Oklahoma Sooners: Samaje Perine
NORMAN, Okla. -- Not everything is a well-oiled machine for Oklahoma when it comes to recruiting. Though there are still issues to be addressed, with eight months left until signing day, time is on the Sooners' side.
The offensive and defensive lines need a lot of work and OU hasn’t secured a linebacker yet, despite the fact the position is a major need.
The offensive and defensive lines need a lot of work and OU hasn’t secured a linebacker yet, despite the fact the position is a major need.
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Sooner Intel: Recruiting news and notes 
April, 26, 2013
Apr 26
9:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
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 giant Georgia offensive tackle has the Sooners in his top three.
- An OU commit is getting more comfortable in Norman.
- The Sooners are scouting a tight end in an unlikely location.
- The race won't be easy for OU's top athlete target.
- An OU signee has words of wisdom for a former teammate who's now being recruited.
- Why putting on an OU jersey was special for an in-state tailback.
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
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Sooner Intel: Recruiting news and notes
April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
9:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
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.
- The three things OU commit Todd looked for when deciding to pledge.
- OU's top tight end target gets to know his possible future position coach.
- OU's running back commit is still hearing from the Longhorns.
- A top in-state target couldn't stay at the spring game long, but he talked to Bob and Mike Stoops before the game.
- It was a full-court press on Saturday for a top Texas offensive tackle.
- The Sooners had a lineman from Wyoming at the spring game.
- Receivers coach Jay Norvell compares a Florida receiver to a former Sooners star.
- OU is in a good position with a 2015 in-state stud.
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
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OU moves focus toward evaluation period
April, 15, 2013
Apr 15
1:00
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
It’s easy to think Oklahoma is lagging behind recruiting rivals Texas and Texas A&M on the recruiting trail. The Sooners enter the spring evaluation period with just three (or four, depending on Todd) commits, way behind the Longhorns and Aggies.
But OU has put itself in good position with numerous recruits going forward. And the spring evaluation period -- which starts today and goes until May 31 -- is another chance for the Sooners to make some noise.
So what should you expect from the evaluation period?
But OU has put itself in good position with numerous recruits going forward. And the spring evaluation period -- which starts today and goes until May 31 -- is another chance for the Sooners to make some noise.
So what should you expect from the evaluation period?
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NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma fans were nervous Friday afternoon upon learning that ESPN Watch List quarterback Justice Hansen (Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe) left school early for the day.
The logic was Hansen was leaving early so he could drive to Texas A&M and commit to the Aggies on Saturday. Hansen had previously said he was going to commit to either OU or A&M in person at the spring game.
The logic was Hansen was leaving early so he could drive to Texas A&M and commit to the Aggies on Saturday. Hansen had previously said he was going to commit to either OU or A&M in person at the spring game.
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Sooner Intel: Recruiting news and notes
April, 12, 2013
Apr 12
9:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
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.
- Why judgment day looms for the Sooners' top target.
- A Florida receiver is excited about visiting the Sooners this weekend.
- An OU signee talks about his first trip to Norman.
- One of the Sooners' top offensive line targets is making a return trip this spring.
- Is OU back in the picture for in-state DE Clark?
- An Ohio target has built a solid relationship with the OU staff.
- Could another running back be in play for the Sooners?
- A 2015 tight end committed to another school wants to visit OU again.
- A 2015 lineman talks about recently adding a Sooners offer.
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
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Is OU in store for big recruiting weekend?
April, 12, 2013
Apr 12
8:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- So far, Oklahoma has been more active on the recruiting trail for the 2014 class than it was last year. Offers have gone out sooner and more unofficial visits have taken place.
But the results? They’re not there yet. Heading into this weekend’s spring game, the Sooners have two commits in ESPN Watch List running back Samaje Perine (Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson) and strong safety Vontre McQuinnie (Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster).
Contrast that with recruiting rivals Texas and Texas A&M. The Longhorns have picked up five 2014 commits in the last two weeks and have 14 total. The Aggies have 10 for the class and could get more with their spring game on Saturday.
But the results? They’re not there yet. Heading into this weekend’s spring game, the Sooners have two commits in ESPN Watch List running back Samaje Perine (Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson) and strong safety Vontre McQuinnie (Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster).
Contrast that with recruiting rivals Texas and Texas A&M. The Longhorns have picked up five 2014 commits in the last two weeks and have 14 total. The Aggies have 10 for the class and could get more with their spring game on Saturday.
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NORMAN, Okla. -- You can never accuse Oklahoma running backs coach Cale Gundy of being too ambitious. Just because he lands one top running back it doesn’t mean he won't try to add a second one.
Once again the Sooners are in great standing at the position because of the work done by Gundy as ESPN Watch List back Samaje Perine (Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson) pledged to OU two weeks ago and is a firm commit.
OU isn’t done with its 2014 running back crop. At least one more scholarship is on the table, and Gundy has made several offers to top recruits. One name stands above the rest is Watch List prospect Nathan Starks (Las Vegas/Bishop Gorman), but there are others in the hunt, too.
Here’s a look at the rest of the running back picture:
Once again the Sooners are in great standing at the position because of the work done by Gundy as ESPN Watch List back Samaje Perine (Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson) pledged to OU two weeks ago and is a firm commit.
