OU Camp Notebook: Prospects and Potpourri

NORMAN, Okla. - A few days ahead of Oklahoma's much anticipated "Elite Camp" Wednesday, which will feature many of the Sooners' top targets across the country, a wave of high school football players navigated their way to Norman - from California to New Jersey - in order to learn under the two-day tutelage of the OU coaching staff and its players.

While the experience alone is well worth it for some, for others, it is an opportunity to make a name for themselves in another performance on their way to grander stages.

Here are some of those potential prospects and other potpourri from the 2017 edition of the Bob Stoops Football Camp.

Analysis: Seals has made the Big 12 rounds in recent days visiting Texas, Oklahoma State, and now Oklahoma. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound sophomore-to-be already looked like a polished quarterback and could definitely rip it with impressive arm strength. A source at the camp praised Seals and projected that his relationship with OU will only continue to grow.

Analysis: The other big storyline from camp may also reside in the 2020 quarterback class. Bowens, who already holds an Arizona offer, will take over for 2017 Rivals100 and now Ohio State quarterback Tate Martell next season at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. Bowens may be closer to 5-foot-10 than 6-foot-1, but he has a live arm and was consistently accurate throughout camp. It was also rumored that Bowens ran a 4.5 40-yard dash in the initial testing.

Analysis: Hester caught the attention of everyone on hand with his impressive size, length, and fluidity as a defensive back - including Mike Stoops. The Oklahoma defensive coordinator should be spending plenty of time at Booker T. Washington in the near future with 2019 safety offer Daxton Hill in the same secondary, so the 6-foot-3, 165-pound Hester will definitely get a closer look from the Sooner coaching staff.

Analysis: McNair is a star quarterback for Bayonne High School in New Jersey, a school that sent multiple players to the weekend's camp, but the guy usually completing passes excelled at defending them in front of Oklahoma coaches as a defensive back. The physicality of McNair was impressive for such an explosive athlete, which makes it not hard to envision the current quarterback finding success as a zone corner at the next level.

Analysis: Britt, nephew of NFL wide receiver Kenny Britt, was another Jersey boy that showed out while in Norman. His combination of size, speed, and athleticism made it immediately clear that he was, literally, a notch above most in his position group. He and McNair should make for a dynamic duo in the Garden State and the pair have already visited multiple Power 5 programs, most notably Rutgers.

Analysis: While Cummings will never be the biggest receiver, the self-aware Sequoyah Claremore standout never tries to be anything he's not, and routinely manipulates space for himself with his suddenness and clean route running ability. Cummings is also unafraid to use his explosiveness to go up and make contested catches with well-timed leaps, which allowed him to play bigger than his stature. Heading into his junior season Cummings is hearing from several programs in the region, including Texas Tech.

- It's almost hard to believe this is former Oklahoma offensive center, Ty Darlington. The current graduate assistant has shed some pounds since his playing days of colliding with colossal 300-pound linemen and now sports the look of a promising 3A wide receiver.

- One of the most rewarding aspects of these camps is watching the members of the Oklahoma staff that are in their element coaching football - no matter what the skill level may be. If there is anyone better at structuring workouts, communicating effectively, and building a positive team environment than Lincoln Riley, I would love to see it. Watching how Riley works first hand with so many kids, you appreciate the tightrope act of balancing that level of sophistication and attention to detail with a relaxed, fun, free-flowing environment that often produces the best results. It reminded me of my favorite quote from a source regarding Riley, "Bob might have found the next great college coach by Googling 'Best Offenses.'"

- It was a sight for sore eyes to see Tay Evans, who was forced to retire from football last season due to concussions, out on the field working with players in his new role as a linebacker coach. The older brother of starting Sooner right tackle Bobby Evans has decided to remain in the program, now hoping to help bring a national championship to Norman as a teacher rather than a tackler.