Competition may get hot Younger Sooners could see more playing time in the fall
By John Helsley
Published: March 12, 2007
The buzz word around Oklahoma's spring workouts is "competition.”
Not only at quarterback, but also widespread competition.
Yeah, yeah, hear it every year from football locales coast to coast.
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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 receivers Brandon Caleb and Adron Tennell, running backs Mossis Madu and DeMarco Murray, offensive lineman Cory Brandon and defensive tackles Gerald McCoy.
And there are others.
On the offensive line alone, five players who started at least seven games are back, yet Cory Brandon, Brian Simmons and junior college transfer Phil Loadholt will push for jobs. At right tackle, is it Branndon Braxton, who made seven starts before suffering a broken leg, or Trent Williams, who started the final seven?
Similar questions burn at other spots.
"Everybody's going to make a big deal out of the quarterbacks,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. "I see starters who are going to be fighting because there's some young dudes who are on their heels and can play.”
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