Oklahoma Football: Latest Summer News and Recruiting Updates

Oklahoma did not quite finish the 2011 season the way it would have liked.

The Sooners finished with a 10-3 record, despite opening the season as national championship favorites. This season, they have revenge on their mind, as they return a total of 15 starters and bring in an extremely talented recruiting class.

The 2013 recruiting class is also shaping up nicely. The team have already received 11 early commits, including a handful of 4-star players and a 5-star running back in Keith Ford. That being said, part of staying on top of the recruiting world is never settling for what your team currently has.

Here are some of the latest updates on your 2012 Oklahoma Sooners and the 2013 recruiting process.

Caleb Benenoch a Possible Sooner?

It is impossible to imagine someone that grew up a Texas Longhorns fan, such as offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch, becoming an Oklahoma Sooner. However, the 4-star recruit out of Katy, TX, is opening up to the idea (via ESPN):

“I really like how [the Sooners] handle their offensive talent. I like their offensive style, too. I think I would fit in real nice.” 

Benenoch is a mammoth of a lineman at 6'6" and 321 pounds. He is extremely strong. He originally committed to Michigan State, before recently decommitting and exploring more of his options. He is also looking at schools such as Auburn and Baylor, among others.

What Will Chevoski Collins Do?

Chevoski Collins is a 4-star athlete.

A dual-threat quarterback at the high-school level, he is only 5'11" and 185 pounds. He wants to play offense at the college level, but will likely find himself at the running back or wide receiver position if that is to happen.

The problem is, the two schools he is considering (Texas and Oklahoma) want him to play on the defensive side of the ball (via ESPN):

“I just like to score. I’ve been playing offense my whole life and that’s what I really want to play is offense.” 

Collins does have offers from other schools such as Texas Tech, Baylor and others, who would gladly let him play whichever position he wants.

“Tech and Baylor want me as a receiver [but it doesn’t give them an advantage] because I have that real good chemistry with Texas and Oklahoma. They have a lot of history.”

This is something worth keeping an eye on as it continues to play out.

Sam Bradford Cuts the Check

Current St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has donated $500,000 to the Oklahoma athletic department to help continue to build Headington Hall.

It is a new dorm facility, set to open in 2013, that will now be named "The Sam Bradford Training Table" in honor of this generous donation from the former Oklahoma quarterback.

From ESPN:

"

I am honored to give back to a program that did so much for me and hope that in some way this contribution can make it possible for those who follow me to enjoy the same kind of experience I did as a Sooner.

"

Bradford played three seasons for Oklahoma, throwing for over 8,000 yards and 88 touchdowns. He won the 2008 Heisman Trophy and broke several school records as well.

Are the Sooners out of the Running for Nico Falah?

Nico Falah is a 4-star offensive lineman out of Bellflower, CA. He has offers from several prestigious programs, but only a few remain in the running as of right now (via Scout.com):

"It looks like I'm down to USC and UCLA, but really the only reason that is, is because I'm always able to visit them."

Falah plans on checking out California and Oregon real soon, but also says that Oklahoma is not out of the mix just yet. Can the Sooners actually pull off the upset and convince him to join the Big 12, with all of those home schools pushing for his services?

He expects to make his decision either in July or during the U.S. Army Bowl in January.

Oklahoma in Demarcus Robinson Top 5

Oklahoma could surely use a wide receiver such as Demarcus Robinson right now, but the Sooners are simply trying to pick him up for next season.

Robinson is a 4-star wide receiver out of Fort Valley, GA, who has a 6'2", 200-pound frame. He runs excellent routes, has terrific hands and he has the Sooners in his top five (via Scout.com):

"

Florida is in my top five with Oklahoma, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and Clemson. I will be visiting Clemson soon and I have already visited Notre Dame. I may visit Oklahoma officially and I think I might visit South Carolina this summer.

"

So what does Robinson like most about Oklahoma?

From ESPN:

"They get the ball around. They had the second most passing receptions in college last year."

He will likely take all of his official visits before making a decision in December.