Murray likely to start
Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops believes Kenneth Murray, a true freshman, will start at middle linebacker in the season opener as a lingering injury continues to keep Jon-Michael Terry out of practice.
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With a lingering injury keeping Jon-Michael Terry from practicing, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops believes true freshman Kenneth Murray will get the start at middle linebacker against UTEP on Sept. 2.
“Most likely, unless something happens to Kenneth,” Stoops said of the starting spot. “It’s been tough for Jon-Michael to get the reps, and Kenneth has played well and does a lot of good things. We’re still going to need Jon-Michael to come along.”
Murray was recruited as an outside linebacker, but the early enrollee made the move inside during spring practice.
Although OU seems to have settled on Murray as the starter at middle linebacker, it’s clear the team still needs Terry, who’s projected to return to the field Thursday, to build depth within the linebacking corps.
“Our depth at linebacker as a whole is not what we need it to be,” Stoops said. “Curtis (Bolton) gives us a lot of opportunities to move guys around. Right now, we’re doing it with five or six linebackers at the most. We’re looking to redshirt a couple guys. We’ll see how that plays out.”
Terry’s absence forced redshirt junior Bolton to practice at both inside and outside linebacker, but his teammates have praised Bolton for his versatility.
“Curtis, he can play four out of seven positions in the front seven,” linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo said. “He’s a guy who can do a lot of things. He’s an explosive playmaker. He complements me really well. He’s going to make a lot of plays for us this year.”
Bob Stoops open to joining CFB committee
Former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops told ESPN on Wednesday that he was open to joining the College Football Playoff selection committee.
Stoops, who stepped down in June after 18 seasons with the Sooners, said joining the committee next year “would be a great opportunity,” though Stoops said he hadn’t been contacted about an opening or thought much about it.
Six committee members will have to be replaced after this season—Texas Tech athletic director and committee chair Kirby Hocutt, Arkansas athletic director and former chair Jeff Long, Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich, former Washington and Notre Dame coach Ty Willingham and media member Steve Wieberg.
“I guess I would have to do a lot of visiting with people on what all the commitment would be, and what the expectations would be,” Stoops told the network. “But it’d sure be worth listening.”
Committee replacements will be announced in January.
Extra points
Defensive tackle Neville Gallimore resumed practicing with the team Tuesday after missing a couple of days due to injury … defensive tackles coach Ruffin McNeill said true freshman Tyreece Lott is likely to play early on … Okoronkwo said he hears the phrase ‘national championship’ about 100 times a day … Defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks said Chanse Sylvie stood out during fall camp at nickel. He’s also competing with Will Johnson and Kahlil Haughton for the free safety spot opposite of Steven Parker.