Teammate: Nila Kasitati ‘can do anything’
May, 16, 2012
May 16
2:00
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Redshirt freshman guard Nila Kasitati learned a new position this semester, moving inside to play center at times during Oklahoma’s spring practices.
Junior guard Gabe Ikard moved inside to center last season after starting center Ben Habern’s injury. Ikard knows the requirements of the move as well as anyone.
“I fully expect him to play center at some point in his career,” Ikard said. “He’s very talented and he picked it up in a week. He’s got the perfect body for the position. He’s got big legs, thick core, he’s made great strides and is doing really well.”
The interior offensive line is arguably the Sooners deepest position with Habern, Ikard, guard Tyler Evans, guard Adam Shead along with Kasitati. Having Kasitati learn multiple positions gives OU more options up front and fosters even more competition for reps at all three spots on the interior offensive line. Don’t be surprised if he earns himself some playing time this fall even with the depth at the position.
“He’s a very talented guy,” Ikard said. “He literally can do anything.”
Junior guard Gabe Ikard moved inside to center last season after starting center Ben Habern’s injury. Ikard knows the requirements of the move as well as anyone.
“I fully expect him to play center at some point in his career,” Ikard said. “He’s very talented and he picked it up in a week. He’s got the perfect body for the position. He’s got big legs, thick core, he’s made great strides and is doing really well.”
The interior offensive line is arguably the Sooners deepest position with Habern, Ikard, guard Tyler Evans, guard Adam Shead along with Kasitati. Having Kasitati learn multiple positions gives OU more options up front and fosters even more competition for reps at all three spots on the interior offensive line. Don’t be surprised if he earns himself some playing time this fall even with the depth at the position.
“He’s a very talented guy,” Ikard said. “He literally can do anything.”
Over the summer months, SoonerNation will take a closer look at each scholarship player on Oklahoma’s roster in our Crimson Countdown series. We'll analyze each player’s impact on the program since they arrived on campus, their potential impact this fall and their long-term impact in the daily series. Starting with No. 1 Tony Jefferson, the series will go in numerical order until our final analysis of No. 98 Chuka Ndulue.
No. 12 Landry Jones
Quarterback, 6-foot-4, 229 pounds
No. 12 Landry Jones
Quarterback, 6-foot-4, 229 pounds
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It became obvious that offensive tackle was going to be a position the Oklahoma coaching staff attacked hard during the spring evaluation period. The Sooners made seven early offers and ]five of those tackles committed to other schools. OU has not been bashful in the last five weeks as tackles coach Bruce Kittle has offered several quality prospects.
But none bigger than Aaron Cochran (Atwater, Calif./Buhach). The 6-foot-7, 345 pound Cochran is a four-star prospect ranked No. 12 at the position.
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Every weekday morning, a member of the SoonerNation gives his take on three things happening in the Sooner sports world.
1. The Sooners have offered just one offensive tackle for the class of 2014 -- Braden Smith (Olathe, Kan./Olathe South) -- and it's clear the coaches like him over several other sophomore stars. Smith's high school coach told SoonerNation that Smith was offered in a closed door meeting during the first junior day, which is a unique situation. Smith will take his time in the recruitment process but look for offensive tackles coach Bruce Kittle to attempt to make an impression on the Kansas tackle.
2. With the recent receiver suspensions, the Sooners are eyeing several wideouts for the class of 2013. But keep an eye on Torii Hunter Jr. (Prosper, Texas/Prosper), who has been on Oklahoma's radar since he was a freshman. He has an offer and is looking to play baseball and football in college.
1. The Sooners have offered just one offensive tackle for the class of 2014 -- Braden Smith (Olathe, Kan./Olathe South) -- and it's clear the coaches like him over several other sophomore stars. Smith's high school coach told SoonerNation that Smith was offered in a closed door meeting during the first junior day, which is a unique situation. Smith will take his time in the recruitment process but look for offensive tackles coach Bruce Kittle to attempt to make an impression on the Kansas tackle.
2. With the recent receiver suspensions, the Sooners are eyeing several wideouts for the class of 2013. But keep an eye on Torii Hunter Jr. (Prosper, Texas/Prosper), who has been on Oklahoma's radar since he was a freshman. He has an offer and is looking to play baseball and football in college.
