beyer has an 80 rating according to ESPN’s Scout’s Inc. and should bring the ability to block in space, toughness and a nasty streak when he signs with OU.
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Spring position preview: Interior offensive line
What Oklahoma has: The Sooners possess an embarrassment of riches at guard and center. Ben Habern is a three-year starter at center. Gabe Ikard, who can play guard or center, has started the last two seasons. Senior-to be Tyler Evans has been starting at right guard since his freshman year, and he’ll have to play well to fend off Adam Shead, who might be the best run blocker on the entire team.
Bronson Irwin and Nila Kasitati could start for a lot of teams in the Big 12, and make the position even deeper.
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James Patton on OU's offensive line class
• G John Michael McGee: “John Michael McGee is a freak athletically. He’s not as big as Trent Williams, but in terms of a linemen who can move and bend and has quickness and agility – we saw him on tape and they threw a tackle screen to him and he walked in for a touchdown. He can probably play tight end. He’s just 6-3 and 265 pounds right now. He’s going to need to get his weight and strength up, but in terms of his athleticism, he can do a lot of different things for us.”
• C Ty Darlington: “He was number one in his class, he’s been coached by his dad at Opapka High School, he’ll be the Valedictorian of his class. He’s a great kid with toughness, he’s a leader and I can say enough about him. He’s a kid in the same mold as Ben Habern and Jon Cooper and those guys. He’s a quick-thinking guy. His mom was a cheerleader here and they were a Midwest City family and he grew up watching Sooner football for a long time.”
• OT/G Kyle Marrs: “Kyle’s a big, right tackle. He’s 6-6, 300 pounds and he looks great. I saw him last week. He’s a physical run-blocking guy. He probably is in the same mold of Bronson Irwin who played tackle in high school. He’ll probably be a good guard on the inside.”
• OT Will Latu: “Physically he’s a big, wide guy. He fills up half of this door here. He’s just a big-shouldered, wide, with a big back, arms, hands – he’s got a thick lower body.”
• On the offensive ine class as a whole: “We lost two with Stephen (Good) and Donald (Stephenson). We get two more (than that) coming in, and you know how it is with line play. We can be thin, but other guys can play other positions. If a guy gets hurt the next guys steps in. In next year’s class we’ll lose Habern, we’ll lose Tyler Evans, we’ll lose Lane Johnson. So these guys coming in that will probably redshirt – maybe Latu has the best chance to play early – those other three will get a chance to redshirt and develop.”
Analysis: Addition of Latu cushions Banner blow
Banner chose USC over the Sooners and Washington on Monday afternoon at a ceremony at his high school. Banner had an official visit to OU in September that went as good as it possibly could have. However, an official visit to USC last weekend put the Trojans in the driver’s seat.
Banner was so confident about things that he canceled in-home visits last week because he knew where he was going.
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Analysis: Secondary now a major need
In the last two weeks, the two high school cornerbacks that committed when former defensive backs coach Willie Martinez was at OU have left the program.
The other cornerback, junior college signee Kass Everett (Philadelphia/Pierce College), didn’t have a choice in the matter but said he is ready to see what Mike Stoops brings to the table.
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Blake, 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, committed to the Aggies in September but has been looking around ever since former coach Mike Sherman was fired in December.
“I will no longer be playing football at Texas A&M next year,” Blake said on his Facebook page. “I hope all the aggie fans and supporters out there can respect my decision and understand that it’s my life and I need to do what’s best for me. God bless.”
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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: Kyle Marrs
Position: Offensive line
Height, Weight: 6-foot-6, 317 pounds
Hometown/School: San Antonio/Brandeis
Committed: Feb. 6, 2011
Scout grade: 79. Four-star prospect.
Scout rankings: No. 43 offensive tackle, No. 62 in the Midlands Region, No. 49 in Texas
Picked OU over: Stanford, Michigan, UCLA, Missouri, Notre Dame, SMU, Houston
OU looking to add to stellar offensive class
But the search is still far from over as OU is still in play for a lot of top kids on their board.
Quarterback
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OL Kyle Marrs, Sooners a 'perfect' fit
“It was a lot of fun,” Marrs said. “I got to hang out with some of the other recruits. Being there with my future teammates like Trevor (Knight), John Michael (McGee) and Ty (Darlington) was real fun.”
Freshman offensive lineman Derek Farniok hosted Marrs, and the four-star tackle/guard prospect had the chance to get a better understanding of the demands and expectations of being a Sooner.
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Colin Blake to make official visit to OU
Brandeis coach John Campbell ended those rumors Tuesday, confirming that Blake will also be taking an official visit to OU this weekend.
“With the situation that has occurred at Texas A&M, everybody is just waiting to see what happens,” Campbell said.
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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.