Oklahoma Sooners

Steve Muench of Scouts Inc. took a look at the top pass-rushers in the NFL draft and included Oklahoma's Ronnell Lewis among the group. His blog post is for people with ESPN Insider subscriptions, but here are a few sentences about the Sooners' defensive end, who had 5.5 sacks in 2011.

There are some questions surrounding Lewis, who had problems staying healthy and was suspended for the final two games of the 2011 season. However, he has the skill set to develop into a productive NFL edge-rusher if he can stay healthy and prove his character.

Read the rest of the blog post here.

Oklahoma needs a win badly.

The Sooners began their season with a 10-2 non-conference record but enter Saturday’s game with No. 18 Kansas State on a three-game losing streak.

Losing its first three Big 12 Conference games was extremely disappointing as OU felt like it simply lost the physical battle in defeats at the hands of to Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma State. They let those teams push them off their spots and knock them out of their offensive flow with physical defense.

Against KSU, the Sooners can expect much of the same.

Key to OU win: The Sooners must compete and fight back. Or, better yet, initiate the battle by striking first. One of OU’s problems in its first three games has been they are reacting to the other team’s aggressiveness instead of making them react to them.

Key to KSU win: Physical play and balanced scoring. Four different Wildcats average at least 9.2 points per game, making it difficult to focus on stopping one particular offensive threat.

Stat line that will tell the tale: OU’s shooting percentage. After three straight games shooting under 40 percent, the Sooners have to get back on track shooting the ball. They need to get quality shots and make them.

Sooners X factor: Carl Blair. After playing arguably his best game of the season in OU’s Bedlam defeat, Blair plans to continue to be aggressive against the Wildcats. His 20 points and 10 rebounds was one of the few bright spots for OU against OSU. If he continues to play with passion, it should rub off on his teammates.

Wildcats X factor: Thomas Gipson. The first Wildcat freshman to record a double-double since Michael Beasley, Gipson has seen his minutes fall since mid-December. But he’s a threat to make an impact at 6-foot-7, 275 pounds. If he plays physical and rebounds the ball well, he could present problems for the Sooners.

Here's the All-Bowl team from the Big 12, recognizing the best single-game performances from this year's bowls.

QB: Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State: Weeden threw for 399 yards and three touchdowns (it could have been four if a game-winning TD pass to Colton Chelf hadn't been overturned) on 29-of-42 passing. His first pass was intercepted, but he had an otherwise solid night and ran for his first career touchdown in the 41-38 win against Stanford.

RB: Terrance Ganaway, Baylor: The Big 12 rushing champion ran for 200 yards and five touchdowns in the Bears' 67-56 win against Washington in the Alamo Bowl.

RB: Ben Malena, Texas A&M: Malena stepped in for the injured Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael and had a solid game in the Aggies' 33-22 win against Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas. He finished with 77 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, showcasing his physical running style. He also caught six passes for 36 yards.

FB: Trey Millard, Oklahoma: Millard carried the ball four times for 21 yards but also helped pave the way for three Blake Bell touchdowns from the Belldozer formation.

WR: Ryan Swope, Texas A&M: Jeff Fuller had better numbers in the bowl, but it was aided by big catches late. Swope kept the Aggies offense humming for most of the game, with eight catches for 105 yards in the win against Northwestern.

WR: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State: Blackmon was the best offensive player in the Big 12 bowls, spearheading Oklahoma State's offense in the Fiesta Bowl win with eight catches for 186 yards and three touchdowns.

WR: Colton Chelf, Oklahoma State: Chelf made two huge catches over the middle early and a third nearly won the game, but his touchdown was overturned. Still, OSU doesn't win its first BCS bowl without Chelf's 97 yards on five catches.

TE: Michael Egnew, Missouri: By Egnew's standards, it was a quiet game, but he played well with a 25-yard grab and three catches for 39 yards in Mizzou's win.

OL: Grant Garner, Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State's offensive line is keyed by Garner, who helped the Cowboys handle Stanford's blitzes well and give Weeden plenty of time in the Fiesta Bowl win.

