Open Post | Thursday, Jun. 18th (UPDATE 4:42 pm)
Posted on: June 18, 2015
Image via the Tulsa World
– Tre Brown: If you weren’t already aware, the 2017 OK Preps class is strong. I’d even go so far as to say very strong. 2017 CB Tre Brown (Tulsa Union) recently camped at Louisville and was rewarded with his first offer. There is no doubt the Sooners are also very interested in the lightning fast CB. – (Super K)
– Team News: I’m beginning to hear some names emerge from summer workouts and/or 7-on-7 sessions. And we pass these notes along with the requisite, but necessary, qualifier that it’s just summer workouts and/or 7-on-7. So no one here is saying so-and-so is going to be a superstar based on a couple second-hand reports from some non-contact offseason drills.
It’s slow (obviously) and info is sparse. And we want to share with you what we can, when we can. That has always been, and will continue to be, our policy.
So, with that said here is some of what we’ve heard.
One of the names I heard about this week was true freshman safety, Kahlil Haughton. Was told by a source yesterday, “don’t be surprised to see him get some playing time this season.” Apparently he had a pick six this week in a 7-on-7.
I know it’s getting repetitive but Dede Westbrook, Dede Westbrook, Dede Westbrook. We just continue to hear his name time and time again. And again this week with Westbrook being someone who has been very difficult for even OU’s top cover guys to handle according to what we’ve been told.
Have also heard that PJ Mbanasor is a guy who, early on thus far, is making quite an impression and could very well be another true freshman that may see the field this season. – (Super K)
– UPDATE (3:08 pm): OU @ Tennessee game will be playing under the lights.
5 p.m. CT kickoff set for Sept. 12 game at Tennessee and will air on ESPN. More: http://t.co/VzIq0kHmFV pic.twitter.com/PXOkeVEGry
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) June 18, 2015
– UPDATE (4:42 pm): OU’s top 2016 RB target, Devwah Whaley, will be visiting Texas this weekend per TFB Texas’ Andrew King.
274 Comments
1st
Boomer freakin’ Sooner!
Westbrook being difficult for our guys to handle is good, but our guys couldn’t handle many WR’s last year so I’ll wait and see. But I am excited to see him play.
Fair enough but Sanchez, Parker and JT are no slouches in coverage.
Sanchez and Parker yes. But if we are being honest Jordan Thomas got beat like a drum last year.
But he a true freshman, so ill give him a pass.
I recall a time last season where JT got put on an island against almighty SEC talent and went all kinds of Derrick Strait on the moment. Just saying, he flashed all conference potential last season IMO.
I love Haughton, loved his film has the ability to see a play before the ball is snapped. Still hope we don’t have to use him much this season but would be nice to get him some experience.
Great stuff!
I watched one of the USA vs Canada games and Haughton had a few big hits and a pick. Excited about this whole freshman secondary for the next few years.
8th
Really excited to watch OU at Tennessee too see what this team is really a about.
I am watching last years game as we speak and feel the same way. Did you know they had a lot of ‘freshmen’ playing last year???? (sarcasm)
Don’t even know if I will watch that game because according to the experts at the “TULSA WORLD” Tennessee should beat OU pretty easily! (sarcasm ROFLMAO! I think it will be a good game and I am excited as well!)
It wasn’t the TW. They shared a story from a TENN website.
I swear posters must have an “OP Alert App” on their phones or something. I turn from my pc for a split second and BOOM, OP is up and there’s 10 comments already.
haha it’s prob a twitter thing 🙂
Well, there’s your problem, you turn away from your PC.
I have to…or my boss will REALLY think I’m not work.
Like he doesnt know already. Excuses excuses hahahahaha
What’s your boss’ handle on TFB? Your boss is on here too.
Slacker! When Bob Edwards turns from his computer and then comes back, there is an offer to one recruit and a commit from another. While I appreciate you turning away from your computer and thereby causing an OP… I prefer Bob’s commit. You’re gonna have to step up your TFB game. Come on, man, the team needs your best.
What about the QB’s? Who looks the best
Well I was told the pick 6 was thrown by Baker. Will ask around about the QBs and report back.
You sure it wasnt Knight? Pick 6 and Knight usually go hand in hand
Yep, but there is a reason Baker went from starter to 4th team transfer at TT.
Hate it, but we are QB-challenged, I’m afraid.
It’s still unclear to me how much of that was the QB and how much of that was on the receivers. Yes, TK made a lot of bad throws, but perhaps if he wasn’t having to hit such a tight window he might not have had to press so much.
Trevor Knight had trouble hitting open receivers and even throwing the side slants
TK’s field vision is poor, and he stares down receivers so it’s not difficult for DBs to read his throws. He had one great game vs Bama, but it appears that we captured lightning in a bottle that night…and the lid was flimsy
This is true. If you look back at the Bama game WR were open. Bester, Shep, Jalen. Still the pick sixes.
I don’t understand where all of this “starter to 4th team” stuff comes from. Wasn’t he the starter up until the moment he got hurt, then never really got to play much again? If you’re starting, you’re not 4th team! He was obviously deemed the best QB on the squad at the time he got hurt.
I can’t recall for certain but I believe he was pulled in the game against TCU and didn’t return. I think he was a true freshman at the time. Hard for many folks to move the ball effectively on TCU’s secondary though
I just remember hearing his dad say that he lost his starting job due to an injury. I wasn’t really paying much attention to the TTU QB situation at the time so I have no real recollection on my own.
He went down with injury, Webb played decently in that stretch for a game or 2. Then Webb stunk it up and they went back to Mayfield with mixed results. Then the “no scholarship” saga began and Baker said “See ya’, OU here I come.”
