Daily Bullets (February 9)

Signing Day Wrap

ESPN Insider ($) subscribers got a summary of how OSU’s newest class is perceived.

Grade: B | National rank: 33
The Cowboys’ class features what is expected to be the future signal-caller in ESPN 300 Spencer Sanders. Sanders is joined on offense by ESPN 300 receiver C.J. Moore and upside three-star pass-catcher Jonathan Shepherd out of the Lone Star State. Signing four-star athlete Sean Michael Flanagan and four-star cornerback Tanner McCalister was huge for the future of the secondary in Stillwater.

Offensive line is a key position of need in 2018, and the Cowboys have signed four-star in-state tackle Bryce Bray along with three-stars Tyrese Williams, Hunter Anthony, Hunter Woodard and Jacob Farrell. Signing three-star defensive end Braden Cassity will be looked back upon as a steal out of Texas. The same could be said for three-star running back Jahmyl Jeter out of San Antonio. [ESPN In$ider]

Re-stocking the offensive line for the Adkins-firing worthy class was an absolute must but loading up with talented defensive backs may be just as big with the switch in defensive formation. Especially with cats like this.

Thanks to @ssapparelco for the customized Blazer! Get yours now ??‍♂️? #GoPokes #NSD #cowboyup #cowboynation #okstate pic.twitter.com/e1sQuTdZux

— Tanner™#⃣2⃣ (@tanmyman0127) February 7, 2018

Differentiation

In what may be one of the more well-written pieces on recruiting, Pick Six Preview dove into the correlation between branding in the eyes of the player, athletic department revenue – and seemingly irrational results.

How about the schools with financial resources and solid brand recognition, yet relatively poor recruiting results? Wisconsin can barely land a single 4 star recruit yet appears in the top 16 of both our brand rankings and revenue rankings.

Darlow described an issue he frequently sees, stating: “Too many schools are leading with the same three or four recruiting pitches; things like playing time, head coach prowess, facilities…and every program is a “family” these days. As is the case in any industry, when you go blow for blow with your competition, you’ll eventually lose to the bigger, stronger opponent.”

Oregon and Clemson don’t try to be Alabama and Ohio State. You could make the case that Wisconsin does. [Pick Six Previews]

Other than finally understanding why ten-game-winning Wisconsin doesn’t rake in recruits, explaining how pushing the envelope in creativity/owning who you are attracts recruits was super interesting.

OSU and NCAA Notes

Did your college football team sign the right kind of players on National Signing Day?….Marcus Smart stayed in Boston despite being rumored for a move….See how Big 12 teams fared over the 2018 recruiting class….ESPN’s Jay Bilas has OSU in his top 68

Final recruiting rankings for the league – Baylor cleaned house for a terrible team last year.

Final 2018 Big 12 Class Rankings (247)
1. TEX (#3 Nationally)
2. OU (#9 Nationally)
3. TCU (#25 Nationally)
4. BAY (#30 Nationally)
5. OSU (#33 Nationally)
6. WVU (#34 Nationally)
7. ISU (#53 Nationally)
8. KU (#64 Nationally)
9. KSU (#69 Nationally)
10. TTU (#74 Nationally)

— Derek Duke (@DerekDuke25) February 8, 2018

All about culture.

?️➡️ Why #okstate takes time to develop players' futures in the offseason: "Coach Gundy doesn't just want great football players. He wants great humans." #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/QkGgO6mty7

— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) February 8, 2018

A stark reminder.

Between 1965 and 1991, just one @OSUMBB team made @marchmadness. If you were there as a fan, what a great ride…packed Gallagher Hall, noise levels beyond belief, Big 8 tourney championship…@thacoachmike is on the right track, I'm a believer. #GoPokes #okstate #letswork #TBT pic.twitter.com/pCGmKeGSnF

— Doug Shivers (@casdas29) February 8, 2018

It’s fair to say that’s an expectation.

James Washington put on a show at the Senior Bowl and @nfldraftscout believes that will continue in the NFL pic.twitter.com/LuVlVBvbIN

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 8, 2018

What You Missed on PFB

• Porter and Carson talk NSD and hoops in the latest pod
• OSU is among the teams doing less with more on the recruiting trail
• Phillip takes a look at the non-conference series that didn’t happen
• PFB squad takes a look at their favorite touchdowns from 2017
• OSU finished the 2018 class with their best “per-player” ranking ever

Other Stuff I’m Reading

• Tony Allen and the four best buyout candidates for NBA team
• The Cleveland Cavaliers overhaul yesterday was insane
• Working my way through this long Atlantic piece but seems great