Tag: Jamar Cain

5 recruits Brent Venables’ can secure as he becomes Oklahoma’s next head coach

As he starts to settle in, who are the 5 recruits that Brent Venables and the current staff should focus on?

After an agonizing week filled with rumors, misinformation, smokescreens, de-commitments, and borderline scandals, the Oklahoma Sooners have found their man. The name is familiar in Oklahoma as Brent Venables takes the reigns as head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners. From 1999 to 2011, Venables coached at Oklahoma, where he served as associate head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach for the Sooners under legendary head coach Bob Stoops.

Stoops is currently serving as interim while things are sorted out for Venables and the rest of the potential new staff.

For Venables, the bit of mess he walked in isn’t catastrophic, but it’s worthy of note. They are less than two weeks away from the Early Signing Day, and their 2022 class is currently 17th on 247Sports team rankings after being 7th just a week ago.

They’ve lost four 2022 recruits since news of Riley’s departure to USC, and Venables will have his work cut out for him to regain those commitments, add others, or bring guys from Clemson’s recruiting class.

Who are the five players that Brent Venables and the current staff should look to close the deal on?

Bob Stoops, OU Assistant Coaches making an impact on current roster, recruiting trail

Not missing a beat, Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma Sooners assistant coaches have been making a big impact on the recruiting trail.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a long way to go in securing the football program’s future, but in the wake of all the chaos that’s surrounded the last several days, they’re still in a promising position. And that’s thanks to the efforts of the Oklahoma assistant coaches and interim head coach Bob Stoops on the recruiting trail.

Still, just a few days removed from the sudden departure of Lincoln Riley and other assistants, those who’ve remained loyal to the program haven’t wasted any time. With the opening of in-home visits across the country, they’ve made quick work getting to their top recruits in the 2022 recruiting class to continue to build relationships with the players and their families.

Guys like DeMarco Murray, Cale Gundy, and Joe Jon Finley have been active with Bob Stoops to continue to put Oklahoma’s best foot forward. Although nothing is certain, the efforts being made by the Oklahoma contingent have meant a lot to the OU prospects.

When Stoops took over as the interim head coach, he made it known that his priority was stabilizing the program for the current players and then getting out on the trail to remind recruits that “this is still Oklahoma.”

Stoops was doing just that on a visit yesterday with 2022 running back Gavin Sawchuk in Nevada. He was in Arlington, Texas, recently as well visiting with Xavion Brice. The other night, he was with Robert Spears-Jennings in Tulsa. At the same time, Joe Jon Finley was in Kansas to further his relationship with Kaden Helms.

With the early signing period approaching, the Sooners current staff of coaches are making a significant impact furthering the interests of the University of Oklahoma. It remains to be seen just how much the coaching change will hurt the Sooners over the next couple of recruiting cycles, but whatever happens, it won’t be because the assistants who stuck with the Sooners didn’t give their best efforts.

Despite the uncertainty of their future, the assistant coach team at Oklahoma continues to grind away for the betterment of the program. Bob Stoops’ passion and commitment to the program helps to add to the relationships the assistants already have with the kids their visiting or attempting to retain.

Their relationships with current and (hopefully) future Sooners is what will make the difference in December of 2021 and beyond.

Two Oklahoma commits become Rivals top-250 recruits

Two Oklahoma commits become Rivals top-250 recruits

Two Oklahoma commits have now emerged into the Rivals 250.

Damond Harmon and Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge have both shot up the rankings, giving Lincoln Riley a boost to his 2021 class.

Harmon, the cornerback who committed to the Sooners on Aug. 1, went from being unranked to now being ranked No. 191 nationally. Harmon also moved from a three-star to a four in the latest rankings.

Rawlins-Kibonge also saw a boost, entering the top 250 players at No. 209. The 6-foo-t-7, 240-pound defensive end committed to Oklahoma on June 17. He was previously a basketball target, but increased his potential as a two-sport athlete. Outside linebacker and defensive ends coach Jamar Cain was a huge factor in getting Rawlins-Kibonge to commit to the Sooners.

Oklahoma now sits at No. 14 in the Rivals 2021 team rankings, trailing only Texas for the top Big 12 class. The Sooners have 14 commitments to Texas’ 17. 

The Sooners’ 2020 slate begins on Sept. 12 versus nonconference opponent Missouri State.

