Tag: Kobie McKinzie

Oklahoma ranked No. 17 in ESPN’s ‘Way-Too-Early’ top 25

The Oklahoma Sooners were ranked No. 17 in Mark Schlabach’s “Way-Too-Early” top-25 rankings.

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With Georgia’s 33-18 triumph over Alabama in the College Football Playoff’s national championship game in the books, the college football offseason is officially upon us.

That means it’s time to overindulge on rankings that don’t really matter outside of stirring the collective college football discussion pot.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach released his “Way-Too-Early college football top 25” and Oklahoma checks in at No. 17.

Schlabach wrote this about the Sooners’ 2022 season outlook.

The Sooners’ transition from former coach Lincoln Riley to Brent Venables might be a lot smoother if quarterback Caleb Williams sticks around. He has entered the transfer portal, although Williams said returning to OU remains an option. The Sooners weren’t taking a chance, however, and grabbed Gabriel, who threw for more than 8,000 yards with 70 touchdowns in three seasons at UCF. Freshman receiver Mario Williams also might transfer. Venables, who has never been a head coach, will have to address heavy losses on the line of scrimmage. Perhaps the team’s six best defenders are departing, along with the leading rusher and three of the top four receivers. The addition of Mettauer, who started 28 games at California, will help ease the losses in the interior offensive line. – Schlabach, ESPN.

Oklahoma has certainly seen its fair share of defections to the 2022 NFL Draft and to the NCAA’s transfer portal. Those departures probably aren’t done yet either as quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Mario Williams have been crystal-balled to wind up at USC.

It’s important to remember that there will also be more additions to the Sooners’ roster between now and the start of the 2022 season, too. Here’s our handy Sooners Wire transfer portal tracker to keep up to date with which players are going where.

Schlabach listed UCF transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Cal offensive lineman transfer McKade Mettauer, Hawaii defensive lineman transfer Jonah La’ulu and Missouri tight end transfer Daniel Parker Jr. among his key additions to Oklahoma.

Several 2022 signees were mentioned by Schlabach as key additions as well: running back Gavin Sawchuk, linebacker Kobie McKinzie and wide receiver Nicholas Anderson.

Schlabach’s “way-too-early” top five looked like this: No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Texas A&M and No. 5 Michigan.

Oklahoma State was the highest-ranked Big 12 team at No. 9, while Baylor slotted in right ahead of Oklahoma at No. 16.

Two other programs with Oklahoma ties found their way into Schlabach’s top 25. USC was ranked No. 22 and South Carolina snuck in at No. 25.

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Oklahoma Sooners land commitment from Appalachian State linebacker T.D. Roof via the transfer portal

The Oklahoma Sooners land a commitment from Appalachian State linebacker T.D. Roof, the son of co-defensive coordinator Ted Roof.

As the days continue to roll on, so does the transfer portal for the Oklahoma Sooners. In a move that only solidifies a stout linebacker room, linebacker T.D. Roof of Appalachian State announced via his Twitter account that he’s committed to the Sooners.

If the last name made you raise an eyebrow, it’s probably because Roof is the son of the Sooners’ new defensive coordinator Ted Roof. T.D will join the Sooners as a grad transfer, who began his career at Georgia Tech, playing eight games and recording 17 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks in 2017. In 2018, eight games for the Indiana Hoosiers, recording 39 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack. He sat out the 2019 season because he again transferred, this time to Appalachian State. In two seasons with Appalachian State, he totaled 86 total tackles, including 67 in 2021 for the Sun Belt champs. Last year he also recorded 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.

Defense & Fumbles Table
Tack Tack Tack Tack Tack Def Def Def Def Fumb
Year School Conf G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg PD FF
2017 Georgia Tech ACC 8 15 2 17 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 0
2018 Indiana Big Ten 8 30 9 39 4.0 1.0 0 0 0 0
*2020 Appalachian State Sun Belt 8 8 11 19 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0
*2021 Appalachian State Sun Belt 13 41 26 67 10.0 3.0 2 100 50.0 1 1
Career Overall 94 48 142 16.0 6.0 2 100 50.0 1 1
Georgia Tech 15 2 17 2.0 2.0 0 0 0 0
Indiana 30 9 39 4.0 1.0 0 0 0 0
Appalachian State 49 37 86 10.0 3.0 2 100 50.0 1 1
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 1/7/2022.

