Thoughts from OU media day
Friday, the Sooners held their annual media day, as well as Meet The Sooners, where fans can get autographs.
Here are few observations from the morning.
* Kevin Wilson really went to bat for the o-line, which has taken some shots lately from the national media. He called Trent Williams the best lineman he’d ever coached, and the said the unit has much talent as any in country. I’m sure Wilson hopes his comments will build the confidence of what is a talented, but young and as a group unproven offensive line.
* Cameron Kenney is really going to be a boost on special teams. I can see him playing on every special teams unit. He also will push both Tress Way at punter and to a lesser extent Jimmy Stevens at kicker. Competition will only make this unit stronger.
* Mossis Madu is there to stay at wide receiver. He has a great chance to start the season opener against BYU.
* DeMarco Murray missing two weeks with a hamstring pull is not as bad as it seems because it’s the other hamstring from which he injured last year against Missouri. Still, his health is a critical story line this year. Think about it. Murray is yet to finish a season without having to undergo season-ending surgery. Bob Stoops wouldn’t say yay or ney about Murray playing special teams, but the Sooners really need to take a look at whether it’s worth the risk to him there. After all, his two injuries have both come on special teams (onside kick 2007, kick return 2008).
* I really think DeMarcus Granger ends up helping the defensive line, maybe more than I would have guessed. It may be similar to last year, where it was only for a few snaps at a time. Because of the surgery, Granger is probably about 20-30 pounds heavier than he would like to be, or was at the start of last preseason. But he’s such a great run-stuffer and has an unrivaled threshold for playing through pain (though he says he’s pain-free right now).
* The offensive line guys, really all of them, look to be in terrific shape. Good is a tank. Habern has the same build as Jon Cooper. Simmons is chiseled. And Trent Williams apparently ran a 4.73 this summer, which, if true, is an incredible time for a left tackle. Williams shows that kind of speed and agility at the combine, and he’s a Top 5 NFL Draft pick.
* Of all the incoming o-linemen, look for JUCO transfer Tavaris Jeffries and freshman Tyler Evans to be the ones to fill two of the primary reserve roles past Brian Lepak. Ideally, Evans and Jarvis Jones will play tackle, Jeffries guard, and Lepak both center and guard.
-JT
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