Oklahoma Sooners: oklahoma football
NORMAN, Okla. – Bob Stoops indicated he hired Jerry Montgomery to coach Oklahoma’s defensive line, in large part because of Montgomery’s reputation as a recruiter.
That reputation manifested itself when news broke that Montgomery was leaving Michigan to join the Sooners.
“I actually couldn’t recruit for Oklahoma until I signed the contract,” Montgomery said Wednesday in his first interview with local reporters. “The one thing that happened was I was involved with so many kids, that kids reached out and said, ‘Coach you’re leaving, what’s going on?’ I said, ‘Call me, I’ll explain it you.’
“They all reached out to me, a good 15-20 kids, to say why? So we talked and had those conversations.”
In Ann Arbor, Montgomery demonstrated an aptitude for developing such relationships with prospects, as he became one of Michigan’s most prolific recruiters. He believes he can do the same in Norman.
“It’s about building relationships, I don’t care where you’re at, if you’re in Florida or Texas or Michigan or whatever,” he said. “It’s about building relationships in this area, the Texas area, and the surrounding states.”
Montgomery, however, said OU won’t be restricted recruiting just from traditional pipelines. He believes the Sooners can go to the South, too, where prominent and prevalent defensive line blue-chippers have been fueling the SEC’s dominance of college football.
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Lon Horwedel/Icon SMIJerry Montgomery comes to Norman from Ann Arbor with a strong recruiting reputation.
Lon Horwedel/Icon SMIJerry Montgomery comes to Norman from Ann Arbor with a strong recruiting reputation.“I actually couldn’t recruit for Oklahoma until I signed the contract,” Montgomery said Wednesday in his first interview with local reporters. “The one thing that happened was I was involved with so many kids, that kids reached out and said, ‘Coach you’re leaving, what’s going on?’ I said, ‘Call me, I’ll explain it you.’
“They all reached out to me, a good 15-20 kids, to say why? So we talked and had those conversations.”
In Ann Arbor, Montgomery demonstrated an aptitude for developing such relationships with prospects, as he became one of Michigan’s most prolific recruiters. He believes he can do the same in Norman.
“It’s about building relationships, I don’t care where you’re at, if you’re in Florida or Texas or Michigan or whatever,” he said. “It’s about building relationships in this area, the Texas area, and the surrounding states.”
Montgomery, however, said OU won’t be restricted recruiting just from traditional pipelines. He believes the Sooners can go to the South, too, where prominent and prevalent defensive line blue-chippers have been fueling the SEC’s dominance of college football.
During an interview with George Adeosun (Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta), a funny thing happened. It started out like any other, with the 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman giving his thoughts on his first two BCS offers -- Virginia and Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma is notable for its alumni association, and Virginia is well known for its academics,” Adeosun said.
But toward the end of his answer, a familiar sound occurred as a tweet was sent out. It was from his coach.
“Oklahoma is notable for its alumni association, and Virginia is well known for its academics,” Adeosun said.
But toward the end of his answer, a familiar sound occurred as a tweet was sent out. It was from his coach.
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Treadwell sets top 3, eyes another visit 
December, 30, 2012
12/30/12
6:54
PM CT
By
Corey Long | ESPN.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Laquon Treadwell (Crete, Ill./Crete-Monee) seems to like the southeastern culture, and that could be a good thing for Ole Miss.
The ESPN 150 wide receiver says the Rebels are in his top three with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. He will take his official to Stillwater on Jan. 11.
“My recruitment got pretty wild there for a couple of weeks, but once I starting talking with the schools I was most interested in and put together a top three everything settled down,” Treadwell said. “I don’t expect any schools to challenge those three, but we’ll see.”
The ESPN 150 wide receiver says the Rebels are in his top three with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. He will take his official to Stillwater on Jan. 11.
“My recruitment got pretty wild there for a couple of weeks, but once I starting talking with the schools I was most interested in and put together a top three everything settled down,” Treadwell said. “I don’t expect any schools to challenge those three, but we’ll see.”
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Freshman update: DT Jordan Wade
December, 27, 2012
12/27/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
As other players at his position have been focused on securing another 10-win season for Oklahoma, defensive tackle Jordan Wade has been focused on making an impact in 2013.
Opportunities abound for Wade, with three of four rotation players at defensive tackle leaving the program after the AT&T Cotton Bowl. The redshirting freshman spent the fall trying to improve his technique and skills at defensive tackle.
“He’s growing in ability,” senior defensive tackle JaMarkus McFarland said. “I can see great things out of him. It’s a learning curve at this position but I’d say look out for him next year.”
