Daily Bullets (May 22): OSU’s Favor to Tulsa Football

I keep thinking to myself that surely Boynton can’t land yet another four-star…

Bullets Rundown

• OSU’s favor to to Tulsa
• Knowles is filling a role
• U.S. Open is for the Pokes

OSU Bullets

• Looking at the OSU-Tulsa series, OSU probably had more bargaining power than they used in negotiations.

(TU AD Derrick) Gragg said getting teams to Tulsa is not easy, and not just for financial reasons (Chapman Stadium seats 30,000, so big paydays are feasible). Many of the other American Conference locales are either recruiting hotbeds (Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Orlando, Tampa) or destination cities that appeal to visiting fans.

“This is a game-changer for us,” Gragg said. “I had a trustee call after we announced this. He says he feels it’s the most significant thing that’s happened to us in years.” [NewsOK]

You better believe it was a benefit for the Pokes – short drive, low expenses, exposure in a market place. Given the above, TU had plenty of incentive to give a little extra to get the deal done.

Call it goodwill but OSU did Tulsa a big one.

• As Jim Knowles looks to slip one more recruit into the 2019 class, it’s an easy conversation about what mold he’s trying to fill.

The 6-3, 245 pound Carlson out of Mission Viejo, Calf. originally finished his sophomore season with 64 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery. His coach said he is multi-position player that can play edge, linebacker, even float inside on the defensive line and use his speed to get off the ball and into the backfield.”…

This is a scheme and position that Knowles adopted last season using Jordan Brailford for that role. [GoPokes]

That hybrid linebacker-defensive end role requires a tweener with athleticism – it’ll be interesting to see if the Pokes can add another talented player to try and fill the whole.

• Two Cowboy golfers will be playing in the U.S. Open next month.

Oklahoma State sophomore Austin Eckroat earned a spot in the field at the 119th U.S. Open Championship on Monday after advancing through sectional qualifying.

Eckroat was one of 102 players vying for 10 spots in the field for the Open, which will be contested June 13-16 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. [okstate.com]

Of course, Eckroat will be joined by recent top-amateur-in-the-world Viktor Hovland who sealed a spot winning the U.S. Am last year.

• D1Baseball.com has the Pokes hosting a regional with a couple of old conference foes coming to Stillwater

• Former Florida head coach Jim McElwain is now the head coach of Central Michigan – and lives in a barn.

• Pokes get going today with the Big 12 tourney.

ONE. MORE. SLEEP.

The #Big12BSB Championship starts tomorrow with a full day of action.

Drop an emoji for the team you’re cheering for this week. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ux1ojDSY8J

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) May 22, 2019

Non-OSU Bullets

• Fascinating read – the NYT looked at women’s happiness in marriage on opposite ends of the political spectrum

• Is Tesla/Elon Musk insane or brilliant?

• Good quick post by Godin on working in time for deeper thinking