What’s up, my good people?
The recruiting class of 2019 is nearly complete for the Oklahoma Sooners, and this latest wave of signees appears as deep and as talented as any that have come in since Lincoln Riley has been in Norman.
Welcome 22 new #Sooners to the family! #NewWave19 #OUDNA #BoomerSooner https://t.co/NbrVKQKHvr / https://t.co/iOWTWNDyBk pic.twitter.com/KvobRj6tyX
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 20, 2018
I don’t think it would be a stretch to say anybody else in the nation is outworking the people at Oklahoma who make it their mission to find the cream of the crop and turn them into Sooners. Executive Director of Recruiting Annie Hanson and her team have been game changers, and you saw the results of their hard work on Wednesday.
What also has been a revelation for Oklahoma is the effort towards being a leader in how they work the social media angle. All of the little things matter in the big business of college sports, and if you look good, you play good. Media Content Director Zack Hefley and his team have provided a major boost for the Sooners in this area with the videos and ideas they continue to draw up. Check out how the New Wave 19 vinyl idea came to life.
The making of #NewWave19.
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 20, 2018
https://t.co/iOWTWNV9sS#OUDNA #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/ywNox9hbYf
This latest recruiting cycle has been a wild ride, and it’s certainly not finished just yet. Congratulations to all 22 signees for officially becoming Sooners, and stay hungry young men, because championships await.
Digging this new album! #NewWave19 #BoomerSooner
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 20, 2018
https://t.co/iOWTWNV9sS pic.twitter.com/S0cFSKF1r1
Oklahoma currently sits at No. 6 in the 247Composite Team Rankings and has PLENTY of room to move up between now and February.
Now let’s dive into some Hot Links! Offensive minded Lincoln Riley made a defensive statement on Wednesday, Calvin Thibodeaux will remain on board in 2019 no matter who the DC is, Coach O just isn’t having it and more!
OU Links
- Four-star DB Jeremiah Criddell announced his decision live on ESPN2 Wednesday morning, and in case you missed it, here’s the reaction from Sooners HQ. Lincoln Riley looks like a guy who loves what he does and where he’s doing it.
#NewWave19 just peaked!#OUDNA #BoomerSooner
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 19, 2018
https://t.co/iOWTWNV9sS pic.twitter.com/oYNHP0pyeK
- Despite not having a definitive defensive coordinator in place, Riley sent a clear message to kick off the early signing period by hauling in a plethora of defensive recruits that could have easily chosen to play elsewhere.
- After year two of the early signing period festivities, Riley feels comfortable with balancing recruiting and preparation for the College Football Playoff.
- Amid all the recruiting victories on Wednesday, the nation’s No. 1 receiver, Jadon Haselwood is yet to announce his destination. It is now believed Oklahoma is the pick for the Georgia native, but that won’t be known for certain until January 5th, when Haselwood will announce his decision at the All-American Bowl.
.@TrejanBridges wasn't ready to name names, but he said to expect some more big news for Oklahoma at WR. Jadon Haselwood perhaps? #BoomerSooner
— SportsTalk1400 (@Sportstalk1400) December 19, 2018
- Calvin Thibodeaux is one of Oklahoma’s top recruiters, and he’s the reason NEO’s LaRon Stokes chose the Sooners, despite not knowing who the defensive coordinator would be in 2019. Stokes seems to indicate that ‘Thibs’ would be retained when the DC hire is finally made.
- RB signee Marcus Major out of OKC’s Millwood HS came from being a relative unknown to a piping-hot commodity over the final year of his recruitment, yet from Day 1 he knew he wanted to become part of Oklahoma’s illustrious history at his position.
- Baker Mayfield has challenged his Cleveland Browns teammates to play as hard over these next two games as they did during the first 14. Even though their chances for the playoffs are next to impossible, the future of the franchise wants everybody focused on winning the game at-hand.
Around the Sports World
- As far as the rest of the nation is concerned, which schools were winners and which ones were losers after the first day of the early signing period?
- New England Patriots receiver Josh Gordon has announced that he is stepping away from football to focus on his mental health. This comes out just before reports of Gordon facing an indefinite suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. More power to you for recognizing a place of weakness, Josh. Accept the help you need.
— Flash Gordon (@JOSH_GORDONXII) December 20, 2018
- Arizona QB Khalil Tate has announced his intentions to return to school for his senior year, despite his first season under new head coach Kevin Sumlin going rather poorly. The Wildcats finished 5-7 after a rough start, so the future at least looks a little more promising with Tate remaining in the fold.
- Before Wednesday, no team in NBA history had ever made 26 three-pointer in a single game. Then the Houston Rockets became the first. Here’s a look at every single make from downtown.
The Houston Rockets made history with 26 three-pointers in one game.
— ESPN (@espn) December 20, 2018
Here's every. single. one. pic.twitter.com/1sNB5JewQl
- Unsurprisingly, LSU’s Ed Orgeron is a no-nonsense kind of guy, and if he tells you to cut the crap, you better do it the first time. Good for Coach O for handling the situation swiftly while also making a viral moment out of it. This is great TV.
"Hey guys! I'm having a press conference!"
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) December 20, 2018
Twice Wednesday night #LSU Coach O had to shut some people up. pic.twitter.com/yvt2u42i1Q
Stick to Sports!
- Here they come! Thor: Ragnarok co-stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson are teaming up once again in Sony Pictures upcoming blockbuster Men in Black: International. Also starring in the film are veteran actors Liam Neeson and one of my personal favorites, Emma Thompson. In this latest installment, the agents are taking their extraterrestrial adventures across the pond to bring justice to some very bad invaders with even worse intentions. Directed by F. Gary Gray, the film is set for theatrical release on June 14, 2019.
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