Oklahoma Sooners: R.J. Washington
Improved football IQ is key for OU's Tapper
April, 25, 2013
Apr 25
8:00
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- The first time he stepped on the field as a Sooner, defensive end Charles Tapper felt uncertainty.
“It was nerve-racking,” he said.
In the Sooners’ 2012 season opener, the UTEP offensive tackle on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage did his best to intimidate Tapper, then just a freshman.
“I was kind of scared to go out there at first,” Tapper said. “The offensive tackle was just staring at me and I was just shaking.”
So instinct took over.
“So I tried to do a basketball move and he just threw me out of the way,” said Tapper, who was a standout basketball player who didn’t play football until his junior year at Baltimore (Md.) City College High School.
Later in the game, Tapper got the best of his one-on-one battle, pressuring UTEP quarterback Nick Lamaison in the final minutes of OU’s 24-7 win.
“After my first snap I was OK, I was ready to play,” Tapper said.
Those moments in El Paso, Texas, define Tapper's first season at OU. During times of uncertainty, the raw defeensive end turned to his basketball roots yet when he focused on his football fundamentals, he saw success.
“It was nerve-racking,” he said.
In the Sooners’ 2012 season opener, the UTEP offensive tackle on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage did his best to intimidate Tapper, then just a freshman.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Sue OgrockiDefensive end Charles Tapper player sparingly for the Sooners in 2012, but he'll be a key member of the defense this season.
AP Photo/Sue OgrockiDefensive end Charles Tapper player sparingly for the Sooners in 2012, but he'll be a key member of the defense this season.So instinct took over.
“So I tried to do a basketball move and he just threw me out of the way,” said Tapper, who was a standout basketball player who didn’t play football until his junior year at Baltimore (Md.) City College High School.
Later in the game, Tapper got the best of his one-on-one battle, pressuring UTEP quarterback Nick Lamaison in the final minutes of OU’s 24-7 win.
“After my first snap I was OK, I was ready to play,” Tapper said.
Those moments in El Paso, Texas, define Tapper's first season at OU. During times of uncertainty, the raw defeensive end turned to his basketball roots yet when he focused on his football fundamentals, he saw success.
OU position grades: Defensive ends 
December, 19, 2012
12/19/12
10:00
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By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
In the weeks leading up to the Cotton Bowl, SoonerNation will take a look back at how the Sooners performed position-by-position and give each group a grade based on that performance. Today, we examine the defensive end position.
Highlights: Senior David King capped a solid career with a solid senior season. The second-team All-Big 12 selection finished the regular season with 25 tackles and proved to be OU’s most valuable player on the defensive line because of his versatility to play tackle, too.
Lowlights: The Sooners struggled to get pressure on opposing QBs all season and finished 61st nationally with just 24 sacks. OU had 40 sacks last season. Senior R.J. Washington came up with a huge strip in the victory at TCU, but drifted in and out of the rotation. Chuka Ndulue was solid at times, but he and Washington each struggled with their run fits. Teams such as Kansas State, West Virginia, Baylor and Oklahoma State took full advantage as the Sooners finished with the No. 83 run defense in the country.
Highlights: Senior David King capped a solid career with a solid senior season. The second-team All-Big 12 selection finished the regular season with 25 tackles and proved to be OU’s most valuable player on the defensive line because of his versatility to play tackle, too.
Lowlights: The Sooners struggled to get pressure on opposing QBs all season and finished 61st nationally with just 24 sacks. OU had 40 sacks last season. Senior R.J. Washington came up with a huge strip in the victory at TCU, but drifted in and out of the rotation. Chuka Ndulue was solid at times, but he and Washington each struggled with their run fits. Teams such as Kansas State, West Virginia, Baylor and Oklahoma State took full advantage as the Sooners finished with the No. 83 run defense in the country.
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Five Sooners to watch in bowl practices
December, 5, 2012
12/05/12
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Bowl practices can be a critical time for any football program. It’s an opportunity for young players to show how they’ve improved during the season and set themselves up in integral roles on the offense or defense heading into the spring while the veterans recover from a physical schedule.
Here’s a look at five young players at Oklahoma who could use bowl practices as a springboard to a bigger role for the Sooners in 2013.
Receiver Trey Metoyer
Here’s a look at five young players at Oklahoma who could use bowl practices as a springboard to a bigger role for the Sooners in 2013.
Receiver Trey Metoyer
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Freshman update: QB Trevor Knight
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
R.J. Washington has a message for anyone who wants to hand the Oklahoma starting quarterback job to Blake Bell heading into the 2013 season.
“Everybody’s excited ... but people have to watch out for Trevor [Knight],” the Sooners defensive end said. “Don’t count him out, he’s going to surprise a lot of people.”
Quarterback Trevor Knight has been redshirting during his first season on campus and running the scout team with efficiency against OU’s No. 1 defense in practice.
“Everybody’s excited ... but people have to watch out for Trevor [Knight],” the Sooners defensive end said. “Don’t count him out, he’s going to surprise a lot of people.”
Quarterback Trevor Knight has been redshirting during his first season on campus and running the scout team with efficiency against OU’s No. 1 defense in practice.