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Jason in Oklahoma City writes: Excluding the 2000 team that won the title, I would think that the 2004 team and the 2008 team were probably the best teams in the stoops era. So if you had Sam Bradford, Jermaine Gresham, DeMarco Murray, Chris Brown, Gerald McCoy, Duke Robinson, Phil Loadholt and Nic Harris go up against Jason White, Adrian Peterson, Mark Clayton, Jammal Brown, Brandon Jones, Dan Cody, Donte Nicholson and Antonio Perkins, who do you think would come out on top? I think it would be a good game, but I think the 2004 team had a little more talent. What’s your opinion?
Jake Trotter: We saw what happened with the ’04 Sooners when they were matched up against an offensive juggernaut in the Orange Bowl against USC. Sure, there were some turnovers that helped ignite the rout. But OU was overmatched.
Not once were the ’08 Sooners ever overmatched. They lost in a shootout to Texas, then couldn’t get going offensively in the BCS title game vs. Florida, and even then, still had a chance in the fourth quarter. Against Texas, OU lost its defensive captain in linebacker Ryan Reynolds and never recovered. Against Florida, OU, which had the No. 1 red zone offense in college football, was stuffed twice inside the Gator 10.
The ’08 Sooners would have trouble containing Peterson, and most certainly would give up some Jason White passes downfield. But I think the Bradford hurry-up, with all those weapons like Gresham, Murray and slot specialist Ryan Broyles would be too much firepower for the ’04 Sooners to handle.
Jake Trotter: We saw what happened with the ’04 Sooners when they were matched up against an offensive juggernaut in the Orange Bowl against USC. Sure, there were some turnovers that helped ignite the rout. But OU was overmatched.
Not once were the ’08 Sooners ever overmatched. They lost in a shootout to Texas, then couldn’t get going offensively in the BCS title game vs. Florida, and even then, still had a chance in the fourth quarter. Against Texas, OU lost its defensive captain in linebacker Ryan Reynolds and never recovered. Against Florida, OU, which had the No. 1 red zone offense in college football, was stuffed twice inside the Gator 10.
The ’08 Sooners would have trouble containing Peterson, and most certainly would give up some Jason White passes downfield. But I think the Bradford hurry-up, with all those weapons like Gresham, Murray and slot specialist Ryan Broyles would be too much firepower for the ’04 Sooners to handle.
Crimson Countdown: DB Bennett Okotcha 
May, 15, 2012
May 15
12:00
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Over the summer months, SoonerNation will take a closer look at each scholarship player on Oklahoma’s roster in our Crimson Countdown series. We'll analyze each player’s impact on the program since they arrived on campus, their potential impact this fall and their long-term impact in the daily series. Starting with No. 1 Tony Jefferson, the series will go in numerical order until our final analysis of No. 98 Chuka Ndulue.
No. 11 Bennett Okotcha
Defensive back, 5-foot-11, 168 pounds
No. 11 Bennett Okotcha
Defensive back, 5-foot-11, 168 pounds
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He hasn’t even completed his sophomore year of high school, but Braden Smith (Olathe, Kan./Olathe South) is already a highly sought-after offensive tackle recruit. At 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Smith has room to grow but has already shown enough to earn early offers from Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio State, Stanford, Nebraska and others.
“He’s the best player I’ve ever seen as an offensive or defensive linemen,” Olathe South coach Jeff Gourley said. “I’ve coached for 27 years, I’ve never seen anybody like him, even on the ESPN high school game of the week ... Florida, Texas, there’s nobody in the country like him.”
The Sooners recognized the talent of the class of 2014 prospect early in the process.
“He’s the best player I’ve ever seen as an offensive or defensive linemen,” Olathe South coach Jeff Gourley said. “I’ve coached for 27 years, I’ve never seen anybody like him, even on the ESPN high school game of the week ... Florida, Texas, there’s nobody in the country like him.”
The Sooners recognized the talent of the class of 2014 prospect early in the process.
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Every weekday morning, a member of the SoonerNation gives his take on three things happening in the Sooner sports world.
1. With the indefinite suspensions of wide receivers Jaz Reynolds, Trey Franks and Kameel Jackson, there are a couple of options Oklahoma could go regarding its 2013 receiver class. I explored a list of some receivers that the Sooners have been in contact with in the past and trying to make sure the Sooners stay in their good graces. The other option is to keep looking at new prospects, and Jay Norvell did that Monday with the offer to four-star athlete Alvin Bailey (Seffner, Fla./Armwood). Bailey is ranked the No. 5 athlete in the nation and No. 49 in the ESPN 150. Expect a lot of movement at the position in the next couple of weeks.
