Also, Kyler Murray is listed as a top-50 MLB draft prospect by Keith Law.

How’s it going, friends and fans? There’s a lot of links to get to today, but before you dive into all of those, you absolutely have to check out the new Oklahoma Sooners Jordan Brand gear being sold.

If you’re ready to start rocking some new threads, visit Dick’s Sporting Goods’ online database (you can also find the red polo on Fanatics) and step into the next era of Sooner apparel. I’m particularly a big fan of that coaches polo. That looks clean.

Now onto today’s edition of Hot Links! Oklahoma sits atop the recruiting rankings for two major recruiting services, Bookie Radley-Hiles’ peers are talking him up for Heisman, Oklahoma visits Oregon in a monster softball match-up and more!

OU Links

• According to both Rivals and 247Sports, the Oklahoma Sooners currently have the No. 1 ranked recruiting class for 2019. OU has never finished with the No. 1 class in the land (since ratings services came around), so could this be the year it finally happens?
• Kyler Murray is a rising prospect in the realm of baseball. I think it may take a higher selection than 36th to truly tempt him to leave, but folks will be discussing this for months.

• Don’t forget to check out the Behind Baker docuseries, which has followed Baker Mayfield throughout the process leading up to the NFL Draft. From this trailer, there will be a lot of appearances from some notable figures in the sports world, and it looks to be a deep look into a day in the life of Mayfield as he makes his transition from the college ranks to the pros.

• Speaking of Mayfield, don’t hold your breath for that Heisman Park statue going up anytime soon. According to Sooner AD Joe Castiglione, there isn’t a set time frame for when a Mayfield statue could go up.
• And how about Bookie for Heisman? By all accounts, the man is a play-making machine. If Charles Woodson can do it as a defensive player (yes, I realize he also played on special teams and offense), why not Radley-Hiles? I’m not saying it’s likely, but the dude just has something to him.

• For Orlando Brown, overcoming the unexpected loss of his father, managing his weight, and dealing with a historically underwhelming showing at the NFL Combine have all taught the intriguing offensive tackle prospect a lesson in perseverance.
• With so many key contributors missing for the spring game, it was difficult to get a clear read on the defense. Mike Stoops was, however, pleased with the improvement he saw along the D-line and in the secondary.
• Sooner Softball goes for a school record 31 straight wins tonight on the road versus No. 4 Oregon. The Ducks have the top RPI in the nation, so a win here for No. 2 Oklahoma could vault the Sooners to the top of the RPI standings.

• Patty Gasso and the Oklahoma softball team are traveling to Oregon this late in the season because many top-ranked programs didn’t want to come to Norman to play the Sooners. I guess that’s a sign of respect, but Gasso wants to challenge her team going into the postseason.

Around the Sports World

• If NFL Draft Guru Mel Kiper wants to be a man of his word, he’d retire right now. In 2010, Kiper said Jimmy Clausen would be a successful QB in the NFL. He also said he wanted to give it eight years. Well, it’s been eight years, and Clausen hasn’t done anything on the field since 2015. Let’s go, Kiper. Own it.
• In some very tragic news, Erin Popovich, wife of Spurs head coach Greg Popovich, passed away yesterday. Erin and Greg were married for 40 years, and the entire NBA family is mourning with Coach Pop’.
• This was some in-depth basketball analysis from Kenny Smith on TNT. So in-depth, Smith basically inserted himself in the game. It’s kind of trippy to watch, but technology can make almost anything possible. Very cool stuff.

• The Cincinnati Reds have fired manager Bryan Price and pitching coach Mack Jenkins after a 3-15 start, which is currently the worst record in all of Major League Baseball.
• Have you ever wondered what the most terrifying walk-out music would be in the WWE? Well check out this nightmarish mash-up. It’s the Undertaker walking out to the Wii Shop music. In a strange way it actually seems even scarier because it throws me off so much.

Stick to Sports!

• Today is April 19th, which marks the 23rd anniversary of the Murrah Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City. In honor of the 168 victims whose lives were taken that day, a Facebook page for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum shares the bio and story of each life taken on their respective birthdays. Born from one of the darkest days in Oklahoma history, it’s a touching gesture that keeps those memories alive for all the world to remember.

Follow Crimson & Cream Machine on Twitter!