Oklahoma Sooners Football: 5 Future Stars to Watch for in Red/White Spring Game

It is always difficult to know what to look for while watching a team's spring game. Should you watch individual players? Entire units? Old guys? Young guys?

Given the nature of the event, I always keep a watchful eye out for future stars to emerge.

We know that Landry Jones can throw, Tom Wort can hit and Tony Jefferson can fly. But who are the guys who haven't even stepped on the field yet and might blow up in the coming years?

I remember scrambling for my roster sheet a year ago when an unknown running back broke off a few impressive runs. "Dominique Whaley? Where did he come from?"

Two years ago it was Kenny Stills who made a name for himself with a big day. He carried that momentum into one of the best years for any Sooner freshman receiver.

Here are five guys I will be watching for on Saturday.

Trey Metoyer, WR, No. 17

Trey Metoyer has been the most talked-about player of the spring. He has displayed all the tools you could want in a receiver: size, quickness, footwork, deep-threat speed, hands, body control— it's all there for Metoyer.

Fellow players have been raving about his abilities all spring, and this Saturday will be the first time for Sooner fans to feast their eyes on him.

He will spend most of his time as the wideout, rather than the slot, so watch for him to make big plays down the field.

Jordan Phillips, DT, No. 80

Despite being a redshirt freshman, defensive tackle Jordan Phillips is the largest member of the entire defensive line unit.

The 6'6", 330-pound monster isn't just a run-stuffing hole-clogger, however. On his first day of practice last year, Phillips made his presence known by doing a standing back flip in front of the team—in full pads!

“He’s the only 300-pound guy I’ve ever seen do a standing back flip in his pads,” said fellow defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland. “And he can dunk with two hands, which is amazing.”

Phillips has apparently been unstoppable all spring, so watch for him to get serious reps Saturday against the impressive OU offensive line.

Derek Farniok, OT, No. 72

If you think Jordan Phillips is big, wait until you see redshirt freshman offensive tackle Derek Farniok. The South Dakota native stands 6'9" tall and tips the scales at 325 pounds. Given his height and frame, Farniok still has room for another 30-40 pounds.

He isn't just a big brute, however. Farniok has been impressing his teammates all spring with his ability and work ethic.

“When I first saw him I'll be honest I thought he was gonna be lazy or not be able to move," said fellow tackle Daryl Williams. "But he's really a hard worker. One of the hardest workers on the team.”

The offensive line is fairly deep and Farniok isn't expected to compete for serous minutes this year, so he probably won't get too many reps Saturday. He will be hard to miss when he does get in, though.

Chaz Nelson, DE, No. 37

JUCO transfer Chaz Nelson has been a much-needed infusion of depth at defensive end this spring. The departures of Big 12 DPOY Frank Alexander and possible NFL first-rounder Ronnell Lewis have left the unit short on experience and proven talent. 

Seniors R.J. Washington and David King figure to start, but Nelson will be in the rotation. His speed off the edge gives the Sooners a change-of-pace that could be very influential this season.

He has good size to go along with his speed (6"3", 240 pounds) and, with two years of eligibility left, has plenty of time to make an impact in Norman. Nelson figures to be in heavy rotation Saturday.

Danzel Williams, RB, No. 23

With projected starter Dom Whaley recovering from a broken ankle and JUCO transfer Damian Williams not set to hit campus until this summer, redshirt freshman Danzel Williams has taken his opportunity for extra carries and literally run with it.

What the diminutive back lacks in size (5'8", 186 pounds), he more than makes up for with toughness. His running style is very similar to Roy Finch, but Williams has an extra 20 pounds on Finch and uses every ounce of it.

Come this fall he will be stuck behind an impressive stable of backs, so this Saturday will be our only chance for a long time to get a taste of what Williams has to offer. I expect him to get 15-20 carries.