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Freshman update: DE Mike Onuoha
November, 8, 2012
11/08/12
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
At this time last year, Mike Onuoha didn’t even have a scholarship offer from Oklahoma.
After receiving an OU offer in January and signing with the Sooners, the freshman defensive end is leaving a strong impression on his teammates this fall. He played his way out of a redshirt season in August and has seen spot duty in blowout games. Onuoha has four tackles and one quarterback hurry in four games played.
Although Onuoha has seen very limited game action this season, the 6-foot-5, 235 pound freshman is improving.
After receiving an OU offer in January and signing with the Sooners, the freshman defensive end is leaving a strong impression on his teammates this fall. He played his way out of a redshirt season in August and has seen spot duty in blowout games. Onuoha has four tackles and one quarterback hurry in four games played.
Although Onuoha has seen very limited game action this season, the 6-foot-5, 235 pound freshman is improving.
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Five storylines: Kansas vs. Oklahoma
October, 18, 2012
10/18/12
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
After impressive back-to-back wins over Texas Tech and Texas, Oklahoma hosts Kansas at 6 p.m. CT Saturday at Owen Field in Norman, Okla. The Sooners have put themselves back in position to achieve their goals, as long as they continue to play at a high level. Here are five storylines to watch:
1. Will the Sooners handle success like they handled adversity?
After their loss to Kansas State, the Sooners have responded and put their name back in the national conversation about top teams and potential BCS title participants. That all goes away with a loss to KU.
1. Will the Sooners handle success like they handled adversity?
After their loss to Kansas State, the Sooners have responded and put their name back in the national conversation about top teams and potential BCS title participants. That all goes away with a loss to KU.
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RRR recruiting: Does it make a difference?
October, 11, 2012
10/11/12
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By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- David Ash remembers watching Red River Rivalry games from a church camp in Wichita, Kan.
He remembers the men -- some from Texas, some from Oklahoma -- with the game on down in the basement who were so loud, their wives were afraid to go downstairs.
“There aren’t supposed to be divisions in the church, but there was on that weekend,” the Texas quarterback said.
He remembers the men -- some from Texas, some from Oklahoma -- with the game on down in the basement who were so loud, their wives were afraid to go downstairs.
“There aren’t supposed to be divisions in the church, but there was on that weekend,” the Texas quarterback said.
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Film room: Landry Jones solid in win
October, 7, 2012
10/07/12
5:00
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Apparently the boat is not sinking.
Oklahoma righted the ship on Saturday with a 41-20 win over Texas Tech at Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Coming off one of the worst games of his career, quarterback Landry Jones played a superb game as he managed the Sooners offense and took care of the football. Defensively, the Sooners got three interceptions and held TTU scoreless in the second half until a garbage time touchdown from SaDale Foster with 56 seconds left in the game.
Here are five key plays in the Sooners' third win of the season:
Oklahoma righted the ship on Saturday with a 41-20 win over Texas Tech at Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Coming off one of the worst games of his career, quarterback Landry Jones played a superb game as he managed the Sooners offense and took care of the football. Defensively, the Sooners got three interceptions and held TTU scoreless in the second half until a garbage time touchdown from SaDale Foster with 56 seconds left in the game.
Here are five key plays in the Sooners' third win of the season:
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Five storylines: Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech
October, 4, 2012
10/04/12
8:00
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Revenge is a word that has been used often when discussing Oklahoma’s game with Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, this weekend. But redemption is probably a better word. The Sooners enter the game with a defense that was torched by the Red Raiders in 2011 and a quarterback who played one of the worst games of his career in his previous outing.
Here’s a look at five storylines for the Sooners' matchup with Texas Tech.
1. Can Landry Jones regain confidence?
Here’s a look at five storylines for the Sooners' matchup with Texas Tech.
1. Can Landry Jones regain confidence?
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Practice report: Defense 'out-executed' late
September, 24, 2012
9/24/12
7:33
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By
Jake Trotter and
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
After Monday’s practice, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said he was mostly pleased with how the defense performed in the loss to Kansas State.
“For three quarters we did exactly what we wanted to do,” he said. “If you can hold them to three points through three quarters, that’s very difficult to do. I don’t know if anybody’s ever done that.
“Why it hurt so bad is we didn’t execute down the stretch and it cost us dearly, not getting off the field on third down. We got out-executed and that was the game.”
“For three quarters we did exactly what we wanted to do,” he said. “If you can hold them to three points through three quarters, that’s very difficult to do. I don’t know if anybody’s ever done that.
“Why it hurt so bad is we didn’t execute down the stretch and it cost us dearly, not getting off the field on third down. We got out-executed and that was the game.”
