Sooners release new depth chart today
Published: 8/23/2010 12:05 PM
Last Modified: 8/23/2010 12:05 PM
Oklahoma released what looks like its next-to-last preseason depth chart on Monday morning.
Here are a few thoughts:
OFFENSE
* The wide receiver corps is senior Cameron Kenney, true freshman Kenny Stills and junior Ryan Broyles in the slot. Kenney’s ascension says something about his perseverance after an unsteady 2009, but it also says something about Dejuan Miller, the big-bodied, naturally gifted player who came on so strong at the end of last year it seemed inevitable he would start in 2010. And maybe he still will. I get the feeling this depth chart is a motivational tool for some players, and Miller is one.
* Brandon Caleb, a senior who had a few big games last year, is behind Stills. And Joe Powell, a true freshman, is behind Broyles.
* Cory Brandon still has not made the two-deep. Brandon, a senior, started the opener last year and returned to the lineup throughout the season. But he’s behind Donald Stephenson and Jarvis Jones at left tackle and Eric Mensik and Josh Aladenoye at right tackle.
* Drew Allen, as I wrote in this morning’s practice report, is the backup to Landry Jones at quarterback. That could change as the season progresses, but as of now, Allen is just that much farther ahead of true freshman Blake Bell.
* Check out the Sooners’ backups at guard: behind Stephen Good at left guard is Gabe Ikard, a redshirt freshman who converted from tight end. And behind Tyler Evans at right guard is Bronson Irwin, a true freshman from Mustang. Two Oklahoma City-area kids. Nice.
* Trey Millard is the fourth true freshman on the offensive two-deep. Only, Millard is listed as the starter at fullback ahead of spring game star Marshall Musil. This may underscore my notion that OU will use less of the fullback (and tight end) this season. Or, it may underscore Bob Stoops’ notion that Millard is a special player.
* DeMarco Murray’s backup is Mossis Madu, even though it’s likely that Madu will be suspended for the Utah State game because of his offseason DUI.
* Trent Ratterree is the starter at tight end, backed up by James Hanna. One was a walk-on, the other a can’t miss prospect. Ratterree should be nominated for the inaugural Brandon Burlsworth Award, which goes to the nation’s top walk-on.
DEFENSE
* Adrian Taylor is no longer listed as the starter at noseguard, even though everyone knows he is. Why? As Stoops said two weeks ago, his dislocated (and some say fractured) ankle is keeping him from doing all the work. Stoops said he hopes Taylor will be back by Week 3 or Week 4. Taylor will return, and he will be a starter. Just not yet. That’s fair to Casey Walker, the sophomore who replaces Taylor atop the two-deep.
* The other starting tackle is not Jamarkus McFarland. Instead, it’s Muskogee’s Stacy McGee. So two guys (McGee and Walker) who hardly played at all last year are running with the 1s so far this year. How much will Gerald McCoy be missed?
* With Justin Chaisson’s final departure, R.J. Washington has moved into the two-deep, backing up Frank Alexander. David King backs up Jeremy Beal. Washington was a five-star prospect out of Fort Worth, but in three years hasn’t yet lived up to his billing. His natural ability (speed, quickness) are off the hook, but it’s taken his maturity a while to catch up.
* Offense isn’t the only place where true freshmen are earning playing time. At weakside linebacker, Travis Lewis’ backup is Corey Nelson, the 11th-hour signee who left Texas A&M at the altar. Nelson has a ways to go (he’s only 208 pounds) but he has athletic ability and instincts that cause Lewis to suggest Nelson soon will surpass Lewis’ own exploits.
* True freshman Aaron Colvin, a largely unheralded signee from Owasso, is the backup to Demontre Hurst at field cornerback. And don’t count out Colvin as a starter. Stoops, who coaches corners, said Colvin is as good a prospect as he’s signed at OU at any position. Wow.
* True freshman Tony Jefferson, as was previously announced, is the co-backup at strong safety alongside Javon Harris. Brent Venables has said Harris is the backup safety, while Jefferson is the starting nickel safety. Not sure how it works, but apparently, they’ll alternate for now.
* Jamell Fleming is listed as the other cornerback, backed up by Jenks’ Gabe Lynn. Lynn has had a good camp, coaches say.
* Ronnell Lewis is the No. 1 strong-side linebacker, even though with OU’s lack of experience at tackle, Lewis may be playing a lot of end. His backup is Joseph Ibiloye, who also could slid out and play some power safety spots.
* The middle linebacker spot is manned by Tom Wort, who’s backed up by Jaydan Bird.
SPECIAL TEAMS
* Jimmy Stevens was named to the Groza Award preseason watch list on Monday — even though he’s not even listed as the Sooners’ starting place kicker. Right now, that distinction goes to Patrick O’Hara, last season’s surprise walk-on.
But even that’s far from a sure thing. Stoops — who also coaches the kickers — said Norman’s Bryce Easley and walk-on Michael Hunnicutt are kicking the best in camp right now, then mentioned O’Hara and Stevens, saying they’re not as consistent.
* Cameron Kenney is still listed as the second-team punter. That sounds fun. It’s too bad the Sooners only punt on fourth down, and that they have an All-American as the starter. I’d like to see Kenny running some fakes or at least some rugby-style kicks.
* Ryan Broyles is listed as the No. 1 kickoff return man (alongside Mossis Madu) even though Stoops and Cale Gundy (who coaches returns) said Broyles wouldn’t have that duty this year. I suspect the Sooner media relations staff soon will issue a new depth chart with a different kick returner.
* Broyles also is the No. 1 punt return man, ahead of Demontre Hurst. Hurst also has drawn backup duty on kickoff returns, alongside Cameron Kenney.
* No. 4 QB John Nimmo, a senior walk-on, is the holder. James Winchester is the long snapper.
— John E. Hoover
Written by
John E. Hoover
Sports Columnist
