OU could have another special draft in ’12
It wasn’t exactly a historic draft for Oklahoma.
In fact, a third rounder, fourth rounder and two seventh rounders was relatively one of the weaker drafts in the Bob Stoops era.
However, when you consider what came before — and what might come after — this draft looks a lot better.
In 2010, the Sooners became the first school in 63 years to produce three of the first four picks thanks to QB Sam Bradford (No. 1, Rams), defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (No. 3, Buccaneers) and offensive tackle Trent Williams (No. 4, Redskins). Tight end Jermaine Gresham then went to the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 21 overall pick, giving OU a school-record four first-round selections.
A historic draft, and not just for OU.
Next year’s draft probably won’t be historic. But it could turn out to be one of the better ones of the Stoops era.
Considering how high Washington’s Jake Locker (eighth overall) Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert (tenth) and Florida State’s Christian Ponder (twelfth) went over the weekend, Landry Jones certainly has the chance to join Bradford as the only Sooner QBs drafted in the first round, should he come out next year.
Barring some unforeseen development, Stanford’s Andrew Luck will be the No. 1 QB and No. 1 overall pick in the draft next year.
But after that, Jones is right there, along with other top prospects like USC’s Matt Barkley, Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins, Arizona’s Nick Foles and OSU’s Brandon Weeden.
Jones, however, isn’t the only first-round possibility.
Ryan Broyles, who figures to shatter the NCAA career receptions mark next season (he needs only 51 catches), could work his way into Day 1 of the draft.
The knock on Broyles is size. But size hasn’t prevented other diminutive wideouts like DeSean Jackson, Wes Welker and Danny Amendola from being tremendously productive at the next level.
Broyles doesn’t have the speed asset that Jackson has. That could ultimately bump Broyles into the second round. But he makes a ton of plays, and that’s something NFL teams will have to look hard at.
Travis Lewis too is a Day 1 possibility. But to go high in the draft as a linebacker anymore, you have to be a speed rushing, 3-4 outside linebacker like Von Miller (the only linebacker taken in the first round of the draft this year). That’s not Lewis’ forte.
Stills, Lewis will be one of the top 4-3 outside linebacker prospects in the draft. And like Broyles, Lewis has been ultra productive in college, leading the Sooners in tackles three straight years. With a huge year, Lewis could play his way in the first round.
One more draft-eligible Sooner to keep an eye on is “The Hammer,” Ronnell Lewis.
Yes, Lewis is still raw, still learning how to play defensive end. But he has all the tools. Size, speed, strength, and the ability to knock someone’s helmet off at any moment.
If he puts it all together this season, he could have NFL teams salivating.
-JT
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Comments
A “special” draft in 2012? Other than the “chance of joining Bradford” as OU’s 2nd 1st round QB pick – how is that much different from a typical draft of OU players?
I guess you have to write something.
Let’s let Ronnell Lewis do something on the field exceptionally well (besides cover kicks) before we start putting him in the 1st round. mkay?
i’d say there is a pretty good chance that jones will return for year four. whitney will have another year for one thing. and jones could hold a good deal of the all time ncaa records if he puts two more years like last year on his resume. as stacked as the sooners are this year, they should be a bunch better in 2012, if jones returns. plus isn’t notre dame coming to town then? big stage toward winning the heisman.
The following Sooners may be considered draftable in 2012: Landry Jones, Jamell Fleming (assuming he can make the grade), DeMontre Hurst, Austin Box, DeJuan Miller, Sam Proctor, Travis Lewis, Javon Harris, Trent Ratterree, Ronnell Lewis,Donald Stephenson, Ben Habern, Jarvis Jones, Stephen Good, Frank Alexander,James Hanna & Ryan Broyles. Other than Broyles, Alexander, Fleming, Miller, Lewis, (slim chance) Stephenson, and Jones not sure any of the others will be considered candidated to be drafted in first 3 rounds. I think Miller, Broyles, Alexander, Fleming, and Jones have best chances to be considered 1st round picks and would really be surprised if Fleming and Broyles are. Miller has nice size and speed and could see alot of passes thrown his way this season. Alexander has huge talent but has never consistently played up to it.
where do you think tramel would be drafted if he came out? [closet] Him being an excellent ball handler with a pretty mouth.
