Oklahoma Sooners: Gabe Ikard
We're walking through each Big 12 team and identifying its most irreplaceable talent. He's the guy they can least afford to lose, and the guy to whom an injury or departure would have the most effect.
Let's move on with Oklahoma.
More most indispensable players.
Most indispensable player: OL Gabe Ikard
Why Oklahoma can't afford to lose him: This was a tough pick, and I narrowed it down to three players: CB Aaron Colvin, LB Corey Nelson and Ikard. Oklahoma doesn't have any All-Americans on this roster in terms of pure talent, so it's tough to look at one player and say, "Man, if Oklahoma loses him, they're a completely different team." There's just not a guy like that on Oklahoma's roster.
Still, I point to Ikard because he's held down Oklahoma's offensive line together even as it was trimmed to a razor-thin unit. It was a unit basically reduced to five guys that couldn't afford to sit for exhaustion or injury at the end of 2012. He's the most talented player on the Sooners' offensive line and showed some versatility by moving over to center from left guard last year following Ben Habern's injury in preseason camp.
With a new quarterback, strong play up front on the offensive line is a must-have. That's going to make life easier on any quarterback, but the gap between an inexperienced quarterback with a good offensive line and a poor offensive line is enormous. That extra second or two in the pocket can be the difference between 10-15 percent of third-down conversions to keep the ball, move the chains and put points on the board. Ikard's the biggest key and most experienced member of the Sooners' line with 38 career starts entering the season. Oklahoma simply can't afford to lose him. It just might be the difference between an eight-win season and an 11-win season.
Let's move on with Oklahoma.
More most indispensable players.
Most indispensable player: OL Gabe Ikard
Why Oklahoma can't afford to lose him: This was a tough pick, and I narrowed it down to three players: CB Aaron Colvin, LB Corey Nelson and Ikard. Oklahoma doesn't have any All-Americans on this roster in terms of pure talent, so it's tough to look at one player and say, "Man, if Oklahoma loses him, they're a completely different team." There's just not a guy like that on Oklahoma's roster.
Still, I point to Ikard because he's held down Oklahoma's offensive line together even as it was trimmed to a razor-thin unit. It was a unit basically reduced to five guys that couldn't afford to sit for exhaustion or injury at the end of 2012. He's the most talented player on the Sooners' offensive line and showed some versatility by moving over to center from left guard last year following Ben Habern's injury in preseason camp.
With a new quarterback, strong play up front on the offensive line is a must-have. That's going to make life easier on any quarterback, but the gap between an inexperienced quarterback with a good offensive line and a poor offensive line is enormous. That extra second or two in the pocket can be the difference between 10-15 percent of third-down conversions to keep the ball, move the chains and put points on the board. Ikard's the biggest key and most experienced member of the Sooners' line with 38 career starts entering the season. Oklahoma simply can't afford to lose him. It just might be the difference between an eight-win season and an 11-win season.
Every Friday, SoonerNation releases the Sooner Intel, a sneak peek inside Oklahoma Sooners football recruiting with news and notes on the latest happenings around the program. Talk about it on our forum. A few things discussed in this week's update:
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
- A recent defensive offer will be at the Sooners' summer camp.
- A Houston wideout has Oklahoma on top of his list.
- One Arizona ESPN 150 cornerback is planning to take an official visit to OU.
- ESPN 150 athlete and his coach will be in Norman for OU's camp.
- More on the Sooners' sleeper commit, cornerback Tito Windham.
- Was OU's offensive line commit always destined to be a Sooner?
- An in-state defensive tackle could be offered soon.
- Why OU hasn't made up ground with four-star defensive end Deondre Clark.
Read the Sooner Intel after the jump.
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For the last four years, quarterback Drew Allen has worn crimson. Soon, he’ll don the orange of Syracuse.
Allen, who will earn his degree from Oklahoma this month, will be eligible for the Orange immediately, and will compete to replace Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib, who was taken in the fourth round of the NFL draft last weekend.
Before he heads off to his new school, Allen checked in with SoonerNation to talk about his new school, the decision to transfer and what he thinks of OU’s three-way quarterback competition:
SoonerNation: When are you getting up to Syracuse?
