The Sooner Scoop – May 5, 2023

The Sooner Scoop – Friday, May 5, 2023
Attention ladies and gentlemen, I have an urgent and breaking news story!
CANNONBALL!

First of all, welcome to your new digs!

And that’s as dramatic as Scoop get so let’s get into it.

Earlier this week the Scoop staff had a sit down with five-star defensive lineman David Stone. And while he’ll have a full write-up Scoop stole some of the gems of the story, including one particularly interesting note that we’ll get to shortly.

Stone, who has been to Oregon and Oklahoma the last few weekends is headed to Florida this weekend and has plenty more on the horizon.

What was interesting about the trips to Norman on April 22 and Eugene on April 29 was the difference in familiarity. It was his first trip to Oregon and roughly No. 15 to Norman.

As Stone has said numerous times, he takes plenty of trips to Norman – some publicized, some not – and it’s his relationship with Todd Bates that leads a lot of his interest in the Oklahoma Sooners.

“The staff is always asking me to come out so I try and make it out when I can for visits, there’s always a good chance to get up there,” Stone explained. “I talk to (the whole staff) a lot, but coach Bates is the guy I talk to every day.

“He’s smart and knowledgeable, he knows a lot about the defensive line position, what it takes to get to the next level. He’s produced multiple first-rounders, he has all the tools in his belt.”

Oklahoma and Oregon are the two official visits that Stone has set and says that once he’s seen what he needs to this summer he’ll have a pretty strong idea of what he’d like to do.

“After these OVs, I’ll feel like I’ve got a pretty good idea of what I want to do, and after these last few visits, I’ll have a pretty good idea of where I want to play ball,” he said.

“My schedule is still kind of open, I’m trying to plan a few dates, schools are trying to book the same week so I’m going to have to move a few schools around or maybe drop someone.

“So far Oklahoma and Oregon are the two that I have dates for, and Washington is kind of conflicting with Oregon and Michigan State, those are booking on the same weekend.”

Many have talked, for quite some time (and as Scoop told you about over a year ago) that the biggest concern in Stone’s recruitment with Oklahoma is his family wanting him to consider getting farther from home.

An angle entering the situation? His relationship with fellow Oklahoma City five-star defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who just recently retired.

“So far it’s just making sure I make the right move. He makes sure I keep everything level, keep it in control and stay focused on being an early enrollee. I’m going to be on track with everything and he makes sure I’m straight and that I’m handling it very well.”

According to some sources Scoop has spoken with it seems that the connection works out well.

Another Elite Lineman is High on the Sooners

Sticking to 2024 defensive line recruiting all Scoop continues to hear in regard to Oklahoma’s chances with the nation’s No. 38 overall player, Joseph Jonah-Ajonye of Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge.

He’s been pretty clear about the Sooners being his top school at the moment even following a recent trip to Oregon.

However, there’s no denying that Georgia is going to have a big role due in no small part to being his ‘dream school’.

Jonah-Ajonye is talking about an August 1 decision date but as of yet isn’t certain that he’ll be ready by that point in time.

But one question that stood out, when Josh was by to see him on Thursday, was when the nation’s No. 6 defensive lineman was asked what made the Oklahoma Sooners different than others pursuing him.

“To be honest, it’s just what coach (Brent) Venables preaches. Just what he talks about and it’s not like he’s lying. I know he’s truthful. My first visit I was in his office and we had a whole conversation. After that I talked to P.J. (Adebawore) and why he chose Oklahoma over Alabama and Georgia, he said it was because of what coach Venables preached and what he talked about and what he plans for his guys after football.”

Sooners Making a Run at Portal LB

Thursday night’s commitment of Ferris State transfer portal linebacker Konnor Near. The talented linebacker has been the center of a lot of discussion and spoke with Scoop to clarify some of the situation.

First, Near will be on scholarship with the Oklahoma Sooners and chose that option over offers from West Virginia, Cincinnati, Michigan State, and Texas Tech amongst others.

So what is selling him on the Sooners?

“The culture of linebackers that seems to follow coach V. It was contagious in the couple of days I was there. Also, It’s a younger group of linebackers and I’m just trying to bring in some age and experience to elevate the group’s game as a whole,” Near explained.

While most incoming players will arrive in Norman in about a month, Near is ready to hit the ground running and will arrive in just over two weeks – May 21.

And perhaps what is most interesting – what position is Near expecting to play at?

“They’re looking at MIKE.”

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