Oklahoma makes top-4 for four-star 2021 DE

Four-star DE Jeremiah Williams narrowed his list of schools down to four on Thursday, cutting Alabama and LSU.

With Sooner Summit commencing over the weekend and four-star DE Kelvin Gilliam committing to Oklahoma on Saturday, the Sooners’ 2021 class is suddenly on a roll.

With the new addition, OU’s class jumped to 14th in the country via 247Sports, notably one spot ahead of Texas. Gilliam marks OU’s 4th defensive end prospect, and it appears that defensive coordinator Alex Grinch already has his sights set on the next one.

Fellow four-star DE Jeremiah Williams narrowed his list of schools down to four on Thursday, cutting Alabama and LSU. The No. 6 weak-side defensive end in the country will now be choosing from Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Oklahoma.

His final destination is yet to be determined, but it’s no coincidence that defensive ends coach Jamar Cain tweeted the following image on the same day, alluding to Williams’ nickname, “Scooby.”

Williams would mark OU’s fourth weak-side defensive end in the class. Currently, three of the top 10 WDE in the country are committed to OU. In Williams, the Sooners are looking to go 4/4.

Williams is a 6-foot-3, 224 lb WDE from Ramsay High School in Birmingham, AL. 247Sports lists him as the No. 103 prospect in the nation, the No. 6 WDE, and the No. 5 player out of Alabama. He would be the No. 5 highest-rated player in OU’s 2021 class.

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Oklahoma film room: What OU is getting in three-star DE Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge

Oklahoma is back on the board after just over a month since its last commitment. Here is what OU is getting in its newest commitment.

Oklahoma is back on the board after just over a month since its last commitment on the recruiting trail.

Three-star defensive end Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge just picked the Sooners over Washington, Stanford and a host of other Pac-12 offers and Tennessee. A native of Portland, Oregon, Rawlins-Kibonge restarted his football career in 2019 and exploded on the scene with his prototypical size and length.

Newest Oklahoma assistant coach and defensive ends, RUSH linebackers coach Jamar Cain struck already and again after landing four-star pass rusher Clayton Smith.

Here is what OU is getting in its newest commitment.

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Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge may be the rawest commit Oklahoma gets in the entire 2021 recruiting class. His size at 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds is apparent in his junior tape. Rawlins-Kibonge should have no problem carrying 270-280 pounds playing the same defensive end position Ronnie Perkins played for Alex Grinch in 2019. The Portland, Oregon native has only picked up football again for one year, and that is obvious. He plays high. He isn’t all that explosive. He doesn’t have a ton of pass-rush moves. He doesn’t use his length all that well. But, he is a body type and one that Grinch covets at defensive end with an extremely, extremely high ceiling. Rawlins-Kibonge growth from his junior to senior season is going to say a lot about his potential impact at Oklahoma. 

Comparison: Too early to tell … 

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Oklahoma gains commitment from 2021 3-star DE Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge

For the first time in just over a month, Oklahoma is back on the board with a commitment in the 2021 recruiting class. 

For the first time in just over a month, Oklahoma is back on the board with a commitment in the 2021 recruiting class.

The Sooners had five-star wide receiver Mario Williams and four-star pass rusher Clayton Smith jump on board on May 15. With all the momentum on offense surrounding five-star quarterback Caleb Williams, one would have expected it wouldn’t have taken this long.

Three-star defensive end Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge beat everyone to the punch. He just announced his commitment to Oklahoma.

The Portland, Oregon, native picked the Sooners over a host of Pac-12 offers like USC, Washington and Stanford, as well as an SEC offer from Tennessee. Rawlins-Kibonge stands at 6-foot-7, weighs 240 pounds and just finished his first year of high school football.

He is rated as a 3-star and ranked as the 37th best strong-side defensive end in this recruiting class on Rivals.

Oklahoma now has eight commitments for the 2021 recruiting class. The Sooners newest commitment joins in-state Ethan Downs on the defensive line as the only two commitments on the line thus far.

Oklahoma’s 2021 recruiting class was ranked No. 39 on Rivals prior to Rawlins-Kibonge’s commitment.

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Lincoln Riley says Shane Beamer will ‘take a bigger role with special teams’

Lincoln Riley named Shane Beamer his special teams coordinator at his press conference on Wednesday.

Lincoln Riley named Shane Beamer his special teams coordinator at his press conference on Wednesday.

