Practice report: Mossis Madu separates himself as the No. 2 RB
Who will get the No. 2 carries behind starter DeMarco Murray?
It’s looking like Mossis Madu.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said after Monday’s practice that the senior from Norman High has separated himself in the congested competition for backup running back.
“Mossis has been really good,” Wilson said. “Been explosive, made plays. He’s separated himself a little bit.”
Madu is battling Jermie Calhoun, Jonathan Miller, and freshmen Roy Finch and Brennan Clay for the backup role. The other four backs have had their moments, but Madu seems to be the guy who will be Murray’s primary relief.
“He’s stepped up,” Murray said. “He’s working hard. Gonna make some plays for us.”
It’s unclear how Madu’s summer DUI arrest will factor into all of this. But because it’s the first time Madu has been in trouble, he’ll likely be held out of the opener, then resume his role Week 2 against Florida State.
Madu, remember, was moved to wideout last year in an effort to get him more involved in the offense, with Murray and Chris Brown figuring to get the bulk of the running back work. Instead, Madu got less involved and barely played while struggling to pick up the nuances of playing receiver.
But Madu is comfortable again back at his natural position.
“I really like the way he’s played,” Wilson said. “He’s been impressive.”
Other news and notes from Monday’s practice:
* WR Kenny Stills is back practicing with the team, after basically missing all of last week and then some with a groin pull. Wilson said that injury limited Stills’ progress.
“I do think as a young guy that was a critical miss,” Wilson said. “That’s a lot of time. Nothing against him because he was hurt, but that was a scrimmage, some good foundation time he missed.
“To me, he needs a great week this week, some work. We need to get him back up to speed.”
Finch is still out since spraining an ankle during last Thursday’s scrimmage. The ankle injury isn’t believed to be major, but Wilson said he was unsure when Finch would return:
“I don’t know. Not dodging it. I don’t know. Hopefully he’s drinking milk. I told him to rub some dirt on it.”
* Freshman Trey Millard has overtaken Marshall Musil in the depth chart at fullback because of his ability to block.
“Millard has been a better blocker,” Wilson said. “He’s 250, has some speed.”
Both Millard and Musil figure to play, though.
* True freshmen wideouts Joe Powell and Trey Franks have both surged as of late in the competition for playing time at receiver. Franks is a slot guy, while Powell as the versatility to lineup wide or inside. Both players have tremendous speed for freshmen.
“Those two kids are going to play,” Wilson said. “They’ll help us.”
* QB coach Josh Heupel said no decision has made yet about whether freshman QB Blake Bell will redshirt.
“That hasn’t been determined,” he said. “How Drew Allen, Blake Bell continue to progress will ultimately impact what we’re doing.”
The last two weeks, Allen has been strong in practice, highlighted by a banner performance in last Thursday’s scrimmage.
“We’re really excited about the way he has continued to progress,” Heupel said. “About halfway through (camp), it started to click for him.”
Wilson noted what happened last year with Landry Jones being forced to play unexpectedly has had a positive influence on Allen.
“I think he’s better because of what happened to Landry,” Wilson said. “I think he’s scared, like ‘What if that happens to me?’ I think he has that mindset. He’s been really good, had a great preseason.”
-JT
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