It's only been one week and OU only practiced twice with an OU pro day stuck in between, and now OU is off for a week with spring break
Now I am not going to pretend that I have a lot of news and it's spring so things are going to be almost overwhelming positive. But it's not like we have Sooner men hoops to watch so really we're down to obsessing over spring practice notes.
1. OL looks to be in great shape. Donald Stephenson based on practice video/pictures might be the captain of the Sooner First Off the Bus team. He's 6-6, 300 and looks like Amare Stoudemire. It's clear athletically why Bob called Stephenson OU's most talented offensive lineman (Bob said Stephenson was only behind Trent Williams talent wise). Stephen Good looks to be great shape. And Corey Brandon had a good offseason earning praise from Bob in becoming a leader for the OL. The OL looks improved claim is so hollow at this point, I almost don't want to say it. But the OL looks to be in much better overall shape than last spring. Eric Mensik has added some weight to his frame and should provide competition at both tackle spots. Both Ben Habern and Jarvis Jones are moving around pretty good in practice, but not in uniform yet. Gabe Ikard really looks like an OL player. It's easy to imagine that move becoming permanent, and he will provide some real competition at center. Starting OL looks right now to be;
LT: Donald Stephenson
LG: Stephen Good
OC: Gabe Ikard (OU will be very cautious with Habern's rehab. Probably asking too much to expect Habern to reclaim this spot in Spring)
RG: Tyler Evans (once healthy I think that Jarvis Jones could win this spot later in Spring)
RT: Corey Brandon
2. Jonathan Nelson right now is at safety. Ever since the bowl game, when projecting an OU starting lineup Nelson had been slotted to start next to Demontre Hurst at CB. However, through two practices, Nelson is staying at safety. New DB coach Willie Martinez seems heavily involved with the CBs grouping trying to assess what he has. Marcus Trice has been working out with the CBs and appears will be given a shot at winning the other CB spot. OU has some young depth at CB in Hurst, Trice, Lamar Harris, Jamell Fleming, and Gabe Lynn. Now a starting duo of Trice and Hurst would be a smaller CB pair than we have seen previously under Stoops, at least one CB has always been a bigger CB. To date, the safeties have not been shown as a group practicing, so it's impossible to draw any conclusions there other than Quinton Carter and Jonathan Nelson are starters.
3. At DT, Justin Chaisson looks like he has put on really good weight, and is up 275. He's getting a lot of reps and with Adrian Taylor out looks to be competing heavily with Stacey McGee for playing time. Based on how they are rotating, McFarland is first team DT, and he's been paired with both Chaisson and McGee in drills. It's a huge opportunity for the young DTs this spring to get some distance from the DTs enrolling in August. AT DE, the obvious duo of Beal and Alexander are starting. RJ Washington appears to be next in the rotation. As Venables mentioned previously Jarrett Brown could end up being a factor at DE, and from drills he looks like a Frank Alexander type elite athlete.
4. At LB, Tom Wort is sporting a new Mohawk and appears to have added some weight to his frame. I figure he's probably in the 225/230 range right now. Starting LBs right now which is probably pretty meaningless appears to be Ronnell Lewis, Travis Lewis, and Joseph Ibiloye. Venables has been talking about playing Ibiloye at safety some, but so far he's been in LB drills from what I can see. Doesn't seem possible, but Ronnell Lewis looks even bigger than the bowl game. He might easily be 6-3, 245/250. Venables is already talking about playing Lewis at LB and also in a Rush End/Spinner kind of role.
5. There almost no real news at QB and RB. As expected Murray is the first team RB and Jermie Calhoun is the backup. I've seen nothing of Landry Jones or Drew Allen. Landry could be looking like Joe Montana for all the QB action we have seen.
6. Newcomers at WR are Kenny Still and Sheldon McClain. Stills looks pretty light, and could definitely add some strength/weight. McClain also looks pretty thin, but McClain looks more like 6-4 than his listed 6-2, height questions aside McClain appears to have recovered from his knee injury suffered during his senior year. To date, no real action from the TE position yet, no footage of how Lane Johnson is adjusting to TE or how James Hanna looks this spring.
Danzel Williams 5-9, 190, 4. 45 RB/DB Arlington, TX
Trey Metoyer 6-3, 200, 4.45 WR Whitehouse, TX
It was a good week for the Sooners with two more verbals. One was a surprise, the other one was expected by most folks.
It's an amazing year in Texas for RB., ridiculous might honestly be the proper word. I've mentioned the names previously Malcolm Brown, Aaron Green, Brandon Williams, Herschel Sims, Bradley Marquez, etc. Notice I didn't mention Danzel Williams. Well OU got a verbal from Danzel earlier in the week after offering him at their junior day. Now, I'll admit that I was surprised by the offer to Danzel. OU has limited ships (17 to 19) and I thought that OU would only take one RB. Guess I was wrong. First off give Danzel credit, he really wanted to be a Sooner, and didn't let his OU offer sit there long. So after all the message board angst over what this verbal meant, folks started looking at footage of Williams and his stats from last year. Williams had over 1200 yards rushing, and 8 YPC. That's big time productivity. From his footage, Danzel shows good speed/moves and amazing balance, he's consistently breaking tackles and getting extra yards. In addition, Danzel shows nice skills as a WR out of the backfield and from the slot. In addition, Danzel has nice highlights at DB as well.
