| 17 July 2011
2011 Preseason Storylines
- First time that I can really recall under Stoops that OU is waiting this late in the year for updates on academic issues. Ronnell Lewis in particular is rumored to be in some sort of academic danger. OU is still waiting on word on Trey Metoyer and Jordan Wade. OU really does not need Metoyer being a free agent all fall and able to sign with anyone else. Especially if OU gets a verbal from DGB, Metoyer could be convinced by another program that OU is too deep at WR. You can never have enough DTs so losing Jordan Wade would be a disappointment, plus it’s not a great year for DTs in OU’s regular recruiting regions.
- Connected to the Ronnell Lewis issue, OU’s weakest point with the reinstatement of Jamell Fleming is at DE. OU really only has a known quantity in Frank Alexander, and if Ronnell Lewis is out the only other DEs with playing time are David King and RJ Washington. King and Washington so far have struggled to make any real impact in their Sooner careers to date. Future DE stars Geneo Grissom and Nathan Hughes haven’t played a snap yet. With the passing threats in the Big 12, a lack of an outside pass rush could become a serious issue.
- If Trey Metoyer makes it onto campus, this could be the deepest most talented WR corps since the 2003-2004 group that had 4 NFL drafted WRs (Mark Bradley, Mark Clayton, Travis Wilson, Brandon Jones). The only OU player at the same level of Broyles is Mark Clayton. Best OU WR of all time starts with an argument between those two Sooners. Kenny Stills could be the best number two WR in the country. Dejuan Miller returns for his senior year, and before he was injured he seemed to be finally putting everything together. Trey Franks showed flashes last year of being a dangerous slot WR. Jaz Reynolds out of the doghouse could be back to the form of his Sun Bowl performance. After a redshirt year, Justin McCay could provide another big physical WR threat. Metoyer if eligible could be an elite Malcolm Kelly like threat.
- James Hanna could be the surprise star of the Sooner attack. Hanna’s freshman year was a waste due to limited playing time so just throw it out completely. Hanna’s sophomore year was a frustration as Gresham went down and Hanna could not get any playing time early while the Sooner attack floundered. However, if you compare Gresham’s sophomore year to Hanna’s junior, it’s easy then to project Hanna having a big senior year. Hanna seemed to be finding his role last year, particularly in the red zone with 7 TDs (second on the team behind Broyles). It would not surprise me to see Hanna post 700 yards receiving and 10 TDs.
- Landry could possibly have a season better than Sam’s 2008 Heisman year. Landry should have a great supporting WR/TE corps, and while not as established as Brown/Murray OU could have greater talent in their young RB group with more homerun threats. The OL cannot compare to the NFL potential of the 2008 group, but it should be a deep veteran group. It’s Landry’s 3rd year starting, and due to injuries we never got to see Sam’s 3rd year under Josh. Can Landry continue to improve and consistently perform at an elite level, there were certainly times at home last year when Landry looked Sam like. The summer buzz on Landry is already sky high with his outstanding performance at the Manning Passing Academy and message board chatter that he looks better than ever in 7 on 7 drills. Every NFL mock draft is going to have Landry as either the 2nd or 3rd QB taken (behind Andrew Luck and possibly behind USC’s Matt Barkley) with a great senior year Landry could challenge Luck for that top QB spot and with a great game in Tallahassee Landry could take control of the early Heisman hype.
- FSU game is shaping up to be the biggest road OOC game in the Bob Stoops era. FSU and OU could easily both be ranked in the top five of both polls with the winner getting a huge a boost in the national championship picture. The loser could still be in the BCS title picture depending upon how things play out. The FSU game would be the “big time” road win that has escaped the Sooners the last couple of years. A loss to FSU and those same questions about Bob winning big road games will be asked. After the FSU game, OU will still have several roadblocks but the toughest games on paper are mostly in Norman save for the usual UT matchup in Dallas and the OSU game in Stillwater.
- The last several years OU’s defense has had a string of players make significant impacts who had made virtually no contributions as underclassman, Brian Jackson/Keenan Clayton/Jamell Fleming/Pryce Macon/Lewis Baker/Quinton Carter/Jonathan Nelson for example. Your best bets for making an impact this year are
- The previously mentioned junior DE duo of King and Washington. If either one of these players could have a break out year for OU, then the OU D could be very good (not quite 2001 and 2008 level for that to happen McGee or McFarland are going to have to require an automatic double team)
- With the tragic passing of Austin Box, Jayden Bird at MLB could provide a bigger more physical presence than Tom Wort to help the OU run defense.
- With the reinstatement of Fleming, the Sooner secondary in their second year under the guidance of Willie Martinez could rival the dominant Sooner secondaries under Mike Stoops. Fleming and Hurst give OU a great pair of cover cbs, Aaron Colvin at safety showed great cover potential last year playing CB when Fleming was hurt, and Javon Harris looked great last year playing for Jonathan Nelson. Add Tony Jefferson to that mix as really a 5th DB and you have the best potential OU secondary in years. Add Gabe Lynn for depth and OU looks very solid at DB.
- How much will OU miss Demarco Murray? When Murray was in the game OU was always a threat to run, pass with Murray providing blocking help, or pass with Murray being another receiving threat. OU has vast potential at RB with the young trio of RBs Finch, Clay, and Williams. And coming back from injury Jonathan Miller and Jermie Calhoun also have shown flashes during previous seasons. But not one RB has shown the ability to be a receiving threat out of the backfield and to provide key blitz protection. I still remember Murray as a freshman blocking a Miami LB allowing Bradford to hit Malcolm Kelly for a TD. Gundy’s talking about a platoon at RB to avoid injuries and wear and tear, but 3rd and 5 which RB is going to get the majority of the playing time? If I had to guess, I’d go with Clay due to the established ability to be a pass receiving threat. The problem could be that OU will be tipping off their play selection by the running back choice. If it’s Brandon Williams, then it’s going to be a run. If it’s Clay, then it’s a pass. Murray’s versatility didn’t tip off a defense on play selection and that could the biggest consequence of his absence. And OU’s no huddle scheme works best at a fast tempo, denying the defense the chance to sub. If OU has to sub for different personnel, then that’s a huge disadvantage as well.
- Player to watch this fall (beyond the obvious)
- Trey Millard: If OU is able to provide better run blocking, Millard as the big back in the diamond pony formation could break some big plays as well as be more of a threat in the passing game. He had a good freshman year but could have a big sophomore year. If any of the RBs struggle to be that every down threat, then Millard could end up with role and put up stats that make him the best FB under Stoops (which is pretty impressive considering the work done by JD Runnels and Matt Clapp).
- Lane Johnson: Ever wonder what would have happened had OU moved Brody Eldridge/Eric Mensik to OL full time their junior year? Lane Johnson at OT might be close to the answer. OU’s had great success moving TE to OL, and Johnson might have the best physical skills of all of them. With Jarvis Jones out until at least late September, Johnson could be the starting RT for the Sooners.
- Freshman of Influence Redshirt or True- attack of the young defensive line
- Jordan Phillips: Could be OU’s next elite DT. He might be too good to redshirt.
- Nathan Hughes: Could be OU’s next elite DE. He’s probably too good to redshirt unless some other players step up.
- Torrea Peterson: With Daniel Noble’s career over, Peterson could be the 3rd DT for the OU defense. Peterson has worlds of talent and nearly played last year.
- Geneo Grissom: Like Peterson he might have played last year if not for a foot injury. OU needs him to add DE depth.
- Marquis Anderson: Enrolled early and had some good moments in spring. Could end up being a factor in the DT rotation with his explosive burst off the line at the 3 technique.