That reason was nothing more than a childish coaching staff.
you’re cold Jason haha
The truth often is! I’m with SoonerinLondon, we are QB deficient right now, sad to say. If this year goes badly, Austin Kendall could become the first true freshman QB to start at OU under Stoops or at least be the first one with a realistic opportunity to do so assuming he’s as good as advertised. I think it’s a mistake if we don’t bring in 2 QBs this year, especially with Hansen transferring out.
You may be right, or we may all soon learn that we had the talent on campus all along and it wasn’t being coached up. I’ve still yet to hear a reasonable explanation for Landry’s plateau after Wilson departed.
For the last three years I’ve been around QB training in Texas at a high level. It’s interesting to listen to their take on things. That said, no QB could thrive in JH system last year & our WR’s lacked a lot to be desired. Not saying we have a Heisman but we have some good QBs.
Curious what you say when Brady, Manning, or any other superstar QB throws a pic 6. Guess they need to be replaced by the rookie.
Prolly nothing after 1 but after 3?
Manning threw 4 pic and 1 pic 6 in one game and it was the AFC championship again Brady. Well, I guess go bench him.
Well said Boom! Idk that it mattered who played last year JH looked lost and as he went so did the O they looked very lost and hence why we lost the games we did. D wasn’t great on the back side for sure but, the O really didn’t help matters. When Perine went down the O looked like a complete mess.
You want it to have been Knight. Don’t kid around…
I agree you may have wanted it to be TK!
Any chance baker doesn’t start based on what you’re hearing?
Yeah that is basically what I was asking as well. I know Bob hold Ball Security at a premium!
I’m pulling for tk. But if mayfield moves the ball up and down the field then I think we’ll be able to live with a couple bad throws.
K has heard that Baker pretty much has the spot wrapped up? When did this happen?
Also interested to know “IF” Mayfeild is clearly the best QB at running the offense but does throw a few picks if Bob will want to go back to Knight (or Thomas) because he takes care of the ball better. Seems like a Catch22 for Bob! Ball Security is vital but if the other guys don’t move the ball as well we may have to live with a few turnovers!
Knight doesn’t take care of the ball in games, with costly pix sixes. Thomas didn’t throw very well, completing under 50% with 4 ints and 2 TDs. It looks like it’s Baker or bust this season. They may have to live with his turnovers in favor of the production he brings.
I agree with your statement but also note that I believe he was a short leash as far as what they allowed him to do. Also Mayfield didn’t look so great in his only year at Tech as far as taking care of the ball and both picks in the spring game where ugly.
Not any one of the three has stood out. I think we lack enough information to make a reasoned and accurate assessment. Just like what happened with Halzle, Bradford, and Nichol everyone has their favorite and is making a case for that person. That’s a little backward, to determine a conclusion, then find information to support it.
I agree totally I was just making my statement that he is really ruling out TK when I don’t think it’s a forgone conclusion that Mayfield is the man and based off his assessment of why TK wasn’t right is my reason for saying yea well look at Mayfield at Tech. I just want what’s best for the team and all the young men involved really.
Yep. All the QBs are a year older and hopefully wiser. New QB coach may do wonders. Totally new Offensive scheme. As you said, we lack enough information due to these factors alone. I for one am optimistic that at least one of our QBs will shine this year.
As I said the other day, I think we will see a totally new starting QB this year. He may just be wearing the same number and face from one last year.
Interesting. Seems like you’ve got it worked out.
For what’s it worth from friends that I have in the area have said that Knight looks really comfortable in the new Offense and has the freedom to run when in trouble. The key to this IMO is that JH and Bob knew we really didn’t have a solid backup and wanted to keep him healthy. In retrospect also from my POV we recruited a athletic QB in hopes to run a spread option offense, but also what makes that successful is a QB that can throw first and read the D second and third really scramble when need to, now we all know that TK didn’t look so hot throwing the ball last year. In fact only game he has looked good was against BAMA, but, Mayfield was expected to be the savior and I will remind everyone he did throw what 9 picks his only season at Tech, and we know Bob is all about security so again IMO this does not bode so well for Mayfield. Boils down to if TK has really bought into this system and they have given him the free run to use his athletic ability to his full potential and perhaps Mayfield was brought in to push him and to be nothing more than an insurance policy, just thinking outloud.
This is hearsay isn’t it? I mean, practices are closed. Otherwise, TFB would have the scoop.
It very well may be. But the last part is all my thoughts on what I think could happen can happen I Knight plays well and has the leash cut on him. For what it’s worth.
My man PJ!!!!
I want to see this young man on the field as soon as he’s ready. A shut down corner changes everything.
As your listening, insert “PJ Mbanasor Mio” every time you hear ” Berry Pomegranate Mio”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FsZ6oI0vcQ
Excited about Haughton. I saw him in person at a track meet this year. He is much bigger than what I expected. If he can cover with his frame, with his apparent intelligence …
Myself and many others really felt he was the best safety OU signed last yr. He really is complete and comes from a program where he has to make a number of calls so his football IQ is up there. We aren’t talking about coming from an inner city school where they play man coverage all game.
The Midway track coaches echoed your sentiments, and only had great things to say about him. They were sad he didn’t sign with Baylor. BOOMER!
Great minds think a like, hello. I also believe those freshman WR will replace some veterans in year two.
