Riley's early recruiting success a result of old and new factors

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FRISCO, Texas -- If his early recruiting returns are any indication, Lincoln Riley will do just fine at Oklahoma.

Since Riley replaced Bob Stoops on June 7, the Sooners have picked up commitments from six players in 2018 and two in 2019. Oklahoma’s 2018 class, with 14 commitments heading into August, ranks No. 7 in the Rivals Team Recruiting Rankings. What is it about Riley that has recruits convinced the program is in such capable hands going forward?

The problem is that Riley himself might not be the best guy to answer that.

“I don’t know that it’s anything really different,” he said. “We had some guys that we thought were close anyway and I think they recognized the continuity with the staff and the program and the direction that we’re going.”

Oklahoma is in the middle of a major facilities renovation project, and Riley mentioned that as a selling point. The tradition of the program - thanks in large part to Stoops - is a quality that needs little dressing up from him, either.

The likely X-factor is Riley’s personality. While he didn't put the assembled media in stitches with his good humor, or incorporating much bravado in his answers, there is something about Riley that resonates with both recruits and current players alike.

“I’ve always helped to recruit and I’m all about reloading,” redshirt senior linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo said. “Before he was head coach, if coach Riley needed something, he knew that he could always call me and I’d do it. But now I would say that there is just a little bit more swagger with him - not any type of cockiness - but you know it’s been cool.”

Senior cornerback Steven Parker said that whether or not Riley realizes it, closing the generational gap between head coach and players makes a different sort of impact than the sometimes gruff persona that Stoops took on. That’s been a natural bridge between Riley and the young men he coaches and recruits, but it’s not something that can be manufactured.

“I would just say that (Riley) is the new school and coach Bob was the old school,” Parker said. “(Stoops) related to us very well, but as coach Riley took the reins, he has that young personality so he can kind of get to know us even a little bit better. It’s not like he’s our age, but he gets it.”

After overseeing one of the most prolific offensive stretches in program history, Riley has plenty of ammo to prove to recruits and their parents that he’s the right man for the job. He’s played a big role in setting himself up with the opportunity in front of him, but that’s something he seems to be having fun with.

“Would you rather take over the (program) that’s struggling so maybe the standards are lower, or do you want to start with the one that’s better? I’ve always envisioned it being more like this,” he said. “Of course, the expectations are always there to win, like they always are at Oklahoma, but that’s something I enjoy, something our staff enjoys and our players.”

Perhaps there could be no better endorsement for the potential continued success he’s working towards than the personal growth his current players attribute to him. Parker said that even though plenty could be said for what Stoops has meant to Sooners players in that regard, but he thinks Riley could potentially do him one better as he puts his own stamp on program.

“The one thing I would say about coach Riley is that he’s not worried just about on-the-field stuff, but off-the-field stuff too,” he said. “Coach Stoops was like that too, but he’s trying to develop new programs where we can learn and he can better us as men.”