Lincoln Riley and odd-year QB prospects are a match made in heaven.

Happy Monday, friends and fans!

It was a tremendous weekend for the Oklahoma Sooners on the recruiting trail, picking up an elite running back to kick-off the 2023 class in addition to landing one of the top tight ends for the class of 2022. If that wasn’t enough, OU also secured a verbal commitment from 2023 five-star QB Malachi Nelson out of Los Alamitos, California.

Currently, the 6’3 Nelson is rated as the No. 1 player from the Golden State in 247 Sports’ Composite Rankings of the 2023 recruiting class, as well as the No. 2 QB in the nation and No. 5 overall prospect. His pledge on Sunday, along with RB Treyaun Webb’s commitment on Saturday, momentarily gives Oklahoma the second-highest rated class with still another year and a half remaining before National Signing Day.

From watching his film highlights, there’s no question that the kid has the kind of supreme arm talent that Lincoln Riley has been known to do wonders with. If that’s not enough, he’s also well-versed in the art of throwing the horns down. Welcome to the Sooners, Malachi. Boomer!

Malachi Nelson 2020 Highlights

Now onto this week’s Monday edition of Hot Links! Awards Watch List season is here, OU hoops hero Austin Reaves is set to meet with the Sixers this week, Coco is a no-go for the Olympic Games and more!

OU Links

• On Monday, redshirt sophomore QB Spencer Rattler and true sophomore WR Marvin Mims were each named to the 2021 Maxwell Award Watch List. This annual individual honor goes to the nation’s best all-around collegiate player as per the Maxwell Football Club.

• In related news, senior DE Isaiah Thomas and junior EDGE Nik Bonitto have each been named to the 2021 Bednarik Award Watch List. This honor is annually given to the top defensive player in the nation.

• With the 2021 NBA Draft set to go down on July 29, former Oklahoma men’s basketball star Austin Reaves reportedly plans on visiting with the Philadelphia 76ers this Wednesday.
• Heartland College Sports’ Ray Dozier recently wrote about OU’s current streak of six consecutive Big 12 Championships and where that ranks among the program’s history of conference title runs.
• After one season at Oklahoma, former Sooner softball infielder Zaida Puni has officially transferred to SEC country, where she’ll join the Tennessee Lady Vols.

Around the Sports World

• American tennis star Coco Gauff will unfortunately miss the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after she recently tested positive for COVID-19.
• Speaking of COVID-19, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey opened media days with an announcement that conference game forfeits are in play for the 2021 season rather than postponements if a team is unable to compete due to a COVID-depleted roster in a given week.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly signed former Los Angeles Chargers DE and three-time Pro Bowler Melvin Ingram to a one year contract.
• A New York Yankees fan has been banned for life from every MLB park after throwing a baseball at Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo on Saturday.
• A vehicle belonging to Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo was recently stolen, along with all of his personal items inside the vehicle at the time of the theft. The NFL pro has since taken to social media, asking for the return of his football cleats if nothing else.

Follow Crimson & Cream Machine on Twitter!