Drew Allen: It depends. I’m just now applying. They just sent me applications to get into graduate school. It depends on which graduate school I use or get into, and when that school offers classes. With NCAA rules, you have to be enrolled and taking courses in order to be participating with the team. I imagine though it would be in June.
SN: What are you going to get your Master's in?
Allen: No, I don’t know yet. I met with admissions when I went up there for my visit, and found three, four of them that would be good. If I can get into one that’s good for me, that’s all I can really ask for.
SN: What other schools did you look at?
Allen: Throughout the process, I didn’t really focus on schools, I was looking more so at what schools were looking at me, that would be willing to give me an opportunity and privilege to be able to use my last year to come play for them. Once I figured out who those schools were, I was able to narrow it down.
SN: Who did you narrow it down to?
Allen: It really came down to Syracuse and N.C. State. I visited both schools. In the end I chose Syracuse. I really liked what (Ryan) Nassib did, the direction of the program. They’re moving from the Big East to the ACC, the strength of schedule is favorable for exposure. If we win those games, we put ourselves in a good position to be a nationally-ranked team. The coaches were great. The schemes and type of offense (Orange offensive coordinator George McDonald) is going to run there really fits me, and is pretty much a carryover from what we’ve done at OU. The same kind of stuff.
Allen, who will earn his degree from Oklahoma this month, will be eligible for the Orange immediately, and will compete to replace Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib, who was taken in the fourth round of the NFL draft last weekend.
Before he heads off to his new school, Allen checked in with SoonerNation to talk about his new school, the decision to transfer and what he thinks of OU’s three-way quarterback competition:
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Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY SportsQuarterback Drew Allen played sparingly in his career at Oklahoma but he'll compete to start at Syracuse this season.
Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY SportsQuarterback Drew Allen played sparingly in his career at Oklahoma but he'll compete to start at Syracuse this season.Drew Allen: It depends. I’m just now applying. They just sent me applications to get into graduate school. It depends on which graduate school I use or get into, and when that school offers classes. With NCAA rules, you have to be enrolled and taking courses in order to be participating with the team. I imagine though it would be in June.
SN: What are you going to get your Master's in?
Allen: No, I don’t know yet. I met with admissions when I went up there for my visit, and found three, four of them that would be good. If I can get into one that’s good for me, that’s all I can really ask for.
SN: What other schools did you look at?
Allen: Throughout the process, I didn’t really focus on schools, I was looking more so at what schools were looking at me, that would be willing to give me an opportunity and privilege to be able to use my last year to come play for them. Once I figured out who those schools were, I was able to narrow it down.
SN: Who did you narrow it down to?
Allen: It really came down to Syracuse and N.C. State. I visited both schools. In the end I chose Syracuse. I really liked what (Ryan) Nassib did, the direction of the program. They’re moving from the Big East to the ACC, the strength of schedule is favorable for exposure. If we win those games, we put ourselves in a good position to be a nationally-ranked team. The coaches were great. The schemes and type of offense (Orange offensive coordinator George McDonald) is going to run there really fits me, and is pretty much a carryover from what we’ve done at OU. The same kind of stuff.
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
2012 record: 10-3
2012 conference record: 8-1 (tied for first, Big 12)
Returning starters: Offense: 7; defense: 4; kicker/punter: 1
Top returners
RB Damien Williams, FB Trey Millard, WR Jalen Saunders, WR Sterling Shepard, C Gabe Ikard, DE/DT Chuka Ndulue, LB Corey Nelson, CB Aaron Colvin
Key losses
QB Landry Jones, WR Justin Brown, WR Kenny Stills, OT Lane Johnson, DE David King, CB Demontre Hurst, FS Tony Jefferson, SS Javon Harris
2012 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Damien Williams* (946 yards)
Passing: Landry Jones (4,267yards)
Receiving: Kenny Stills (959 yards)
Tackles: Tony Jefferson (119)
Sacks: Chuka Ndulue* (5)
Interceptions: Javon Harris (6)
Spring answers
1. Playmakers abound: The Sooners might have lost leading receivers Kenny Stills and Justin Brown, but there’s plenty of firepower back to support whoever wins the starting quarterback job. Jalen Saunders was actually Oklahoma’s most efficient receiver the second half of last season and seems primed to take over as the go-to target. The Sooners also have several talented up-and-coming receivers who had good springs, led by slot extraordinaire Sterling Shepard. The backfield is even deeper, with leading rushers Damien Williams and Brennan Clay back, to go along with Trey Millard, one of the top all-around fullbacks in the country.
