Oklahoma position grades: Linebacker 
January, 30, 2012
1/30/12
3:15
PM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Before the Sooners' 31-14 win over Iowa in the Insight Bowl, Jake Trotter and Brandon Chatmon analyzed each Oklahoma position group. Now, the SoonerNation staff is giving each position a grade for its performance in 2011.
Grade: B
Had they been healthy all season, who knows what kind of seasons Tom Wort and Travis Lewis would have had. Problem was, they weren’t. Until the Insight Bowl, Lewis wasn’t the same player after suffering a preseason broken toe. Outside Frank Alexander, Wort was as prolific as any OU defender early in the season. But he too was derailed by an array of injuries. Corey Nelson didn’t live up to his spring billing, but still had a nice sophomore season, while Kellen Jones and Jaydan Bird filled in nicely in the middle when Wort couldn’t go.
- Jake Trotter
Grade: B
Had they been healthy all season, who knows what kind of seasons Tom Wort and Travis Lewis would have had. Problem was, they weren’t. Until the Insight Bowl, Lewis wasn’t the same player after suffering a preseason broken toe. Outside Frank Alexander, Wort was as prolific as any OU defender early in the season. But he too was derailed by an array of injuries. Corey Nelson didn’t live up to his spring billing, but still had a nice sophomore season, while Kellen Jones and Jaydan Bird filled in nicely in the middle when Wort couldn’t go.
- Jake Trotter
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We're taking a look at what each program in the Big 12 needs to deal with during the offseason, whether it be in the spring, summer or fall preseason camp. Maybe all three! Who knows?
Next up: The Oklahoma Sooners.
1. Fix the secondary. Losses to Texas Tech and especially Baylor and Oklahoma State exposed a weakness in the secondary: giving up big plays. The man who'll be charged with fixing that problem is new defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, who led some of the best defenses in Oklahoma history, including one that gave the Sooners their last national title in 2000. Cornerback Jamell Fleming is gone, but the rest of the secondary returns, and Oklahoma has the talent to fill Fleming's absence. Keep an eye on what happens to Tony Jefferson, too. He's a big weapon at nickelback, but played some traditional safety after Javon Harris struggled against Baylor. Where will Jefferson play?
2. Mature the receiving corps. The struggles after Ryan Broyles' injury were clear, but Landry Jones was only part of it. Oklahoma was deceptively shallow beyond Broyles, and Jaz Reynolds and Kenny Stills just weren't good enough late in the season. They'll have to figure out how to consistently produce without Broyles on the field, and this offseason is the time to do it. Blue-chip recruits Trey Metoyer, Durron Neal and Sterling Shepard should join them next year, and Kameel Jackson showed some decent potential.
3. Sort out the running backs. Dominique Whaley will be healthy next year, and a slew of transfers has thinned the corps, but Brennan Clay and Roy Finch are more than serviceable. Finch emerged as the team's top back late when Whaley was sidelined with a fractured ankle, but Alex Ross should join the team, too. Will Trey Millard get a few carries, too? This situation's pretty unpredictable for now. You'd figure Whaley grabs the starting job back when he gets healthy, but there's no guarantee there. Hence, on the to-do list it lands.
Next up: The Oklahoma Sooners.
1. Fix the secondary. Losses to Texas Tech and especially Baylor and Oklahoma State exposed a weakness in the secondary: giving up big plays. The man who'll be charged with fixing that problem is new defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, who led some of the best defenses in Oklahoma history, including one that gave the Sooners their last national title in 2000. Cornerback Jamell Fleming is gone, but the rest of the secondary returns, and Oklahoma has the talent to fill Fleming's absence. Keep an eye on what happens to Tony Jefferson, too. He's a big weapon at nickelback, but played some traditional safety after Javon Harris struggled against Baylor. Where will Jefferson play?
2. Mature the receiving corps. The struggles after Ryan Broyles' injury were clear, but Landry Jones was only part of it. Oklahoma was deceptively shallow beyond Broyles, and Jaz Reynolds and Kenny Stills just weren't good enough late in the season. They'll have to figure out how to consistently produce without Broyles on the field, and this offseason is the time to do it. Blue-chip recruits Trey Metoyer, Durron Neal and Sterling Shepard should join them next year, and Kameel Jackson showed some decent potential.
3. Sort out the running backs. Dominique Whaley will be healthy next year, and a slew of transfers has thinned the corps, but Brennan Clay and Roy Finch are more than serviceable. Finch emerged as the team's top back late when Whaley was sidelined with a fractured ankle, but Alex Ross should join the team, too. Will Trey Millard get a few carries, too? This situation's pretty unpredictable for now. You'd figure Whaley grabs the starting job back when he gets healthy, but there's no guarantee there. Hence, on the to-do list it lands.
