The Football Brainiacs

Image of PJ Mbanasor via 247 Sports

As we approach fall camp, I though it would be a good idea to offer up a few notes for discussion regarding some of the various positions groups. We’ll begin with the cornerbacks.

Zack Sanchez – Sanchez is pretty much a lock at the left cornerback position. Early on in Sanchez’s time at OU, he was one of the guys who really put in the extra work with Chip Viney to develop his skill set. I’ve been told that this summer he’s been reignited in his efforts in preparation for the coming season and has been putting in a lot of extra work.

Although calls should come from the safeties, thus you would hope that one of your safeties is the leader of the secondary, Sanchez remains the clear leader of this unit. Whether he is a good leader or still needs work in that department will ultimately be judged, in large part, by the results on the field this season.

Jordan Thomas – ‘JT’ goes into fall camp as the favorite to win the right cornerback position, if for no other reason than he has the on-field experience following last year. I’ve been told Thomas’ footwork has continued to develop well and that there has been a natural growth and development in his game with another offseason under his belt. Also, JT was an “athlete” in high school and, as such, there has been a larger jump in his game since he was really starting from such a rudimentary level with respect to playing corner.

If there is one criticism I’ve heard repeatedly from multiple sources regarding JT, however, it’s that he may not necessarily be the hungriest guy on the team. He was fortunate to be blessed with a natural ability and athleticism a lot of other guys simply do not possess, but if you want to be an elite corner at this level (or the next) you have to be constantly working to perfect your craft.

Dakota Austin – Austin continues to work fighting to put himself in a position to challenge for a spot on the field. I’m told he gives his all in 7-on-7 and frequently runs with the 1st and 2nd group. He has cat-like quickness, but in the spring game continued to give wide receivers simply too much space.

One of Austin’s issue is he continues to struggle putting on weight and with Oklahoma moving to more press coverage, Kerry Cooks is going to be looking for guys that can be physical at the line. And while you don’t have to be big and strong to press, it certainly helps.

William Johnson – The JUCO cornerback enrolled at OU in January and had the obvious benefit of going through both winter workouts and a full spring with the team. While I get the sense Johnson had a good summer, I’ve also been told that he hasn’t necessarily done anything to make him a favorite to take a spot from either Sanchez or JT. I’m told he’s being used primarily as a backup for the left cornerback position and the nickel back spot.

Johnson comes out of a JUCO where he played a lot of Cover-3 and did it well, so it will be interesting to see if he get’s a chance to really push JT on the right side. As of right now, I’d guess he will be taking most of his reps at left CB and nickel in fall camp and, at this point, I don’t see him dethroning Sanchez or Parker for either of those starting spots.

PJ Mbanasor – We’ve heard Mbansor’s praises sung throughout the summer from various sources. In fact one said earlier this summer that if they had to bet on a freshman playing this year, it would be Mbanasor. I continue to be told he has an excellent work ethic and brings both the size and athleticism that Cooks wants at the cornerback position.

I’m told Mbanasor will have a legitimate chance to compete for the starting gig opposite Sanchez. And while I think it will ultimately be tough for a true freshman to (at least initially) take the spot of someone like Thomas who started four games last year, I will say that I’ve been told if anyone is going to take JT’s spot, it’s Mbanasor.

Stanvon Taylor & Marcus Green: I’ll be candid with you, I haven’t heard a lot about either Taylor or Green. BUT, I don’t want that to be misinterpreted as a slight to either of them. When you’re getting information from sources, it’s not always easy to get a clear picture on every single player at a respective position.

I have been told some general stuff regarding both — they’ve been active in the summer workouts and participating in 7-on-7 — but just haven’t heard much in the way of specifics about their overall development.