2. Cortez will flank Colvin: The secondary was decimated by graduation and Tony Jefferson’s early entry into the NFL draft. One of those voids was cornerback, where Demontre Hurst had started the previous years. That void at least, however, appears to have been filled. Arizona transfer Cortez Johnson seized the job from the first day of spring drills, and has given the Sooners every indication to believe they’ll have a big, physical corner to pair with All-American candidate Aaron Colvin in the fall.
3. The linebackers will play: In a desperate move to slow down the high-powered passing attacks of the Big 12, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops pulled his linebackers off the field. The plan backfired, as opposing offenses ran at will over the linebacker-less Sooners. This spring, Stoops has renewed his commitment to the linebacker, which, ironically, could be the strength of the defense. Corey Nelson, Frank Shannon and Aaron Franklin are all athletic and capable of generating negative plays, something Oklahoma’s defense sorely lacked last season.
Fall questions
1. Who the QB will be in October: Bob Stoops said he would wait until the fall before naming a starter, and so far, he’s made good on his word. Junior Blake Bell took a lead in the competition during the spring, as expected. But sophomore Kendal Thompson and redshirt freshman Trevor Knight, who both got equal reps as Bell, played well at times, too. It’s hard to see Bell not starting the first game. But if he struggles against a tough September schedule, it’s not unthinkable one of the younger QBs would be given a shot.
2. How the new offense will fare: Looking to utilize the skill sets of their mobile quarterbacks, the Sooners will be running a very different offense from the one Sam Bradford and Landry Jones both operated. Offensive coordinator Josh Heupel kept most of these new plays - including loads of read option -- in his hip pocket during the spring game. But it will be interesting to see how the Sooners -- and just as important, opposing defenses -- adjust to this new era of offense in Norman.
3. Defensive line play: The Sooners went into spring ball with just three defensive tackles on the roster, and little experience at defensive end. The unit showed strides during the spring, with Chuka Ndulue making a smooth transition from end to tackle, and tackle Jordan Phillips coming up big in the spring game. But that was the spring. The defensive line will have to continue to grow rapidly in the fall for the Sooners to have any hope of improving from last year defensively.
2012 record: 10-3
2012 conference record: 8-1 (tied for first, Big 12)
Returning starters: Offense: 7; defense: 4; kicker/punter: 1
Top returners
RB Damien Williams, FB Trey Millard, WR Jalen Saunders, WR Sterling Shepard, C Gabe Ikard, DE/DT Chuka Ndulue, LB Corey Nelson, CB Aaron Colvin
Key losses
QB Landry Jones, WR Justin Brown, WR Kenny Stills, OT Lane Johnson, DE David King, CB Demontre Hurst, FS Tony Jefferson, SS Javon Harris
2012 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Damien Williams* (946 yards)
Passing: Landry Jones (4,267yards)
Receiving: Kenny Stills (959 yards)
Tackles: Tony Jefferson (119)
Sacks: Chuka Ndulue* (5)
Interceptions: Javon Harris (6)
Spring answers
1. Playmakers abound: The Sooners might have lost leading receivers Kenny Stills and Justin Brown, but there’s plenty of firepower back to support whoever wins the starting quarterback job. Jalen Saunders was actually Oklahoma’s most efficient receiver the second half of last season and seems primed to take over as the go-to target. The Sooners also have several talented up-and-coming receivers who had good springs, led by slot extraordinaire Sterling Shepard. The backfield is even deeper, with leading rushers Damien Williams and Brennan Clay back, to go along with Trey Millard, one of the top all-around fullbacks in the country.
