Oklahoma Sooners: Julian Wilson
MOORE, Okla. -- It has been a couple of years since Oklahoma recruited at Moore (Okla.) Southmoore. OU hit the school hard with prospects like quarterback Kendal Thompson, defensive back Julian Wilson and tight end Austin Haywood.
The Sooners have a reason to return with Class of 2014 wide receiver Jalen Adams. He has made several unofficial visits to OU, including last month for the spring game.
Already with an offer from Tulsa, Adams said schools such as Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Stanford are showing constant interest. Adams, who had 39 receptions for 766 yards and eight touchdowns last season, will be at OU’s football camp in two weeks.
The Sooners have a reason to return with Class of 2014 wide receiver Jalen Adams. He has made several unofficial visits to OU, including last month for the spring game.
Already with an offer from Tulsa, Adams said schools such as Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Stanford are showing constant interest. Adams, who had 39 receptions for 766 yards and eight touchdowns last season, will be at OU’s football camp in two weeks.
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Crimson Countdown: NB Julian Wilson 
April, 30, 2013
Apr 30
12:00
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Over the summer months, SoonerNation will take a closer look at each player on Oklahoma’s roster in our Crimson Countdown series. We will analyze each player’s impact on the program since they arrived on campus, their potential impact this fall and their long-term impact in the daily series. Starting with No. 1 Kendal Thompson, the series will go in numerical order until our final analysis of No. 99 Chaz Nelson.
No. 2 Julian Wilson
Redshirt junior nickelback, 6-foot-2, 191 pounds
No. 2 Julian Wilson
Redshirt junior nickelback, 6-foot-2, 191 pounds
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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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Early enrollees Thomas, Cavil standing out
April, 10, 2013
Apr 10
11:00
AM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- Safety Ahmad Thomas and receiver Dannon Cavil recognized an opportunity at Oklahoma. With wideout Kenny Stills and safety Tony Jefferson declaring for the 2013 NFL draft following their junior seasons, a starting spot and playing time opened up for the Sooners at both positions.
The lone freshman early enrollees who have fully participated in spring football, Cavil and Thomas are already making an impression on their teammates and coaches. It started with their smooth transition into the program during winter workouts.
“He's handled the workouts,” head coach Bob Stoops said of Cavil shortly before spring football began. “That's when you can really tell if a guy is ready for it, and he's gone through all the workouts like he's a junior.”
Thomas was the same way.
“He handled winter workouts like someone who’s been around for a couple of years,” nickelback Julian Wilson said. “He didn’t handle them like a freshman.”
The duo continued to impress this spring by displaying playmaking ability that could earn them on role on the Sooners’ offense and defense this fall. Thomas is a hard hitter who is displaying terrific instincts at safety. The departures of Jefferson and Javon Harris, OU’s starters last season, leaves a hole in the secondary and Thomas is making a case to slide into that gap.
“I’ve never seen a freshman like him,” cornerback Cortez Johnson said. “He’ll play a big part in our defense, most likely this year.”
Senior safety Gabe Lynn is taking on a mentoring role with Thomas but has already noticed his natural ability. Thomas' instincts have impressed along with his hunger to learn.
“He has good instincts,” Lynn said. “You really can’t tell he just came in, it fits right in. Ahmad wants to learn more so it’s very easy to help him, he’s asking questions all the time.”
The lone freshman early enrollees who have fully participated in spring football, Cavil and Thomas are already making an impression on their teammates and coaches. It started with their smooth transition into the program during winter workouts.
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Tom Hauck for ESPN.comFormer ESPN 300 wideout Dannon Cavil could play immediately for the Sooners this season.
Tom Hauck for ESPN.comFormer ESPN 300 wideout Dannon Cavil could play immediately for the Sooners this season.Thomas was the same way.
“He handled winter workouts like someone who’s been around for a couple of years,” nickelback Julian Wilson said. “He didn’t handle them like a freshman.”
The duo continued to impress this spring by displaying playmaking ability that could earn them on role on the Sooners’ offense and defense this fall. Thomas is a hard hitter who is displaying terrific instincts at safety. The departures of Jefferson and Javon Harris, OU’s starters last season, leaves a hole in the secondary and Thomas is making a case to slide into that gap.
“I’ve never seen a freshman like him,” cornerback Cortez Johnson said. “He’ll play a big part in our defense, most likely this year.”
Senior safety Gabe Lynn is taking on a mentoring role with Thomas but has already noticed his natural ability. Thomas' instincts have impressed along with his hunger to learn.
“He has good instincts,” Lynn said. “You really can’t tell he just came in, it fits right in. Ahmad wants to learn more so it’s very easy to help him, he’s asking questions all the time.”
