•How do the Sooners stack up in recruiting — for 2008?
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That's right, it's never too early to talk recruiting. As for the schools, they can't start recruiting early enough. That's the nature of the game anymore.
Big 12 South rivals Texas and Texas A&M are off and running with 12 commitments each.
OU isn't approaching that number, but often doesn't at this stage due to a search that extends well beyond the Lone Star State borders.
Still, the commitments the Sooners have not only fit areas of emphasis, but feature top prospects: running back Justin Johnson of Gilmer, Texas; defensive end R.J. Washingtonof Keller, Texas; offensive lineman Stephen Good of Paris, Texas; and linebacker Daniel Franklinof Mt. Airy, Georgia.
The Texas trio all made the national top 100 watch list of Rivals.com. Johnson, the cousin of current Sooner Manuel Johnson, may be the best back in Texas.
•How much will being on campus a semester early really help OU's five early arrivals?
The benefits of off-season weight training, playbook study and spring practice could be the difference in a starting role for three: quarterback Keith Nichol, linebacker Mike Reed and offensive tackle Phil Loadholt.
All will be in the thick of position battles this spring, and it wouldn't be a surprise if all three weren't on the field for the Sooners' Sept. 1 opener against North Texas.
And the dividends don't end with those three.
For Enid star Austin Box, it could mean an opportunity to fill a backup role. As for Box's high school teammate, Kody Cooke, it's a chance to add bulk and possibly help himself be ready in reserve, if needed.
Bob Stoops said early reports from strength and conditioning coach Jerry Schmidt have been encouraging.
"Coach Schmidt is always my barometer,” Stoops said. "He loves all of them, the way they're working.”
•Has time allowed Texans to forgive Billy Sims for crossing the border?
Apparently so. Sims, a two-time Texas All-State selection after rushing for 7,733 yards in his high school career, has been elected to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
He's among a class of eight inducted Thursday in Waco that included Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds, former Houston CometCynthia Cooper, Olympic decathlete Rafer Johnson, Texas running back Roosevelt Leaks, former NFL quarterback Warren Moon and former Dallas Cowboys running back Don Perkins.
"It's real special,” Sims told the Dallas Morning News. "In fact, it's nice that after 30-something years, they have forgiven me for going to Oklahoma.
"But just to be honored and admired by the fans is a privilege. They didn't have to do it, but it sort of completes my career.”
By John Helsley