2. Cortez will flank Colvin: The secondary was decimated by graduation and Tony Jefferson’s early entry into the NFL draft. One of those voids was cornerback, where Demontre Hurst had started the previous years. That void at least, however, appears to have been filled. Arizona transfer Cortez Johnson seized the job from the first day of spring drills, and has given the Sooners every indication to believe they’ll have a big, physical corner to pair with All-American candidate Aaron Colvin in the fall.
3. The linebackers will play: In a desperate move to slow down the high-powered passing attacks of the Big 12, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops pulled his linebackers off the field. The plan backfired, as opposing offenses ran at will over the linebacker-less Sooners. This spring, Stoops has renewed his commitment to the linebacker, which, ironically, could be the strength of the defense. Corey Nelson, Frank Shannon and Aaron Franklin are all athletic and capable of generating negative plays, something Oklahoma’s defense sorely lacked last season.
Fall questions
1. Who the QB will be in October: Bob Stoops said he would wait until the fall before naming a starter, and so far, he’s made good on his word. Junior Blake Bell took a lead in the competition during the spring, as expected. But sophomore Kendal Thompson and redshirt freshman Trevor Knight, who both got equal reps as Bell, played well at times, too. It’s hard to see Bell not starting the first game. But if he struggles against a tough September schedule, it’s not unthinkable one of the younger QBs would be given a shot.
2. How the new offense will fare: Looking to utilize the skill sets of their mobile quarterbacks, the Sooners will be running a very different offense from the one Sam Bradford and Landry Jones both operated. Offensive coordinator Josh Heupel kept most of these new plays - including loads of read option -- in his hip pocket during the spring game. But it will be interesting to see how the Sooners -- and just as important, opposing defenses -- adjust to this new era of offense in Norman.
3. Defensive line play: The Sooners went into spring ball with just three defensive tackles on the roster, and little experience at defensive end. The unit showed strides during the spring, with Chuka Ndulue making a smooth transition from end to tackle, and tackle Jordan Phillips coming up big in the spring game. But that was the spring. The defensive line will have to continue to grow rapidly in the fall for the Sooners to have any hope of improving from last year defensively.
NORMAN, Okla. -- On Thursday, offensive tackle Lane Johnson became the 13th Sooner under Bob Stoops to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft. In 2014, Stoops could have another first-rounder in cornerback Aaron Colvin.
SoonerNation breaks down Colvin’s prospects as well as what the rest of the 2014 OU draft class could look like:
SoonerNation breaks down Colvin’s prospects as well as what the rest of the 2014 OU draft class could look like:
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OU spring takeaways: Winners and losers 
April, 22, 2013
Apr 22
8:00
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- Spring is the time when young players can serve notice that they are ready to take on a bigger role on the team at the University of Oklahoma. It’s also a time when players lack of progression leaves an opening for them to be passed on the depth chart.
Here’s a look at the winners and losers of spring for the Sooners:
Winners
Here’s a look at the winners and losers of spring for the Sooners:
Winners
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NORMAN, Okla. -- Following Saturday's spring game, SoonerNation has updated the "Oklahoma 10" -- a composite ranking of the 10 best players on the team. The list:
1. FB Trey Millard (Last ranking: 1): Millard was held out of the spring game as a precaution, something Bob Stoops usually does with his stars. Despite manning an unheralded position, Millard certainly fits the bill of a star. You wouldn’t know it by the number of touches he gets, but Josh Heupel’s new option-oriented offense -- which, like Millard, was kept on the shelf Saturday -- could get the ball in Millard’s hands more often. That’s always good for the Sooners – and bad for opposing defenses.
1. FB Trey Millard (Last ranking: 1): Millard was held out of the spring game as a precaution, something Bob Stoops usually does with his stars. Despite manning an unheralded position, Millard certainly fits the bill of a star. You wouldn’t know it by the number of touches he gets, but Josh Heupel’s new option-oriented offense -- which, like Millard, was kept on the shelf Saturday -- could get the ball in Millard’s hands more often. That’s always good for the Sooners – and bad for opposing defenses.
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Montgomery brings a new approach to OU
April, 4, 2013
Apr 4
8:00
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- Uplifting. Intense. Intelligent.
Those are a few of the words that have been used describe Jerry Montgomery during his first spring as defensive line coach at Oklahoma. There’s been a change at practice as the Sooners' energetic new assistant starts to make his mark, and it has been noticed, even by players at other positions.
