Not only at quarterback, but also widespread competition.
Yeah, yeah, hear it every year from football locales coast to coast.
Except this time, in Norman, it ain't just lip service.
And OU's veterans best believe it.
Those 18 starters returning from the SoonersBig 12 championship game squad? Better watch their backs.
OU coaches don't sound impressed.
"I think all those guys need to play better,” coach Bob Stoops said. "Who among those guys are All-Big 12?
"Malcolm Kelly was second team, which I believe he was a first-team guy. Outside that, all those guys need to play better.”
Stoops has a point. The Sooners produced four First Team All-Big 12 players last season: offensive tackle Chris Messner, defensive ends C.J. Ah You and Larry Birdine and linebacker Rufus Alexander.
All were seniors.
Kelly was joined on the second team by defensive backs Reggie Smith, Marcus Walker and Nic Harris and kicker Garrett Hartley.
Each is back.
But identifiable stars? Well, there's Kelly and Smith and Hartley, if you count kickers, with Walker and Harris on the verge. Add guard Duke Robinson and running back Allen Patrick to a list of returners who could break through.
The interesting thing there's a serious anticipation to see what some up-and-comers can do.
Among them: tight end Jermaine Gresham, linebacker Ryan Reynolds, wide rec
