Five big takeaways from Sooner preseason camp
NORMAN — It's showtime. Preseason camp is the final rehearsal for college football teams as they prepare for the upcoming season. It's a chance for players to polish their game and carve out roles on the squad, but now it's time to perform.
With Oklahoma set to kick off its season at Tulane on Sept. 4, here are five things we learned from fall camp, starting with the Sooners' deepest position group — defensive line.
Isaiah Thomas and Perrion Winfrey are two of the brightest stars in the group, but there are a number of other players who hope to make an impact this season.
Among those players is Jalen Redmond, a redshirt sophomore who tallied a team-high 61⁄ sacks in 2019 before opt
2 ing out of last season. He should start at defensive tackle for the Sooners this time around, but the list of contributors doesn’t end there.
LaRon Stokes is a redshirt senior who brings plenty of experience at nose guard. Then there’s Josh Ellison and Jordan Kelley, a pair of juniors who received some praise from head coach Lincoln Riley in the spring.
“Both those guys have really taken some nice steps this spring, and they both had really good spring practices,” Riley said. “(I’ve) been proud of the way those guys performed.”
That’s six players who are expected to carve out a role this season, and defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux expects a few more to throw their hat in the ring.
“We feel like we are close to 7-8 guys who can go into a game inside and not only take reps but make plays,” Thibodeaux said. “That’s been awesome going into fall camp. We have some depth, we have some talent and we have experience… It’s very competitive in the room and they are trying to make every rep count.”
Sooners’ success could hinge on its offensive line
OU’s defensive line is arguably its biggest strength, but there are some question marks on the other side of the trenches.
The departure of star center Creed Humphrey, who took home the Big 12 Conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Year award twice, is as big of a loss as any this offseason. Throw in the departure of second-team All-Big 12 selection Adrian Ealy, and the Sooners’ offensive line has holes to fill.
Andrew Raym has emerged as the guy to replace Humphrey. As a freshman last season, he played 61 offensive snaps last season, mostly at guard, and made the switch to center this offseason.
“Really, he’s got every tool,” offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh said. “He’s got every trait to be an elite center. He’s got the size, the athleticism and the smarts. He’s really, really working at it.”
OU’s offense has plenty of firepower with the likes of Spencer Rattler and Co., but it’ll only be as good as the offensive line allows it to be this season.
Carries are up for grabs in the backfield
It was no secret heading into fall camp that new guys had to deliver in OU’s backfield.
With the dismissals of Seth McGowan and Mikey Henderson, the Sooners were left to lean on Tennessee transfer Eric Gray and Kennedy Brooks for the bulk of their run production.
That left some backup carries for the taking, but the list of candidates grew shorter on Tuesday when Sooner Scoop reported that redshirt sophomore Marcus Major had been ruled ineligible for the 2021 campaign due to an academic issue.
Gray and Brooks should be the two main workhorses, but the door is open for another running back to carve out a role.
According to multiple reports Thursday, LSU transfer Tre Bradford is no longer with the team, further depleting the Sooners’ depth at running back.
Cornerback corps still needs time
OU took a big hit at corner this offseason when Tre Brown entered the 2021 NFL Draft.
This left some major shoes to fill, and cornerbacks coach Roy Manning believes that process could bleed into the upcoming season.
“We’re a long way off,” Manning said. “That’s just the reality of it... The majority of my guys don’t have a ton of snaps.”
The Sooners have the pieces to put the puzzle together, though.
D.J. Graham is a sophomore who made quick strides last season after making the move from wide receiver in high school, and redshirt sophomore Woodi Washington worked his way into the starting lineup by delivering in key moments.
Justin Harrington and Latrell McCutchin are also set to make their OU debut. Harrington is a 6-foot-2 redshirt junior with good speed and size, while McCutchin is a 6-foot-1 freshman who has impressed during fall camp in his limited reps.
Throw in Jaden Davis, a junior who started in six games last season, and there are a number of cornerbacks competing for reps this season.
It’s championship or bust
From everything OU’s staff and players have said during fall camp, it’s clear that the Sooners are aiming for a national championship this season.
And while that aspiration is no different from previous years, this group is as capable of turning that dream into a reality as any Sooners squad in the Riley Era.
OU still has questions that need answering as it enters this season, but it has the weapons on both sides of the ball to make a legitimate run at a title.