2. OU’s three-game sweep of Baylor has Sunny Golloway’s club on its biggest high of the season. However, part of that could slip away if the Sooners do not take care of business Tuesday night against TCU. In a previous meeting against the Horned Frogs, the Sooners blew a late lead. TCU is ranked No. 33 in the RPI, while the Sooners are ranked No. 48, according to Warren Nolan’s RPI system. With no Oklahoma City Thunder playoff contest combined with 50-cent hot dogs and cokes at the game, this is a chance for a quality mid-week attendance and is an important non-conference battle.
1. With the indefinite suspensions of wide receivers Jaz Reynolds, Trey Franks and Kameel Jackson, there are a couple of options Oklahoma could go regarding its 2013 receiver class. I explored a list of some receivers that the Sooners have been in contact with in the past and trying to make sure the Sooners stay in their good graces. The other option is to keep looking at new prospects, and Jay Norvell did that Monday with the offer to four-star athlete Alvin Bailey (Seffner, Fla./Armwood). Bailey is ranked the No. 5 athlete in the nation and No. 49 in the ESPN 150. Expect a lot of movement at the position in the next couple of weeks.
2. OU’s three-game sweep of Baylor has Sunny Golloway’s club on its biggest high of the season. However, part of that could slip away if the Sooners do not take care of business Tuesday night against TCU. In a previous meeting against the Horned Frogs, the Sooners blew a late lead. TCU is ranked No. 33 in the RPI, while the Sooners are ranked No. 48, according to Warren Nolan’s RPI system. With no Oklahoma City Thunder playoff contest combined with 50-cent hot dogs and cokes at the game, this is a chance for a quality mid-week attendance and is an important non-conference battle.
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With the indefinite suspensions of wide receivers Trey Franks, Jaz Reynolds and Kameel Jackson, Oklahoma has gone from taking a maximum of two receivers for the class of 2013 to the search heating up to add viable replacements.
The proof was there late last week. OU quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel was set to see quarterback Hayden Rettig (Los Angeles/Cathedral) on Thursday. Instead, Heupel has delayed that visit to this week because he told Los Angeles Cathedral coach Kevin Pearson he has urgent team matters to attend to.
That urgent matter? Heupel was in Texas visiting a pair of standout receivers at Wylie (Texas) East, Marcell Ateman and Quan Jones.
The proof was there late last week. OU quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel was set to see quarterback Hayden Rettig (Los Angeles/Cathedral) on Thursday. Instead, Heupel has delayed that visit to this week because he told Los Angeles Cathedral coach Kevin Pearson he has urgent team matters to attend to.
That urgent matter? Heupel was in Texas visiting a pair of standout receivers at Wylie (Texas) East, Marcell Ateman and Quan Jones.
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Should Aaron Colvin be moved back to CB?
May, 14, 2012
May 14
2:30
PM CT
By SoonerNation staff | ESPN.com
Every Monday during the summer, the SoonerNation staff answers a roundtable question. Leave a comment or talk about it in our "There's Only One" forum.
Today's question: Should Aaron Colvin be moved back to cornerback?
To be successful in a Mike Stoops defense, you have to be solid at cornerback. That's why moving Aaron Colvin from safety to corner makes all the sense in the world. The Sooners have one All-Big 12-caliber corner in Demontre Hurst. Think about how tough the Sooners will be against the pass with two. Yes, Colvin sliding to corner leaves OU with questions at safety. But the shifting of Tony Jefferson from nickelback to free safety should be a calming influence on Javon Harris. Harris struggled at times last season, but he's a senior and still one of OU's five-best defensive backs. The Sooners are better off giving Harris another shot at safety alongside Jefferson, then debuting somebody completely new at corner and hoping for the best.
- Jake Trotter
While moving Aaron Colvin to cornerback makes perfect sense at first glance, I don't think it's the best move for Oklahoma's defense. Colvin is one of the top playmakers on the team and a solid tackler. A move to cornerback takes him away from the action in the middle of the field, not to mention the impact his coverage ability can have against slot receivers in four-receiver packages. Lamar Harris had a solid spring and the overall depth at the cornerback position has improved, lessening the urgency of a move.