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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NORMAN, Okla. -- No position on the Oklahoma roster is more up in the air heading into spring than safety. The Sooners lost their top three back safeties off last year’s team, including starters Tony Jefferson and Javon Harris, who have been fixtures in the OU secondary. How Mike Stoops retools the safety position will go a long way in determining whether the Sooners win the Big 12 championship in 2013.
It will be interesting to see what Stoops does with Gabe Lynn and Julian Wilson. The nickel and dime backs last year seem more suited playing close to the line of scrimmage and covering man-to-man than operating as the last line of defense.
It will be interesting to see what Stoops does with Gabe Lynn and Julian Wilson. The nickel and dime backs last year seem more suited playing close to the line of scrimmage and covering man-to-man than operating as the last line of defense.
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Oklahoma’s best recruiting job of the offseason was convincing Aaron Colvin to return for his senior year. Colvin gives the Sooners a premier lockdown coverman who will make opposing QBs think twice about throwing his way.
Good thing, too, because OU’s other cornerback spot is a major question mark on this defense going into the spring.
Good thing, too, because OU’s other cornerback spot is a major question mark on this defense going into the spring.
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Roundtable: No. 1 defensive concern
January, 17, 2013
Jan 17
4:30
PM CT
By SoonerNation staff | ESPN.com
Every Thursday, the SoonerNation staff will answer a roundtable question about OU football. Leave a comment or talk about it in our "There's Only One" forum.
Today's question: What is OU's biggest offensive concern going into the offseason?
Today's question: What is OU's biggest offensive concern going into the offseason?
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Sooners trip worth the wait for 4-star CB
January, 14, 2013
Jan 14
1:00
PM CT
By
Bob Przybylo | ESPN.com
For a while, it looked like four-star cornerback L.J. Moore (Fresno, Calif./Central East) and Oklahoma never were going to get on the same page.
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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 safety position.
Highlights: Tony Jefferson delivered one of the best seasons by an OU safety in the Bob Stoops era, while Javon Harris bounced back from an inconsistent 2011 season with a strong senior campaign. Jefferson led the Sooners with 113 tackles and two interceptions on his way to all-Big 12 honors. Harris had a team-high five interceptions, and was second with 77 tackles. The heart and soul of the Mike Stoops defense is the safeties, and Jefferson and Harris were solid to stout the majority of the season.
Lowlights: The safeties were awesome the first half of the season, but struggled in November – along with the rest of the defense. Harris was much better about not getting beat than he was last season, but was late helping Demontre Hurst on a critical throw down the middle in the loss to Notre Dame. The same thing happened against TCU, resulting in an 80-yard touchdown for wideout Brandon Carter. Jefferson, a sure-handed tackler all season, struggled to wrap up anyone in Bedlam.
Highlights: Tony Jefferson delivered one of the best seasons by an OU safety in the Bob Stoops era, while Javon Harris bounced back from an inconsistent 2011 season with a strong senior campaign. Jefferson led the Sooners with 113 tackles and two interceptions on his way to all-Big 12 honors. Harris had a team-high five interceptions, and was second with 77 tackles. The heart and soul of the Mike Stoops defense is the safeties, and Jefferson and Harris were solid to stout the majority of the season.
Lowlights: The safeties were awesome the first half of the season, but struggled in November – along with the rest of the defense. Harris was much better about not getting beat than he was last season, but was late helping Demontre Hurst on a critical throw down the middle in the loss to Notre Dame. The same thing happened against TCU, resulting in an 80-yard touchdown for wideout Brandon Carter. Jefferson, a sure-handed tackler all season, struggled to wrap up anyone in Bedlam.
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Top 5 moments: OU holds on vs. TCU
December, 10, 2012
12/10/12
12:00
PM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
SoonerNation is counting down the top five moments of Oklahoma’s 2012 season this week.
Play No. 5
After outplaying TCU all afternoon, yet another game was coming down to the final seconds. This time, a shared or even outright Big 12 title was on the line. Maybe a BCS bowl berth, too.
After Mike Hunnicutt missed a 42-yard field goal that would've put the Sooners up by two scores, the Frogs had the ball at the OU 12 with a 46-yard completion. Two plays later, it seemed as if TCU would send the game to overtime. Trevone Boykin broke loose on a scramble into the end zone. Fortunately for the Sooners, officials didn’t miss an obvious holding penalty that cleared the path for Boykin to slash into the end zone.
After a short completion, TCU faced fourth-and-13 from the 15 with less than 30 seconds. Boykin lofted a pass in the end zone to favorite target Josh Boyce. But Tony Jefferson and Julian Wilson read the play all the way. As the ball drifted toward Boyce, the two Sooners collapsed on the ball to slap it away, preserving the Sooners’ hard-fought, 24-17 victory.
