OU football notebook: No word if Aaron Colvin will return next season
BY GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Saturday, January 12, 2013
1/12/13 at 2:34 AM
Oklahoma has lost three juniors to the NFL draft - safety Tony Jefferson, wide receiver Kenny Stills and middle linebacker Tom Wort. Junior fullback Trey Millard announced after last week's Cotton Bowl he was returning for a senior season.
That leaves Aaron Colvin to make a decision by Tuesday's deadline. OU coach Bob Stoops said Friday he didn't have an update on his junior cornerback.
The week of the Cotton Bowl, Colvin said he would discuss his options with his parents when he returned home after the game. He also said: "It's all on me. It's my decision. That's how they've always been. That's how they were with my college decision - whatever's the best decision for me, and if I feel ready."
Stoops surprised by Wort's departure: Many figured Jefferson and Stills might turn pro, for one reason or another. Wort's decision came more out of left field.
Asked if he was surprised, Stoops said: "Yeah, I was."
Asked if he talked to Wort about his decision, Stoops said: "I did, but the decision pretty much was made."
The only starting defensive players Stoops is certain to have back next year are weakside linebacker Corey Nelson and defensive end Chuka Ndulue.
"Sometimes, that's OK," Stoops said of the overhaul. "Anyway, we've got young guys coming up. We've got to coach them up and train. They've got to do a good job of wanting to get coached and developing. Again, sometimes that's OK."
Staff update: Co-offensive coordinators Josh Heupel and Jay Norvell were attached to mid-major head coaching jobs between the end of the season and the Cotton Bowl. They're still on staff.
A sports talk/message board rumor has Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy potentially raiding the Sooners to fill one of his three open positions.
"I've got no idea what you're talking about," Stoops said Friday. "I don't hear rumors."
So he doesn't expect any staff changes between now and the 2013 season?
"No, but nothing ever surprises me," he said. "Every now and then a little bit of change never hurts."
Player update: Stoops said right guard Bronson Irwin (ankle) and fullback Aaron Ripkowski (wrist) are having work done between now and this spring. They're both questionable for spring football.
Stoops expects reserve quarterback Drew Allen to visit with Heupel about his future and/or a possible transfer so the senior-to-be can get some playing time before the end of his career.
Jaz Reynolds, Quentin Hayes and Trey Franks, all suspended from games during the 2012 season, remain with the program. Stoops did qualify that by adding: "They don't have much room for error."
