Redmond out for season following blood clot episodes
NORMAN — Oklahoma’s defensive line is going to be without one of its highly touted true freshmen.
Jalen Redmond is going to miss the 2018 season because of blood clots, OU coach Lincoln Riley said Sunday. Riley said doctors discovered blood clots two or three weeks ago, which forced the Midwest City product to spend a couple nights in the hospital.
“We do fully anticipate to have him back here in the future,” Riley said. “We’ve got to make sure that that’s completely under control with the obvious severity of a complication like that.”
McKinney, Thompson, Sylvie out for season, Basquine to return
Prentice McKinney, Chanse Sylvie and Michael Thompson will miss the season because of various injuries.
Riley said McKinney, a senior safety, had shoulder surgery midsummer, and he wasn’t responding to rehab well, so he is going to remain out. Thompson, another true freshman defensive lineman, tore his ACL and had surgery in June. Riley said Sylvie, a junior safety, is doing great recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered in May.
Although the Sooners have lost the three players before the season, receiver Nick Basquine is expected to make his return from a right Achilles tear he suffered earlier this year.
“He has really responded well this summer,” Riley said. “We’ve been cautious with him in some regard, but he has been able to do a majority of our strength and conditioning activities. We fully expect him to be full-go Aug. 3.
Riley expects big things from Lamb
CeeDee Lamb knows he has another level.
The sophomore wide receiver hauled in 46 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman, but he said he wasn’t at 100 percent after being injured against Iowa State. Riley said he expects Lamb to catch on quickly with whatever quarterback trots out against Florida Atlantic and that he has big expectation for Lamb.
“It’s more about him taking the next step as a player,” Riley said.
Norwood, Motley looking to show off summer improvements
Parnell Motley wants to get on the field.
Tre Norwood is ready to show his new figure.
Motley and Norwood have each worked this offseason to fit defensive coordinator Mike Stoops’ vision for an aggressive defense. Motley said he has worked on blossoming into a vocal leader while pressing himself to become smarter on the field. Norwood has put on some weight this offseason. He said he has added about 10 pounds, but is looking to become even bigger.
Stoops said OU is going to play more nickel, and Norwood and Motley are enjoying the defensive focus.
Cody Ford sticking at tackle
The Sooners have offensive line depth, and Cody Ford is giving Riley and coach Bill Bedenbaugh additional options.
Riley said Ford would remain at tackle after spending time there during the spring. Ford started four games at left guard last season and could secure a starting position before the season opener. OU hasn’t released a depth chart, but Riley said Ford is a dominant factor in the run game if he can move on the edge.
Defensive linemen praise Bennie Wylie
Time in the weight room is different than a season ago.
Neville Gallimore and Kenneth Mann praised strength and conditioning coach Bennie Wylie. They said the only thing about workouts and conditioning that is similar to what it was before Wylie arrived in Norman is the time at which the team does it.
“He has helped us become more athletic,” Mann said. “It’s challenging but everyone has improved.”