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It's no secret (as I have been harping on it for over a year) that the Sooners need to begin to stockpile talent at the linebacker positions. The Sooners will lose 4 linebackers after next season (Bond, Striker, Lindley, and Shannon). So 4 linebacker commitments are needed at minimum to replace those who are leaving. Regardless of what Bob Stoops said on National Signing Day, the Sooners wanted at least one additional linebacker in the class of 2015, which resulted in 2 players (DeBerry and McGinnis). So I would set the number at 5 linebackers for the class of 2016 (although I would like the Sooners to take 6).
The good news is the not only have the Sooners offered numerous linebacker prospects, but appear to be in really good shape for lots of them. Here is the exhaustive list of linebacker offers as of today. (WARNING LONG POST AHEAD)
CURRENT COMMIT(S)
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CURRENT OFFERS
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OFFERS: Bama, ASU, Ark, Aub, Baylor, Cal, Colorado, Duke, Houston, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Mich St., Mizzou, Nebraska, OKState, Oregon, TCU, Texas, A&M, TTech, Vandy, Washington.
The Sooners have a major advantage with Jackson. He is from the same school and good friends with current Sooner LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. The Sooners will be in on Jackson to the end and many believe he will end up a Sooner.
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OFFERS: Any school he wants to go to. He literally has offers from everyone.
The Sooners have again a nice advantage in that Smith is good friends with current Sooners Charles Tapper. I fully expect the Sooners to be in on Smith to the end, but I think they will just miss out on him.
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OFFERS: Any school he wants to go to. He like Smith has offers from anyone.
The Sooners appear to be Kelly's favorite as he is good friends with Michiah Quick and has a good relationship with Chip Viney. I expect him to be a part of the Sooners class of 2016.
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OFFERS: Bama, Baylor, FSU, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Mizzou, Nebraska, Oregon St., TCU, Texas, UCLA, and the Sooners.
I expect this to be a Longhorn/Sooner battle probably resulting in Fowler wearing the ugly shade of orange.
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OFFERS: Ark, Cal, Louisville, OkState, Oregon, SMU, TCU, TTech, UCLA, Wisconsin and the Sooners.
He is best friends with 2015 Sooner DB signee Prentice McKinney. It would be a shock if he didn't end up a Sooner.
ASU, Colorado, Northwestern, Oregon, Utah, Washington St., Wisconsin, and the Sooners.
Youngquist's recruiting is just now taking off but the Sooners sit in decent position with ASU and Oregon at this point.
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OFFERS: Bama, ASU, Auburn, Baylor, Cal, Colorado, Duke, UGA, Illinois, KSU, LSU, Mich, Mich St., Mizzou, Neb, Oregon, Purdue, Texas, A&M, TTech, USC, Vandy, and the Sooners.
This is a guy who appears to be zeroing in on the Sooners, Horns, and Aggies. Sadly he probably ends up like Fowler in an ugly shade of orange.
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OFFERS: Zona, Houston, Iowa St., Michigan, OkState, TTech, Tulsa, and the Sooners
The local prospect barring something unforeseen should end up a Sooner. Because of Bundage's athletic ability he could also end up at Safety.
OFFERS: Baylor, Texas, TTech, and the Sooners.
Some recruiting database's have him listed at 6-4 and as a DE, but in the Sooners 3-4 defense he will surely be an OLB. I expect him to be a Sooner come NSD 2016.
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OFFERS: ASU, Ark, Baylor, BC, Colorado, Duke, Kansas, KSU, Mizzou, SMU, Texas, TTech, and the Sooners.
While the Sooners are definitely in the mix, I expect Carmouche to end up a Horn.
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OFFERS: Miss St., Mizzou, TCU, TTech, and the Sooners
I expect him to commit to the Sooners and play alongside his former high school teammate and class of 2015 Sooner Arthur McGinnis.
OTHER OFFERS (SOONERS HAVE NO REAL CHANCE)
FINAL CLASS OF 2016 COMMIT PREDICTIONS
Jon-Michael Terry
Marvin Terry
Calvin Bundage (taken as a safety commitment)
Pernell Jefferson
Caleb Kelly
Dontavious Jackson
Mark Jackson