Villains and Sooner-haters beware. The Dynamic Duo is headed for Norman this weekend.
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No, not Batman and Robin.
Another, scarier Dynamic Duo.
Torrance (Calif.) El Camino Community College defensive end Simi Kuli and teammate Justin Thompson, a defensive tackle, are two of the most sought after junior college prospects in America. And their Saturday visit could go a long way toward revealing whether either — or both — are Oklahoma-bound.
Kuli is ranked the nation's No. 1 juco player, according to Rivals.com. Thompson is No. 5. El Camino CC is home to seven of the nation's Top 50 junior college prospects.
"This is definitely rare. You don't see kids on the same team ranked this high and then visiting the same places,” said Rivals recruiting editor Jeremy Crabtree. In 2002, City College of San Francisco teammates Lance Mitchell and Pasha Jackson both landed on the OU roster.
"Some schools, especially in places like California, get truly loaded with non-qualifiers or bounce-backs. Sometimes kids just develop out of nowhere. That's probably what happened with Kuli.”
Of the two, Kuli seems the more likely get for the Sooners. OU is one of only three official visits the five-star recruit has scheduled this fall. Nebraska and Texas A&M are the others, though Kuli has yet to officially narrow his list of prospective schools.
"I think it's definitely still open for him,” Crabtree said. "He's got a lot of people pulling for Oregon State because he has family there. Oklahoma's really pushed hard late and Nebraska has been on him for a while. That's what happens when you're an elite kid.”
Thompson on the other hand, announced his top three on Monday — California, Nebraska and Louisiana State. The likely mid-year transfer included Oklahoma and Oregon among his also-rans.
If Oklahoma receives a commitment from Kuli and/or Thompson, it will mark the second-consecutive year the Sooners have landed a top juco talent. Former Marysville (Calif.) Yuba CC standout Mike Reed signed with OU in 2006. Reed joined the team in the spring, but has struggled in Brent Venables' defense.
"(Junior college transfers) have an advantage,” Venables said. "But it depends on where they come from, how mature and motivated and sharp they are. They have to be ready and understand that more is expected of them.”
Kuli and Thompson will take another combined visit to Nebraska in October.
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Simi Kuli
Defensive end, Torrance (Calif.) El Camino CCHeight: 6-foot-4
Weight: 265 pounds
40-yard dash: Five seconds
Status: Considering Oklahoma, LSU, Nebraska, Oregon State and Texas A&M
Upside: As persistent a pass rusher as you'll find. Kuli's game footage shows him chasing down fleet-footed quarterbacks for 12- and 15-yard losses.
Downside: Kuli has been a bit flaky when discussing his college plans. He first listed three Big 12 schools as his favorites, but later out of the blue alluded to interest in Oregon State.
Justin Thompson
Defensive tackle, El Camino CCHeight: 6-foot-5
Weight: 280 pounds
40-yard dash: 5.1 seconds
Status: Considering Nebraska, California, LSU, Miami, Oregon and Oklahoma
Upside: Monster size and a quick first step.
Downside: Height produces occasional struggles with leverage.
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