Recruiting Round-Up: Jordan Renaud the latest
The race for the talented defensive lineman appears to be neck and neck, one of the closer and harder-to-call races this cycle. While Renaud was "Fonged" a few weeks ago to Alabama, the Sooners had the clear edge over the Tide going into the visit that put Alabama in front. Then Renaud took a visit to Oklahoma when they took on Kent State, and Oklahoma gave the young man plenty to think on.
A few factors in his recruitment, I have been told dad is bigger on the Sooners than the Tide, a factor that certainly is a good advantage for Oklahoma but not the end all be all. Alabama has Nick Saban and unending examples of success that show going there gives him a great chance of being a first-round pick. Venables and DL coach Todd Bates for Oklahoma have that type of resume, but not at Oklahoma. Alabama has developed so many top-notch players under Saban that the NFL payroll is over $1 billion among his former players.
If I had to make a prediction today I would give Alabama a 51-49% edge in the recruitment of Renaud, who will announce tomorrow. However, the Sooners have already pulled a last-minute caper when they convinced four-star WR Anthony Evans to spurn Georgia last minute and picked OU. Could the Sooner staff have the last-minute magic once again? Or will it be Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, who get the last laugh like they so often do in the recruiting game?
