Ballin' on the Bayou
HARVEY, La. - Over the last few years the Crescent City has become a hotbed of Oklahoma recruiting with Arthur McGinnis, Courtney Garnett, and Joseph Paul eventually signing with the Sooners along with many others the Sooners have identified in recent years. With that in mind SoonerScoop.com made it's way to New Orleans to check in on some names Oklahoma is already aware of and several more worth watching.
We'll break down some of the true standouts of the camp that either already have Oklahoma interest or could see it coming at some point.
Stewart, who already holds an Oklahoma offer, immediately separated himself from almost every other safety on hand with his ability to work against both running backs as well as receivers and tight ends. He has a natural feel for the position and is strong with his hands as he re-routed one receiver after another.
Bailey is a unique defensive end with some explosion off the edge who could feature as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 or a defensive end in the 4-3. He is still lean and will have to get stronger to take on some of the more powerful tackles in the country. That being said, his length and ability is hard to ignore.
Bailey was one of the camp's more tenacious cornerbacks with the ability to work receivers at the line of scrimmage as well as being a guy that went early and often in one-on-ones. His size and length allowed him to bully receivers in the first five yards and he quickly became one of the guys players were going away form.
It wasn't a great group of defensive lineman, particularly for interior defensive lineman, but it wouldn't have mattered if it were against Brahms. The guy has violent hands and does a great job setting his base and moving his feet while keeping that base. He already has many quality offers but more could be coming.
The current Oklahoma outside linebacker offer, has shown off great explosion on tape but could he handle the pass coverage needed to succeed against the spread offenses running wild around college football? He showed some ability in drops and if he can maintain his speed as he continues to fill out he could become an even bigger name prospect.
Cook, who has already been identified by Oklahoma, is from a program that the Sooners, and much of college football is well aware of. As such with an early reputation it was interesting to see what Cook brought to the table and though he was more raw than some of his fellow defensive backs he looked comfortable in one-on-ones and used his length to beat several receivers before they ever left the line of scrimmage.
Almost certainly the camp's most consistent performer at defensive back, Lee took on all comers and showed off impressive change of direction and great ability to close on the ball. If he can continue that kind of work going into his senior season don't be shocked if his offer list grows considerably.
Turner came in little known with just a ULL offer but that won't last as his length and ability to work on the edge as a pass rusher is hard to come by. He is raw and still working to get stronger but he is the kind of edge player who likely works in either a three-down or four man front.
Woodard was a player that we too often didn't get to watch from beginning to end in one-on-ones but the one thing that was clear? He was able to get separation and make plays vertically in the passing game. Definitely another sophomore from the Houston area who will be worth keeping an eye on.
At every camp there are a few guys who haven't really done anything and you simply say 'whoa' and that's the case with Young. Running his first route a few Rivals.com analysts were watching and couldn't help but notice his elite speed. In fact it took several opportunities for him to even catch a pass because quarterbacks were having trouble getting the ball to the speedy Young. But as time went on he showed that he was able to catch the ball as well as run away with it.