OL: Philip Blake, Baylor: Baylor ran for 482 yards and scored 67 points in its win against Washington in the Alamo Bowl. Blake's the man who keyed it all.

OL: Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State: Adcock's the best overall talent on OSU's line, and he showed it in the win against Stanford.

OL: Dan Hoch, Missouri: Missouri rolled over one of the nation's best rush defenses, North Carolina, for 337 yards on the ground.

OL: Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M: The Aggies' offense was potent for most of its win against Northwestern, and Joeckel was solid in run and pass blocking for the balanced attack.

DEFENSE

DL: Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas: Jeffcoat made five tackles, two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in the Longhorns' 21-10 win against Cal. The Texas defense dominated, and the defensive line's play was the catalyst. He did it all with a torn pectoral muscle, too. He'll miss the spring after having it surgically repaired this week.

DL: Adam Davis, Kansas State: Davis sacked Arkansas' Tyler Wilson twice and had three tackles for loss with a forced fumble in the loss to the Razorbacks.

DL: R.J. Washington, Oklahoma: With Ronnell Lewis ineligible, Washington showed up big in the win against Iowa. He had two sacks and made three tackles.

DL: Tony Jerod-Eddie, Texas A&M: Jerod-Eddie made eight tackles and had a sack in the win against Northwestern.

LB: Damontre Moore, Texas A&M: Moore was a monster in the season finale for the Aggies, making nine tackles and forcing a fumble on his lone sack.

LB: A.J. Klein, Iowa State: Klein flew around for the Cyclones, making 15 tackles in a physical game against Rutgers, though the Cyclones lost.

LB: Jordan Hicks, Texas: Could this be a big piece of momentum heading into 2012? Hicks starred with seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup in the win against Cal.

CB: Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma: Fleming was the Big 12's best defensive player of the bowls and the best player on the field in the Insight Bowl, making seven tackles, intercepting a pass and returning it 21 yards. He also broke up three passes.

CB: David Garrett, Kansas State: Garrett made 10 tackles and had two tackles for loss in the loss to Arkansas.

S: Kenny Vaccaro, Texas: He hates the nickname Machete, but Vaccaro was hacking away at Cal. He made three tackles, including two for loss and a sack.

S: Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State: Even if it was illegal (it was), Martin had the hit of the bowl season with a huge blast on Stanford's Ty Montgomery that took Montgomery's helmet off on the opening drive. He finished with nine tackles and a tackle for loss, with a fumble recovery.

SPECIALISTS

P: Tress Way, Oklahoma: Way averaged 50 yards on his six punts, including a 67-yarder.

PK: Randy Bullock, Texas A&M: Bullock made all four of his field goal attempts, including two from beyond 40 yards.

PR: Dustin Harris, Texas A&M: Harris looked the part of the Big 12's best, returning a punt 35 yards and finishing with 54 yards on his four returns.

KR: Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State: Gilbert had a 50-yard return and returned his four kicks for a total of 136 yards.

Jake Trotter answers readers' questions about Oklahoma football in his mailbag every Friday. Got a question for Jake? Submit it here.

Matt in Soonerville, U.S.A., writes: Would [defensive backs coach Willie] Martinez have been cut even if he didn't accept another job? Were they unhappy with his job performance? Am I right in thinking he did a much better job in 2010 than 2011?

Jake Trotter: Probably. Once Bob Stoops made the decision to bring his brother back that was it for Martinez. I agree that Martinez was solid in ’10. But his unit was nowhere good enough in ’11 to persuade Stoops from hiring Mike back.

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Tosh in Dallas writes: Could the Mike Stoops hiring cause big-time defensive recruits to second guess their original commitments and put OU on the radar?

Jake Trotter: This late in the process I doubt it. OU fans hold Mike Stoops in much higher regard than 17-year-old kids do. Mike could make an impact on uncommitted recruits. And he certainly will make an impact in 2013. But I would be surprised if he got a big-time committed prospect to flip this close to signing day.

(Read full post)

The disappointment of Oklahoma’s winless start in Big 12 play was magnified in the Sooners' 72-65 loss to Oklahoma State on Monday. Losses to Kansas and Missouri -- a pair of top ten teams -- weren’t a huge surprise, but the Cowboys’ Bedlam triumph sent the Sooners to an 0-3 conference start.

