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History in the making: If all goes right, Sooners can dominate first round of 2010 draft

Gerald McCoy OU Media relations

 
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist
Published: 4/22/2009  2:24 AM
Last Modified: 4/22/2009  7:09 AM
Go to Dave Sittler's Blog


FROM "IFFY" to historic.

That's how dramatically Oklahoma's status as a first-round player in the NFL draft could change from this weekend to a year from now.

If things break right, and if the right team finds itself in desperate need of an offensive lineman, the Sooners might have one player selected among the 32 first-round picks when the two-day draft gets under way Saturday in New York City.

The only "if" about OU's contribution to the 2010 first round is health. If the Sooners' top players aren't injured through the upcoming season, the school could have a whopping four first-round picks for the first time in its long history of sending quality talent to the next level.

"I don't think there's any question that can happen," OU coach Bob Stoops said.

The two offensive linemen who have an outside shot of going that early on Saturday are tackle Phil Loadholt and guard Duke Robinson.

The four who are almost solid, perfect locks a year from now include quarterback Sam Bradford, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, tight end Jermaine Gresham and offensive tackle Trent Williams.

"They (Sooners) have an incredible class for 2010," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper in a teleconference. "They're loaded. I mean, they are just loaded."

Since tackle J.W. Wheeler became the first OU player drafted when he went in the second round to Green Bay in 1936, the Sooners have twice had three first-round selections in the same draft.

Tight end Steve Zabel, linebacker Jim Files and running back Steve Owens were first-round picks in 1970.

It happened again in 1976 with defensive tackle Lee Roy Selmon, running back Joe Washington and wide receiver Billy Brooks.

The 1984 OU class also lists three first rounders in defensive tackle Rick Bryan, linebacker Jackie Shipp and defensive back Dwight Drane. But Drane was taken in the supplemental draft, which was held after the regular draft.

Selmon and running back Billy Sims (1980) were the No. 1 overall picks in their respective drafts. That history could change in 2010, if Bradford does the expected and leaves the Sooners after his redshirt junior season.

"Bradford would have been right there (No. 1) this year," Kiper said. "And I think Gerald McCoy could have been a top two or three pick this year had he come out."

Whoa. Easy there, Mr. Hairdo. Bradford and McCoy could have gone No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 in this draft?

Kiper believes the Detroit Lions would have used their No. 1 selection on either Bradford or Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. And Kiper said "it really surprised me" when McCoy announced he'd play his redshirt junior season at OU in 2009 instead of heading to the NFL.

McCoy wasn't rated that highly by NFL scouts. When OU officials requested the league's projection for McCoy in this draft to help with his decision, they were told he was a second-round prospect.

"They have as much talent coming back as anybody because those kids could have come out and been very high picks this year," Kiper said. "They are going to dominate the early portion of the (2010) draft."

That won't be the case Saturday. OU's six-year run of producing at least one first-rounder ended last year when Curtis Lofton just missed it. The junior linebacker was the 37th overall selection when the Atlanta Falcons took him in the second round.

Robinson, a 6-foot-5, 335-pound three-year starter at left guard, was considered a solid first-round prospect most of last season. But he's reportedly dropped because word is out that he isn't a good practice player and he struggled in the BCS title game loss to Florida.

"Robinson has dropped a little bit, probably into the third- or fourth-round area," Kiper said. "The national championship game certainly didn't help his cause."

Although the massive Loadholt (6-8, 337) played left tackle for the Sooners, he isn't considered quick enough to play that important role of protecting the quarterback's blind side in the NFL.

That still hasn't stopped some teams from taking an active interest in the Colorado native in recent weeks.

"There is a wide range of opinion on Phil Loadholt," Kiper said. "Some people really like him, some don't.

"Some think first round, some think fourth in terms of the way they grade him out. I think he ends up in the early- to mid-second round."

Wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias is another second-round prospect. Other Sooners who could get drafted or sign as free agents include: Wide receiver Manuel Johnson, center Jon Cooper, offensive guard Brandon Walker, wide receiver Quentin Chaney, safety Lendy Holmes, offensive tackle Branndon Braxton and safety Nic Harris.

"Nic Harris, with the speed issue, has dropped down to the late rounds," Kiper said of Harris' 4.85 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine. "So some of the kids that you thought would be up there didn't turn out to be. And some guys were able to elevate a little bit.

"But overall, next year is going to be Oklahoma's year."

And if things go right, it could be a historic year.

Draft Order

First Round

1. Detroit
2. St. Louis
3. Kansas City
4. Seattle
5. Cleveland
6. Cincinnati
7. Oakland
8. Jacksonville
9. Green Bay
10. San Francisco
11. Buffalo
12. Denver
13. Washington
14. New Orleans
15. Houston
16. San Diego
17. New York Jets
18. Denver (from Chicago)
19. Tampa Bay
20. Detroit (from Dallas)
21. Philadelphia
22. Minnesota
23. New England
24. Atlanta
25. Miami
26. Baltimore
27. Indianapolis
28. Buffalo*
29. N.Y. Giants
30. Tennessee
31. Arizona
32. Pittsburgh
` * From Carolina
through Philadelphia
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist

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COMMENTS 
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13 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
Graybeard, Tulsa (4/22/2009 5:46:53 AM)
Go Big Red!
Report Comment
Jimm, (4/22/2009 6:38:25 AM)
That's good. Now can they beat Texas?
Report Comment
Have that, America (4/22/2009 8:33:05 AM)
Mel Kiper is a joke. Not sure how he keeps his job year after year of being proven wrong again and again and again...
Report Comment
mgsooner, (4/22/2009 8:49:08 AM)
Have that, it's not about being right, it's about being entertaining. Haven't you figured that out yet?
Report Comment
shaw411, Scottsdale, AZ (4/22/2009 9:00:36 AM)
Kiper's hairdo is as entertaining as Trump's!
Report Comment
Deep In The Heart, (4/22/2009 10:21:46 AM)
No, Jimm, they can't beat Texas. After all, it's the same team that got beat at the RRR last year, without the O-line and WR.

And Texas has only gotten better.
Report Comment
Have that, America (4/22/2009 10:35:59 AM)
mgsooner...

sad but true.

ESPN is just depressing sometimes it seems. they have a couple GREAT analysts & writers, but they are mixed in with so many horrible ones that it just delutes everything they put out.

they have become little more than tabloid broadcasters who focus more on who is dating who and what so and so does in their off time that they have forgotten their purpose.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (4/22/2009 12:35:21 PM)
Hey Deep, you are piling it on good. But that's ok, you still are texas. And your stadium is named for a former OKLAHOMA SOONER. Must be tough.
Report Comment
JoJo, (4/22/2009 1:51:06 PM)
I haven't heard the word that all championship teams must possess :CHEMISTRY!. How else can you explain Florida and Tebow's success. By the way, Tebow is a great leader, runner, but will not be an NFL QB. maybe a safety or kick returner.
Report Comment
pat, Kiefer (4/22/2009 3:25:59 PM)
BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (4/22/2009 3:51:41 PM)
CHEMISTRY=BOOMER SOONER!!
Report Comment
TMS, (4/22/2009 5:00:02 PM)
What's this doing under the OSU tab??? Edit please!
Report Comment
Bonzi, (4/23/2009 9:03:21 AM)
Dave, with a little work, you could have mentioned how the state of Oklahoma, not just OU, could dominate the 1st round of next years draft. Add in OSU's near certain 1st round picks of Dez Bryant and Russell Okung, and two of our schools could have 20% of the 1st round of the 2010 NFL draft.
 

 
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