He’s not an overly big linebacker but he has a lot of experience and has played in 45 career games.

Oklahoma marks the third different school where this father-son pairing will reunite as both were at Georgia Tech at the same time followed by their time spent with the Mountaineers in Boone, NC. Now they’ll continue to their time together as they join the Oklahoma Sooners with father Ted taking over the defensive coordinator job.

The Sooners have some intriguing names at the top of the depth chart with Danny Stutsman, David Ugwoegbu, DaShaun White, and Shane Whitter heading into 2022. This year’s recruiting class adds Kip Lewis, Kobie McKinzie, and Jaren Kanak providing a ton of young talent to a group that lost Brian Asamoah to the NFL draft. T.D. Roof brings experience and a veteran presence that should help provide leadership to a younger linebacker crew. As the coach’s son, he’ll be an asset bringing the rest of the linebacker room up to speed and will provide a playmaking ability when inserted into the lineup and on special teams.

Depth, production, and a veteran presence are never a bad thing to have in a locker room and T.D. Roof brings all three for the Sooners.

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Oklahoma signee Kobie McKinzie rips Texas’ recruiting pitch

Interesting comments considering he flipped his commitment to Texas at one point.

Oklahoma signee Kobie McKinzie had a wild recruitment over the last month. Continue reading “Oklahoma signee Kobie McKinzie rips Texas’ recruiting pitch”

2022 4-star Athlete Jaren Kanak officially decommits from Clemson

Four-star linebacker Jaren Kanak officially decommitted from Clemson. The Hays, Kan., product is headed to Oklahoma.

Four-star linebacker Jaren Kanak officially announced his decommitment from Clemson. The Hays, Kan., product is reportedly already enrolled at Oklahoma.

“First and foremost, I want to thank God for the abundance of opportunities I have been blessed with. I want to thank coach Swinney, and the entire Clemson staff for everything they have done for me, all the love they have shown, and the energy they invested into me and my family. After very extensive thoughts, prayers, and discussions with loved ones, I have decided to decommit from Clemson University. I have faith in God’s plan for me and with his guidance, I am excited to see what the future holds,” Kanak wrote in his announcement.

On3 ranks Kanak as the nation’s No. 75 player and the fifth-best linebacker prospect in the country. The 6-foot-2, 215 pound linebacker ranks as the No. 191 player in the On3 consensus rankings and the No. 252 player in the 247Sports composite player rankings.

According to 247Sports’ own player rankings, Kanak is listed a little higher as the nation’s No. 121 player and the nation’s sixth-best athlete.

On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power described what kind of player OU appears to be adding to its 2022 recruiting class.

One of the fastest players in the 2022 cycle, regardless of position. Has posted some scintillating track times, including a best of 10.37 seconds in the 100 meters. Plays quarterback for his high school but projects as a box defender and likely linebacker long term. Physically developed with a muscled-up build. Shows a very strong burst as a runner, getting to top speed quickly. Breaks off long runs with regularity and plays at a different speed than the competition. Also shows some considerable power and contact balance as a runner. Had a play where he ran over multiple defenders in the playoffs as a senior that went viral. Will need to adjust to defense and hone his coverage skills. May take a year or two to make the transition to defense but has high physical upside. Does not face strong competition in Kansas. – Power, On3

Kanak would join an Oklahoma recruiting class that already includes a pair of four-star linebacker signees in Kobie McKinzie (Lubbock, Texas) and Kip Lewis (Carthage, Texas).

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Oklahoma Sooners rank 13th on Bleacher Report’s top 25 recruiting classes for 2022

The Oklahoma Sooners come in at 13th on Bleacher Reports top 25 recruiting classes for the 2022 cycle.