That’s the part about him I anticipate to make him stand out- the football IQ and making calls for the defense. So many big 12 offenses have try to create confusion (different from having several plays from the same sets). Ahmed Thomas looked confused to often and was either late acting upon his keys or just late because he wasn’t sure what was happening. Not sure which safety spot he is gunning for but he and Parker are going to make noise sooner rather than later.
On another note: how do you think all this fresh talent coming in impacts Sanchez? I think he is a very good CB but not Jamaal Fleming or A Colvin levels. I hear talk about him staying one more year before declaring for the draft and am left wondering if people see things I am missing. Hopefully Sanchez isn’t content and these younger players push him to new levels.
My name for him is silk. To me, that’s how he moves after watching his film 10 times.
I love you guys dropping the “it’s just summer workouts” line, lol.
I definitely agree with that sentiment, but Team Notes are crack for TFB readers.
It’s like warning us to “keep our cool” right before you shoot us up with some adrenaline.
haha!
Necessary evil, IMO. I think most people are certainly smart enough to take this stuff w/ the necessary grain of salt, but that kind of qualifier isn’t really for those people.
It’s for the people who erroneously take TFB info elsewhere and misrepresent what was said. Now, admittedly, even including what we did won’t stop these people, but I feel like you still have to put it in there if for no other reason than a CYA type of deal.
Wish it didn’t have to be that way, but the message board know-it-all’s have made it a requirement, IMO.
So your saying it is necessary because of James Hale (oops! sorry didn’t mean to cuss on the site!)
haha, no. I’m more referring to the people on message boards, not those running them.
The anonymity of the Internet gives people a lot of courage to say things they probably wouldn’t normally, and tends to make people think they’re much smarter than they really are.
So they’ll take info from here and even they even bother to credit where they found it, in my experience it’s often only done so to try and impress their MB buddies by ridiculing it. All the while ignoring they’ve taken info from a FREE site to one they are paying for which has yet again failed to provide them the exact type of info they are paying for yet not getting.
But, hey, whatever floats your boat, right? 😉
Amen! A Bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush and it sure the heck beats one you got to go to Walmart and pay $6.95 a month for!
You always have your many pretenders. Then you have your few contenders. You guys at TFB are definitely the latter. Keep up the great work. OU ☝
Did somebody say crack?
Heard guys have been talking up Arthurn McGinnis as another true freshman that is impressing…
anything on the midwest city kid?
When I see the words, ‘Team News’, my heart leaps like a 13 year olds at a Justin ‘Beaver’ concert. Can’t thank you guys enough for the daily effort to feed the beast!
Nothing like a good “Leave it to (Justin) Beaver” comment!
Well I’m a Dallas Cowboys Fan (insert jokes here)! One thing I have LOVE about them the past year or so is that they have put a premium on Ball Control and Running the Ball down peoples throats! By doing this their defense went from ranked almost dead last in every category to being a middle of the road defense last year with just about the same personnel! I only mention this to say I think OU can learn from this and keep it in mind. We can have a top ranked offense that scores in under 2 minutes 4 or 5 times a game but that will only expose our defense to the field more and more! This can be dangerous or disastrous! I know scoring points is the number one priority of any offense but we have to be able to control the pace of the game as well and give our defense a chance. Turning our Defense into a turnover machine will also go a long was toward fixing it as well. These Big 12 offenses are to good to just try to stop them on downs all game long. Got to force turnovers, score points, and force them to be one dimensional. It seems like that is were we are headed with the new focus on the secondary and I am looking forward to this year as I am sure many of you are as well!
I’m still furious with the Cowboys’ front office over Demarco. I don’t care about money this or salary cap that, the man was the rushing champ of the NFL. Ok, enough ranting haha.
Since Rileys offense is not a ball control offense the only real way to offset that as far as Im concerned is to build up quality depth on defense. That way the d can almost play in shifts and be much fresher as the game goes along.
This offense will not be a ball-control offense, so figure another way to “help” the defense. With this offense and the competing ones in the Big 12, it may come down to which defense is the most successful gambling on turnovers. The 2000 – 2004 Mike Stoops “bend, but don’t break” defense will make Baylor have fewer possession, but insure that all of them are scores. Press cover, hit the QB, and hope not to give up too many long passes. But ANYTHING will be better than the Baylor, third quarter opening drive that looked like OU was still in the locker room!
Honestly, I feel like that was the problem during the Landry Jones years. We could certainly pass, but our rush game felt like an afterthough, which I feel really hurt our ability to control the ball and rest our D. If our O picks up this year (by which I mean QB play), I can see our D getting much better from that alone, not to mention more experience/talent in the secondary.
After Kevin Wilson left he never progressed in his development
The incoming freshman dbs are quite possibly the best we’ve sign in years really excited about this group
In the past 5 years we have had Aaron Colvin, Jamell Fleming, Demontre Hurst, Tony Jefferson, Julian Wilson at OU and all have moved on to the NFL! We have had a ton of talent roll through OU so I hope we become better at developing the talent and putting these guys in positions to succeed. As Super K has pointed out 1000 times, you can’t play 10 yards off the LOS on 3rd and 2 and hope to ever stop anyone. Excited about the new coaches and the possible changes they bring with them!
I agree with you completely
How can you compare Julian Wilson to Colvin, Fleming and Hurst?? Sorry I never saw the 3 above get lit up like Wilson did??
Just comparing them in the fact that they are all on NFL rosters which means they have some talent and saying we have had talent in the OU secondary for years just wasn’t developed very well!
And Dominique Franks.
I hear that Mittermeier will be reporting to campus at the end of June.
Do you think he red shirts his first season? OU has two or three red shirt freshmen at OT along with the upperclassmen.
I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t redshirt.
