Spring practice begins
Take a look at the offensive and defensive linemen who will participate in Oklahoma’s spring practice, which begins Saturday.
Oklahoma’s spring practice opens on Saturday, and The Oklahoman is analyzing the state of the Sooners’ position groups. Today, we’ll look at the offensive and defensive linemen who will participate in OU’s spring practice.
Scholarship offensive linemen lost: Orlando Brown, Ashton Julious, Dwayne Orso-Bacchus, Erick Wren Scholarship offensive linemen returning: Jonathan Alvarez, Adrian Ealy, Bobby Evans, Cody Ford, Marquis Hayes, Creed Humphrey, Quinn Mittermeier, Ben Powers, Logan Roberson, Tyrese Robinson, Dru Samia, Erik Swenson Offensive line newcomers: none Scholarship defensive linemen lost: Du’Vonta Lampkin, Matt Romar, D.J. Ward Scholarship defensive linemen returning: Amani Bledsoe, Dillon Faamatau, Neville Gallimore, Troy James, Tyreece Lott, Kenneth Mann, Arthur McGinnis, Zach McKinney, Que Overton, Isaiah Thomas Defensive line newcomers: Ronnie Perkins
THREE STORYLINES TO WATCH Replacing Brown
With Orlando Brown’s anticipated departure to the NFL Draft, the Sooners have known for a while that they’d have to find a new left tackle for the 2018 season. Consider spring football to be an audition for his spot.
Last season, Quinn Mittermeier was listed as Brown’s backup on the depth chart, but Bobby Evans is likely the front-runner to be his replacement. Evans practiced at both right and left tackle when he arrived in Norman, but he settled into a spot at right tackle in 2016.
In 2017, He became one of the most consistent players on the line and earned an All-Big 12 honorable mention.
“Bobby is just so steady,” coach Lincoln Riley said in October. “He’s kind of sneaky good. Orlando gets a lot of the attention out there, and rightfully so. He’s a great player. But Bobby’s been just as valuable. Steady. Makes very very few mistakes. Doesn’t get beat often.”
Even if Evans stays at right tackle, he’ll still fill a role previously occupied by Brown as he becomes the leader of the line.
Front and center
The Sooners got a gift when Erick Wren obtained an extra year of eligibility last season. But with Wren moving on, OU has to break in a new center during spring practice. It will likely come down between redshirt senior Jonathan Alvarez and redshirt freshman Creed Humphrey. Both redshirted last season to preserve depth for the Sooners this year. Humphrey earned rave reviews during last spring and fall for his quick learning and veteran demeanor.
“He’s gonna have another huge career,” former head coach Bob Stoops said during last year’s spring season. “He’s a guy that’s just a bigger center. He’s really smart. He’s got great power to him. He doesn’t seem like a guy that should still be in high school at all.”
Alvarez could also be in play at center, where he started three games in 2016 before suffering an injury. Though he didn’t play in 2017, he practiced as Wren’s backup instead of joining the scout team.
“I mean he's as good of a player as Erick, but those guys were just playing better together,” offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh said in November. “And you know it's tough, but he's handled it the right way, he's a mature kid and never pouted and never complained about it.”
Building defensive depth
While most expected the departure of seniors
D.J. Ward and Matt Romar from the defensive line, few anticipated that redshirt sophomore Du’Vonta Lampkin would join them. And yet, after starting just two collegiate games, Lampkin declared for the NFL Draft. During his second season, Lampkin showed promise. Labeled as one of the strongest men that new defensive tackles coach Ruffin McNeill had ever seen, Lampkin showed an ability to be a dominant force on the line when he recorded his first career sack against TCU.
With his surprise exit, the Sooners will need to find players to replace his size at nose guard. Fresh off his first season collegiality wrestling, Que Overton will likely have to step into a much larger role at defensive tackle. Dillon Faamatau will also be in the mix at nose guard.
Ward’s graduation also opens up a spot at defensive end. With six tackles for loss last year, Kenneth Mann is in a prime position to make a run at Ward’s position. He could be a defensive breakout player to watch this spring.