Making sure his team doesn’t lose faith or confidence has become a key for first-year OU coach Lon Kruger.

“That’s a priority,” he said. “The enthusiasm, the confidence, the work ethic... we have to maintain all of that and it’s a lot easier to do when you’re winning than when you’re not.”

During OU’s practices this week, the Sooners have focused on being more physical while playing and competing harder in preparation for their fourth conference game against Kansas State on Saturday.

“The goal continues to be the same, make progress each day,” Kruger said. “When you lose ball games it takes a little longer to recover to the same level. But you have to regroup, refocus and recover.”

As National Signing Day approaches on Feb. 1, Brandon Chatmon is breaking down every commitment and signee in the Sooners' 2012 recruiting class. View all of our profiles here.

Name: Daniel Brooks

Position: Athlete

Height, Weight: 5-foot-9, 170 pounds

Hometown/School: Port Laveca, Texas/Calhoun

Committed: March 10, 2011

Scout grade: 75. Three star prospect.

Scout rankings: No. 128 athlete, No. 255 in Midlands region, No. 203 in Texas

Picked OU over: Texas, Texas Tech, California, New Mexico

State of the position: It remains unclear what position Brooks will end up playing at Oklahoma, though he has been told he will get his first shot at running back. Regardless, Brooks is a dynamic playmaker who has the explosiveness to be a good return man and would be terrific in the backfield or the slot.

Pros: “Brooks is a diminutive, shifty scatback type with upside as a return specialist. He is short and wiry, but tougher as an in-line runner than you might think. He has a great first step and explosiveness, shows good vision and can make good decisions in the hole.” - ESPN analyst

Cons: “Overall quickness outweighs his top end speed. The intriguing thing about Brooks is that he doesn't always show sudden stop/start ability given his size and footwork.” - ESPN analyst

Similar to/potential role: Roy Finch. A dynamic playmaker who will need the ball in his hands.

Expected impact: 2012. If the Sooners give Brooks the opportunity to return kickoffs and punts, he could have an immediate impact. If not, a redshirt season may be in the cards for Brooks.

Michele Steele and ESPN Regional Coordinators Jaime Newberg, Dave Hooker, Damon Sayles, Jared Shanker and Mitch Sherman take you through the latest news on the college football recruiting scene.

Mike Stoops is joining his brother Bob's staff as the co-defensive coordinator at Oklahoma. Former Jim Thorpe Award winner Derrick Strait, one of the best players Mike Stoops ever coached at OU, spoke to SoonerNation about the move.

Jake Trotter: What do you think about Mike coming back?

Derrick Strait: I think it’s a good idea. The pass defense wasn’t up to par like it should be. I think he’ll come in and do a great job.

JT: What will Mike bring to the table?

DS: His attitude and what he expects from you as a player. There’s something about him that brings out the best in the players. He puts you in the right situation.

JT: It seems like the players enjoyed playing for him at OU?

DS: You like playing for him. He doesn’t put you in bad situations. He never put you in a situation where you didn’t feel comfortable with the game plan. We trusted in what he was saying. He trusted us enough. And he put you in the right situations. We didn’t have guys out there confused about anything. A lot of games this season it seemed the secondary was in limbo with what it should do. With us, it was more like we knew what we were doing and were confident about it. There was no second-guessing.

JT: You thought the secondary this season played confused at times?

DS: They just didn’t look as sure as needed to be in some games.

JT: How critical is that when you’re the last line of defense?

DS: When you’re the last line of defense, you have to be confident in the things do. When you’re thinking, you play slower, that’s when guys get behind you. That’s when big plays happen. You can’t afford that in the secondary.

JT: How intense was Mike when you played?

DS: More or less, it’s all about how you receive what he’s saying. Not how he’s saying it. You can’t take it personally. He’s not telling you something to hurt you. You just have to take it in stride.

JT: What is your advice to the current defensive backs?

