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Happy Monday, friends and fans! It’s game week! Okay, it’s not an actual game, of course, but the Oklahoma Sooners’ Spring Game is this Saturday. There’s been a tremendous build-up leading up to this one, so I’d strongly advise not missing out if you can help it.
Among all the unique draws for this year’s game, Bob Stoops’ statue is expected to be unveiled for the first time... officially. Now, do you remember the debacle that ensued when Stoops’ statue was standing in plain sight on a flat-bed truck? If you need a refresher, check out this oral history of one of the more bizarre moments in OU football lore.
Now for today’s Hot Links! Oklahoma baseball keeps rising in the polls, the Sooners’ social media game has impacted recruiting in a big way, Mike Stoops says Tre Norwood reminds him of Aaron Colvin and more!
OU Links
- Unsurprisingly, Oklahoma was well represented at the Under Armour football camp in Dallas this past weekend. Sooner commits Austin Stogner (class of 2019 TE), Drew Sanders (‘20 ATH) and Jase McClellan (‘20 RB) were all on the scene, as well as Theo Wease Jr., who most recruiting analysts believe to be a heavy Oklahoma lean at this point. SB Nation’s Alex Kirshner had the following to say about Wease, who will be in Norman for the spring game this coming weekend: “Wease is currently a Composite four-star, but he looks like a five-star to me. He’s a precise route runner and has a really sticky pair of hands. He regularly cooked a pretty talented crop of defensive backs, though he missed out on some long catches because of under-thrown balls by the quarterbacks at the camp.” Also of note is that Sanders, who likely projects as a TE at OU, was supposedly lighting it up as a QB.
- It’s a big week for Sooner Baseball. After a couple non-conference matchups, the Texas Longhorns are coming to town over the weekend. The Saturday game could make for a nice full day of Sooner action if you’re already planning on attending the Spring Game earlier in the day. Tickets are still available, so reserve your spot now!
⚾️n Deck...
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) April 9, 2018
A five-game homestand this week, highlighted by OU-Texas on the weekend at L. Dale Mitchell Park.
Info➡️https://t.co/TjRvgDYSWK pic.twitter.com/6Zx2cc2Y5b
- After beating Oral Roberts on the road and winning the series over TCU, Oklahoma Baseball is now ranked 16th in D1Baseball’s Top 25. The Sooners moved up four spots from last week.
- NFL Draft expert Gil Brandt spoke with SI’s Peter King and ranked the top quarterbacks in the draft. He also explained how Baker Mayfield can truly become like Drew Brees. In summation, it’s all about time and work ethic.
- Speaking of Mayfield, SB Nation’s Dan Kadar has updated his mock draft and projects the Heisman Trophy winner to become a New York Jet. Also, Baker is the only Sooner going in the first round of his mock draft.
- The Rose Bowl semifinal won’t bring up too many blissful memories for Sooner fans, but one thing’s for sure: every reason why Baker Mayfield is a great QB was highlighted in that game, and NFL Teams ought to take notice now before they miss their chance on him.
- Oklahoma football’s social media game has not only boosted fan engagement as a whole, it’s actually played a pivotal part in jumpstarting the rise in recruiting prowess.
- Mike Stoops has recently spoken highly of at least one Sooner defensive back in particular. The Sooners’ DC has drawn comparisons between sophomore cornerback Tre Norwood and former secondary standout Aaron Colvin.
- Redshirt freshman Creed Humphrey is vying for the starting center job along Oklahoma’s offensive line, and he’s been impressing the coaches with more than just his enormity.
Around the Sports World
- Ronda Rousey made her official in-ring debut at WrestleMania 34, and by all accounts she stole the show. Looks like she has a bright future in the WWE.
ICYMI: Ronda Rousey lived up to the hype and threw a barrage of fists in her WWE in-ring debut. pic.twitter.com/adWUJwRpnI
— ESPN (@espn) April 9, 2018
- Patrick Reed is the winner of the 2018 Masters Tournament. Although he wasn’t the favorite by most golf fans, he’s certainly a deserving one for his incredible performance.
- Steve Spurrier and Rick Neuhiesel will both coach teams in the Alliance of American Football starting in the spring of 2020. I’ll watch a game just to check out the product, but I won’t expect much, to be honest.
- The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from clinching a playoff berth, and with two games remaining, the time to dial in is now.
- Congratulations to the Phoenix Suns for winning the 2017-18 Tanking Award! Okay, that’s not a real award, but with 61 losses, the Suns have officially clinched the worst record in the association. It’s still not a guarantee that they’ll nab the No. 1 overall pick with the current lottery system in place, but the odds are good.
With their loss to the Warriors Sunday, the Suns have clinched the worst record in the NBA.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 9, 2018
They have 6 wins since the start of 2018. No other team has fewer than 10 over that span.
Stick to Sports!
- The scientific team at Disney is trotting out a Pandora Utility Suit at Disney’s World of Avatar. The mechanized suit is solo-piloted, and will traverse the grounds of the film-based theme park. It’s a pretty neat addition that will garner a heap of attention and patron engagement.
Take a first look at the new Pandora Utility Suit that’s coming to Pandora – The World of Avatar, starting April 22. Details here: https://t.co/O9uqQVnXFx #Pandora #VisitPandora pic.twitter.com/O7YqsM6q44
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) April 7, 2018
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