Hello once again, friends and fans! The 2018 recruitment cycle has officially come to a close. Overall, the Oklahoma Sooners signed 22 recruits for a second consecutive top-10 class. With how deep and talented the 2019 class appears to be, and with how dedicated the coaching staff has been towards recruiting, Sooner fans should expect more success on the trail in the very near future.

Speaking of recruiting, of course yesterday was also a big day for our burnt orange rivals to the south. I guess whatever Tom Herman is selling down there must be pretty convincing, since Texas Longhorn signee Keondre Coburn didn’t hesitate to make himself heard north of the Red River. Coburn made a promise that he and his teammates would defeat Oklahoma, as well as everybody else (in the Big 12).

Coburn wasn’t specific about when this would happen, but Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield caught wind of Coburn’s promise and tweeted out a response, before later deleting it.

Mayfield’s tweet read: “This is what we call being naive. Kid has no idea what it’s like stepping into the Cotton Bowl. So here’s how it works… The team north of the Red River doesn’t flinch. But it’s okay, you’ll see for yourself, wish you the best.” I don’t know who told him to delete this, but it should’ve stayed up!

Of course Coburn couldn’t resist replying to Mayfield:

There’s nothing like good old-fashioned Twitter beef in the offseason to get the blood flowing. Now onto the Hot Links! In today’s edition, Nick Basquine goes down again, Samaje Perine returns to Norman for his degree, and there’s a parade in the city of brotherly love!

OU Links

• Oklahoma’s staff did a bang up job recruiting defensive players down the stretch, and RJ is here to praise them for it. This staff knows how to close!
• Check out Lincoln Riley’s interview with ESPNU about his thoughts on his first class as the head coach of Oklahoma.

• Rod Gilmore and Tom Luginbill both agree that the Sooners were successful in addressing defensive needs and bringing in quality talent that can compete at a national level.

• With how this recruiting class took shape, it was clear that Lincoln Riley and the coaching staff made a concerted effort with improving the defense, especially along the defensive line. Efforts like that could pay dividends towards changing the national perception of the Big 12.
• Brendan Radley-Hiles is one of those defensive players that should help elevate Oklahoma’s defense in the near future. Check out this quick self-introduction of the man they call ‘Bookie’, brought to you by the Players’ Tribune.

• Wide receiver Nick Basquine, who has been recovering from tearing his Achilles tendon last fall camp, has suffered another injury of the same nature. The good news is that Coach Riley expects to see Basquine back on the field for the 2018 season.
• Drake and Isaac Stoops may not have decided to play for Oklahoma at the same time, but the twins are both Sooners through and through.
• So Trae Young has not only become a household name, he’s become a hometown hero. The only question that is still to be determined is if he can carry this team out of the hole and to a decent tournament seed.
• The statues of Barry Switzer, Bud Wilkinson and Bennie Owen are reportedly going to be relocated to the courtyard outside of the south end of the stadium. I wonder when we’ll see Bob Stoops’ statue?

• The one and only Samaje Perine has returned to Oklahoma to complete his degree. Perine will always be one of my favorite Sooners for how he carried himself both on and off the field. You’re the man, Samaje!

• Sooner Softball is almost back in action! The run for a third straight national title begins this weekend, and the team is determined to stay on top.
• It’s happening! It’s parade time in Philly and you better believe Lane Johnson is ready.

Around the Sports World

• This is today’s scene in the streets of Philadelphia. The mass of humanity can only mean one thing: the loudest ‘Philly Philly’ chant ever, inspired by Bud Light’s ‘Dilly Dilly’, of course.

• So. Many. Buses.

• Eagles defensive end Chris Long is dressed appropriately for the parade festivities:

• Eagles center Jason Kelce also wanted to get into costume, but I’d say his choice of wardrobe is a little too subtle, wouldn’t you say?

• For live updates and highlights of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl celebration parade, check out this thread. #FlyEaglesFly!
• More drama on National Signing Day. Wide receiver prospect Jacob Copeland signed with Florida over Alabama and Tennessee, and it appears his mother wasn’t too happy about his decision because right after he made his announcement, she immediately stood up and walked away.

• It’s NBA Trade Deadline Day, y’all. Here’s the first big #WojBomb:

• And Woj has reported more bombs since posting this. Just follow him on Twitter.

Stick to Sports!

• Sony Pictures has released a teaser trailer for Venom, starring Tom Hardy. While Spider-Man isn’t my favorite Marvel superhero, Venom is probably my favorite Marvel villain. Since this film will be told from the perspective of Hardy’s character, Eddie Brock, I would imagine Venom to be a sort of anti-hero instead of a villain. Needless to say I’m very excited about this one, folks. Look out for it in theaters this October!

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