One of the first assignments that new Oklahoma coach Jay Norvell is going to have is trying to sway Julio Jones to sign a letter of intent with the Sooners.

     It was absolutely no surprise yesterday when Bob Stoops officially named his former Iowa teammate to the staff as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. He replaces Kevin Sumlin, who is now the head man at Houston.

     “We’re excited to have Jay as part of our staff. He is an excellent coach and he’s an excellent recruiter,” Stoops said.

     Well, he gets a big time recruiting mission right off the bat. Jones, who been driving recruiiters crazy the last couple of years as they have watched him play at Foley, Alabama, is regarded as the No. 1 wide receiver in the country.

     This 6-4, 220 pound speedseter is visiting Florida this weekend. He has already been to Alabama. Next weekend he comes to Norman and then the following weekend he completes his visits with a trip to Texas Tech. Most in the know say it will go down to the Crimson Tide and the Sooners.

     Stoops has already had his in-home visit with this gifted athelte. Norvell is expected to go into his house along with OU assistant Cale Gundy sometime next week. Gundy has done an excellent job in recruiting Jones.

     With the departure of Curtis Lofton and Reggie Smith, OU is now hitting the junior college ranks looking for defensive backs and linebackers. The Sooners thought they would be getting a commitment today from All-American juco linebacker J.R. Bryant. But now Bryant says he won’t announce until next week. Oklahoma State is also in the picture.

    And talking about the Cowboys, they are holding their beath in the recruitment of Guthrie standout Kye Staley. The tremendous all-around athlete committed to the Pokes a few months ago. But he has decided to take more visits. He’s going to Arkansas next weekend and maybe Tennessee the week after that. Staley is the jewell of the Poke class thus far.