Oklahoma’s 2022 recruiting class bounced back from several de-commits to end up with a top 10 class in the nation per On3 Recruiting and 247Sports. Landing four-star signees Nick Evers, Jayden Gibson, and Kobie McKinzie was a huge coup for the Sooners as they look to the future with new head coach Brent Venables.

Despite it’s standing as a top 10 class but the prominent recruiting services. Not everyone appreciates the talent in Oklahoma’s 2022 class. Brad Shepard of Bleacher Report released his top 25 recruiting class for the 2022 cycle and placed the Oklahoma Sooners 13th.

Here’s what he had to say:

Impact player: Jayden Gibson, 4-star wide receiver — Winter Garden, Florida (West Orange HS)

One thing to know: Perhaps some of the biggest news of a tumultuous cycle that saw the Sooners lose a ton of recruits but pick up some late was the recommitment of Kobie McKinzie, an elite linebacker from Texas who initially decommitted but bought in to new coach Brent Venables’ initial days in Norman. Getting quarterback Nick Evers to flip from Florida was big, too. – Shepard

At the moment, it’s a class that lacks a five-star player after the losses of Raleek Brown, Derrick Moore, and Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy. However, it’s bounty of four-star talent provides game-changing talent on both sides of the football.

Ultimately, what matters is what happens when these guys get to Norman and in Oklahomans developmental program, the Sooners will get the most out of this talented group.

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Clemson insider puts in Crystal ball for four-star Tigers commit to land at Oklahoma

Four-Star athlete Jaren Kanak is predicted to land in Oklahoma according to a crystal ball prediction by Clemson insider.

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While the early signing period may be coming to a close soon, the Oklahoma Sooners are far from done. We chronicled some names that remain as possible targets for Oklahoma as they now focus their recruiting efforts on the official national signing day in February.

One of those names is Jaren Kanak, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound athlete out of Hays, Kansas. Since the summer, Kanak is rated as a four-star player with 247Sports and has been a Clemson commit. He committed to Clemson when Venables was there and planned to play linebacker. A lot of things have changed since the summer, with Venables making the move to Oklahoma.

The speculation that Kanak would follow Venables to Oklahoma has ramped up since Venables’ official introduction as the Sooners head coach. The first crystal ball projecting Kanak’s flip to the Sooners came in a day later and the rest has been hushed whispers of not why or how but when would Kanak take the leap.

Venables loosely mentioned in a press conference after the Sooners signed all but two of their commits that there were still some signees to come.

To add even more fuel to the fire, Anna Hickey of Clemson Insider put in a crystal ball of 7/10 confidence in Kanak to Oklahoma. That brings six total predictions that he will flip from Clemson to Oklahoma.

Oklahoma seems to be trending in the right direction for a talented kid with a very high ceiling and an athletic profile to match.

Given Venables’ track record of linebackers and molding them into sideline to sideline playmaking machines, adding a guy like Kanak to a room already filled with David Ugwoegbu, Danny Stutsman, DaShaun White, Shane Whitter, and soon to be Kip Lewis, and Kobie McKinzie could turn Oklahoma’s linebacker unit to one of the best position groups on the entire team.

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Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables’ comments on the Sooners’ 2022 signing class

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables met with the media and commented on what the Sooners are adding in their 2022 signing class.

For a coach, each signing class is different and each is special. Oklahoma’s 2022 signing class will be a memorable one for Brent Venables because it’s his first signing class as a head coach.

Venables addressed the media and discussed what he and the Sooners have added in its “#ChampU22” signing class.

“It’s good to be off the road, finally take a deep breath. We’ve covered a lot of miles here over the last seven days in the recruiting trail. Really exciting about the 13 guys that we announced today that signed. We are waiting on a few other young men to announce here in the next 24 hours or so. I feel terrific about the group of young people that we’re bringing in and their families. I think that they represent the values that we also value,” Venables said.

OU signed players from six states with its class of 13. The class is currently comprised of seven offensive players and six defensive players. All 13 are high school players that are joining the program, so there aren’t any transfer additions yet.

Oklahoma signed offensive linemen Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor, wide receivers Nicholas Anderson and Jayden Gibson, running back Gavin Sawchuk, tight end Jason Llewellyn and quarterback Nick Evers on offense.

