Sooners Spring Fling: Oklahoma Football Gives a Sneak Preview
As the flowers began to bloom, OU completed its spring activities for the upcoming 2011 season. Even after a successful Red and White game, there are still a few questions Sooners fans would like to have answered by August. With lofty 2011 expectations and a possible preseason No. 1 ranking looming, this article will give a spring recap and provide a breakdown of what fans should expect this fall from the mighty team in crimson and cream.
The Front Seven and Travis Lewis
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With the loss of Jeremy Beal and Jonathan Nelson, there won’t be too big of a drop-off with 15 players returning with starting experience on the defensive side of the football. The defensive line will be anchored by Frank Alexander, who has been a starter since the 2008 season. If Alexander continues to improve his work ethic and play solid fundamental football with a consistent effort, he will become the unquestioned leader of the defensive line.
Also to help anchor the line will be senior Stacy McGee, R.J. Washington, and JaMarkus McFarland. A few years ago highly touted recruit McFarland committed around December 25th and considered himself a “present” to the Sooners, instead of signing with the Texas Longhorns. But Sooner nation is still yawning and waiting for McFarland to turn into the player he has claimed to be. Will this be the year he contributes to the Sooner defense?
The linebacking corps is once again looking like the best in the Big 12, and the heart of the defense will be led by Travis Lewis, who finished his junior season with 109 tackles. Lewis had this to say to the media when he announced his return for his senior season: "I’m coming back to win a national championship, point blank. Anything else would be a disappointment."
Sophomore hybrid defensive end/linebacker Ronnell Lewis sat out during the spring game for precautionary reasons, but had an active spring learning the fundamentals. Fans are ecstatic and pleased with the improvement of Corey Nelson and 6’2", 220-pound junior Joseph Ibiloye over the spring. After a fantastic practice Coach Stoops had this to say about Nelson’s work ethic: “Corey Nelson lit it up in the scrimmage the other day. “He looks like the best player out there on defense right now. In fact it's not even close.”
Austin Box looks to take the No. 1 spot at middle linebacker on the depth chart this fall, but Box has been known to have nagging injuries during his career in Norman. If the injuries continue, defensive coordinator Brent Venables will look to sophomore LB Tom Wort, who earned freshman All-American honors last season.
With a great showing against a powerful running team such as UConn in the Fiesta Bowl, expect the same from the front seven again this year.
Notable Missing Pieces This Spring
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Even with Roy Finch given the go-ahead for the spring despite an injury, there were still quite a few noticeable absences when the Sooners depth chart was released for spring football. Jamell Fleming, who led the defense with five interceptions, is serving a semester-long academic suspension from the University due to academic misconduct. Fleming in the meantime will be replaced by sophomore Gabe Lynn.
People around the nation still continue to rave over fullback Trey Millard’s play in 2010. He can move very well coming out of the backfield and has the ability to line up in a wide variety of formations like the "Diamond" formation. Millard sat out this spring to heal minor surgeries from the past season. As he comes back this fall, he will continue to develop into one of the best fullbacks in the Bob Stoops era.
Jarvis Jones is injured...wait for it...once again. Since transferring from LSU and having a huge upside, he has given inconsistent play (until the end of the season) on the offensive line, and needs work on his run-blocking skills. Coach Stoops is looking for him to step up and be a big part of the running game this fall with a loaded backfield.
WR Justin McKay learned toward the end of spring that he had an MCL tear. A day before his appointment with team physicians, McKay had this to say on his Twitter account, "Trying to rest. And hoping tomorrow the doctor tells me good news. Pray for me and my recovery.” McKay then learned he will not require surgery. McKay is expected to make a recovery in 4-6 weeks and make a healthy return.
The Fountain of Youth and Superman Returns?
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With the departure of DeMarco Murray, the Sooners running game still has a full cupboard. Roy Finch, who exploded onto the scene last season, looks to be the starter, but to complement him will be Brennan Clay, Jermie Calhoun, walk-on Domonique Whaley and highly touted 5-star recruit Brandon Williams. Stoops had this to say about the new freshman Williams: “He’s got great power and strength and can run forever. Along with our team activities in conditioning, we have some one-on-one competitive situations in front of the whole team and he really stood out.”
On the defensive side, the coaching staff has decided to move sophomore Aaron Colvin, as an experiment to fill one of the two safety spots alongside junior Javon Harris. Colvin continues to prove great strength as a solid tackler when he had a game-high eight tackles during the Red and White spring game.