Follow this link for some free video highlights of Danzel. Again the number one thing that stands out is his balance, the kid just does not go down from the first hit.
The second verbal is OU's best verbal to date. Trey Metoyer. At this point until certain rankings drop him due to verbaling to OU, Metoyer is the consensus number one WR in Texas, top five player in Texas. Metoyer has already been invited to play in the US Army All American game (Kendal Thompson is already a Under Armour game invitee). Metoyer has had awesome productivity the last two season averaging over 70 receptions for 1100 yards and 14 TDs. His highlight reel shows an amazingly polished WR from both a route standpoint and pass catching technique. On WR screens , he's never going down on the first tackle and consistently makes cuts to increase the yardage gained. There are some concerns about his top end speed, but he certainly looks fast enough. The comparisons to former 1st round draft picks Texas WRs are easy to make. He plays like Crabtree or Bryant. Combined with Kameel Jackson, Metoyer arguably gives OU the best 1-2 WR combo from Texas. (I'm just waiting for Jackson to skyrocket with a great senior year. He's tearing up the combine circuit after his injury last year). Coach Norvell did a great job recruiting Metoyer. The relationship he's built over the last year made a huge difference in OU getting the talented WR. Hopefully, this will end the continual bashing of Norvell's recruiting ability by a portion of Sooner fans. Last two years, he's gotten Justin McCay, Kenny Stills, and now Metoyer and Jackson. In addition, Norvell clearly knew what he was doing offering Jaz Reynolds.
Here's a great highlight reel of Metoyer posted on Youtube
OU's probably finished with their junior days, but will very likely try and get a number of prospects scheduled for visits to Norman during spring practice or for the spring game. UT is up to 18 with the recent verbal of Quandre Diggs (brother of Quentin Jammer), I'd imagine that UT will be at 20 verbals by the end of March.
OU's going to continue to try and recruit nationally, and after spring practice is over look for the Sooner coaches to hit the road and expect a slew of more offers to go out, or for OU to scout in person their chances with a number of high profile national kids. Expect OU to head back to the San Diego area, hit Kansas/Missouri hard again, and I expect OU to put out more offers in Georgia/Florida to utilize new DB Coach Willie Martinez's connections. Expect Norvell to visit Michigan WR DeAnthony Arnett who has expressed a high level of interest in OU, and would be the ideal slot WR finish to OU's WR class. There's always a wildcard or two in national recruiting, and OU's massive presence during the primetime NFL draft in April is not going to hurt the program's status at all. Right now if I had to guess, WR angst is about to replaced by a previous favorite recruiting worry, OL recruiting. UT's has hurt OU to a degree with their OL recruiting (mainly taking Greenlea). OU has a big time target in Arkansas OT Brey Cook, but it's hard to say OU leads. OU hasn't offered Dylan Dismuke (6-6, 285 OL from Duncan, OK) yet, but has offered Garrett Gladd (6-4, 280 OG/OC Sallisaw, OK). New Mexico OT Matt Hegarty has OU on a long list of schools, it's hard to say if OU is even in the top five. Beyond those kids, OU OL offers have been pretty limited. It's a little puzzling since OU is projected to take 4 to 5 OL again. Now initially I had been indicating that UT hurt OU recruiting with the verbal of Desmond Jackson and while Jackson is the top 3 technique DT in Texas, OU has had at least 2 prospects appear at that position. First is Marquis Anderson from Cibolo, TX (San Antonio). Anderson at 6-3, 270, 4.8 is right behind Jackson in terms of DT ranking in Texas. Second is Kris Harley from Indianapolis. Harley is 6-2, 270, 4.8 and in his Rivals highights shows that amazing quick first step upfield that OU requires at the 3 technique position (Harley had over 90 tackles and 19 TFL as a junior).
Bob held his Pre Spring Practice Press Conference today
Some news and notes (TaW staff editorial comments are in paraphrases):
- Great winter workout by team (Contrary to popular opinion, Bob doesn't always say that.)
- Ben Habern and Jarvis Jones back after Spring Break. (This is huge news for OL development. Both players were presumed to be out until Summer)
- Gabe Ikard and Eric Mensik are going to be getting a lot of reps at OL. Ikard at guard and center. Mensik at OT. (Their absence leaves a huge opportunity for JUCO transfer Lane Johnson and James Hanna. Johnson is a big TE target with speed and Hanna has a chance to take over the position. Both players need to impress the coaches before Haywood and Millard arrive)
- Bob feels that the WRs play in the Stanford game was a huge positive heading into the offseason. (Bob means the rotation of Reynolds, Broyles, and Miller)
- Bob really thinks that Gabe Ikard will be a contributor next season. Either interior OL or at blocking TE. (might allow Mensik to stay at OT and still provide a power running game from a two TE look)
- OL, unlike last winter, was a very strong group in conditioning and working out. Corey Brandon becoming more of a leader.