Opportunities abound for Wade, with three of four rotation players at defensive tackle leaving the program after the AT&T Cotton Bowl. The redshirting freshman spent the fall trying to improve his technique and skills at defensive tackle.
“He’s growing in ability,” senior defensive tackle JaMarkus McFarland said. “I can see great things out of him. It’s a learning curve at this position but I’d say look out for him next year.”
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Oklahoma doesn’t need Alex Ross to make an impact next season. But don’t be surprised if the redshirting running back sees playing time in 2013. Why? Because Ross brings a unique combination of size, at 6-foot-1, and terrific speed at 204 pounds.
Asked about Ross's most impressive trait, fellow running back Brennan Clay didn’t have to think twice.
“His speed, of course,” Clay said. “He’s putting on weight and he’s done a great job with the scout team, giving the defense a great look. He’s young and he’s learning. I’m excited to see him get on the field."
Asked about Ross's most impressive trait, fellow running back Brennan Clay didn’t have to think twice.
“His speed, of course,” Clay said. “He’s putting on weight and he’s done a great job with the scout team, giving the defense a great look. He’s young and he’s learning. I’m excited to see him get on the field."
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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.
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What life without Saunders could mean
December, 4, 2012
12/04/12
8:30
AM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- Going into the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, the Sooners lost Reggie Smith. Then Lendy Holmes. And finally DeMarcus Granger. By the time the bowl game finally came around, the complexion of the Oklahoma defense had completely changed, and West Virginia waxed the Sooners, 48-28.
As the Sooners get ready to take on Texas A&M in the sold-out AT&T Cotton Bowl, the complexion of their offense might have suffered a blow bigger than the one to the ’07 defense. This weekend, star slot receiver Jalen Saunders was arrested and charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. In all likelihood, Saunders will be suspended for the Cotton Bowl.
Not until Saunders was cleared for Texas week did the OU offense begin to realize its vast potential. The Sooners had struggled to find their identity through the first month of the season, which included the 24-19 loss to Kansas State. Once Saunders was cleared, the Sooners opted to go with a four-wide attack with Saunders in the slot and Kenny Stills on the outside, and the offense immediately took off.
As the Sooners get ready to take on Texas A&M in the sold-out AT&T Cotton Bowl, the complexion of their offense might have suffered a blow bigger than the one to the ’07 defense. This weekend, star slot receiver Jalen Saunders was arrested and charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. In all likelihood, Saunders will be suspended for the Cotton Bowl.
Not until Saunders was cleared for Texas week did the OU offense begin to realize its vast potential. The Sooners had struggled to find their identity through the first month of the season, which included the 24-19 loss to Kansas State. Once Saunders was cleared, the Sooners opted to go with a four-wide attack with Saunders in the slot and Kenny Stills on the outside, and the offense immediately took off.
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It feels like the Sooners have been playing catchup for most of the year on the recruiting trail. The OU coaches have preached patience with the class offers, and it has put OU in a tough spot.
This time, though, it wasn’t OU’s fault. With the Sooners playing Saturday at TCU, they couldn’t utilize the first week of in-home visits, so they will have to make up some ground.
OU will get started in a hurry. Three big names scheduled to have in-home visits are ESPN 150 defensive tackle Maquedius Bain (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School), ESPN 150 safety Tahaan Goodman (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Ranch Cucamonga) and ESPN 300 athlete and Florida State commit Adrian Baker (Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna).
This time, though, it wasn’t OU’s fault. With the Sooners playing Saturday at TCU, they couldn’t utilize the first week of in-home visits, so they will have to make up some ground.
OU will get started in a hurry. Three big names scheduled to have in-home visits are ESPN 150 defensive tackle Maquedius Bain (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School), ESPN 150 safety Tahaan Goodman (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Ranch Cucamonga) and ESPN 300 athlete and Florida State commit Adrian Baker (Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna).
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Roundtable: Toughest remaining game?
November, 15, 2012
11/15/12
4:00
PM CT
By SoonerNation staff | ESPN.com
Every Thursday during the season, 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.
Today's question: Will West Virginia be OU's toughest remaining test?
• The Sooners haven't been the same dominant team at home, and in fact they've been better on the road. So I'll go with the best team. That's clearly Oklahoma State, which already handled TCU and West Virginia with ease. The Cowboys' QB injury issues haven't slowed them down as much as one might think, and now all three QBs are healthy. The OSU defense has also been playing better than it did earlier in the season. The Cowboys have been awful in Norman in their last three trips there. But, Norman or not, they're playing better ball than West Virginia or TCU and pose the toughest test.
Today's question: Will West Virginia be OU's toughest remaining test?
