Losing Haywood not a good way to start recovery process
Published: 10/25/2011 9:14 AM
Last Modified: 10/25/2011 9:14 AM
At first glance, Austin Haywood's decision to leave Oklahoma is baffling.
The sophomore from Southmoore was getting some snaps on offense, was making a difference on special teams, and seemed poised to be the Sooners' meal ticket at tight end next year with the graduation of James Hanna and Trent Ratterree.
Whatever Haywood's reason to quit, it deprives OU of a potential weapon.
Consider something former tight ends coach Kevin Wilson said in August of 2010, before Haywood had ever played a college game:
"He's still learning how to block. Not necessarily in the run game, but blitz protection and adjustment, those other guys are a little cleaner. But as far as running in space, catching, feeling routes, where to settle, catching the football, he's our best tight end."
The week of this season's opener against Tulsa, Hanna was asked about Haywood and said: "I think a lot of people will be surprised to see how good he really is. He's been in the offense long enough now that he doesn't have to think about what his job is every play. He can just go do it, which helps a lot. He's a pretty physical guy with really good hands."
A couple weeks ago, safety Tony Jefferson talked was asked about practicing against Haywood and said: "Austin's a big hitter. I used to be on the line in our '50' front going against him. I'd have a migraine after practice. I knew it was because of Austin. I needed extra padding in my helmet."
So he could run, catch, feel routes and hit you. Now, he'll apparently do all of that for someone else somewhere else.
That's a shame for the Sooners, already losing Ryan Broyles and, potentially, Landry Jones in their passing game next year. Haywood wasn't a fixture in the 2011 offense. Maybe that frustrated him. I really don't know.
But had he gutted out whatever was affecting him, repaired whatever problem he might have had, it sure seems like it would have paid off in 2012.
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
