Just to be clear, I don't have any info that isn't available for free. I generally take people at their word, and Grinch has said he wants his defense to be fast. I agree with the statement that Mukes is going to be a "big nickel" or LB and play close to the line regardless. I said so here prior to Daniels going to A&M.
It was possible that OU planned on taking Mukes and Daniels as redundancy isn't necessarily a bad thing because both Mukes and Daniels have the build and athleticism to be excellent LBs. However, both need to change their bodies and mindsets to achieve this, and there's no guarantee that either will do so. Now if Daniels is straight up telling you he isn't interested in the switch, you've got to let him go because expectations don't align. It was right for OU to stop recruiting him.
I think (hope) OU's realized a couple of things regarding their defense. First, they can win the Big12 with a terrible defense. Second, they can't win a playoff game without at least a good one. To target B12 championship game and beyond, you've got to have DBs who can cover at every spot.
I think (hope) that OU's going back to the "4 corners" DB philosophy. With this line of thinking, OU should move Woodi Washington to safety or better yet nickel. He sounds like an great nickel candidate as he's apparently really strong, tough, and quick. Bryson Washington is another guy I'd like to see there.
If Broiles or Bookie see the field in anything other than mop-up time, OU's telling you that the other dudes aren't ready for whatever reason. Both may have been ok versus Kansas St, but neither are big enough or fast enough to play at the highest level of college football.
I've stated repeatedly that I'd like to see OU take AT LEAST one more DB and probably two. Another DTY-type is who I'd look for--tough, fast, smart, versatile, under-the-radar because of size. Those guys frequently emerge in the camp circuit prior to Sr year or during Sr season> After OU struck out on their top targets, I wonder if their back up plan was further evaluations. Those evaluation peroids are obviously over or in jeopardy now.