• The Sooners haven't been the same dominant team at home, and in fact they've been better on the road. So I'll go with the best team. That's clearly Oklahoma State, which already handled TCU and West Virginia with ease. The Cowboys' QB injury issues haven't slowed them down as much as one might think, and now all three QBs are healthy. The OSU defense has also been playing better than it did earlier in the season. The Cowboys have been awful in Norman in their last three trips there. But, Norman or not, they're playing better ball than West Virginia or TCU and pose the toughest test.
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Race of three for DT Justin Manning?
November, 4, 2012
11/04/12
12:31
PM CT
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 defensive tackle Justin Manning (Dallas/Kimball) said via Twitter and confirmed via text message that he did not make the trip over the weekend to LSU to watch the LSU-Alabama game.
It also appears that Manning’s process now comes down to three schools -- and LSU isn’t one of them.
Manning, No. 89 in the ESPN 150, said via text that the interest with LSU has taken a different path, but he is now focusing on Oklahoma, Texas A&M and TCU. He would not comment on whether he separated himself from LSU or LSU pulled his offer.
It also appears that Manning’s process now comes down to three schools -- and LSU isn’t one of them.
Manning, No. 89 in the ESPN 150, said via text that the interest with LSU has taken a different path, but he is now focusing on Oklahoma, Texas A&M and TCU. He would not comment on whether he separated himself from LSU or LSU pulled his offer.
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Watch: Oklahoma on upset watch
November, 2, 2012
11/02/12
3:15
PM CT
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Robert Smith puts Oklahoma on upset watch Saturday against Iowa State.
The only word four-star offensive tackle Matt Beyer (San Antonio/Reagan) could use to describe his experience was "surreal."
For Beyer, it has been a dream to see an Oklahoma home game in person, and that dream came true last weekend when the Sooners played Notre Dame.
It was an incredible night for Beyer even if the circumstances that led to it tested his mental toughness.
For Beyer, it has been a dream to see an Oklahoma home game in person, and that dream came true last weekend when the Sooners played Notre Dame.
It was an incredible night for Beyer even if the circumstances that led to it tested his mental toughness.
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Oklahoma's most anticipated home games
October, 25, 2012
10/25/12
7:30
AM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has called Saturday’s showdown with Notre Dame the school’s most anticipated home game since the Sooners took on top-ranked Nebraska 12 years ago.
SoonerNation breaks down the 10 home games in Oklahoma history that have been considered the most anticipated, including this weekend's Notre Dame game:
1. 1971: No. 1 Nebraska 35, No. 2 Oklahoma 31
SoonerNation breaks down the 10 home games in Oklahoma history that have been considered the most anticipated, including this weekend's Notre Dame game:
1. 1971: No. 1 Nebraska 35, No. 2 Oklahoma 31
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Roundtable: Oklahoma's third receiver
October, 18, 2012
10/18/12
4:15
PM CT
By SoonerNation staff | ESPN.com
Every Thursday during the season, 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.
Today's question: Which receiver will make the biggest impact for the Sooners the rest of the season -- Jalen Saunders, Sterling Shepard or Trey Metoyer?
• Jalen Saunders brings something to the table that Trey Metoyer and Sterling Shepard do not. That is experience. Like fellow transfer Justin Brown, Saunders has quickly picked up the offense, and he made an immediate impact in the Texas game. Metoyer and Shepard have bright futures, and will help the Sooners this season. But as a veteran, Saunders will have the biggest impact of the three down the stretch.
Today's question: Which receiver will make the biggest impact for the Sooners the rest of the season -- Jalen Saunders, Sterling Shepard or Trey Metoyer?
• Jalen Saunders brings something to the table that Trey Metoyer and Sterling Shepard do not. That is experience. Like fellow transfer Justin Brown, Saunders has quickly picked up the offense, and he made an immediate impact in the Texas game. Metoyer and Shepard have bright futures, and will help the Sooners this season. But as a veteran, Saunders will have the biggest impact of the three down the stretch.
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Five storylines: Kansas vs. Oklahoma
October, 18, 2012
10/18/12
12:00
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
After impressive back-to-back wins over Texas Tech and Texas, Oklahoma hosts Kansas at 6 p.m. CT Saturday at Owen Field in Norman, Okla. The Sooners have put themselves back in position to achieve their goals, as long as they continue to play at a high level. Here are five storylines to watch:
1. Will the Sooners handle success like they handled adversity?
After their loss to Kansas State, the Sooners have responded and put their name back in the national conversation about top teams and potential BCS title participants. That all goes away with a loss to KU.
1. Will the Sooners handle success like they handled adversity?
After their loss to Kansas State, the Sooners have responded and put their name back in the national conversation about top teams and potential BCS title participants. That all goes away with a loss to KU.
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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.