Class Rewind: Bob Stoops' 2007 class
January, 30, 2012
1/30/12
1:20
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Oklahoma’s recruiting class of 2007 wasn’t stocked with elite prospects -- it wasn’t even ranked among the Top 25 classes by ESPN.com.
But it was stocked with players who made a big impact on the Sooners program.
Receiver Ryan Broyles, cornerback Jamell Fleming, linebacker Travis Lewis and defensive end Frank Alexander were cornerstones of the Sooners squad in 2011. And Lewis and Broyles completed their careers among the most productive players of all-time at their respective positions.
But it was stocked with players who made a big impact on the Sooners program.
Receiver Ryan Broyles, cornerback Jamell Fleming, linebacker Travis Lewis and defensive end Frank Alexander were cornerstones of the Sooners squad in 2011. And Lewis and Broyles completed their careers among the most productive players of all-time at their respective positions.
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Jones, Habern among top returning seniors
January, 30, 2012
1/30/12
12:45
PM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper recently ranked the top returning seniors in college football by position for 2013. Three Sooners made Kiper's rankings:
What do you think? Should any other Oklahoma players be ranked at their positions?
- No. 2 QB Landry Jones
- No. 4 C Ben Habern
- No. 4 CB Demontre Hurst
What do you think? Should any other Oklahoma players be ranked at their positions?
It’s not a signing day shocker, but Oklahoma received a nice surprise on Monday when tight end Sam Grant (Lakewood, Ohio/St. Edward) gave his verbal commitment to the Sooners.
St. Edward athletic director Paul Michalko, who confirmed the news to SoonerNation, needed to know because he was looking to finalize the signing day ceremony for St. Edward. He spoke with St. Edward football coach Rick Finotti on Monday morning and Finotti said Grant chose the Sooners. The signing ceremony is set for 1 p.m. CT on Wednesday.
For the last month, it has seemed like a two-team race between OU and Michigan, but it appeared the Wolverines had the edge because of the distance factor with how much closer Ann Arbor was compared to Norman from Grant' hometown in Ohio.
St. Edward athletic director Paul Michalko, who confirmed the news to SoonerNation, needed to know because he was looking to finalize the signing day ceremony for St. Edward. He spoke with St. Edward football coach Rick Finotti on Monday morning and Finotti said Grant chose the Sooners. The signing ceremony is set for 1 p.m. CT on Wednesday.
For the last month, it has seemed like a two-team race between OU and Michigan, but it appeared the Wolverines had the edge because of the distance factor with how much closer Ann Arbor was compared to Norman from Grant' hometown in Ohio.
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ESPNU's national signing day coverage kicks off at 9 a.m. ET. Here's the list of the announcements and time for some of the top prospects.
NOTE: Bold names are announcements, all others are interviews.
NOTE: Bold names are announcements, all others are interviews.
Roundtable: OU's most underrated recruit
January, 30, 2012
1/30/12
11:00
AM CT
By SoonerNation Staff | ESPN.com
Which Oklahoma commit in the class of 2012 is the most underrated?
QB Trevor Knight
Knight doesn’t have the flashy five-star ranking of a Blake Bell, but to me is just as intriguing a prospect. Knight (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) isn’t nearly as big as Bell, but he’s more athletic and equipped with a big-time arm. Bell is the favorite to take for Landry Jones in 2013. After Bell, Knight could be the next in line.
- Jake Trotter
QB Trevor Knight
Knight doesn’t have the flashy five-star ranking of a Blake Bell, but to me is just as intriguing a prospect. Knight (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) isn’t nearly as big as Bell, but he’s more athletic and equipped with a big-time arm. Bell is the favorite to take for Landry Jones in 2013. After Bell, Knight could be the next in line.
- Jake Trotter
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With just two days left before national signing day, Bob Przybylo answers all your recruiting questions. Have a question? Send it to his mailbag at bprzybyloespn@gmail.com.
Jerry in Norman, Okla., asks: Are we being set up for disappointment again in terms of getting involved with Davonte Neal?
Bob Przybylo: This year has certainly felt like the year of the “miss” when it comes to the big-time recruits that were legitimately on OU’s board. But right now not enough has happened for Sooners fans to get too down about Davonte Neal (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral). We will find out a lot more about Neal’s interest, or lack thereof, later this week when he decides where his final official visit is going to be.
Jerry in Norman, Okla., asks: Are we being set up for disappointment again in terms of getting involved with Davonte Neal?
Bob Przybylo: This year has certainly felt like the year of the “miss” when it comes to the big-time recruits that were legitimately on OU’s board. But right now not enough has happened for Sooners fans to get too down about Davonte Neal (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral). We will find out a lot more about Neal’s interest, or lack thereof, later this week when he decides where his final official visit is going to be.