In the end, OU didn’t earn the outright conference title or the BCS bowl. Kansas State hammered Texas, and Northern Illinois slipped into the top 16 in the final BCS standings, automatically giving the Huskies the BCS bowl at-large spot.
But the Jefferson/Wilson pass deflection sealed a successful regular season for the Sooners, whose only blemish was the losses to top-ranked Notre Dame and fifth-ranked Kansas State.
Play No. 5
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Rick Yeatts/Getty ImagesThe Sooners broke up a 4th-and-13 heave to beat TCU.
Rick Yeatts/Getty ImagesThe Sooners broke up a 4th-and-13 heave to beat TCU.After Mike Hunnicutt missed a 42-yard field goal that would've put the Sooners up by two scores, the Frogs had the ball at the OU 12 with a 46-yard completion. Two plays later, it seemed as if TCU would send the game to overtime. Trevone Boykin broke loose on a scramble into the end zone. Fortunately for the Sooners, officials didn’t miss an obvious holding penalty that cleared the path for Boykin to slash into the end zone.
After a short completion, TCU faced fourth-and-13 from the 15 with less than 30 seconds. Boykin lofted a pass in the end zone to favorite target Josh Boyce. But Tony Jefferson and Julian Wilson read the play all the way. As the ball drifted toward Boyce, the two Sooners collapsed on the ball to slap it away, preserving the Sooners’ hard-fought, 24-17 victory.
In the end, OU didn’t earn the outright conference title or the BCS bowl. Kansas State hammered Texas, and Northern Illinois slipped into the top 16 in the final BCS standings, automatically giving the Huskies the BCS bowl at-large spot.
But the Jefferson/Wilson pass deflection sealed a successful regular season for the Sooners, whose only blemish was the losses to top-ranked Notre Dame and fifth-ranked Kansas State.
Which Sooners might bolt early for NFL?
December, 10, 2012
12/10/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
NORMAN, Okla. -- After the 2007 season, neither Malcolm Kelly, Curtis Lofton nor Reggie Smith were projected as first-round picks in the upcoming NFL draft.
But all three were top-three round picks. And that was enough to convince them to leave Oklahoma a year early and enter the draft.
This year, the Sooners again don’t appear to have any underclassmen that project as first-round picks. But up to four different underclassmen Sooners could be taken in the first three rounds if they to decide to come out in January. SoonerNation breaks down the four players who might be mulling their futures over the next month:
But all three were top-three round picks. And that was enough to convince them to leave Oklahoma a year early and enter the draft.
This year, the Sooners again don’t appear to have any underclassmen that project as first-round picks. But up to four different underclassmen Sooners could be taken in the first three rounds if they to decide to come out in January. SoonerNation breaks down the four players who might be mulling their futures over the next month:
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Oklahoma won its eighth Big 12 championship Saturday with a 24-17 win over TCU at Amon Carter Stadium. The Sooners are co-champions with Kansas State after finishing 7-1 in the Big 12. Running back Damien Williams showed his big-play ability with two touchdowns, but it was the Sooners defense that won the game for OU. Here's a look at five key plays in the victory.
Damien Williams’ 11-yard touchdown reception
The Sooners' first touchdown showed just how difficult it can be to stop OU’s offense, because it has so many options.
Damien Williams’ 11-yard touchdown reception
The Sooners' first touchdown showed just how difficult it can be to stop OU’s offense, because it has so many options.
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Five storylines: Baylor vs. Oklahoma
November, 8, 2012
11/08/12
12:30
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Oklahoma hosts Baylor at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday as the Sooners look to improve to 5-1 in Big 12 play. Here are five storylines to keep an eye on:
1. Will the Sooners defense redeem itself?
When people think of Baylor’s win over OU last season, thoughts of Bears receivers running uncontested through the secondary immediately come to mind.
1. Will the Sooners defense redeem itself?
When people think of Baylor’s win over OU last season, thoughts of Bears receivers running uncontested through the secondary immediately come to mind.
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Scouting Baylor: Williams a big threat
November, 6, 2012
11/06/12
1:15
PM CT
By
Brandon Chatmon | ESPN.com
Baylor will arrive at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium with some momentum after a 41-14 win over Kansas last weekend. When the Sooners and Bears battle at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, OU will have to worry about Nick Florence, the Big 12’s leader in total offense who has stepped in after Robert Griffin III to provide a quality run-pass threat. But Florence is not the lone Bear who could cause concern this weekend.
SoonerNation watched Baylor’s win over Kansas and came away with three other key factors that could impact Saturday’s game.
Slowing Terrance Williams
SoonerNation watched Baylor’s win over Kansas and came away with three other key factors that could impact Saturday’s game.
Slowing Terrance Williams
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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.