In this era of pass-happy offenses in the Big 12, the Sooners need as many cover guys on the field as possible. Leaving Colvin at safety gets them closer to that goal.
- Brandon Chatmon
What has helped Aaron Colvin stand out so much has been his versatility so there is no wrong answer here because he will adapt to whatever is being asked of him. However, he should stay at safety. He proved to be so effective at the position last season and was definitely one of the bright spots of 2011. Mike Stoops won't put his players in a spot where they cannot succeed. Though incredibly early in the process, it doesn't appear like cornerback will be as big of a concern so why mess with a good thing? Colvin is a game-changer, whether it's in coverage or as one of the most consistent tacklers on the squad.
- Bob Przybylo
Aaron Colvin will start for the Sooners in 2012, whether it's at safety or cornerback. But I believe he'll move back to cornerback as Mike Stoops tries to put his four best defensive backs on the field. With Tony Jefferson having locked down the starting spot at free safety this spring, Colvin would have to beat out Javon Harris, who started last season, at strong safety. Harris struggled at times last season, but Stoops praised him during the spring. At cornerback, senior Lamar Harris started the Red-White spring game (opposite entrenched Demontre Hurst) and showed promise, but there's a reason he hasn't sniffed the field during his career. Colvin would bring experience and stability to the cornerback position and gives the Sooners a talented back-four.
- Dane Beavers
Today's question: Should Aaron Colvin be moved back to cornerback?
To be successful in a Mike Stoops defense, you have to be solid at cornerback. That's why moving Aaron Colvin from safety to corner makes all the sense in the world. The Sooners have one All-Big 12-caliber corner in Demontre Hurst. Think about how tough the Sooners will be against the pass with two. Yes, Colvin sliding to corner leaves OU with questions at safety. But the shifting of Tony Jefferson from nickelback to free safety should be a calming influence on Javon Harris. Harris struggled at times last season, but he's a senior and still one of OU's five-best defensive backs. The Sooners are better off giving Harris another shot at safety alongside Jefferson, then debuting somebody completely new at corner and hoping for the best.
- Jake Trotter
[+] Enlarge
Matthew Emmons/US PresswireOklahoma's Aaron Colvin played safety as a sophomore but could move to cornerback as a junior.
Matthew Emmons/US PresswireOklahoma's Aaron Colvin played safety as a sophomore but could move to cornerback as a junior.In this era of pass-happy offenses in the Big 12, the Sooners need as many cover guys on the field as possible. Leaving Colvin at safety gets them closer to that goal.
- Brandon Chatmon
What has helped Aaron Colvin stand out so much has been his versatility so there is no wrong answer here because he will adapt to whatever is being asked of him. However, he should stay at safety. He proved to be so effective at the position last season and was definitely one of the bright spots of 2011. Mike Stoops won't put his players in a spot where they cannot succeed. Though incredibly early in the process, it doesn't appear like cornerback will be as big of a concern so why mess with a good thing? Colvin is a game-changer, whether it's in coverage or as one of the most consistent tacklers on the squad.
- Bob Przybylo
Aaron Colvin will start for the Sooners in 2012, whether it's at safety or cornerback. But I believe he'll move back to cornerback as Mike Stoops tries to put his four best defensive backs on the field. With Tony Jefferson having locked down the starting spot at free safety this spring, Colvin would have to beat out Javon Harris, who started last season, at strong safety. Harris struggled at times last season, but Stoops praised him during the spring. At cornerback, senior Lamar Harris started the Red-White spring game (opposite entrenched Demontre Hurst) and showed promise, but there's a reason he hasn't sniffed the field during his career. Colvin would bring experience and stability to the cornerback position and gives the Sooners a talented back-four.
- Dane Beavers
Over the summer months, SoonerNation will take a closer look at each scholarship player on Oklahoma’s roster in our Crimson Countdown series. We'll analyze each player’s impact on the program since they arrived on campus, their potential impact this fall and their long-term impact in the daily series. Starting with No. 1 Tony Jefferson, the series will go in numerical order until our final analysis of No. 98 Chuka Ndulue.
