Stormin in Norman
Fansided

OU football: Preseason countdown moves into training camp phase

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 29: Oklahoma Sooners helmets on the field before the game against the Kansas Jayhawks October 29, 2016 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Jayhawks 56-3. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 29: Oklahoma Sooners helmets on the field before the game against the Kansas Jayhawks October 29, 2016 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Jayhawks 56-3. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The unofficial start to the 2017 OU football season, just 33 days away, kicks off this week as the Sooners hit the practice field for the start of training camp.

New head coach Lincoln Riley and his Sooner staff generated a bit of positive momentum heading into training camp with that three-star, in-state  prospect Jalen Redmond had committed to Oklahoma as a member of the 2018 recruiting class.

Redmond, a 6-foot, 3-inch, 235-pound defensive end, was one of three recruits in three different classes that committed to the Sooners on Saturday during the second annual Champ U BBQ held on the weekend preceding the start of training camp.

In describing the event for Oklahoma City Oklahoman OU beat reporter Brooke Pryor, Sooner defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks said, “Guys come here and they’re not asked to work out or run or test. It’s just, ‘Hey, this is who we are, man.’

“We wanna build that family atmosphere. We want to get to know you, we want to get to know your parents, we want you to obviously get to know us and be comfortable being around OU.”

Dozens of Oklahoma football recruits and targets, for the immediate 2018 class as well as a couple of years beyond, attended the event, which began last season under head coach Bob Stoops. The event was so successful a year ago, it was decided to make it an annual affair.

Oklahoma Sooners Football
Oklahoma Sooners Football /

Oklahoma Sooners Football

From all indications, this year’s gathering was equally rewarding and well attended.

The national recruiting service Rivals.com rates Redmond as the No. 7 overall player in the state of Oklahoma (from Midwest City) and the No. 20 defensive end in the country in the 2018 class. He becomes the 16th commitment in the Sooners’ 2018 class and the third defensive lineman.

OU’s 2018 class currently breaks down into seven defensive players, seven offensive players and two athletes. Eight of the 16 are rated as four-star prospects, eight as three stars. Looking to reel in the school’s second consecutive top-10 recruiting class, Oklahoma’s 2018 class is currently ranked 10th by Rivals.com.

The Sooners’ Champ U BBQ also produced commitments for the 2019 class (wide receiver/defensive back Jeffery Carter) and 2020 class (running back Jase McClellan). Both Carter and McClellan are high school teammates out of Aledo, Texas. McLellan was also being recruited by Texas, Oklahoma State, Michigan and Oregon, all schools that place a premium on talented running backs.

Home/OU Football