Right, and I think we’re looking at about 19 OL on the team with Quinn and we’re already 4 deep at OT.
depends on how quickly mittermeier learns the playbook and/or out performs some already on the roster……if he can help, play him !!
Last season OU had something of a passing game with Shepherd healthy. Westbrook AND Shepherd !!!!!!! Holy mole! If things click for Neal then that would be icing on the cake- and good icing not that waxy stuff.
Throw in Mark Andrews and LOOK OUt
“if things click for Neal” is a bit of a reach. he is what he is. it’s been 3 years now with zero, and I mean, zero improvement.
Never underestimate the effects a position coach change can have. It may or may not be Neal, but don’t be surprised if one or 2 of the receivers take a big step forward. New approach in teaching style, different ways of thinking, clean slate… all factors that may say a couple of guys break out well beyond anything we’ve seen from them before.
He was totally misused.
Don’t worry about sounding repetitive. I get super amped up every time yall hear that Westbrook is destroying people. The big 12 is glorified 7-on-7 anyway! 😉
Btw thanks for the team news!
thank you for reading!
Thanks K! but I kinda chuckled “Apparently he had a pick six this week in a 7-on-7.”
Did TK9 throw it?
But he’s my bet to start at FS by seasons end
No, Mayfield 🙂
Yeah, he worries me with INTs.
It seems we are just one good QB away from being a REALLY good football team.
One more lock down CB ( if you consider Sanchez to be lockdown ) would help as well.
Depends on how the OL gels. I would say that is an unknown at this point.
I think Cody Thomas should be the starter. I just cant believe what we saw last year is Cody’s true potential
The kid was rated way higher than the other QB’s currently on the roster, and he was playing in a similar offense to what Lincoln Riley runs in HS.
I think playing in that crappy offense last year damaged his confidence
I actually like Cody and was telling someone recently that he is my “darkhorse” bet to be the one QB to come out on top. Just a hunch.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he was the starter, either.
I’m not sure how you were rated in HS matters much. He now has a college “body of work” to judge. His performance in the spring did not indicate to me that he should be the starter.
Neither did Knight or Mayfield
Actually, Mayfield looked really good all spring. Just not so much at the Spring Game.
I’m not sure if he was just trying to impress or whatever but he just needs to complete passes to keep the chains moving.
actually, i am a qb watching guy. my son was qb in college and i’ve been to many qb camps and know ash and webb families. I looked at the spring passes only (never cared about the running plays) over and over. mayfield, if I recall, was 11-14 with 2 interceptions, or another way of putting it, completed 13 of 14 passes. both interceptions were 30-40 yds down the field, basically a punt. w/the one (that many have wrongly said he threw into triple coverage–fact is when a ball is in the air that long, other dbs leave their coverage to help–they were 3-5 yds away and were n/a factor in the play) but the wr has to learn to play defense and make sure that the db doesn’t intercept. On the other interception, also 35 yds down the field, kind of wierd how it happened keeping the wr from breaking up the pass.
Anyway, all that to say even with mayfield’s “bad” game, he completed 13 of 14 passes, 2 to the wrong guys, but his wrs have to help more in those situations, too. as vanilla as that offense was, w/the defense knowing every one of those plays, he didn’t play as badly as some charge, imo.
nothing personal but, interceptions don’t count as completions no matter how you spin it and its absolutely his fault for throwing a pass thats in the air long enough for DBs on different WRs to recover and make it over to help.
True, INTs don’t count as completions but if you read between the lines of what he was saying, I think his point is that in order to be intercepted, a pass has to NOT be thrown into the ground 10 feet in front of the receiver, nor airmailed 10 yards out of bounds… a la Knight. The 2 picks he threw were close enough to a receiver to be intercepted… something that could frequently not be said of TK9’s throws.
nothing personal taken. i explained the 2 were to the wrong guys (you have to admit they were completed to them which is what an interception is–it’s not an incomplete ball), but also explained the dbs coming over did not help–they weren’t there to make the play. they ran and ran but never were a part of the play. the play was between one wr and one db, n/like it was spun, into triple coverage. i have seen the play many times, went back and forth looking at it. i perhaps have watched the interceptions 30-40x.
When I say a qb throws into triple coverage I literally mean that there are 3 dbs there to make a play on the ball, n/a guy coming over to help where the pass is thrown.
on the other one, it could have been called pass interference and perhaps in a real game would have been. a safety ran into the wr cutting him in half w/o even trying to make a play on the ball. he mowed the wr down n/allowing the wr to make a play, or at the very least keep the db from catching the ball.
starters might catch either of those balls or at the very least keep them from being intercepted.
i saw a qb in the spring who didn’t look that bad in a glorified 7 on 7 game where the defense knew every play and the offense ran vanilla.
I guess we just have different views of this one 🙂
it doesn’t matter. Whatever way either of us thinks it will/should go isn’t going to change what happens this fall, so no big deal. UNLESS, they fire Riley and make either you or me the OC, then we could straighten out the offense. Until then, I doubt Riley listens to either of us.
This is right on.
I would say it’s Mayfield, Knight and Thomas in that order. I think the difference is noticeable but that’s just what it looks like to me.
He looked really poised when he came in for a series for Trevor. I think that was against K-State but I’m not sure. The Thomas we saw in later games did not look as poised or confident. I found that pretty odd, so I agree I don’t think it’s his true potential, but I want the best QB to start regardless of who it is.
being rated higher doesn’t mean he is or ever was a better QB. Those are ratings. only ratings. if we play QBs based upon their ratings, Bradford never starts nor gets drafted 1st.
