Open Post | Weekend, August 26th – 28th
Posted on: August 26, 2022
Weird Update | ’23 WR Anthony Evans
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 24, 2022
CJ had a strange trip down to Converse Judson today.
He went down to get some final intel on ’23 WR Anthony Evans, as I mentioned we would have some more info on him in the next 24 hours yesterday.
Anthony seemed open to chatting and they did chat briefly, but he was hurried off by the staff who didn’t seem to want him speaking to media.
We don’t really know what to take from that. CJ was there to get a story on OU. We do not know if the staffs reluctance to allow Anthony to speak is a reflection of their feeling towards either of the schools in the race or what.
It was particularly unusual because CJ had the trip scheduled prior and cleared with the staff, and he let them know that he was coming for the OU story.
We haven’t come across a situation like this before.
At this point, we are just going to sit this one out and watch what happens with the rest of you in the community.
Obviously, we would love to stand firm and say it is going OU’s way, but with today’s incident and the Cale Gundy situation prior to that, it is tough to get an accurate read without speaking directly to the player face to face.
We haven’t come across this situation before so we don’t really know what it means.
Kudos to CJ for getting down there and giving it an effort.
What Could go Wrong?
– Super K – Posted on: August 24, 2022
Aside from injuries or the possibility of the team’s talent not being quite as good as we expect, it’s hard to surmise what could derail this team? What could keep them from having a big season?
Most of you know that I have been bullish on the Sooners from early on in Venables hiring. A lot of it was based on the fact that many of the things I wanted to see changed and done differently by the previous staff, were being done by Venables.
But, I’ve tried to play the contrarian to myself and I just can’t seem to crack my own argument.
Everything we’ve heard indicates that the team is…
***More accountable to their coaches and one another.
***There is more cohesiveness between the players.
***They have worked harder than they ever did under the previous regime.
***They are faster and stronger than they previously were and their body development in terms of what is needed on the field has improved.
***Their diets have improved.
***The attention to detail has improved.
***The tackling and physicality has been a point of emphasis which helps both sides of the ball.
***They have, thankfully, avoided injuries.
***They have clear team leadership.
***They’ve had no off the field player issues.
***And the Sooners didn’t even have any notable attrition to the transfer portal.
***And in fact, they managed the off-season roster very well, it seems.
It just all feels like a recipe for great success, this season.
But again, I’m trying to poke holes in my own position. What might I be missing outside of possible injuries and a possible overestimation of talent?
TFB Player Power Rankings
– James Hale – Posted on: August 24, 2022
Player Power Rankings
Watching practice, OU is a well-oiled machine.
Coach Venables is on that megaphone, constantly barking out instructions and the team running from drill to drill. Just how good will be determined, but I think OU is very good and should be the favorite to win the Big 12 Championship and could be a contender for the College Football Playoff.
Here is how I see view each side of the ball and how each player that I feel will play at some point this season stacks up in regard to importance to the team and their talent level at this time in my first TFB Player Power Rankings.
OFFENSE:
1. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Jr, 5’11, 204
2. Marvin Mims, WR, Jr, 5’11, 184
3. McKade Mettauer, OG, Jr, 6’4, 313
4. Eric Gray, RB, Sr, 5’10, 211
5. Jalil Farooq, WR, So, 6’1, 206
6. Anton Harrison, OT, Jr, 6’5, 315
7. Theo Wease, WR, Jr, 6’3, 200
8. Brayden Willis, TE/HB, Sr, 6’4, 239
9. Andrew Raym, OC, Jr, 6’4, 312
10. Chris Murray, OG, Sr, 6’2, 300
11. Wayna Morris, OT, Sr, 6’6, 305
12. Zach Schmit, PK, So, 5’10, 187
13. Daniel Parker, TE/HB, Sr, 6’2, 249
14. Marcus Major, RB, Jr, 6’0, 219
15. Drake Stoops, WR, Sr, 5’10, 191
16. Robert Congel, OL, Sr, 6’4, 325
17. Jayden Gibson, WR, Fr, 6’5, 192
18. LV Bunkley-Shelton, WR, So, 5’11, 198
19. Tyler Guyton, OT, So, 6’7, 315
20. Jovantae Barnes, RB, Fr, 6’0, 201
21. Gavin Sawchuk, RB, Fr, 5’11, 185
22. Jason Llewellyn, TE, Fr, 6’5, 254
23. Jacob Sexton, OT, Fr, 6’6, 308
24. Jake Taylor, OG, Fr, 6’6, 293
25. JJ Hester, WR, So, 6’4, 196
26. Nic Anderson, WR, Fr, 6’4, 204
27. Savion Byrd, OT, So, 6’5, 278
28. Kyle Ergenbright, OG, Sr, 6’5, 305
