Sooners’ depth chart settles safety questions
Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said Monday he would wait to release a depth chart because of so many position battles continuing.
“We could put “or” on there 50 times, but that doesn’t help you guys a ton,” Riley said then.
The Sooners released a depth chart Thursday, ahead of Saturday’s season opener against Florida Atlantic (11 a.m., Fox), and there were still plenty of either/or scenarios.
Instead of “or” on the chart 50 times, it’s on there 10 — including at center, the offensive tackle spots, weakside linebacker and at the jack linebacker spot.
Safety, though, is not one of those spots.
Redshirt freshman Justin Broiles, who has been one of the talks of camp on the defensive side, is listed as the starter at strong safety with senior Kahlil Haughton the starter at free safety. Broiles is backed up by Jordan Parker with Haughton playing ahead of Robert Barnes.
Bob Stoops on double duty this weekend
Iowa is honoring its 1983 coaching staff this weekend, and it's a who's who of the sport.
Hayden Fry was the head man. Kirk Ferentz, the longest-tenured coach in college football, was on the staff. As were Bill Snyder and Barry Alvarez — legends of Kansas State and Wisconsin.
There was also a fairly notable graduate assistant: Bob Stoops.
Stoops flew to Iowa City on Thursday for festivities around the event, but it'll be a short trip.
The former OU coach had to decline an invitation to be an honorary captain at Iowa’s 2:30 p.m. game Saturday against Northern Illinois.
“I was anticipating us having a night game,” Stoops said of OU’s
11 a.m. kickoff against Florida Atlantic. “And I would be able to participate in that and then still get back for our game, but that didn’t happen. I’m coming back first thing in the morning Saturday to make sure I’m here for our game.”
Stoops might get to see his son Drake play for the Sooners. The walk-on true freshman appears on the depth chart at H receiver.
Quotable
Parnell Motley, Sooners’ cornerback, on sophomore linebacker Kenneth Murray:
“He has an edge about him. You’ve seen him mature and get older. You see the leadership and authority about him. That spot at linebacker, he’s the guy that knows the whole defense. It’s good to see him with that edge.”