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Triple option: Could Will Latu start?
January, 30, 2012
1/30/12
9:00
AM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
Three thoughts this morning:
1. The Sooners picked up a commitment from junior-college offensive tackle Will Latu, who also took visits to Arkansas State and Utah. It's always difficult to project junior-college players, especially on the offensive and defensive lines, but the Sooners are bringing in Latu to play right away, and maybe even start. Lane Johnson is guaranteed to be one starting tackle, probably on the left side, but the right tackle spot is wide open. Daryl Williams is the favorite, and Tyrus Thompson will be in the mix. But Latu will be given every opportunity to win the job, too.
2. You have to like OU's chances of flipping junior-college wideout Courtney Gardner, who has been committed to Arkansas for the last month but took a visit to OU this weekend. In turn, the Hogs just accepted a commitment from junior-college transfer Demetrius Wilson, giving them already five receivers in the class (and six if you count athlete Nathan Holmes, who was recruiting by Arkansas as a running back/receiver). The Razorbacks, obviously, have high hopes they'll be able to land Dorial Green-Beckham, which would give them six receivers for the class. Do they intend on signing six receivers? Or are they counting on one of them, Gardner maybe, de-committing and signing elsewhere? We don't know at this point. But Gardner will certainly be a player worth watching this week for OU fans.
3. You could make the case that outside the big-name, 5-star guys, cornerback Gary Simon is the player the Sooners need most. Simon has only 3 stars and is ranked the No. 55 athlete in the country by ESPNU, but he fills a huge need in a position where the Sooners need help, if only for depth purposes after the de-commitments of De'Vante Harris, then Kevin Peterson. Simon, who is considering Arkansas and Iowa State as well, will announce Wednesday where he is headed.
1. The Sooners picked up a commitment from junior-college offensive tackle Will Latu, who also took visits to Arkansas State and Utah. It's always difficult to project junior-college players, especially on the offensive and defensive lines, but the Sooners are bringing in Latu to play right away, and maybe even start. Lane Johnson is guaranteed to be one starting tackle, probably on the left side, but the right tackle spot is wide open. Daryl Williams is the favorite, and Tyrus Thompson will be in the mix. But Latu will be given every opportunity to win the job, too.
2. You have to like OU's chances of flipping junior-college wideout Courtney Gardner, who has been committed to Arkansas for the last month but took a visit to OU this weekend. In turn, the Hogs just accepted a commitment from junior-college transfer Demetrius Wilson, giving them already five receivers in the class (and six if you count athlete Nathan Holmes, who was recruiting by Arkansas as a running back/receiver). The Razorbacks, obviously, have high hopes they'll be able to land Dorial Green-Beckham, which would give them six receivers for the class. Do they intend on signing six receivers? Or are they counting on one of them, Gardner maybe, de-committing and signing elsewhere? We don't know at this point. But Gardner will certainly be a player worth watching this week for OU fans.
3. You could make the case that outside the big-name, 5-star guys, cornerback Gary Simon is the player the Sooners need most. Simon has only 3 stars and is ranked the No. 55 athlete in the country by ESPNU, but he fills a huge need in a position where the Sooners need help, if only for depth purposes after the de-commitments of De'Vante Harris, then Kevin Peterson. Simon, who is considering Arkansas and Iowa State as well, will announce Wednesday where he is headed.
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Michael Onuoha torn between OU, Mizzou
January, 29, 2012
1/29/12
4:29
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
No program has been more active in recruiting defensive end Michael Onuoha (Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe) than Missouri. But following an official visit to Oklahoma this weekend, the Sooners are neck and neck with the Tigers.
“It’s tough. It is definitely something that is 50-50 right now,” Onuoha said. “I’m going to talk it over with my coaches, my family and make the best decision for me.”
Last week Onuoha said he was going to make his announcement on signing day, but he was singing a different tune Sunday. He said he is going to decide either late Monday night or early Tuesday so he can enjoy his signing ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s tough. It is definitely something that is 50-50 right now,” Onuoha said. “I’m going to talk it over with my coaches, my family and make the best decision for me.”
Last week Onuoha said he was going to make his announcement on signing day, but he was singing a different tune Sunday. He said he is going to decide either late Monday night or early Tuesday so he can enjoy his signing ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.
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Juco OT Will Latu commits to Oklahoma
January, 29, 2012
1/29/12
1:43
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Junior college offensive tackle Will Latu (St. Petersburg, Fla./College of the Canyons) had thought about waiting until national signing day to make his decision. He thought about doing the "hat routine" and having some suspense. But following an official visit to Oklahoma, there were no doubts about his decision.
Latu verbally committed to the Sooners on Sunday, becoming the 19th member of the 2012 class and the 15th on offense.