“He is outspoken,” linebacker Corey Nelson said. “He remains positive no matter what. He uplifts a lot of the players. He coaches them up very well and just teaches them how to have character on the field and to work hard with that character.”
Several Sooners have pointed toward Montgomery’s intensity on the field and sincerity off the field as key attributes that the former Michigan defensive line coach has infused into the program.
“I see the intensity on the field,” said center Ty Darlington, who was recruited to Michigan by Montgomery out of high school. “But I think it’s great he couples it with what seems like sincere care for his players off the field and developing relationships with those guys. He seems like an easygoing guy away from the field.”
He has combined a laid back off-field demeanor with intensity while making a point to hold his guys accountable with a positive slant behind his words.
Those are a few of the words that have been used describe Jerry Montgomery during his first spring as defensive line coach at Oklahoma. There’s been a change at practice as the Sooners' energetic new assistant starts to make his mark, and it has been noticed, even by players at other positions.
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AP Photo/Sue OgrockiOU players like new assistant Jerry Montgomery's demeanor on and off the field.
AP Photo/Sue OgrockiOU players like new assistant Jerry Montgomery's demeanor on and off the field.Several Sooners have pointed toward Montgomery’s intensity on the field and sincerity off the field as key attributes that the former Michigan defensive line coach has infused into the program.
“I see the intensity on the field,” said center Ty Darlington, who was recruited to Michigan by Montgomery out of high school. “But I think it’s great he couples it with what seems like sincere care for his players off the field and developing relationships with those guys. He seems like an easygoing guy away from the field.”
He has combined a laid back off-field demeanor with intensity while making a point to hold his guys accountable with a positive slant behind his words.
NORMAN, Okla. -- Many faces are gone from final 2012, SoonerNation “Oklahoma 10” -- a composite ranking of the 10 best players on the squad.
Through the first half of spring ball, we’ve updated the “Oklahoma 10,” which – you guessed it – features many new faces:
1. FB Trey Millard (Last ranking: 2): Perhaps no one stands to benefit more from the ongoing tweaks offensively this spring than Millard -- and that’s a good thing for the overall team, too. Millard averaged 6 yards per carry and more than 11 per reception in 2012, despite touching the ball just 63 the entire season. With a renewed emphasis on the running game featuring a heavy dose of read, midline and triple option, Millard figures to be a bigger part of the attack next season.
Through the first half of spring ball, we’ve updated the “Oklahoma 10,” which – you guessed it – features many new faces:
1. FB Trey Millard (Last ranking: 2): Perhaps no one stands to benefit more from the ongoing tweaks offensively this spring than Millard -- and that’s a good thing for the overall team, too. Millard averaged 6 yards per carry and more than 11 per reception in 2012, despite touching the ball just 63 the entire season. With a renewed emphasis on the running game featuring a heavy dose of read, midline and triple option, Millard figures to be a bigger part of the attack next season.
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With Ikard hurt, Darlington to step in again
March, 11, 2013
Mar 11
8:00
AM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- Ty Darlington arrived at Oklahoma last year hardly looking the part of a college offensive lineman. A high school sports hernia caused Darlington's weight to drop all the way down to the low 260s.
Though undersized, Darlington impressed during preseason practice with his technique and smarts. And when starting center Gabe Ikard suffered a concussion the week of Baylor in November, the true freshman filled in admirably.
Though undersized, Darlington impressed during preseason practice with his technique and smarts. And when starting center Gabe Ikard suffered a concussion the week of Baylor in November, the true freshman filled in admirably.
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NORMAN. Okla. -- The players on the offensive line will be largely the same in 2013. The coach directing them will not.
One of the first moves Bob Stoops made after signing day was firing Bruce Kittle and James Patton and replacing them with Bill Bedenbaugh, who was formerly at West Virginia.
One of the first moves Bob Stoops made after signing day was firing Bruce Kittle and James Patton and replacing them with Bill Bedenbaugh, who was formerly at West Virginia.
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Bill Bedenbaugh 'jacked up' to get started
February, 19, 2013
Feb 19
8:00
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
“When I got here Saturday, the first thing I did was recruit.”