- DT Justin Chaisson at 275 already. Will add more good weight down the road. (Chaisson's frame can easily hold 285-290 with great mobility. He was 285 at Under Armour game last year and dominated)
- Stephenson was the 2nd most talented OL on the roster last year, behind Trent Williams. (His loss due to academics was huge.)
1. Justin Chaisson is going to be moved to DT for spring. Chaisson who was already 260 will look to get to around 275 for spring, and has a frame that could easily carry 285 to 290. Chaisson ability to get on the field at DT is far quicker than at DE. Chaisson would bring the kind of explosive speed (consistently timed at 4.7 at around 270) to OU's 3-technique DT position that the OU defense needs. Stacey McGee is really the only other 3 technique DT right now, so Chaisson could get considerable reps this spring. Moving Chaisson to DT also provides more depth at the 3 technique this spring until Eric Humphrey arrives in August. To recap, here are the current OU DTs and their best positions (I'm mixing some terminology here so please bear with me) Adrian Taylor- 1 gap/3 technique (he's played both) Jamarkus McFarland - 1 gap/3 technique Casey Walker - 1 gap Justin Chaisson - 3 technique Damon Williams- 1 gap Daniel Noble - 1 gap Eric Humphrey- 3 technique Torrea Peterson - 1 gap/3 technique ( I keep calling him an Adrian Taylor clone)
1. Year of the Running Back: OU just signed perhaps the best RB class in the country in Roy Finch and Brennan Clay, so RB wasn't exactly a huge need for the Sooners in recruiting. However, this year's RB class especially in Texas is just absurd. There are at least 2 RBs in Texas who last year would have been the number one RB in Texas last year., and several more who would have been right behind Seastrunk. And OU can only really take one of these guys at RB. Can UT take two? It’s a interesting combination of OU/UT having limited ships, and elite prospects. Also, there's a good chance like elite QBs that a school is only going to get one of them. Here are the five best in Texas.
OU held their first junior day for Texas and out of state prospects, and while OU didn't get 13 verbals the weekend led to several new commitments for OU.
Top 20 Players who could have breakthrough seasons in the Big 12. In the way of some context, generally a player who is a Sophomore/Junior who could contend for All Big 12 honors or more
QB- (Clearly the bar for being a breakthrough QB is tougher than at other positions. Garrett Gilbert was close to this list, but with only one start who knows what UT has at QB)
Blaine Gabbert 6-5, 230, MU – Gabbert had very productive first year as a starter with over 3500 yards passing but the TD total was low (24) and INT number was kind of high (9). In addition the Missouri spread requires a high completion percentage than 59%. Gabbert will miss his key WR, Danario Alexander, but there are enough other options returning for Gabbertto be successful. If Missouri wants to win the Big 12 North, they need Gabbert to take that next step.
Landry Jones 6-4, 220, OU – Landry’s first year as a starter had highs (ATM/KU/Bowl game) and deep lows (NU, Texas Tech). Clearly, an inconsistent WR core, no TE game, no running game didn’t help Landry’s adjustment to being the starter. Landry’s got to cut down on the turnovers and improve his accuracy and timing (late on throws). The Stanford game showed a different Landry and vastly improved WR core. If Landry continues to improve in his fundamentals (and QBs so far do nothing but improve under Heupel to date) and OU surrounds him with better weapons , Landry could be the difference in OU regaining control in the Big 12 South.
Tyler Hansen 6-2, 205, CU – It’s really simple, Hawkins job is in Hansen’s hands. Hansen once he took over from the younger Hawkins provided a higher level of play at QB. Hansen provides more mobility and a hint of QB run game. Hansen needs a consistent running game from Rod Stewart and another WR to complement Scotty McKnight (Michigan transfer Toney Clemons could be that WR).
Going into spring based largely on last's year performance, here's a working list of the top 20 players in the Big 12. There's only one OL right now, the Big 12 overall was pretty gutted in terms of elite OL players. QB and WR similarly have lost a host of established playmakers.
1. Ryan Broyles (WR OU) 5-10, 180 - The only returning 1st or 2nd All Big WR. Led OU with over 1200 yards receiving and over 1700 all purpose yards. Ranked 11th in receiving yardage in the nation and 3rd in the nation as a punt returner.
2. Von Miller (OLB ATM) 6-3, 220 - NCAA Sack Leader last year with 17 sacks. 1st Team All Big 12. Without Miller, I'm not sure you could even call what ATM fielded last year a defense. An amazing sack number considering his lack of help
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