29. Nate Anderson, OC, So, 6’4, 298
30 Trevon West, WR, Jr, 5’11, 178
31. Brey Walker, OG, Sr, 6’7, 359
32. Kasey Kelleher, LS, Sr, 5’11, 228
33. Nick Evers, QB, Fr, 6’3, 186
34. Bentavious Thompson, RB, Sr, 6’0, 190
35. Tawee Walker, RB, So, 5’9, 217
36. Aaryn Parks, OT, So, 6’4, 291
37. Brian Darby, WR, Jr, 6’0, 207
38. Gavin Freeman, WR, Fr, 5’8, 169
DEFENSE:
1. Woodi Washington, CB, Jr, 5’11, 193,
2, Jalen Redmond, DT, Jr, 6’3, 298
3, Ethan Downs, DE, So, 6’4, 263
4. Key Lawrence, S, Jr, 6’1, 204
5. Jeffrey Johnson, NT, Sr, 6’2, 313
6. Billy Bowman, So, So, 5’10, 190
7. Reggie Grimes, DE, So, 6’4, 273
8. DaShaun White, LB, 6’0, 218
9. David Ugwoegbu, LB, SR, 6’4, 237
10. Danny Stutsman, LB, So, 6’4, 238
11. Justin Harrintgon, NB/Safety, Sr, 6’3, 208
12. Jaden Davis, CB, Sr, 5’10, 179
13. Jonah Laulu, DE, Sr, 6’5, 271
14. D..J. Graham CB, Jr, 6’0, 195
15. Michael Turk, P, Sr, 6’0, 204
16) Marcus Stripling RE, Sr, 6’3, 241
17. Jaran Kanak, LB, Fr, 6’2, 221
18. Justin Broiles, NB, Sr, 5’11, 190
19. Isaiah Coe, NT, JR, 6’2, 304
20. Kori Roberson, DT, Jr, 6’3, 291
21. Jordan Kelley, NT, Sr, 6’4, 292
22. Josh Ellison, DT, Sr, 6’3, 297
23. Kendall Dennis, CB, So, 5’11, 185
24. Jordan Mukes, S, So, 6’1, 205
25. Trey Morrison, Sr, 5’9, 189
26. Joshua Eaton, CB, Sr, 6’1, 182
27. C..J. Caldon, Sr, 5’11, 179
28. Shane Whitter, Jr, 6’0, 225
29. Clayton Smith, RE, RdFr, 6’4, 231
30. Bryson Washington, So, 6’2, 185
31. Gentry Williams, CB, Fr, 6’0, 170
32) Jayden Rowe, CB, Fr, 6’2, 218
33. Kelvin Gilliam, DT, RdFr, 6’3, 293
34. Gracen Halton, DE, Fr, 6’2, 276
35. Alton Tarber, NT, Fr, 6’2, 327
36. Kani Walker, CB, So, 6’2, 202
37. Damond Harman, S, So, 6’0, 175
38. Kip Lewis, LB/NB, Fr, 6’1, 205
369 Kobie McKinzie, MLB, Fr, 6’2, 236
40. Robert Spears-Jennings, S, Fr, 6’1, 208
This is just an exercise in fun and based on my own opinion.
I am sure some will disagree where I have their favorite player ranked so be sure to drop your power poll in the comment section.
Position Group Progress Report | Preseason
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 25, 2022
Going to get out in front of the Position Group Progress Reports for the year and put together a preseason version.
This Progress Report will serve as a baseline for how I think each position group will perform throughout the year based on what we have heard and seen through the spring, summer, and fall camps.
I’m aiming to make a prediction on how I think the groups will look through the first few games rather than how they will grade out by the time the end of the season rolls around. Basically where they will start as opposed to where they will finish.
Let’s get to it!
QB: 4*
Dillon Gabriel appears to be the unquestioned leader of the offense.
Sooners offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby made Gabriel a priority even before he knew he necessarily needed a new QB. There is a reason for that as the pair have a history and have worked well together in the past.
Last year, when Caleb Williams was delaying the inevitable (his portalling) I repeatedly said ‘I believe Dillon Gabriel would be the best option at QB for OU no matter what Caleb Williams decides to do’ and I meant that. I based that on his experience and his familiarity with the Lebby offense.
I did not mean, and I still do not mean, that Gabriel has a higher ceiling at the QB position that Caleb Williams does…I just fully believe he would have been the better option for OU to start the year at QB based on his past and his familiarity and comfort with the Lebby offense coupled with the learning curve that would have been in front of Williams who would only be a sophomore.
I think Gabriel comes out of the gate locked in and ready to go and lives up to a 4* ranking at the very least.
RB: High 3*
OU has 4* talent across the board, I am just a bit hesitant to start them at a 4* at the beginning of the year as I want to see the rotation and how the backs respond to their first live go in Lebby’s offense.
The offensive scheme should benefit all of the backs in the stable. Eric Gray has been talked about as the leader of this room both on and off the field and I expect him to be the early season workhorse.
Behind him you have guys on scholarship who have talent but have really yet to prove anything in Marcus Major, Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk.
Then you have a pair of interesting transfer walkons in Tawee Walker and Beano Thompson who will look to get in on the action and they provide quality depth at the very least.
This is one group that could see their ranking rise rapidly after the start of the season, I just have to see how it plays out.
WR/TE: 3*
The wide receiver room has been the most disappointing room over the last two years on the progress reports.