Miss the days of the Superman wearing No. 38? Don’t worry because part deux is on the way and this time he is wearing No. 1. Sophomore Tony Jefferson was a big key in the Sooners Big 12 championship run last season finishing with 65 tackles, and being named the co-Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Jefferson is improving even more this offseason by spending time this spring working with Sooners legend Roy Williams on his tackling technique and footwork. Look for Jefferson to be roaming across the field at the nickelback position as well as strongside linebacker. Still no word if Stoops will let Jefferson wear the red cape or not.
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Landry Jones and the WR Love Affair
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One of the biggest factors of an offense has always been the quarterback. A QB is the face of the team, and the team thrives off the QB's confidence to lead the offense down the field. At times in 2010, we saw the brilliance of Landry Jones running the fast-paced Sooners offense, but then there were times Sooners fans groaned, such as when Jones struggled against Missouri’s defense.
To be a national championship quarterback Landry Jones has to learn that his mistakes must be limited. This year there should be no excuses due to a ton of help at receiver. With the return of explosive All-American WR Broyles, sophomore sensations Kenny Stills and Trey Franks, Jones should be just fine.
After being suspended for his inappropriate tweet, Jaz Reynolds looks to be heading back to tip-top shape, as he played for both Red and White offenses during the spring, making tremendous catches from the Sooners quarterbacks.
Before his injury DeJuan Miller was a huge target for Landry Jones during the 2009 Sun Bowl and the beginning of last season. If he can fight through injuries and continue to catch the football with ease, as he has shown, expect for him to earn a bunch of playing time in the multiple receiver sets.
Since the departure of Jermaine Gresham, the TE production has fallen. This year, OU returns all three tight ends that had playing time, and expect for Josh Heupel to utilize the tight end as a viable threat with seams up the middle. James Hanna and Trent Ratterree (who has yet to earn a scholarship) will be huge targets for Landry Jones.
Big Boys Up Front Giving Landry Some Time
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Ask any offensive lineman, former or present and he will tell you that the line of scrimmage must be controlled to win football games. The offensive line will return four of five starters this season, and it will hopefully improve and turn into the unit Sooners fans have been waiting for.
As Kevin Wilson took the Indiana job, there were fears in Norman that he would take offensive line coach James Patton with him. However, Patton chose to stay in Norman and there will be two offensive line coaches as Coach Stoops promoted Bruce Kittle to help Patton coach the offensive tackles and tight ends. Stoops noted that this move will help each respective coach focus on fewer players to help teach fundamentals.
Donald Stephenson at 6’5", 303 pounds is a typically built NFL tackle. After being suspended in 2009, Stephenson was a key ingredient to the Sooners running game in 2010. Expect an explosive season from Stephenson to increase his draft stock.
Ben Habern has been the model of consistent play over the last two seasons at center. Habern is the unquestioned leader of the unit, as the rest of the line looks to him for signals during the game. With the effort of getting stronger in the weight room this offseason with strength and conditioning coach Jerry Schmidt, look for a bigger push up the middle when needed.
The former 5-star recruit Stephen Good has not lived up to the standards of an Oklahoma offensive lineman due to inconsistent play, but expect for him to step into a bigger role this season. Tyler Evans, like Good, needs to work on his technique going against the speedy Big 12 defensive linemen and their ability to creative leverage in run blocking. For the upcoming game against Florida State on September 17th, there is a must for the offensive line to give a push and to give Landry Jones time in a hostile environment.
Can Josh Heupel Live Up to the Hype?
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Shhh...you didn’t hear it from me, but the departure of Kevin Wilson’s redundant play-calling won’t be missed. As Wilson took the Indiana Hoosiers job, the spotlight was on Heupel to deliver and help OU break the BCS curse. The Sooners looked like an offensive juggernaut in their 48-20 romp over Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl.
Sooners fans expect for Heupel and Jay Norvell to run a creative offense and move the ball down the field at a rapid pace like Wilson did. Getting Landry Jones in a rhythm is the key, as a large percentage of his passes were slip screens out of the backfield. After winning a national title for the Sooners in 2000, Heupel has a knack for developing quarterbacks into their true potential. Landry Jones said this to the media when asked about Heupel’s attention to detail working with the quarterbacks:
“It’s more face to face. You see him every day in the meeting room. You talk about plays and what you like and what you see. He talks about what he likes and what he sees and there’s real open communication between me and him.”
If Heupel does an exceptional job leading the Sooners offense, can we expect a head-coach-in-waiting tag after the Stoops era is finished?
Lofty Expectations for 2011 and Stoops Troops
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As the 2011 Red and White game ended, Sooners fans began to rejoice about the upcoming season. Can this Sooners team go wire to wire and capture a eighth national title? September is coming fast, ladies and gentlemen; hold onto your seatbelts because it’s going to be wild ride.
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