Radley-Hiles is ‘on cusp of breaking out’
NORMAN — Brendan Radley-Hiles, better known as “Bookie,” was Oklahoma’s most-talked about freshman in fall camp, and that talk has transitioned into Radley-Hiles being one of three Sooner true freshmen to have played in all four games.
Radley-Hiles is seventh on the team with 19 tackles, but his transformation from a prized prospect to a productive defender is still in progress.
“He’s been eager,” coach Lincoln Riley said. “He’s almost been, at times, so eager to make big plays that he’s having to learn to let the game come to him a little bit right now.”
Radley-Hiles has been Oklahoma’s full-time starter at nickelback, and though he’s yet to be made available for interviews, his on-field personality has been as noticeable as his physical traits.
As opposing teams jog from the visitor’s locker room at OU onto the field for pregame warmups, Radley-Hiles stands near the west sideline to greet them — presumably doing his fair share of jawing.
Matching his big personality, Riley called Radley-Hiles a “big play kind of guy.”
“He’s going to do some things through the year that are going to wow people,” Riley said. “He’s right on the cusp of breaking out and playing really well for us right now.”
Third chance at Hurd
Baylor receiver Jalen Hurd is no stranger of the Sooners, and vice versa.
Before transferring to Baylor, Hurd was a star tailback at Tennessee where he twice faced Oklahoma.
Hurd, as a freshman, rushed for 97 yards against OU in 2014.
A year later in Knoxville, Tennessee, he tallied 109 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The former 6-foot-4 and 240-pound back has evolved into a 217-pound receiver.
He has 22 receptions for 311 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Hurd’s transfer and decision to switch positions was influenced by the longer careers NFL receivers enjoy compared to running backs.
Expect Hurd to line up in a number of positions Saturday against the Sooners.
“They play him a little bit at running back, but he's moved into the slot,” defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. “It's a big body. He moves around well. He has good mobility in there for a guy that's played running back.”
Injury update
Oklahoma was without a trio of key defensive players last Saturday — defensive tackle Marquise Overton, defensive end Tyreece Lott and cornerback Tre Brown — but all three are expected to play against Baylor.
Stoops confirmed that they’ve all practiced this week.
Brown missed just one game, but Lott and Overton have been sidelined since the season opener.