Defensively, the Sooners signed defensive linemen Cedric Roberts and Alton Tarber, linebackers Kip Lewis and Kobie McKinzie and defensive backs Robert Spears-Jennings and Jayden Rowe.

“Just a group that again covers every level at every position outside of a specialty position. We’ve had three new additional commitments since we started the week initially recruiting. Just feel terrific about again as much as anything else the type of people that they are. They fit our philosophy and our locker room. The things that we value, they value as well,” Venables said.

Venables didn’t comment on all of the 13 signees specifically, but here’s a look at the comments he made about the four that he did address individually.

Kobie McKinzie, linebacker

Kobie McKinzie is rated as the nation’s No. 13 linebacker and 144th player overall in the 247Sports composite rankings. The four-star out of Lubbock-Cooper High School flipped back to the Sooners recently.

“First of all, Kobie’s just an incredibly bright young guy. Got a lot of life to him, huge personality. He’s a relationship-driven young guy, got a wonderful family, just a terrific story,” Venables said of McKinzie.

Venables indicated that McKinzie will be one of the founding blocks for his defense.

“Just really thankful for him. If you’re going to build a great defense, it starts up the middle, you know, inside, up front and at middle backer and with your safeties. You’ve got to be really strong up that middle. His presence, his size, his strength, his power, his physicality gives us a chance for exactly that,” Venables said.

Continue reading “Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables’ comments on the Sooners’ 2022 signing class”

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4-star LB Kobie McKinzie details why he wound back up at Oklahoma

Four-star linebacker Kobie McKinzie caught up with KLBK sports director Arielle Schafer to detail why he flipped back to Oklahoma.

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Four-star linebacker Kobie McKinzie flipping back to Oklahoma electrified the Sooner fan base earlier this week.

It capped a whirlwind recruitment for McKinzie. The 6-foot-2, 245 pound linebacker out of Lubbock, Texas, initially committed to OU back on Jan. 15, 2020.

Then, after Lincoln Riley bolted Norman for USC, McKinzie reevaluated his decision. He decommitted from the Sooners on Nov. 28 and committed to Oklahoma’s arch rival in the Texas Longhorns on Dec. 5.

After a little over a week, McKinzie made the decision to flip back to Oklahoma.

McKinzie detailed his decision to rejoin the Sooners’ 2022 recruiting class with KLBK sports director Arielle Schafer.

“It means a lot. These have been some of the most stressful and overwhelming weeks of my life for sure. Everybody in the world doesn’t understand what it’s like to be in this position. Making my decision it wasn’t to persuade or to convince anybody of what I thought was going to, you know, push me to Oklahoma,” McKinzie said.

Naturally, new Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables was a big piece of the puzzle as to why McKinzie wound up back with Oklahoma.

“Brent Venables, his name speaks for itself. It truly does. He can go anywhere in the country any time, anywhere and ask for a job and he’s going to get hired. I promise you. Talking to him and with my family, you know, what he said to me and how he is, it meant a lot to me. He’s a relational guy. Most programs in the country are more so transactional and he wants to actually build a relationship with you. He’s a great guy, great human being. I want great people around me that love ball just like he does,” McKinzie said of Venables.

It’s clear Venables’ message is resonating with McKinzie, because it sounds eerily similar to what Venables had to say during his introductory ceremony inside the Everest Indoor Center.

“Everything that we do in our program, every decision that I have to make, that we have to make is going to be about what’s best for the players. Everything. If in fact the program is about the players, then every decision that we make is about what’s best for you. As I told them in the team meeting today, sometimes what’s best for the players, the players don’t like, but what we do is going to be in your best interest. The purpose of our program, we’re going to take a holistic approach. We’re going to find every way possible, every means possible to serve your heart and not your talent. That’s real. That’s relational, not transactional,” Venables said.

As of publication time, securing McKinzie’s commitment was part of helping OU leapfrog into the nation’s No. 9 recruiting class nationally according to 247Sports’ composite team rankings.

