Oklahoma Sooners

NORMAN, Okla. -- It’s hard to remember now, but just two springs ago, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops called then-sophomore linebacker Corey Nelson the “best player” on his defense and said “it’s not close.”

Nelson is a senior now. And, finally, it appears the Sooners are going to give him the opportunity to deliver on Stoops’ proclamation.

“I’m really looking forward to playing again,” Nelson said. “(Not playing) has ignited a fire under me.”

Nelson has reason to have fire in his belly this spring.

After a promising freshman campaign followed by that dominating spring, Nelson figured to be on the cusp of stardom two seasons ago.

Sporadic playing time since, though, has stymied Nelson’s development -- to the point he thought of joining fellow linebacker Tom Wort and leaving Oklahoma.

“We had conversations, multiple conversations, just throughout the season, just talking about how frustrated he was, and how frustrated I was at times,” Nelson said.

Those frustrations stemmed from the Sooners’ defensive regime change from Brent Venables to Mike Stoops.

While Venables built his defenses around his linebackers, Mike Stoops consigned Wort and Nelson to plugging gaps and funneling tackles to the safeties.

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At the advent of two-a-days, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops lauded Oklahoma’s depth at linebacker. Nothing in the last three weeks has changed his mind. After starters Tom Wort and Corey Nelson, the Sooners have been using seniors Jaydan Bird and Joseph Ibiloye. But the development of sophomores Frank Shannon and Aaron Franklin and true freshman Eric Striker has the staff feeling comfortable going three- and four-deep at the position.

“They're getting a lot of reps right now,” linebackers coach Tim Kish said. “They're making good progress. Neither (Shannon nor Franklin) really has a snap on defense when the lights are on. But they're working really hard as a group.

“We expect them to be game-ready.”

Shannon has been rotating in at middle linebacker, while Franklin and Striker have been working at weak-side.

Kish has been especially bullish on Striker, who will not redshirt this season. At worst, Striker is expected to be a big part of OU’s special teams units.

“He's just a football player,” Kish said. “He's got great instincts out there. He practices a hundred miles an hour. He's got a great attitude towards the game. He's energetic. He has that outwardly passion for the game. Where I've got maybe some quiet guys in the group, that maybe are a little more reserved that way, he's kind of loud. I think that makes him stand out with the rest of the guys.

“He just lacks experience right now. He's kind of swimming, which is to be expected of any freshman playing his position. It'll come around for him. He'll have a special teams role in the beginning, and we'll keep developing him as a linebacker. You never know how fast things can change. There will be a time during the fall where the light will really come on and he'll start seeing the pieces fit together.”

NORMAN, Okla. -- In his first press conference of the season, Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops said at least nine or 10 true freshmen will play this weekend at UTEP.

Tight end Taylor McNamara, center Ty Darlington, defensive ends Charles Tapper and Mike Onuoha, linebacker Eric Striker, cornerback Gary Simon and receivers Durron Neal, Trey Metoyer and Sterling Shepard will all avoid redshirt. Stoops added that cornerback Zack Sanchez “probably” will play. And though Stoops didn’t mention Alex Ross, the freshman running back fro Jenks, Okla., has also impressed this preseason.

No one, however, has impressed more than Metoyer and Shepard, both of whom Stoops saved most of his praise for Monday. Metoyer will start this weekend opposite Penn State transfer Justin Brown at wideout.

“Trey continues to be one of the best athletes we have,” Stoops said. “He makes as competitive a catch as anyone we’ve had. He has those really strong hands.”

Shepard, meanwhile, is backing up Kenny Stills in the slot. Stoops didn’t hesitate comparing Shepard to former OU All-American slot receiver Ryan Broyles.

“Sterling really has a special feel there,” Stoops said. “He’s kind of a sturdier Ryan Broyles. He has that quickness and those inside moves. He’s just so much strong body-wise.”

Quarterback Landry Jones also praised the incoming freshman class Monday. He compared it to the class of 2010, which had a dozen play as true freshmen, including Stills.

“It’s similar, as far as talent wise,” Jones said. “A lot of freshman that are going to play who are going to be great football players.”