Over the past two seasons, you have seen Marvin Mims have his moments and Drake Stoops be steady…but aside from that, it really has been a disappointing bunch.
Guys weren’t able to get separation, they experienced a lot of drops (2020 in particular) and really just looked like a pedestrian group.
OU brings some production back in Mims, Stoops, Willis and Wease, but it is the new guys that really make things interesting. The Sooners lost Jadon Haselwood and Mario Williams to the transfer portal but they brought in some transfers and a very promising freshman duo.
The ceiling on this room actually went up with the addition of JJ Hester, LV Bunkley Shelton, Jayden Gibson and Nic Anderson. The future is bright with the freshman and the transfers are quality but…it is a returning guy who broke out in the bowl game who has many people excited.
Jalil Farooq had a terrific bowl game against Oregon and he has been receiving great reviews the entire offseason.
The talent is there. Does new coaching and a new scheme help break this group out of their issues from the past two seasons? We will see.
OL: 4*
No more excuses. Period. End of discussion.
This is Bedenbaughs most talented group, on paper, since the finished product of the Joe Moore line. It has more stars from the ranking services than lines of the glory years and Jerry Schmidt is back in town to take over the S&C program from Billy Blanks who was just not a good fit for offensive linemen (or really football players in general).
Some people in the fan base have been questioning Bedenbaugh and wondering if he has lost his touch. This is his opportunity to silence the doubters as he chose to stay in Norman rather than head west with the former staff.
We have been hearing about a return of the alpha mentality to the offensive line that seemed to have left the program when Schmidty headed to College Station for a few years. We know the talent that is in the room. They have a chance to be really good. Will they put it all together? That is the question.
I start them as a 4* based on my belief in Bedenbaugh and Schmidty, paired with a simpler scheme upfront which should allow the big fellas to grind and attack. With the lofty ranking comes high expectations and it will be interesting to track.
I think you find out a lot about this group from snap one of game one and the needle will shift one way or the other following the UTEP game.
DL: High 3*
This is a difficult group to rank preseason. I went from a ranking of High 2* to where I landed at a High 3*.
I would have set the opening bar at a high 2* if Todd Bates and Miguel Chavis were not in town because when I look at the talent that was lost (Thomas/Bonitto/Winfrey) I question if OU has the guys ready to fill those rolls. Then I shift to bringing in Bates and I have to put stock in the fact that OU now employs one of, if not the top, DL coaches in the country and that has to count for something.
To help alleviate the losses of personnel from last year’s squad, the Sooners brought in a couple of important transfers in Jeffery Johnson and Jonah Laulu. Also, Jerry Schmidt could play a big role in getting this group back up to speed earlier than I expected.
Did the work guys like Ethan Downs, Reggie Grimes, Marcus Stripling and Isaiah Coe do in the offseason elevate their games? Are guys like Jordan Kelley, Josh Ellison, Clayton Smith, and Kori Roberson ready to become guys who make plays rather than guys who give other guys breathers? Can Jalen Redmond stay healthy? We will see.
LB: Low 4*
There is a lot of talent in this room. Plain and simple.
This is Brent Venables jam. He is the best LB coach in the country…plus I mean, this is technically Ted Roofs room so you have that going for you.
While there is a ton of talent…half of it is brand new and inexperienced, so that is a bit of a concern.
David Ugwoebu and Danny Stutsman will be the headliners to start the year and DaShaun White will try to carve out a role as a hybrid/sam/sometimes WILL guy. Stutsman and Ugwoegbu have received constant high remarks from sources and there is a lot of optimism around White and his role. After that, it is all about potential.
Shane Whitter is still in town, and while he has had a pretty quiet offseason, you can’t help but think he will have his moments this year. Then you have the freshman trio of Kobie McKinzie, Jaren Kanak, and Kip Lewis who all have very high ceilings and I expect them all to get their feet wet at the very least. While the backups are young, I expect them to be much further along than many other freshmen across the country.
DB: 3*
This unit is all about possibilities.
If the starting unit is CB Washington, S Lawrence, S Bowman, NB Harrington, CB Davis (Which is the group I would go with) you have only one guy who was the starter at his same position last year (Washington) to start the year.
This is a unit that could swing wildly…either way…but I think the ceiling is higher than any other group on this progress report. You will have guys at every position who COULD develop into NFL guys…which is a pretty big swing for OU.
The safeties are relatively inexperienced but they have a much higher level of athleticism than last year’s group. Like night and day difference when it comes to athleticism.
The corners have a new coach in Jay Valai who is a guy who actually knows how to coach corners as opposed to a linebacker coach who masquerades as a CB coach who tried to make his guys better by yelling at them and making cringy videos. Not only will the Sooners roll out talent at the corner spots to start the game, but they are also deep with potential. Eaton, Graham Coldon, Dennis, Rowe and Gentry are all guys who could be starters on other P5 teams.
Safety depth is a bit thin and also unproven still, but there is talent stacked there as well in Morrison, Mukes, Harmon, Washington, Burt, and RSJ and Justin Broiles is a guy who can play multiple different spots with a lot of experience.
The specialists will be graded after the first game but your punter gets a 5*!