I just told my brother the same thing! I have this weird feeling that being fully committed to football will help a ton.
I also knew some people that were non coaching staff members last year and was told that the offense was run in a way that the QB’s were not allowed to make decisions. Zone reads were called run or QB keep before the snap and even pass plays were decided before the snap. So add in the fact that LR will allow these guys to make plays rather than deciding for them and I think all the QB’s will perform better.
Knight was #6 dual threat, 179 overall. Thomas was #7 pro style, 125 overall. Both rivals rankings.
Thats not that much difference.
Hold your horses. All we’ve seen is his inability to complete a pass more than 5 yards down the field. There is no way anyone can say he ought to start at this point. Mayfield looks more confident than the other guys, but is a little like Favre in he’s a gunslinger. Based on what we’ve seen regular and Spring game wise, it ought to be Mayfield, Knight and then Thomas imho. But we are not going to only hand the ball off this year.
I’m really pumped about Chandler’s commitment. In addition for 2016, I would like to get Tre Jackson out of Baton Rouge & Mayden. 2017 we will usher in Tre Brown.
good to hear new talent is showing some ability…..the squad needs help everywhere except RB…………
Talked to my neighbor (who is a non-coaching member of the FB staff) for quite awhile last night. Don’t go nuts on me, but he said Mixon will be better than Perine. Sounds crazy I know, but says EVERYONE is super-stoked about what they are seeing from Mixon right now.
I can believe it, but want to see it first.
Good to hear but I want to see it on the actual playing field before I get too excited. If it shows to be true, I pitty the defenses we face.
Talk about Thunder and Lightnng!
Talk about Mr. Inside, Mr Outside…
He’s pretty legit.
Your neighbor is your best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend who heard from this guy who is going with this girl who saw Mixon play? #jokes
I am not sure you can really compare the two. Mixon appears to be a much more rounded player and probably will excel in the new offense catching balls out of the backfield and from the slot.
Perine is probably the better pure RB. His power game is second to none. 4th and goal from the 1 I am putting the ball in Perine’s hands.
Still, its all smoke until you actually see it in a game.
would you give it to him 4 times in a row?
Just once; you wouldn’t need the other three.
HA.
Wow, that is some HIGH praise. I know people are VERY excited about his potential, very anxious to finally get a chance to see him for myself.
Jordan, this is something I’ve been wondering for a while, but who do you think starts at RB? Samaje is obviously a fantastic between-the-tackles back, but he’s a smidge slow in the open field. On the other hand, Mixon sounds like a perfect outside back, which just so happens to fit Riley’s schemes.
On an unrelated point, could you guys do a recruiting refresher sometime? I’m reaching that point in the offseason where I’m forgetting who half our targets are.
Listen….Perine being a smidge slow at 240 is a OK with me.
Hey, I’m not complaining in the slightest, just pointing out an advantage Mixon has, that’s all.
I wouldnt be so sure about that. Perine supposedly runs in the low 4.5’s, and mixon is in that same range, hes not a 4.4 burner.
Mixon is shiftier, but im not so sure hes actually faster.
Fair enough. I just remember Perine getting chased down several times during the season, and apparantly he does too. He’s been quoted saying he’d like to work on improving his speed a bit, and I think that’s a great idea for him.
Long as he dosent give up power for speed, absolutely. I think i remember reading hes down under 235 now, 233ish.
Completely agree.
This! There have been several requests for a list of commits somewhere on the page, perhaps below the schedule. I would love this!
I think it would be interesting if TFB did a break down of the position group they believe is the strongest and why and also a break down of the group they believe is the weakest and why. That’s just me.
Running backs are definitely the strongest. As for the weakest…………..the entire defense?
This is a good problem to have….a very good problem. The rhythm of the offensive play calling and the ‘in game’ strategy of the OC will hopefully help the combinations reach their potential. Do you want to get run over…or run by? Just like any successful venture, the use of your personnel and their skills in key strategic moments is paramount…Here is to hoping LR is the offensive genius and strategist he is touted to be.
And I heard that Anderson is better than BOTH! ( ok I didnt really hear that but supposedly the coaches are sky high on him as well )
I would put it like this. They are not going to miss Ford bc they think Mixon and Anderson are better backs. Ford is a very good back when he doesn’t put the ball on the ground. Those three RBs have unbelievable work ethic. IMO I think this is best collection of RB in the country
Mixon, Perine, Westbrook and Shepard. Pick your poison Big12.
Andrews, Green, Mead, I’d even say Brooks is quite a stud himself
I think you are right about Andrews and Brooks. Andrews is good himself it seems to me. This offense by spreading out like it does is really good for Brooks with his blazing speed, and another guy who I think is a stud is Ross. Spreading the field is going to help Ross a lot, IMO.
I think we’ll average more than 10 pts more a game this season, probably more than 14 pts more a game. The main thing is we have more pts at the end of the game than UT, UT, KSU, OSU, TCU, BAY especially.
Still need the OL to come together for these guys to shine..
I have faith that Coach B will put a solid O-Line on the field come September.
This. It’s the only thing I’m worried about on that side of the ball this season.
As for the defense……………”shiver”
Don’t forget Quick and Andrews. It’s going to suck to be opposing defensive coordinators in the Big XII this year. That’s something we haven’t had the luxury to discuss recently.
That would be some serious weapons!
I personally think OU’s offense is going to stress defenses to the breaking point. OU’s defense, especially the DL, will be stronger than some believe.
Our offense will stress defenses. Our defense may distress us!
Stop. You’re killing me. LOL!