I don’t think Landry is going after this year. Whitney Hand is only going to be RS Junior next year. She’s got two years left. Landry wants to be a minister when he’s done with football – so obviously he’s got multiple priorities. If the new CBA has a rookie salary cap in place for the next draft, he’s not going to make more coming out early. As a matter of fact, if he plays his senior season – letting Luck and Barkley come on out, then he has a better chance to go #1. Of course if he tears it up this year, wins the Heisman and OU wins a national championship, then who knows! But I’m betting he sticks around for the next two years.
about brandon Weeden not being able to be a good quarterback at the next level. thats not entirely fair. im a die hard oklahoma sooner fan but if landry was in that situation we would feel pretty bad as well. as far as landry staying for the next two years it seems like a good deal to me. in fact all college athletes should have to stay all four years baring exceptions for academic and medical issues. ryan broyles could definitely make a splash in the NFL. im super excited to see the what the broyler can do. he needs 51 receptions this season to have the greatest feat for a reciever. sounds like another sooner streak that will be broken and held by the sooners for years to come. travis lewis is a fantastic linebacker who makes big plays on the field. i mean any guy coming through travis’s lane better watch out. he is a first rounder in my book. finally for the whole ronnell lewis thing. wow it seems like the hammer just got to oklahoma yesterday. i mean a huge performance in the sun bowl against toby gerhart you can say astounding. but ronnell will stay in norman til his senior year. i just do not see my former teamate coming out so soon. he tore it up at dewar and they went to the state title game the kid has heart and determination to win ball games. anyone who gets to play underneath coach stoops should take the opportunity and not take anything for granted. its a prestigious honor.
I’m much more concerned with the Sooners’ 2011 football season than I am with how the 2012 draft goes.
Weeden has more football smarts and a better arm than Landry. But, Landry is a better dancer. Blackmon is by far a better wide receiver than Broyles. OSU’s tandem will no doubt be the top drafts next year. Wish it were not so…but Blackmon after winning the Heisman will probably opt for the NFL.
“but Blackmon after winning the Heisman will probably opt for the NFL.”
Thanks man, I haven’t had a good laugh all day.
Historic Draft for OU. BS! How many BCS games, NC’s did they win on their way to their big pay day? 000! Not one title to repay the dedicated fans who travel and pay out the gazoo to watch their Sooner’s. Will 2011 or 12 be different? Time will tell or will history repeat?
dOUche is the most over-hyped, white trash regime in football. I cant believe you how many of you hill-jacks think you are actually part of the team or connected to the university somehow because you get drunk and litter on campus a few Saturdays a year. Which coach will you all want fired this year?
I think OU will produce more top NFL draft picks than it has ever done in its history. Thanks to Bob Stoops and his crew.
I’ll say it again. There is absolutely no chance Weeden is a first round pick. None. Zero. To believe otherwise is just wishing for something rather than looking at facts.
okay well sorry to the guy who likes to say dOUche. how original man. wow you are hardcore to the max. how about you cheer for a real team that can win games. lets play the number game. who has seven national titles, five heisman trophy recipeints, one hundred fifty- seven all americans, and eight big twelve titles? oh yeah OKLAHOMA. there is only ONE OKLAHOMA. boomer soONEr. then again how many national championships has the zero state cowgirls won? oh yeah ZERO. im pretty sure the sooners have the upper hand this year. just saying. bringing in the freshmen trey metoyer makes it even that much easier. once agian sorry to the slowpoke who can not get the hint that osu sucks and OKLAHOMA is the best team in the nation. hey wait lets poke some more fun at the cowgirls. what do you see when you open up a toilet lid? STILLWATER!!!! LOL what bowl does the cowgirls go too? the toilet bowl!!!!
Yeah weeden is older and slightly over rated, but if locker and ponder go 8 and 12, weeden is at worst a mid second round guy
Look, Brandon Weeden has been a revelation at the college level. The guy can play qb at a high level. But he is not a top NFL prospect. He will be 28 years old this season.
NFL teams are not on the lookout for 28 year old qb prospects. NFL teams draft qbs knowing it will take a few years before they are fully ready to understand the pro game and will reach their potential. Weeden would be 31-33 at that point based on the normal timeline. NFL teams aren’t going to draft a qb who will be 31-33 by the time they have fully picked up the pro game. Maybe this isn’t fair. I don’t know if it is, but it is just the way things are.
Can we stop the talk about Weeden being a possible first round draft pick? At best he will be a 4th round pick. Again, I’m not saying it’s fair. It is just the way the NFL works.