By ERIC BAILEY Sports Writer on Mar 12, 2013, at 12:03 PM Updated on 3/12 at 4:26 PM
OU SPORTS
Bob Stoops’ appearance at the Sooner Caravan drew a lot of second glances on Monday night.
The Oklahoma coach had stitches ...
Tony Jefferson’s voice sounded somber on Monday, as if he was still stunned by not being selected in the NFL Draft.
Jefferson ...
Dallis Todd’s phone call has been hit hard with text messages and phone calls over the past 24 hours.
That happens when ...
Getting a head start is usually a positive for anything in life.
That is the case for punter Jed Barnett, wide receiver Dannon Cavil and defensive back Ahmad Thomas, who enrolled at Oklahoma between semesters and now are taking part in spring practices.
Barnett is a junior college transfer, while Cavil and Thomas are early high school graduates. A fourth player — defensive end D.J. Ward from Southmoore High School — is awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse before he can participate in spring drills.
“It sure helps them,” OU coach Bob Stoops said of early enrollment. “I think it sure helps them first start to mature physically. They’re really working at a high level here during the winter, and then they get the snaps and the experience on the field ahead of the summer.
“They go into the summer with already a strong idea of what it takes to play.”
Cavil impressed during the off-season workouts, Stoops said.
“He has handled the workouts,” Stoops said. “That’s when you can really tell if a guy’s really ready for it. He’s gone through all the workouts like he’s a junior.”
Thomas played at Miami (Fla.) Central High School, where coaches encouraged their players to enter college early. Thomas said he had prepared himself for the transition to Oklahoma.
“It’s amazing,” Thomas said after the first practice. “When you have that dream of going to college and playing, it’s amazing when you finally get here.”
Barnett is expected to grab the starting punter job next season, but he is taking nothing for granted.
“I’m extremely focused,” Barnett said. “I’m not going to assume anything and I need to prove to them — Oklahoma — that I’m the man for the job.”
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