The vacancy came open due to Jay Boulware’s departure to Texas. Boulware spent seven seasons with the Sooners, acting as Oklahoma’s running backs and special teams coach.

Riley has not given the special teams coaching role to anyone yet. Along with Beamer, cornerbacks coach Roy Manning has spent time coaching special teams in his lone season at UCLA. New running backs coach DeMarco Murray also returned kickoffs for Oklahoma during his playing days starring for the Sooners.

Beamer was initially hired on as Oklahoma’s assistant head coach and tight ends coach in 2018. He spent the previous year as the tight ends and special teams coach for Georgia. Before that he had stints at South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Georgia Tech.

Demarco Murray replaced Boulware as the Sooners running backs coach.

The Sooners begin spring practice on March 10, and will play their annual Spring Game on April 18. Their first game of the 2020 season will be against Missouri State on Sep. 5.

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Oklahoma plans to begin spring practice prior to spring break

Lincoln Riley announced at his Wednesday press conference that Oklahoma football will begin spring practice on March 10.

Lincoln Riley announced at his Wednesday press conference that Oklahoma football will begin spring practice prior to spring break.

The University of Oklahoma’s spring break commences on March 14 and lasts through March 22.

A lot is up in the air with this Sooners team, but one thing is certain—there will assuredly be a quarterback battle. This year’s contest features freshman Spencer Rattler and junior Tanner Mordecai. While Mordecai saw a majority of the backup role behind Jalen Hurts last season, Riley opted to go with Rattler at the end of the game in last year’s loss to LSU in the Peach Bowl. Both have plenty of arm talent.

This will be Alex Grinch’s second spring season with the Sooners. After losing several key players to the NFL draft, including linebacker Kenneth Murray and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, a lot is left to be desired for Oklahoma’s defense. With a full season under his belt at Oklahoma, Grinch should continue to help the unit improve.

Oklahoma’s spring game will kick off on April 18. The time has not been announced.

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Lincoln Riley provides no update on suspended players, says ‘process is ongoing’

Lincoln Riley gave a post-signing day press conference prior to introducing Jamar Cain and DeMarco Murray.

Lincoln Riley gave a post-signing day press conference prior to introducing outside linebackers/defensive ends coach Jamar Cain and running backs coach DeMarco Murray.

Prior to the Peach Bowl, Ronnie Perkins, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Trejan Bridges were all suspended for failing an NCAA drug test. The trio was suspended for the Peach Bowl and the national championship game if the Sooners would have made it that far.

NCAA rules state that a player failing a drug test must sit out for half the regular season, regardless of the sport. With the trio already serving one game, that leaves five games for them left to serve if their appeals do not lessen the punishment.

Looking forward, Oklahoma opens the season against Missouri State on Sept. 5. The Sooners play host to Tennessee before playing against Army on the road following a BYE week. To open Big 12 play, Oklahoma squares off against Baylor and Texas in their first two conference games.

If the appeals process does not pan out for the trio, they will not be available to play until Oct. 17 when the Sooners head to Ames, Iowa in Week 7.

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Oklahoma reportedly hiring Jamar Cain as outside linebackers coach

Per Bruce Feldman, Oklahoma is hiring Arizona State’s Jamar Cain to fill the outside linebacker coach position. 

Oklahoma is reportedly hiring Arizona State’s Jamar Cain to fill the outside linebacker coach position, per Bruce Feldman.

Ruffin McNeill, who held the position since Lincoln Riley took over as the head coach in 2017, officially announced last Thursday he was stepping away from the program for family reasons. Riley and McNeill coached at Texas Tech and East Carolina. 

Cain served as the defensive line coach at Arizona State last season under head coach Herman Edwards. Before ASU he spent two years with Fresno State coaching defensive line. 

Upon breaking the news of Cain’s hire, he noted that he was a “rising star” among college football coaches. Feldman cited Cain was one of the top two recruiters in the Pac-12 conference last season. 

The Sun Devils improved from the No. 36 overall class in 2018 to No. 26 in 2019 according to 247 Sports. 

In an interview with Michelle Gardner of azcentral.com, Cain expressed his thoughts on the opportunity ahead of him at Oklahoma.

“I was surprised. I didn’t think I had done enough to get that kind of attention,” he said. “It was too good of an offer to pass up, I loved my time here but at the end of the day it’s a business.”