DS: Just listen. If you don’t feel comfortable, just ask him. He does a great job teaching you, explaining the defense and how it should work. I sat next to him in the meeting room, and always asked questions.

JT: How did Mike and Brent Venables get along?

DS: They got along good. If there were any arguments, it was over a situation. It was never personal. They were both good guys. They worked great together, actually. I hope coach Venables stays.

The SoonerNation staff is wrapping up Oklahoma's 10-3 season by answering 10 questions, just like we did during the Sooners' bye week in November. Today:

What was the Sooners' biggest disappointment of the season?

Widespread rules violations

This one is easy. The widespread lack of attention to the “little things,” as defensive captain Travis Lewis put it, leading to a number of players being asked to transfer in December. Injuries plagued the Sooners. But just as detrimental were the numerous suspensions, stemming from skipped workouts, missed classes and failed drug tests. The Sooners didn’t have the intangibles needed to compete for a national championship. Very disappointing.

- Jake Trotter

Overall lack of focus

For a team expected to compete for a national championship, the Sooners didn’t approach every game to dominant their opponent. All too often they started slowly, seemingly with the belief they could just “turn it on” and win. Their slow start against Missouri was a perfect example and it finally caught up with them against Texas Tech when they ran into a 31-7 halftime deficit and couldn’t rally for the win.

- Brandon Chatmon

Lack of leadership

When things started to go downhill for OU, there was nobody there to bring that spark back to the team. Landry Jones is a great player, but it just feels like he doesn’t have the natural born leadership qualities. Defensive captain Travis Lewis went silent and stopped addressing the media after the loss to Texas Tech, something he even said might not have been the best idea in hindsight. Nobody could rally the troops together.

- Bob Przybylo

The 'Sharks'

After giving themselves a clever nickname in the preseason, Oklahoma's defensive backs didn't play consistent enough to warrant the moniker. Despite having an abundance of talent, Oklahoma ranked No. 79 in pass defense in 2011, and the Sooners were burned several times through the air. OU gave up 452 passing yards to Seth Doege and Texas Tech in a loss, and 485 passing yards to eventual Heisman-winner Robert Griffin III and Baylor. The Sooners had solid individual performers - the corners Jamell Fleming and Demontre Hurst were mostly solid -- but they didn't perform well as a unit. There is hope for the Sooners' secondary, however. Mad Mike Stoops returns to tutor the defensive backs in 2012.

- Dane Beavers

What do you think? What was OU's biggest disappointment this season?

Though the recent departure of four-star cornerback De’Vante Harris (Mesquite, Texas/Horn) is a big blow to Oklahoma 2012 defensive backs class, it hasn’t really impacted the Sooners' standing in the rankings.

The Sooners dropped to No. 10 in the latest ESPN class rankings released on Thursday. But once again, it was a case of what another team did more than what OU failed to do.

California had a huge recruiting weekend, picking up one big-time commit after another at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and vaulted from No. 19 to No. 8.

In the last set of rankings, it was Georgia who scored some quality prospects to jump OU.

While it’s nice the Sooners haven’t fallen too far behind, it would be nice for OU fans if they had something to celebrate.

Nothing has changed with OU’s class, where clearly the strength of the group is on offense. The Sooners’ top 11-ranked recruits are on offense, including all four in the ESPNU 150.

And if the Sooners are going to make a leap up in the rankings, it will most likely happen because of the offense once again as OU is in the hunt for third-ranked prospect Dorial Green-Beckham (Springfield, Mo./Hillcrest) and offensive tackle Zach Banner (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes), ranked No. 123. Green-Beckham's final five are OU, Arkansas, Texas, Missouri and Alabama, while Banner's top three are OU, USC and Washington.

The Sooners are also in the mix for a couple of three-star running backs in David Smith (Midlothian, Ill./Bremen) and Boston College commit Akeel Lynch (Athol Springs, N.Y./St. Francis). Both are making official visits to OU this weekend and Smith has narrowed his choices down to OU or West Virginia.

On defense the name to watch is cornerback Brandon Beaver (Compton, Calif./Dominguez). A four-star defensive back, Beaver is ranked No. 20 at the position and is making an official visit to OU next weekend.