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Happy Thursday, friends and fans!
The 2020 Under Armour All-America Game is set to kick off tonight at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN2, and the Oklahoma Sooners will be well-represented with five signees/commits with the potential to add more to an already strong recruiting class. Seen below are three of OU’s offensive line signees — Nate Anderson, Anton Harrison and Andrew Raym.
3/5 of the #20Deep O-Line #UAAllAmerica #BOOMERSOONER pic.twitter.com/lxFlcqx1NR
— Andrea Raym (@raym_andrea) January 2, 2020
Record-setting wide receiver signee Marvin Mims will also be present, as will verbally committed DE Reggie Grimes.
What a way to spend New Year's Day. So proud of my nephew Reggie Grimes (OU commit), for being selected to play in the Under Amour All-American game in Orlando, FL pic.twitter.com/az9QtJzvfV
— Mark Perry (@CoachMarkPerry) January 2, 2020
One of the traditions established in these high school All-America games is allowing the recruits to announce on television, and Oklahoma folks need to keep their eyes peeled tonight for four-star dual-threat QB Chandler Morris out of Dallas. He plans to make the announcement just before the UAAA game kicks off, so tune in early.
Commitment tomorrow at 5 o’clock central time right before kickoff of the Under Armour All-American game on ESPN2!
— Chandler Morris (@Chandleram4) January 2, 2020
Now for today’s Hot Links! Mock drafts have Oklahoma players all over them, Lincoln Riley conspiracy theories are for nerds, Tylan Wallace is staying at OSU for one last ride and more!
OU Links
- Colin Cowherd claims that the Big 12 is facing a dilemma because the style that typically succeeds in conference play is what also gets them beat against the top teams from other conferences. Because of this, he thinks Lincoln Riley sees the writing on the wall and therefore will have interest in the Dallas Cowboys should Jerry Jones come knocking. I don’t think we even need to delve into how flawed his logic is on this one.
"You have got to find somebody who elevates Dak Prescott. Jason Garrett is not doing it... I think Lincoln Riley would strongly consider taking the Cowboys job." — @ColinCowherd pic.twitter.com/kBg2YUkb4p
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 2, 2020
- OU Insider’s RJ Young wrote about why this next QB derby between Spencer Rattler and Tanner Mordecai could be the most important competition yet for Lincoln Riley.
- SB Nation’s Dan Kadar released his first mock 2020 NFL Draft of the New Year, and he’s projecting three Sooners in the opening 32 picks. WR CeeDee Lamb is obviously the one with the highest draft potential, but if LB Kenneth Murray and C Creed Humphrey also declare, they, too, could hear their names called on Day One.
- Bleacher Report also released an updated mock 2020 NFL Draft with Lamb going in the upper half of the first round.
- In case you missed it, class of 2021 five-star QB Brock Vandagriff out of Bogart, Georgia de-committed from Oklahoma on Wednesday, citing a desire to play closer to home.
- Stemming from Vandagriff’s de-commitment was the unfounded conspiracy theory speculating that this high school junior was made aware of the supposed end of Lincoln Riley’s reign at OU. It swept over social media like a flash flood as it naturally would in this day and age, but c’mon, people. You’re going to pull something fierce stretching like that.
Around the Sports World
- Oklahoma State Cowboys WR Tylan Wallace confirmed on Wednesday that he has decided to return to Stillwater for his senior season rather than declare for the 2020 NFL Draft. The former Biletnikoff Award finalist suffered an ACL injury in late October that caused him to miss the remainder of the season, but he has a promising timetable for a return this fall.
- On Monday, Jan. 6, Alabama Crimson Tide QB Tua Tagovailoa plans to announce his ultimate decision on whether he’ll return to Tuscaloosa or enter the NFL Draft. The former Heisman runner-up has had a growing history with lower-body injuries, including most recently a season-ending hip dislocation.
- The Cleveland Browns are reportedly interested in interviewing former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer for their own vacancy. Personally, I could see this one happening.
I’m hearing that the #Browns have strong interest in former #OhioState head coach Urban Meyer, per sources.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 2, 2020
- Former NBA Commissioner David Stern passed away on Wednesday at the age of 77. It’s a loss that has shaken the sports world to its core, as Stern had a huge impact on basketball — including the fact that he played a huge role in turning it into a truly international game.
— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2020
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