Is it just me, or does the type of player Mixon appears to be kind of remind you of Demarco Murray? I’m not saying he’s going to be as good necessarily, but I can see LR using him in some of the ways that Murray was used. If what we’re hearing is true (re: Mixon’s talent level) I can see where he might end up being a bigger overall weapon (as far as an all-purpose back) than Perine in LR’s style of offense. However, I would be greatly surprised if he is actually a better pure RB than Perine.
I would say yes, Mixon is very much like Murray and I anticipate that they will use him in a similar fashion.
I just caught the tail end of the conversation today between BBJ and Pat Jones where they were discussing that someone (I missed who) compared Mixon to Jim Brown at Syracuse. Perhaps someone else who was listening to the SA this morning can share who gave that high praise.
I see has as an amped up Reggie Bush type. Incredible start / stop ability.
We will need to wait and see but that may turn out to be a good comparison.
I’ll take that too.
If he is- and he certainly was truly a rare talent in high school- then it’s a game changer for us. Few teams will be able to withstand a combination of what I believe are the best running backs in the nation and the newly added strength at receiver! Man oh man I can’t wait till fall!
Just need a QB emerge who is not going to force things or fumble the ball and give the bad guys more possessions deep in OU territory or throw pick sixes, and we’ll be fine. Bradford went 50-8 TD to INT, White 45-9, 40-8, this is what we expect at OU under Stoops, not a 14-12 ratio.
Too bad that kind of QB is not on campus now
Possibly. But according to many commentators it was the off Coordinator not the lack of QB talent. Going back, even Hybl had a year where he was 24-8 TD to ints. I don’t think 30-8 is out of the question here, as long as there is a strong running threat, Mayfield, Thomas etc…can play as well as Hybl.
Nor did TCU have one on campus in Boykin in ’12 or ’13.
Boykin:
*2012 (REDSHIRT FR): 15 TD/10int, 2054 yds
*2013 (REDSHIRT SO) : 7 TD/ 7 int, 1198 yds (winning 4 games against: SE LA, SMU, KU, ISU). 5 of his 7 TD for the SEASON were against these 4 teams.
*2014 (REDSHIRT JR): 33 TD/ 10int., 3901 yds
I wish TCU would have written off Boykin like the OU QB experts are doing with our 3 QBs.
Mayfield:
*2013 (TRUE FR WALKON–i.e., on campus one month b/f start of season): 12 TD/ 9 int, 2315 yds.
Lead them to 5 straight wins, including a win over #24 TCU, b/f getting injured and out 4 games, coming back to play against KSU, BAY, UT–all losses–pretty tough teams to come back from an injury out for 4 weeks and play against.
*in high school 67 TD/ 8 int
* my comment: I personally don’t think he had much time to connect with TT offense, but still played pretty admirably, IMO. Behind KU, maybe they are the weakest team in the Big 12. Maybe ISU is as weak as TT, but I think not personally.
*He had 3 int against #24 TCU but beat them.
*He had 2 int against KSU.
*Against no other team did he have more than one int.
TK (4* QB out of HS):
*2013 (REDSHIRT FR): 9 TD/ 5 int, 819 yds
*2014 (REDSHIRT SO): 14 TD/ 12 int, 2300 yds
What this means:
1. Past stats mean very little in the development of a QB. It’s the development, system, injuries, etc.
2. Mayfield with less time, with a worst team, as a true FR, looked a better statistically than either Boykin or TK during their redshirt FR years.
3. It means nothing. Stats lie.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Mayfield starts. That’s who I think will start, even though personally, having met and liking everything about TK, I pull for him. But my thinking is that Mayfield starts, might get banged up during the season, and TK leads us through Bay, TCU, OSU, and a bowl (hopefully final 4).
I’ll take it! Best Qb wins and the other guys be ready to come in and not miss a beat ala Ohio St.
I added some things about Jamies Winston above. Last year this Heisman trophy, first pick in the draft, on an undefeated regular season team had 25 TD/18 int. compared to Mayfield on 2nd worst team in Big 12, as a FR walkon, had 12 TD/ 9 int and people want to write him off.
In 2 out of Mayfields 8 games as a walkon FR he had multiple interception games, winning one and losing one.
In 5 out of 12 regular season games Winston played in he had multiple interception games, winning all of them.
Winston made these mistakes with an NFL roster to play with, yet was drafted 1st out of every player available in America. Never hear one person talk about how many times he turns the ball over.
Mayfield made these mistakes as a walkon FR and all people talk about when they talk about Mayfield is he throws too many interceptions.
Interceptions are part of the game. I mean Bradford threw two in the Title game.
Exactly. What I’d like fans of any color to see. Mayfield as a walkon on a poor team had 2 multiple interception games, winning one. He was injured a/f 5 games and out for a month, coming back for 3 very difficult games that Peyton Manning wouldn’t have led TT to victories over (Bay, KSU, UT; if so, why didn’t manning lead TN to victories all the time when he was in college with a much better team than TT?).
Heisman trophy winner, 1st pick in the draft Winston, on what the media was saying was a NFL roster, threw 18 interception in 467 attempts, versus Mayfield 9 inteceptions in 340 attempts.
Winston: 18 interceptions in 467 attempts last yr
Mayfield: 9 interceptions in 340 attempts as walkon FR at TT
Don’t tell me Winston was playing better competition either in the ACC than Mayfield in the Big 12. And when he did play UF or Louisville, he threw 4 and 3 interceptions in those games, respectively, both wins. winston had 5 multi interception games in the regular season last yr, all wins.