Those words must be music to the ears of Sooners fans. That statement was one of several interesting tidbits during new offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh’s time Monday afternoon on Norman, Okla., radio station KREF Sports Talk 1400 AM.
Bedenbaugh, who officially joined the Sooners program over the weekend, talked about the physical, nasty attitude he plans to instill in OU’s offensive linemen, with the goal of making that the foundation of the Sooners' offensive front.
“You try to recruit that but I think you can develop it as well,” he said. “No excuses, you go out and get the job done. Expect yourself to be great. That’s the way I’ve always coached and that’s what I’m going to do here and I expect these guys to respond.”
Bedenbaugh is very familiar with the Sooners offensive concepts with previous coaching stops at Texas Tech, Arizona (with defensive coordinator Mike Stoops and Tim Kish) and West Virginia. WVU was his most recent stop as he coached in Dana Holgorsen’s spread offense.
“It’s very similar,” Bedenbaugh said after getting a glimpse at OU’s offense alongside offensive coordinator Josh Heupel this weekend. “There’s a bunch of carry over most of the things they’re doing here, we did at West Virginia.”
Bedenbaugh is hoping to sharpen technique and inspire a finishing attitude among his players with an eye on changing short gains into game-changing plays.
Those words must be music to the ears of Sooners fans. That statement was one of several interesting tidbits during new offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh’s time Monday afternoon on Norman, Okla., radio station KREF Sports Talk 1400 AM.
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Liam Foley/Icon SMINew OU offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh spent time at Arizona with Mike Stoops.
Liam Foley/Icon SMINew OU offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh spent time at Arizona with Mike Stoops.“You try to recruit that but I think you can develop it as well,” he said. “No excuses, you go out and get the job done. Expect yourself to be great. That’s the way I’ve always coached and that’s what I’m going to do here and I expect these guys to respond.”
Bedenbaugh is very familiar with the Sooners offensive concepts with previous coaching stops at Texas Tech, Arizona (with defensive coordinator Mike Stoops and Tim Kish) and West Virginia. WVU was his most recent stop as he coached in Dana Holgorsen’s spread offense.
“It’s very similar,” Bedenbaugh said after getting a glimpse at OU’s offense alongside offensive coordinator Josh Heupel this weekend. “There’s a bunch of carry over most of the things they’re doing here, we did at West Virginia.”
Bedenbaugh is hoping to sharpen technique and inspire a finishing attitude among his players with an eye on changing short gains into game-changing plays.
OL Savage provides safety net for Sooners
February, 4, 2013
Feb 4
3:04
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
The outlook at one position can change in a heartbeat.
Oklahoma learned that heading into the 2012 season as it watched interior lineman drop like flies, turning one of the deepest positions on the roster into one of the thinnest spots by season’s end.
The commitment of Dionte Savage (Yuma, Ariz/Arizona Western) is a sign the Sooners don’t want to see their numbers crippled by injury and defections for a second straight season in 2013.
Oklahoma learned that heading into the 2012 season as it watched interior lineman drop like flies, turning one of the deepest positions on the roster into one of the thinnest spots by season’s end.
The commitment of Dionte Savage (Yuma, Ariz/Arizona Western) is a sign the Sooners don’t want to see their numbers crippled by injury and defections for a second straight season in 2013.
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George Adeosun gets taste of OU culture
January, 27, 2013
Jan 27
9:40
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
Offensive tackle George Adeosun (Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta) started the weekend as a William & Mary commit. Oklahoma fans were hoping he would end the weekend as a Sooners commit.
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2012 review: Improvement, regression
January, 8, 2013
Jan 8
8:00
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
For the second straight year, Oklahoma finished the season with a 10-3 record. Both seasons featured disappointments late in the season (Oklahoma State in 2011, Texas A&M in 2012) yet the Sooners were in the Big 12 championship mix heading into the final game of the regular season each season. OU saw some improvements in 2012, but they were joined by some clear steps backward. Here’s a look at how the Sooners improved, how they regressed and how they maintained in 2012.
Improved
• Passing game
Improved
• Passing game
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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 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.