OU isn’t done with its 2014 running back crop. At least one more scholarship is on the table, and Gundy has made several offers to top recruits. One name stands above the rest is Watch List prospect Nathan Starks (Las Vegas/Bishop Gorman), but there are others in the hunt, too.
Here’s a look at the rest of the running back picture:
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Sooner Intel: Recruiting news and notes
March, 22, 2013
Mar 22
9:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
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.
- One of OU's commits says he's firm with the Sooners despite visiting other schools.
- Two top in-state targets visited rivals this week. Should OU be worried?
- We talk to the coach of OU's newest commit about what makes the commit so good.
- News on OU's backup plan at quarterback for the Class of 2014.
- The Sooners are in the top four for an ESPN Watch List prospect. But do they lead?
- A top Arizona athlete already knows he wants to visit OU.
- The Sooners are in the top three for a Louisiana defensive tackle.
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
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Video: New OU commit Samaje Perine
March, 20, 2013
Mar 20
11:00
AM CT
By SoonerNation staff | ESPN.com
Max Olson talks to recent Oklahoma commit Samaje Perine, a 2014 Watch List running back from Hendrickson (Pflugerville, Texas).OU going back to basics recruiting Texas
March, 19, 2013
Mar 19
8:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- There had been a noticeable trend in Oklahoma's recruiting for the last couple of seasons. The Sooners were stepping out of Texas and going national.
With a winning tradition like OU has, it makes sense. You can offer a recruit in California or Florida and just say, “We’re OU. We want you.”
With a winning tradition like OU has, it makes sense. You can offer a recruit in California or Florida and just say, “We’re OU. We want you.”
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Sooner Intel: Recruiting news and notes
March, 15, 2013
Mar 15
9:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
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 top California target is focused on academics this spring.
- OU's quarterback offer is visiting a rival next week.
- OU made an impression on a big Texas defensive end.
- A recent defensive tackle visitor is in no rush to decide.
- The door is open for an in-state athlete to look at the Sooners.
- One Texas running back hopes to visit the Sooners this spring.
- Are the Sooners firmly in the mix for an in-state linebacker?
- An in-state point guard is hearing a lot from the Sooners.
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
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Perine first piece of OU RB puzzle for 2014
March, 13, 2013
Mar 13
5:00
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Oklahoma running backs coach Cale Gundy has done it again. While OU coach Bob Stoops felt a change in his coaching staff was necessary for the 2013 season, Gundy was never on the chopping block.
Wednesday afternoon is evidence of why that is, as ESPN Watch List running back Samaje Perine (Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson) became the first running back commit for OU’s 2014 class.
Wednesday afternoon is evidence of why that is, as ESPN Watch List running back Samaje Perine (Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson) became the first running back commit for OU’s 2014 class.
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After making a visit to take in an Oklahoma practice Tuesday, Samaje Perine knew he didn’t need to wait any longer.
The ESPN Watch List running back from Pflugerville (Texas) Hendrickson went home, talked it over with his parents and decided it was time to make it official: He’s going to be a Sooner.
On Wednesday, the 5-foot-11, 213-pound power back became Oklahoma’s third 2014 verbal commit.
“It feels great,” he said. “I had a good relationship with the coaches and I felt like home away from home.”
Perine chose Oklahoma over Alabama and TCU, and he also held offers from Tennessee, Houston and Purdue. The Sooners have been the favorite for a while now, especially after running backs coach Cale Gundy convinced Perine he’d have a chance to play right away when he gets to Norman, Okla.
With backs Damien Williams, Brennan Clay and Roy Finch set to graduate after this season, Perine likes the opportunity OU offers. That ended up being a major reason he had to turn down an offer from the national champion Crimson Tide.
“Alabama is a great school, but they just have so many backs right now and they’re going to have a lot of great backs when I graduate,” Perine said. “There wasn’t a need for me there.”
In the end, though, it was his relationship with Gundy that sealed the deal.
The ESPN Watch List running back from Pflugerville (Texas) Hendrickson went home, talked it over with his parents and decided it was time to make it official: He’s going to be a Sooner.
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Max Olson/ESPN.com Watch List tailback Samaje Perine turned down offers from TCU and Alabama to commit to the Sooners.
“It feels great,” he said. “I had a good relationship with the coaches and I felt like home away from home.”
Perine chose Oklahoma over Alabama and TCU, and he also held offers from Tennessee, Houston and Purdue. The Sooners have been the favorite for a while now, especially after running backs coach Cale Gundy convinced Perine he’d have a chance to play right away when he gets to Norman, Okla.
With backs Damien Williams, Brennan Clay and Roy Finch set to graduate after this season, Perine likes the opportunity OU offers. That ended up being a major reason he had to turn down an offer from the national champion Crimson Tide.
“Alabama is a great school, but they just have so many backs right now and they’re going to have a lot of great backs when I graduate,” Perine said. “There wasn’t a need for me there.”
In the end, though, it was his relationship with Gundy that sealed the deal.
Nobody is pressuring ESPN Watch List running back Samaje Perine (Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson) to make a decision, but Perine might be close to making one.
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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.