Sooners still seeking a primary kick returner
NORMAN — While receiver Marvin Mims figures to be the Sooners’ primary punt returner after handling those duties a year ago, with Drake Stoops backing him up, there’s much more uncertainty as to who will handle the kick return duties.
“I’m not sure we won’t try a few guys once we get into the season,” OU coach Lincoln Riley said. “It’s a little bit of a tough one to simulate. Most of the time you don’t have a lot of live tackling on kickoffs and kickoff returns in fall camp and we’re not much different there.
"We won’t go to the ground on that. Some of that will be getting guys out there in a game scenario and seeing what they can do.”
Riley said a few of the possibilities there included D.J. Graham, Billy Bow
man, Eric Gray, Mario Williams and Jalil Farooq.
“I think some of it will be — get in a game, see how they react, who's coming out of tackles, who really hits it and can see and understand our return schemes,” Riley said.
Charleston Rambo, who transferred to Miami, handled the majority of kick returns for the Sooners last season, with Tre Brown (NFL), T.J. Pledger (transfer) and Mims getting chances there as well.
Fletcher's Corny Dogs comes to OU
Big Tex isn't about to cross the Red River, but another of the biggest draws to the State Fair of Texas is.
Fletcher's Original Corny Dogs, the standard-bearer for foods at the fair known for its edible excesses, is coming to OU home football games.
Fletcher's will have a stand on the east concourse at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, between sections 30 and 31, it was announced Friday.
In addition to the flagship product, the stand will also sell corn dogs with cheese, including one with jalapeno, turkey dogs, veggie dogs and a new allbeef dog made with brisket, as well as funnel cakes.
The “Corny Dog,” was introduced to the State Fair of Texas in 1942 by brothers Neil and Carl Fletcher. More than 500,000 of the treats are served annually at the fair.
‘Heartbreaking thing'
When Riley heard about the death of Western Carolina offensive line coach John Peacock earlier this month , he couldn't help but think about Peacock's family, and Catamounts coaches and players.
“It's heartbreaking,” Riley said Tuesday. “Obviously anybody but especially somebody that young. I understand he was about to be married. It's one of our brothers in the profession and it stings you, man. It does.”
Peacock, 32, died from complications of COVID-19, his fiancée told The Asheville Citizen-Times.
Riley said there have been discussions between he and athletic director Joe Castiglione about how to honor Peacock when the Sooners host Western Carolina on Sept. 11.
“As a head coach, honestly you think about it more than maybe as an assistant because, maybe not for health of whatever, you feel responsible for every single person here,” Riley said. “It hits you different. They've been in my thoughts and prayers. Joe and I have visited about that possibility and will continue to do so.
“It's a heartbreaking thing.”
Schafer transitioning to new role
While Tanner Schafer remains on OU's roster, and on scholarship, the former walk-on quarterback's playing days appear to be done.
Schafer wasn't working out with the quarterbacks during recent portions of practice which were open to the media.
“He's kind of serving as a little bit of a mentor to our guys,” Riley said. “He's able as a player to do some things with our younger quarterbacks to help bring them along. He's got a desire to potentially coach down the line so I thought that could be a good situation for everybody.”
Schafer has played in three games during his five seasons at OU, going 3for-5 passing for 18 yards against UTEP in 2017, playing in the 2018 season opener vs. Florida Atlantic and then wrapping up his career by playing the final series of the Cotton Bowl win over Florida to end last season.