The Football Brainiacs

Image via OU Football Facebook

As many of you are aware, Oklahoma scrimmaged this morning and I’m continuing to work on tracking down some notes on what went down. Once I get something substantial, I’ll either post it here or in tomorrow’s Open Post. But I did speak with a few sources earlier about yesterday’s indoor practices, and some of what I heard prompted me to want to discuss some of the freshman on this team that could have an impact on the coming season.

– AD Miller: For some time now Miller is a guy I’ve heard about quite a bit in practices. He’s a tall, long guy that has good speed but unlike some of the other ‘big’ receivers on OU’s roster, Miller has that ability to make a sudden stop and come back to the ball. I have been told his route running ability is the most advanced of all the freshman.

* We told you yesterday about Miller hurting his ankle during on Tuesday and having to sit out the remainder of practice that day. I have also since been told Miller was held out of Wednesday’s practice as well. My assumption is he was also held out of Thursday’s scrimmage, but I am working to confirm that.

– Dahu Green: Like Miller, Green has good speed as well (though not quite on the same level as Miller). However, Green appears to be particuarly adept in using his hands to keep the more physical DBs off as compared to some of his other teammates.

* I was told Green spent some time rotating in with the 1’s a little this week, but that was likely do to a number of guys missing time and/or being held out (as we’ve mentioned was the case). Related – I was told that as of last night Dede Westbrook had still yet to rejoin the team. I plan to follow up with some people, though, to see if he made it back for Thursday’s scrimmage.

– Kahlil Haughton: Another guy we have spoken highly of for some time on the site, and not surprisingly Haughton has also drawn a considerable amount of praise publicly from the OU coaching staff as well. So it was fitting that I heard something rather interesting yesterday regarding Haughton.

* Evidently he has been playing quite a bit of nickel of late. It would seem, as of now, he has taken over Will Johnson’s spot as the 2nd team nickel.

* Somewhat related, I have been told Hatari Byrd continues to have some assignment struggles.

* How are those two things connected? I can’t be certain, but I get the sense the coaches may be working to develop Haughton as a nickel. So that if need be, they can move Steven Parker back to strong safety in the nickel package — which could very well serve as their primary base defense this season — and then move Ahmad Thomas back to free safety.

* As of right now, however, it continues to be Parker at nickel, with Thomas and Byrd at safety. Meanwhile in the base defense (i.e. four DBs) it’s Thomas and Parker at safety. But again, I’m told that Haughton has been playing a lot of 2nd team nickel lately. If he can play that position competently, it could be a way to get the freshman on the field as a cover guy and get Parker back to SS.

– Marquise Overton: Overton was a guy we mentioned last week who had really come on and had even probably passed Neville Gallimore on the depth chart. That was confirmed during the week with Bob Stoops singling out Overton’s strong play in practice.

* I spoke with someone regarding Overton yesterday, and was told that he is primarily running with the 2’s but is getting 1st team reps at times.

* He is a guy who has made significant strides during camp. One source mentioned that on the first day of camp – “he didn’t look good” but he has continued to develop and show off his quickness and ability to use his hands. While Matt Romar and Jordan Wade are still ahead of Overton, the fact he’s taking any first team reps would seem to indicate he may actually see the field this year.

– PJ Mbanasor: Yet another guy we’d heard good things about for most of the summer. Mbanasor has been running as a back up to Jordan Thomas throughout camp.

* I was told Thomas sat out yesterday (though it was not injury related) and apparently Mbanasor took all the 1st team snaps opposite Zack Sanchez.

* The expectation is that Mbanasor will play this season, which makes sense as he would almost assuredly be the first CB off the bench right now.

* I have been told he has played well throughout camp, but much like any true freshman corner he’s had his fair share of ups and downs.

– Dru Samia: I’ll be transparent here. I’m not an offensive line guy, so when I ask my sources about the OL it typically involves something to the effect of “how’s the offensive line look?” I rarely ask about a specific player. But Bill Bedenbaugh spoke so highly of him with the media earlier this week, and shortly thereafter I was told Samia had even spent some time at a couple different spots with the first team offense.

* Another freshman, albeit redshirt, Orlando Brown could be in line to open the season as the starter at left tackle, so it’s difficult for me to see OU going with two first-year players at each respective tackle spot. That said, it sure seems as though Samia has a very good chance of playing as a true freshman even if it is, barring injury, more so from a depth standpoint.