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Film room: K-State 24, Oklahoma 19
September, 23, 2012
9/23/12
4:30
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Oklahoma's hopes of competing for a championship -- either Big 12 or BCS -- took a major hit with the 24-19 loss to Kansas State at Owen Field on Saturday. The OU offense shot itself in the foot with three turnovers, two by senior quarterback Landry Jones. Here’s a closer look at the Sooners' loss after further review:
Jones third-down incompletion targeting Kenny Stills on OU’s first possession
Two plays after Jones missed a wide-open Brannon Green for a touchdown on play action, he missed Stills in the corner on third down. This play was important for various reasons:
Jones third-down incompletion targeting Kenny Stills on OU’s first possession
Two plays after Jones missed a wide-open Brannon Green for a touchdown on play action, he missed Stills in the corner on third down. This play was important for various reasons:
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Postgame wrap: K-State 24, Oklahoma 19
September, 23, 2012
9/23/12
9:15
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By
Brandon Chatmon and
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
Analyzing the finer points of Oklahoma's 24-19 loss to Kansas State:
• The Sooners nearly suffered another disastrous turnover in the third quarter. As jet back Roy Finch came in front of Landry Jones in motion, Jones took the snap and heaved it Finch’s way. Officials originally ruled the play a fumble and Kansas State recovered deep in OU territory. The replay booth, however, reversed call and gave the Sooners the ball back.
Initially, it looked as though Finch ran the wrong play or wasn’t expecting the ball. But after the game, Bob Stoops said the play was simply mistimed.
• The Sooners nearly suffered another disastrous turnover in the third quarter. As jet back Roy Finch came in front of Landry Jones in motion, Jones took the snap and heaved it Finch’s way. Officials originally ruled the play a fumble and Kansas State recovered deep in OU territory. The replay booth, however, reversed call and gave the Sooners the ball back.
Initially, it looked as though Finch ran the wrong play or wasn’t expecting the ball. But after the game, Bob Stoops said the play was simply mistimed.
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Sooners on upset alert vs. K-State?
September, 22, 2012
9/22/12
4:15
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
When Oklahoma hosts Kansas State on Saturday, the Sooners are coming off a bye week which saw them surrender their No. 5 ranking in the AP poll, falling to No. 6 this week. It’s not outside of the realm of discussion to think the Sooners could be put on upset alert when they face the No. 15-ranked Wildcats.
Sooners defensive end R.J. Washington isn’t worried about OU’s national perception heading into this game, he just wants to win.
“We know how good Kansas State is,” the senior said. “I feel like people outside the conference really don’t know how good K-State is, they’re a great team. I’ll take a ugly win over a pretty loss.”
OU could send a loud message to the rest of the Big 12 and the nation with a eye-popping performance on Saturday. And yet any victory should boost OU’s national reputation since the Wildcats are ranked among the top 15 and already have an impressive blowout win over Miami (Fla.).
Sooners defensive end R.J. Washington isn’t worried about OU’s national perception heading into this game, he just wants to win.
“We know how good Kansas State is,” the senior said. “I feel like people outside the conference really don’t know how good K-State is, they’re a great team. I’ll take a ugly win over a pretty loss.”
OU could send a loud message to the rest of the Big 12 and the nation with a eye-popping performance on Saturday. And yet any victory should boost OU’s national reputation since the Wildcats are ranked among the top 15 and already have an impressive blowout win over Miami (Fla.).
Washington explains home-field advantage
September, 22, 2012
9/22/12
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By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Oklahoma defensive end R.J. Washington thinks there’s a reason why the Sooners have lost only one home game during his five years in Norman. They’re more comfortable, playing in front of friends and family and, most importantly, they take it personal when an opponent steps on Owen Field with disrespectful intentions.
“You have to take it personal,” Washington said. “You see them run down, they’re talking, you might see someone spitting on your logo or you’re see them do something where you’re like, ‘For real? That’s how you want to treat my house?’”
“It would be like if someone walked in your house, snatched up your remote, took a drink from you and was changing the channels.”
The Sooners are 24-1 during Washington’s time in crimson and cream with the lone loss coming against Texas Tech last season, which snapped the Sooners’ 39-game home winning streak.
“You have to take it personal,” Washington said. “You see them run down, they’re talking, you might see someone spitting on your logo or you’re see them do something where you’re like, ‘For real? That’s how you want to treat my house?’”
“It would be like if someone walked in your house, snatched up your remote, took a drink from you and was changing the channels.”
The Sooners are 24-1 during Washington’s time in crimson and cream with the lone loss coming against Texas Tech last season, which snapped the Sooners’ 39-game home winning streak.
Practice report: S Tony Jefferson practices
September, 17, 2012
9/17/12
7:05
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By
Jake Trotter and
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Oklahoma free safety Tony Jefferson took every snap of Monday’s practice and is expected to play Saturday against Kansas State, head coach Bob Stoops said.
“No more questions about Tony, OK?” Stoops said.
Jefferson suffered a sprained ankle on Sept. 8 against Florida A&M, and sat out practice last week during the Sooners’ open date. His return is a huge boost for an OU defense facing its first true test of the season. The Wildcats are 13th in the country in scoring offense, averaging 46 points per game.
“No more questions about Tony, OK?” Stoops said.
Jefferson suffered a sprained ankle on Sept. 8 against Florida A&M, and sat out practice last week during the Sooners’ open date. His return is a huge boost for an OU defense facing its first true test of the season. The Wildcats are 13th in the country in scoring offense, averaging 46 points per 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.