Offensive tackle Orlando Brown declares for NFL Draft
NORMAN — Orlando Brown has played his last game as a Sooner.
The redshirt junior left tackle declared for the 2018 NFL Draft with a tweet Wednesday afternoon.
“After talking things over with my family and coaches, I will be declaring early for the NFL Draft,” Brown wrote in his tweet. “It’s been an amazing 4 years here. I wouldn’t want to be a part of any other university. Thank you Sooner Nation!!!”
Earlier in the year, he was named an unanimous All-America selection and the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy.
Brown, a three-year starter and a 2017 team captain, is considered one of the top draft prospects in this year’s class.
CBS Sports’ mock NFL Draft projects Brown to be the No. 3 overall pick to Indianapolis, while ESPN’s Todd McShay has him going to the Carolina Panthers at No. 25.
“He’s a left tackle all the way,” ESPN NFL analyst
said prior to OU’s victory at Ohio State. “NFL teams won’t have to worry about moving him to the right side. He’s trending toward the top tackle spot for the 2018 draft.”
Brown, whose late dad Orlando Brown Sr. played tackle in the NFL, considered an early entry to the NFL Draft a year ago, but ultimately didn’t put in for a draft grade and returned for another season.
“I want to do what I have to do to prove myself and prove to the scouts that I’m a first-round pick,” Brown said at Big 12 Media Days in July.
Since he arrived in Norman at 6-foot-8, 380 pounds, Brown entered his final year weighing 340 pounds.
Anderson not expected to enter NFL Draft
Over the last month, coach Lincoln Riley has counseled OU’s top NFL prospects about their draft decisions.
But he hasn’t talked with running back Rodney Anderson, and he doesn’t expect him to make an early entry to the NFL.
“I don’t think so,” Riley said Wednesday. “I haven’t had a conversation with him yet. I don’t want to speak for him, but I don’t think so.”
Anderson, a redshirt sophomore, led the Sooners in rushing with 1,161 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged 82.9 yards per game and had 201 in the Rose Bowl.
If he returns, OU will have a deep rotation at running back with a group that will also include Trey Sermon, Abdul Adams and new signee TJ Pledger.
Riley gearing up for second signing day
While the Sooners added 17 signees in the new early signing period, there are still a couple prospects Riley would like to add.
Some of the top uncommitted players are announcing their decisions at Saturday’s Army All-America game — including some of OU’s targets like five-star cornerback Brendan Radley-Hiles. Another target, four-star defensive end Nik Bonitto, is set to make his announcement at Thursday’s Under Armor All-America game.
When asked about adding a couple more players to the class, Riley sounded upbeat.
“Sooner Nation will be happy here in the next few days,” he said.