Tulsa World: Practice Report Oklahoma

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Practice Report Oklahoma

By JOHN E. HOOVER, World sports writer
Published: 8/8/2008 2:06 AM
Last Modified: 8/8/2008 2:15 AM

Position watch

Defensive back

The top of the depth chart includes cornerbacks Lendy Holmes, Brian Jackson and Dominique Franks, as well as safeties Nic Harris and Sam Proctor. Right now, true freshmen Joseph Ibiloye and Lamar Harris are buried quite a bit lower.

But to hear OU secondary coach Bobby Jack Wright tell it, they might not stay there.

"Joseph Ibiloye at free safety, he impresses me every day," Wright said after practice Thursday. "He does something as a true freshman that you just don't expect. He's really smart, he catches on really quick and he's made some really good plays out there.

"My gosh, we've only been here three days, and we've got the whole defense in. And he's sharp. He picks things up and he jumps out there and you look up and go, 'Wow, that was Joseph.' I think he's a guy that could really easily play this year.

"Lamar Harris at corner is another one. Very talented, smart, sharp, hungry. Both those guys want to play as true freshmen. That's not anything new. All of them want to come in and play. But after they've been here for about a week, most of them figure out, 'Whoa, what have I gotten into?'

"Those two, they're going to push guys. I'm really excited about them."

News and notes

The real Beal:

Jeremy Beal exploded down the stretch in 2007 when given a shot at playing time due to injuries suffered by older defensive ends. Now the converted linebacker comes to camp a year wiser, plus a year more mature

physically. The difference?

"Not even close," defensive ends coach Chris Wilson said. "Jeremy is more comfortable putting his hand down. He's very physical and he likes to play. The biggest thing is getting him more consistent with the techniques we require him to play with. But I really like his progress a lot. You can put his hand down or stand him up."

Get to know...

Keenan Clayton

OU fans haven't seen much of Clayton since he struggled at strong safety in 2006. But it appears they'll see plenty of the 220-pound junior this fall. He has all but nailed down the starting strongside linebacker spot after turning heads in practice.

What's the most exciting thing you did over the summer?

I got to go home (to Sulphur Springs, Texas) to see my family July 4th. That's exciting to me, being around my family. I love going home and seeing my dad, my grandma, my stepmom, my stepbrothers and sisters. That was a major plus.

Did you ask for a home-cooked meal?

My grandma knows I like fried chicken, pork chops and green beans. She always makes sure I have that. For dessert she cooks one of her special cakes.

What did you do during the summer when you were little?

Played baseball a lot. When baseball was over, I chilled or went swimming or hung out with my friends every day, rode four-wheelers. When I got older, I started doing things like mowing yards. Just a typical summer for a country kid.

What was your favorite summer job?

I helped my dad clean cars. We don't have a detail shop in town, so my dad and some people he worked with cleaned cars.

Ever have a job you couldn't wait to leave?

The Sulphur Springs Livestock and Dairy Auction. Being around cows and stuff with no shade, dang. I couldn't wait for it to be five or six o'clock so I could go home and get away from all that.

Opponent watch

Cincinnati

With senior quarterback Ben Mauk's hardship appeal for a sixth year of eligibility still in limbo, he continues to practice with the Bearcats — but only to an extent.

UC went 10-3 last season with Mauk throwing for 3,100 yards and 31 TDs. He redshirted his freshman year and missed all but one game due to injury in 2006, but hasn't gotten a formal ruling from the NCAA on whether he can play this year. So coach Brian Kelly is preparing senior Dustin Grutza and Notre Dame transfer Demetrius Jones.

"We're still in a constant battle to get better at the quarterback position," Kelly told Cincinnati media. "The one thing I want from my senior quarterback is he can't throw any interceptions."

Key dates

Today:

Practice, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at OU Rugby Fields. It's one of two preseason practices open to the public.

Saturday:

Scrimmage at Owen Field. Closed to the public and media.

Aug. 25:

First day of classes

2008 schedule

Aug. 30: vs. Chattanooga, 6 p.m.

Sept. 6: vs. Cincinnati, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Washington, 6:45 p.m.

Sept. 27: vs. TCU, TBA

Oct. 4: at Baylor, TBA

Oct. 11: vs. Texas, Dallas, 11 a.m.

Oct. 18: vs. Kansas, TBA

Oct. 25: at Kansas State, TBA

Nov. 1: vs. Nebraska, TBA

Nov. 8: at Texas A&M, TBA

Nov. 22: vs. Texas Tech, TBA

Nov. 29: at Oklahoma State, TBA By JOHN E. HOOVER, World sports writer

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