Mayfield had 2 (not 5) multi interception games as a walkon FR (not 1st pick in the draft, Heisman winner on great team), against TCU (3, a win) and KSU (2, a loss) respectively.
Mayfield was literally throwing 60 passes in some of those games.
People don’t know much about QBs. It’s a different beast altogether. Even if a person has played in the NFL, even WR, it still doesn’t mean they understand how you develop a QB.
I agree that maybe none of our quarterbacks are as good as Bradford, but they are all legit major D1 quarterbacks (we hope). I mean, we’ve seen flashes from TK and even Mayfield at Tech. We apparently have two, maybe 3, all world backs. We have Sterling, DeDe, and a few other receivers that everyone is raving about. Therefore, if any of our signal callers are even decent, like Paul Thompson-decent, we should be fine. ANY D1 QB, with time to throw and wide open receivers, should complete 60-70% of his passes. So, guess we will just have to wait and see how much puffery was in the off season reports. Maybe our wideouts are impossible to cover in 7 on 7s. Maybe our DBs suck…
Yep. If our skill folks – besides the proven Perine and Shepard – really are as advertised, then we don’t need a hero … we just need someone to provide leadership and effectively distribute the ball to our playmakers. No need for a gunslinger who we have to “take the bitter with the sweet” with. Be smart, live to play the next down and keep our opponents offenses – especially in the explosive Big 12 – on the sidelines.
Every QB on campus is markedly better than Paul Thompson ever was. Love him as a person and think he filled in to the best of his abilities and will not criticize his play at QB. Just saying that every QB on campus right now is noticeably better than he was.
Any mention on who is winning the QB battle? Below a post seems to indicate that K said Mayfield. True?
I think comparing the two is like comparing Murray and Peterson: both are great but in their own manner. One is a swiss army knife of versatility while the other is the very definition of the “I’m just to here to run over people and send em to the training room” type back.
At least that’s the vibe I get from Mixon whom none of us have seen play a down yet.
I don’t think that sounds “crazy” at all. Perine was a stud in high school that had heavy interest from Alabama (among others), if it hadn’t been for an injury his junior year, I think he would have been close to Mixon (in terms of hype). He kinda surprised everyone last year. Mixon, on the other hand, has looked every bit a superstar in every public workout he’s had. I know there’s always a transition from high school to college, but with his speed, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he comes out and lives up to the hype. In fact, I’d be surprised if he ended up being anything less than great.
Last night I was perusing yesterday’s posts and I saw a couple highlight videos which led me to this one. Travian Smith was a really good player, playing during really bad times. Do yourself a favor and watch closely at 1:25. Pretty sure he killed Ahman Green. https://youtu.be/fvZWyqeLd7o
Thanks for posting. Those were lean years but I do remember Travian.
Yep. Played for my Raiders. Heck of a player…
played against the guy at the Huff many times. One of the best pure athletes to play at OU. Big guy that could blaze and some mad hops.
Lol Tennessee just signed up for a butt kicking on prime time
Even if OU is as good as we all hope they will be, that game is likely to be a dog fight.
Not really, butt kicking
I’m all for giving them a butt kicking; hope we are up to the task and play to our potential… because the ceiling for this team is very high.
Agree. Butch Jones can coach. Plus the orange have some talent. especially on D. If can win in Knoxville, we can win anywhere. (It is Knoxville right?)
update added
I half expected an 11am kickoff..
they’ll have enough of those during conference play, lol
If only we could get those “SEC kickoffs” more often.
That would be 12am EST if it airs at 11am CST or that would 11am EST and airing at 10am CST. ESPN wants their talking heads to get their close ups.
Funny stuff, Stephen. I think most of the people here missed their true calling: comedians.
Haha somebody has to keep the offseason lighthearted around here.
update added
Devwah is not going to Texsa. I mean he’s not going to commit to them.
Tennessee at night. And I will be there.
Please reply to my post with your name if you want to meet me. Thank you.
Caitlyn Jenner, meet me on the dark corner. 🙂
Ronald McDonald here. You’re welcome.
No thanks. too scary in your pix
ESPN must think the Vols are gonna put it to us.
If you were keeping an eye on Whaley, like you were assigned to do, instead of watching satan’s channel maybe he wouldn’t be visiting North Mexico. 🙂
I read some of the comments and just burst in laughter. That was really funny.
But he’s right Dustin, get back on the job.
Sorry, I’ll try to do better.
Just don’t be like Ernestine.
http://chexydecimal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/lily-tomlin-ernestine.jpg
LOL Sooner Ray. That’s the funniest thing I’ve seen in a while!!
You could not pay me to watch that crap channel. Just thought the only way they put OU on a primetime national broadcast would be if they thought that they could show us getting beat by an sec team. Oh, and I’ve been away from the phones for a bit now.
I love how people upvote you for calling me out. That’s messed up, guys. lol
It’s called “tough love” 🙂
He’s right, we’re pretty dependent on your coverage.
That is so sarcastic, I have no comeback.
Listen, I did it for Dahu Green, at times you feel like a hero and other times you feel like villain, but you have the responsibility regardless.
Hoping and praying more like it. Lol. WRONG! We win on prime time.
G-Day minus 79
USS Vaughan
on a 79 note, the ’79 Orange Bowl against Nebraska.
https://youtu.be/aQAfppLgV-s
Wow, Nebraska player named “I. M. Hipp” in 1979. OLOLOL!
That is funny
Yeah. He played for the Patriots.
Glory days. OU should have won the title that year. 3 yards from title (Sims fumble).
Good choice and image find.
