Getting a Big Start

Oklahoma's class of 2018 may have officially started, with the completion of the class of 2017's final signature, at about 8:30 last Wednesday morning but the Sooners already had three commitments on board. Beyond that Oklahoma also hosted it's first junior day the Sunday before 2017 National Signing Day. During the junior day event some of the Sooners top early targets were on campus.

And there were several storylines that seemed to repeatedly come up, again and again.

For several years Oklahoma has been recruiting something of one arm tied behind their back thanks to renovations and the machinations behind getting them going. However, with the finish line in sight for some of the athletic department's more notable remodels, recruits really began to take notice of it during their junior day event.

"Everything went great, that new facility they have coming is going to be amazing," Jarrell Cherry said.

Cherry, the Dallas Carter Rivals250 edge rusher, is still getting his feet under him on the college visit trial but one player who has seen plenty already is Lewisville (Texas) Hebron Rivals250 cornerback Verone McKinley.

"(The visit) was great, the new facility is going to be very nice," McKinley said. "It's going to be one of the best in the country for sure."

One visitor after another talked about Oklahoma's facilities that are reaching completion but the true consensus just seemed to be about the visit, event, and campus, as a whole.

Coming into the weekend one of Oklahoma's most recent offers was Marshall, Texas standout guard Chasen Hines who raved about his first trip to Norman. To the point that the 6-foot-3, 310-pound Hines left Norman already thinking about when he would be returning.

"(It was) awesome," Hines said. "It just felt like home to me.

"I should be down there for the spring game."

For in-state defensive end offer Ron Tatum he had no doubts about the campus, the environment but that didn't stop the junior day from being a success for him. In fact the 6-foot-5, 260-pound Tatum had some far more elaborate questions for the Oklahoma coaching staff thanks to the Oklahoma City Putnam City product's familiarity with his surroundings.

"It was great, they answered a lot of questions I had," Tatum explained. "Just asked if they think I would have an opportunity to play as a true freshman and if I could make it to the league."

And what did defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux have to say?

"He said I would for sure have an opportunity (to play) and to make it to the league."

Obviously one of the big stories of any on-campus event is the chance to hand out new offers to players who make their way in for a visit. During Oklahoma's first junior day the Sooners extended three scholarships. Those offers went out to defensive ends Daniel Carson and Miles Emery as well as Reese Moore.

Carson, a Independence (Mo.) William Chrisman Senior product, made the trip to Norman and like Cherry and McKinley couldn't get over what the facilities will look like once they are completed.

"It was great. It was a breathtaking campus. I loved it. (I) can't wait till its remodeled. I loved the help that was offered to all student athletes, no one was left behind," Carson said.

Oklahoma was the second offer for Emery, the Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley North standout, and like others it was the environment that seemed to catch his eye.

"The visit was great, I really love it down there," Emery said.

For Moore, who is listed as a tight end but at 6-foot-5 and 265-pounds is seen as an offensive tackle target for the Sooners, it was not his first trip to Oklahoma but having the red carpet rolled out for him hit the right notes.

"It was awesome, an amazing experience," Moore said.

Daniel Carson - DE - Independence (Mo.) William Chrisman Sr. - OU OFFER

Jarrell Cherry - OLB - Dallas Carter - OU OFFER - RIVALS250

Miles Emery - DE - Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley North - OU OFFER

Chasen Hines - OG - Marshall, Texas - OU OFFER

Tyric James - WR/TE - China Spring, Texas

Treveon Johnson - WR - Giddings, Texas - OU OFFER - TTU COMMIT

Cameron Jones - S - Euless (Texas) Trinity - OU OFFER - RIVALS250

Verone McKinley - CB - Lewisville (Texas) Hebron - OU OFFER - RIVALS250

Reese Moore - OL - Seminole, Texas - OU OFFER

Jaylon Robinson - WR - Fort Worth Paschal - TTU COMMIT

Darrell Simpson - OL - Justin (Texas) Northwest - OU OFFER - RIVALS250

Ron Tatum - DE - Oklahoma City Putnam City - OU OFFER

Brey Walker - OT - Moore (Okla.) Southmoore - OU COMMIT - RIVALS100

Theo Wease - 2019 WR - Allen, Texas - OU OFFER

Brian Williams - 2019 S - Dallas Bishop Dunne - OU OFFER