No. 10 Blake Bell
Quarterback, 6-foot-6, 245 pounds
No. 10 Blake Bell
Quarterback, 6-foot-6, 245 pounds
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Tulsa East Central stars ready for OU visit
May, 14, 2012
May 14
10:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
The countdown for linebacker Kimmie Carson (Tulsa, Okla./East Central) is over. For the last several months, Carson has let the world know how much time was left until spring football started. No more months, no more weeks and no more days. Oklahoma high school spring practice has arrived as teams officially start today.
The OU coaches have spent time all over the country in the last four weeks. Defensive backs coach Mike Stoops was very active in California and Texas. Wide receivers coach Jay Norvell spent time in Florida and the southeast. And non-traditional spots such as Washington and Illinois have been destinations for the Sooners staff.
But at least one coach will be staying close to home as defensive tackles coach Jackie Shipp is expected to be at Tulsa East Central on Monday.
The OU coaches have spent time all over the country in the last four weeks. Defensive backs coach Mike Stoops was very active in California and Texas. Wide receivers coach Jay Norvell spent time in Florida and the southeast. And non-traditional spots such as Washington and Illinois have been destinations for the Sooners staff.
But at least one coach will be staying close to home as defensive tackles coach Jackie Shipp is expected to be at Tulsa East Central on Monday.
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Every weekday morning, a member of the SoonerNation gives his take on three things happening in the Sooner sports world.
1. What a weekend it was for the OU baseball team. The Sooners took all three games from Baylor, which previously was 18-0 in the Big 12. Before this weekend, the Sooners had been scuffling. But three wins over the Bears should do wonders for OU's RPI, which already was decent. Provided the Sooners don't collapse this week and have a solid showing in the Big 12 Tournament, it's difficult to see OU not being invited to an NCAA regional.
2. OU football signee Alex Ross of Jenks placed second at state in Class 6A in the 200 and fourth in the 100. You have to love guys like Ross, and there are several in the incoming class, that compete and excel in spring sports, even though they have football scholarships lined up and will be reporting for summer workouts in the next couple of weeks.
1. What a weekend it was for the OU baseball team. The Sooners took all three games from Baylor, which previously was 18-0 in the Big 12. Before this weekend, the Sooners had been scuffling. But three wins over the Bears should do wonders for OU's RPI, which already was decent. Provided the Sooners don't collapse this week and have a solid showing in the Big 12 Tournament, it's difficult to see OU not being invited to an NCAA regional.
2. OU football signee Alex Ross of Jenks placed second at state in Class 6A in the 200 and fourth in the 100. You have to love guys like Ross, and there are several in the incoming class, that compete and excel in spring sports, even though they have football scholarships lined up and will be reporting for summer workouts in the next couple of weeks.
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David Ubben says Oklahoma at West Virginia, Kansas State at Oklahoma, Texas at West Virginia and Texas vs. Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl are four games to watch in the Big 12.
Bob Przybylo answers readers' questions about Oklahoma football and basketball recruiting in his mailbag every week. Got a question for Bob? Send it to his mailbag at bprzybyloespn@gmail.com.
Dean in Oklahoma City asks: I just want to know what’s going on with the quarterback spot. Who is the favorite?
Bob Przybylo: The favorite, in my opinion, looks like a recruit who wasn’t even being spoken about at this time last month, four-star prospect Hayden Rettig (Los Angeles/Cathedral).
Dean in Oklahoma City asks: I just want to know what’s going on with the quarterback spot. Who is the favorite?
Bob Przybylo: The favorite, in my opinion, looks like a recruit who wasn’t even being spoken about at this time last month, four-star prospect Hayden Rettig (Los Angeles/Cathedral).
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ABOUT SOONER NATION
Jake Trotter
Jake Trotter joined ESPN.com in 2011 after four years with The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman covering the University of Oklahoma and Big 12. Trotter lives in Edmond, Okla., with his wife. Email him at trotterjake@gmail.com.
Brandon Chatmon
Brandon Chatmon joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending eight years with The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman covering Oklahoma State University, high schools and recruiting. Chatmon lives in Norman, Okla. Email him at bchatmonespn@gmail.com.
Bob Przybylo
Bob Przybylo joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending four years with The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman covering high schools and recruiting. Przybylo lives in Oklahoma City. Email him at bprzybyloespn@gmail.com.
Dane Beavers
Dane Beavers joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending two years as a web editor with NewsOK.com. Beavers lives in Oklahoma City with his wife and dog. Email him at danebeavers12@gmail.com.