“It felt comfortable,” Latu said. “It was a gut feeling. I knew it, and I was ready to commit and get things over with.
Latu verbally committed to the Sooners on Sunday, becoming the 19th member of the 2012 class and the 15th on offense.
“It felt comfortable,” Latu said. “It was a gut feeling. I knew it, and I was ready to commit and get things over with.
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Class Rewind: Bob Stoops' 2002 class
January, 29, 2012
1/29/12
1:30
PM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
With the graduation of Butkus Award winner Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma made linebacker its No. 1 priority in the class of 2002. Then the Sooners went out and snagged the best linebacking class in the country.
OU first hit pay dirt by locking up junior-college linebackers Pasha Jackson and Lance Mitchell from the City College of San Francisco. Then the Sooners added two of the top high school linebackers in the country in Zach Latimer and Rufus Alexander.
As a result, the Sooners ended up with a consensus Top 10 class loaded with players who would make impacts on the defensive side of the ball.
OU first hit pay dirt by locking up junior-college linebackers Pasha Jackson and Lance Mitchell from the City College of San Francisco. Then the Sooners added two of the top high school linebackers in the country in Zach Latimer and Rufus Alexander.
As a result, the Sooners ended up with a consensus Top 10 class loaded with players who would make impacts on the defensive side of the ball.
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Gary Simon announcing on signing day
January, 29, 2012
1/29/12
10:45
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Cornerback Gary Simon (St. Petersburg, Fla./Gibbs) knew the first month of 2012 was going to be crazy, but he had no idea just how busy.
Simon knew he would be visiting Iowa State and Arkansas, but a couple of weeks ago everything got thrown for a loop when Oklahoma entered the chase for his signature.
OU coach Bob Stoops and defensive backs coach Mike Stoops had an in-home visit with Simon two weeks ago that got the ball rolling for the Sooners and the three-star prospect.
Simon knew he would be visiting Iowa State and Arkansas, but a couple of weeks ago everything got thrown for a loop when Oklahoma entered the chase for his signature.
OU coach Bob Stoops and defensive backs coach Mike Stoops had an in-home visit with Simon two weeks ago that got the ball rolling for the Sooners and the three-star prospect.
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Davonte Neal listening to Tim Kish, OU
January, 29, 2012
1/29/12
9:00
AM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Former Arizona coach Tim Kish was announced as Oklahoma’s linebackers coach on Tuesday afternoon. By Tuesday night, Kish was already trying to make an impression.
The Sooners have been in the conversation for many of the nation’s top prospects, but wide receiver Davonte Neal (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral) wasn't one of them.
Until now.
The Sooners have been in the conversation for many of the nation’s top prospects, but wide receiver Davonte Neal (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral) wasn't one of them.
Until now.
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Analysis: Oklahoma 63, Kansas State 60
January, 28, 2012
1/28/12
9:09
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Maybe it wasn’t an upset.
Oklahoma defeated Kansas State 63-60 at Bramlage Coliseum on Saturday night to earn its first Big 12 road win under first-year coach Lon Kruger. The Sooners swept the season series with the No. 24 ranked Wildcats after winning the first meeting, 82-73, on Jan. 14.
Guard Steven Pledger put the Sooners on his shoulders, scoring 30 points on 11 of 17 shooting from the field including 4 of 7 shooting from the three-point line. He made more field goals (11) than any other Sooner attempted (9).
Player of the Game: Who else could it be but Pledger? Despite getting into foul trouble, the junior was unstoppable when he was on the floor. His terrific start -- he scored 10 of OU’s first 12 -- sent the message that the Sooners were ready and playing to win.
Unsung Hero: Sam Grooms. The Sooner point guard had a clutch steal with 15 seconds remaining and OU protecting a one-point lead, then buried two free throws with five seconds left to extend OU’s lead to 63-60. The Big 12’s leader in assist-turnover ratio had a bad shooting night (1 of 8) but finished the game with 4 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 turnover.
Key Stat: 17.6 percent. Kansas State shot 3 of 17 from the three-point line and Kruger took advantage of their poor shooting, going to a zone defense in the second half and forcing KSU to settle for jumpers while OU played through foul trouble.
Up Next: at Kansas, Tuesday at 8 p.m. CT
ABOUT SOONER NATION
Jake Trotter
Jake Trotter joined ESPN.com in 2011 after four years with The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman, covering OU and Big 12 football. He's a graduate of Washington and Lee (Va.) University and lives in Oklahoma City with his wife. Email him at trotterjake@gmail.com.
Brandon Chatmon
Brandon Chatmon joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending eight years with The 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 Oklahoman, covering high schools and recruiting. Przybylo lives in Oklahoma City. Email him at bprzybyloespn@gmail.com.