Thank you, he was a big boy. His nickname was quite appropriate… 🙂
looks like ou/tenn is one of the name games on that evening………the primetime is oregon/mich st…….so, a chance for the sooners to hopefully shine on the nat’l stage at a very tough away site under the lights…..
This has the makings of an early loss. Football team is coming off a subpar year. New faces all over the field. A QB with no proven success going into Knoxville at night. I so want to be wrong, but I am penciling this in as their first loss of the season.
yeah, several ?’s and only 1 game played before tenn……will be interesting in that this is riley’s first big test almost right out the chute…..tough draw
Him having been an OC and play caller takes the edge off that concern.
Don’t take it personal if I break your pencil. 🙂
And that’s one reason for optimism in my book. Last year left a bad taste and the returners don’t want a repeat and the new guys are full of enthusiasm and ready to do great things wearing a Sooner uniform. UTenn will have played just 1 game, too, vs another MAC powerhouse, Bowling Green. Gonna be a good game and I’m going with we are going to be shocked at how good this offense looks by the 3rd Q. And the D is going to be improved, too. Mark it.
Tennessee is replacing 2 Dlinemen, if we continue to run at them, we can grind them down. Also Trevor passed for over 300 against them last year. Hopefully our passing attack is better in 2015.
idk, but aren’t we rebuilding an oline
We have mature bodies on campus. Tennessee is looking to play a few true freshmen. It’s an early season game and I like us.
well, we’ve got 1 game prior to gel………we’ll see
I have faith in our conditioning. Besides, do you remember your first few weeks of college? Me either.
Have faith man. Last year was an odd year and nothing came into place. Even with that we never hit bottom like Texas. In our worst year for ages we still beat the burnt butt orange. Our O will be light years better, and I have to believe the D will be much improved.
“Reloading”
TCU has LSU 5 pitchers deep with 1 out in the 5th.
havent posted in some months busy with the move and new job in Dallas I would love to see Mayfield get his shot he seems like a real leader off the field, What do you guys think about Lampkin? how would you feel about a guy who signed with your rival only to come play on your
team because of enrollm6ebt issues?
I’m not sure how I feel about him picking burnt orange over crimson but texas is gonna hate him if he signs with us. So if he produces I’m sure he’ll become a fan favorite. Because texas sucks
It is 10:15 pm and texsa still sucks
It’s 10:40 and Texsa has defied the laws of physics by blowing and sucking simultaneously.
Ha ha ha! Excellent. That’s Texass talent!
https://youtu.be/NxUP_-RBpvc
I don’t have a favorite QB, I want the one that best moves the chains. As far as Lampkin, I don’t hold anything against him and hope we get him if for no other reason than to make the orange a little more burnt. My biggest concern is will he be able to remain eligible.
Welcome back, KT. That question regarding Lampkin is interesting.
Thanks, I wasnt too impressed with Lampkin but i thought bodies are good anyway. then he decommits and i really hate that. (not the kid just the process) but then it’s like ” oh OU was your 1st prom date choice? she was my second. and at the last min. Girl #1 ditched me but OU said i can still go with you guys”.
Good to see your nic and welcome to Dallas.
I don’t care if the walk-on McGinness is the starter as long as the QB is effective moving the offense.
As for Lampkin, his is another of the strange tales of football ‘cruitin.’
Lampkin wanted to be at OU but someone got into his ear. I think family pressured him to go towards Texas. In the end if he comes to OU it will be for the best. We wanted him and he did want OU. Texas lied to the kid (I know it happens all the time) and besides the lie his heart was always in Oklahoma.
Wasn’t family. Momma is OU fan, from what I have read here and during the process of his decision. I think Momma is a big reason that he has now “come to his senses”… 🙂
Either way I will take the kid with a smile on my face. Competition breeds excellence and it is always good to have the bodies. I will be curious if he will be a DT or if they will put him as a DE.
Bronson Irwin has a new gig, looks promising.
https://twitter.com/OLPOKC
I’m seeing Tramonda Moore has been offered. ’16 OL/ DL from Ok. City.
Wow. Nice catch. You hang over at LT, too? as that’s the only place I’m seeing his tweet. Love all of these offers going out to OK kids. WTF? Do not recall this many offers from OU to OK kids in a long time.
A lot of in state kids this year on the O line. Not many of them are high ranking but many of them are big and athletic. Part of the problem is their HS coaching and the other part is they are Oklahoma kids. I like the offers personally. I do hope we get a couple JUCO kids in though so these kids have some time to grow into the system and be under a great O line coach for 2 years before they are put out there.
Not sure were going after juco linemen this year…a lot of young guys waiting right now…Throw in Parker and we’ll have quite a group started for this class
Yes I hang out there, especially when there is some insider talk going on. It is nice to see these in state offers going out in what seems to be larger numbers.
https://twitter.com/_TMOE55/status/611739990398099460
TFB was on it…of course.
https://twitter.com/TheFbBrainiacs/status/611748008846168064
Guess the technology at TFB isn’t there to upload/post every tweet. Looks like Rivals and LT got it ‘out’ 1st.
Looks like a commitment
It does sound like a commit. Hearing he had monster camps at OU, Ostate, Missouri and TCU. Guy gonna blow up. I’m totally good with an oline primarily comprised of formerly unknown state kids with 2 stars who put together a devastating blocking machine that crushes everyone.
His video shows him playing both ways and his DL play ain’t bad, either.
Big powerful young man.
You read my mind buddy!
I know and I knew you were going to say that, too. 🙂
Had not watched the vid but you are right, Sir. Either way, but looked very athletic at DT. Good feet and quick.
Reynolds might just try to get him for himself