7/11/2017 football Edit

The First Offer of the Riley Era

Josh McCuistion • OUInsider

Editor

Oklahoma announced the hiring of it's first new head coach in nearly 20 years on June 7 with the move of Lincoln Riley to the top of the Sooner heap. Less than 24 hours later the Oklahoma staff issued their first offer to Crandall, Texas offensive lineman Branson Bragg.

That offer came following the Sooners satellite camp at the University of North Texas after Bragg put on a show for offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh.

"After camp ended my mom and I went to talk to Coach Bedenbaugh and he walked us over to the side of the field where it was quieter to talk to us. He said I had a great day and let me know they were gonna offer me," Bragg said.

Oklahoma had plenty of interest in Bragg prior to that offer but it was his work in Denton, Texas that forced the Sooners into believing they could wait no longer.

"I had a good day, didn't lose any one-on-ones -I haven't lost any yet on my camp circuit - and I got a lot of coaching directly from coach Bedenbaugh," he admitted.

Like many the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Bragg, who already held offers from Oklahoma State, Texas, Kansas, and Texas Tech, was caught off guard by the change at the top in Norman. However, he is a buyer in the Sooners' future.

"I was surprised, with OU really being on the way up this coming year. Having (Baker) Mayfield and the offensive line back its kinda weird that Coach (Bob) Stoops would pick this time to retire. Again though I know Coach Riley's gonna do a great job with Oklahoma," he said.

And his thoughts on being the first offer of the Riley era?

"That really feels amazing, I didn't realize until I was on the way home but its a great feeling. Coach Riley's a great coach and I have no doubt he'll carry on OU's greatness," he said.

At the time of his offer Bragg didn't have his travel plans for the summer cemented but had hopes of seeing numerous programs around the region.

"(In) Mid-July I'll attend a TCU and Tulsa camp. I plan to visit Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and possibly Kansas before the season starts this fall."