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Oklahoma Sooners 2022 Recruiting Class Commitment Tracker

As early signing day approaches, where does the Oklahoma Sooners 2022 recruiting class stand?

It’s been a wild couple of weeks for the Oklahoma Sooners on the recruiting trail. What once had the makings of a top-five recruiting class dipped down to 27 a week ago in the 247Sports Team Composite Rankings. Now, on the eve of the early signing period, the Oklahoma Sooners have climbed back into the top 10 and could climb higher over the next couple of months with National Signing Day a couple of months away.

The Sooners have seen their fair share of de-commitments along the way, as one would expect with a coaching change. But that hasn’t stopped Brent Venables and his staff from making a statement in the 2022 recruiting cycle. The Sooners have had several players affirm their commitments over social media.

With early signing day set to kick off, here’s a list of the current commitments according to 247Sports. We’ll update the tracker as it evolves, but here’s Oklahoma’s 2022 recruiting class thus far.

4-star linebacker Kobie McKinzie flips commitment back to Oklahoma

Four-star linebacker Kobie McKinzie announced that he has flipped his commitment from Texas back to Oklahoma.

In a matter of hours, Oklahoma’s 2022 recruiting class has leapfrogged all the way up to No. 13 nationally according to the 247Sports composite team rankings.

That’s thanks in part to class of 2022 linebacker Kobie McKinzie announcing today that he’s flipped his commitment back to Oklahoma.

It’s been a whirlwind of late in the recruitment of McKinzie.

McKinzie had committed to the Sooners all the way back on Jan. 15 of 2020. McKinzie took an official visit to Oklahoma this past summer on June 18.

Then, after Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma to become USC’s head coach, McKinzie decommitted from Oklahoma on Nov. 28 and subsequently flipped his commitment to Texas on Dec. 5.

Now, a little over a week later, McKinzie is back committed with the Crimson and Cream.

The Lubbock, Texas, product is a consensus four-star linebacker. McKinzie is rated as the No. 13 linebacker and No. 144 player overall in the 2022 class according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

In the Rivals rankings, McKinzie checks in as the nation’s No. 6 inside linebacker and No. 166 player nationally.

247Sports’ Gabe Brooks evaluated McKinzie on Nov. 5 and had this to say about McKinzie.

Possesses adequate height with advanced mass at this stage of development. College-ready size as an off-ball linebacker, but may outgrow the position given high school size, despite not being overly long. Very stout base with upper-body space to continue to add mass. Almost exclusively an off-ball linebacker in high school, but has gotten limited reps at edge. Consistently strong tackler who finishes strikes and flashes impact arriving pop. Best when playing downhill. Impressive in forward pursuit with athleticism to chase to perimeter in many scenarios. Possesses the size and strength to take on blocks and play through action in the box. Linear pursuit ability suggests intriguing potential as a blitzer. Occasionally arrives high as a tackler. Has coverage experience but must prove requisite coverage ability against high-major skill players. Will need to maximize fluidity, lateral twitch, and body control to reach ceiling in coverage situations. Again, most comfortable playing forward, and size could dictate full-time move to the edge or as a hand-on-the-ground player, depending on scheme and personnel packaging. Power Five-caliber front seven defender whose best fit will be subject to scheme. High-floor physical traits with proven production and playmaking ability against good high school competition. Projects to the high-major level as a throwback off-ball linebacker or an edge-setting line-of-scrimmage hybrid who could become a matchup problem with pass-rushing technical development. Potential to become an impact player with a long-term ceiling beyond college. – Brooks, 247Sports

Brooks, 247Sports’ Midlands Region recruiting analyst, has the Baltimore Ravens’ Daelin Hayes as McKinzie’s player comparison.

The Sooners also secured a commitment earlier today from four-star quarterback Nick Evers out of Flower Mound, Texas.

McKinzie hinted that there could be more good news on deck for Oklahoma shortly after he announced his commitment to the Sooners.

McKinzie tweeted, “oh and I’m not coming back by myself!”

With the Early Signing Period set to begin this Wednesday, Dec. 15, there should be plenty more recruiting news to follow with Oklahoma.

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