Thirteen Sooners Have All-Conference Potential

Oklahoma’s 2009 football roster is a who’s who of some of the elite talent in the Big 12 conference. On September 5^th the Sooners will start six players who were named to the All Conference team last season including Heisman Trophy winner and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Sam Bradford. You’ll also find the conference’s Defensive Freshman of the Year (Travis Lewis) and the Co-Coach of the Year in Bob Stoops (Shared the award with Mike Leach). We can’t stop there though because the OU roster also includes three All-Conference second teamers and two other players who received honorable mention.

So what does this mean for Oklahoma in 2009? It means that the roster is stacked with as many as thirteen players (by my count) who could receive All-Conference honors. It also means that the Sooners are primed for another championship run. While absolutely nothing is a guarantee in college football the following list of players should be the nucleus of another great Bob Stoops team.

Offense

Sam Bradford, Quarterback – First Team All American, First Team All-Conference, winner of the Heisman Trophy as well as the Davey O'Brien and Sammy Baugh awards. In 2008 Bradford led the nation in touchdown passes (50) and passing effeciency (180.84). Bradford became the first quarterback to win two Big 12 Championships and returns key targets Jermaine Gresham and Ryan Broyles as well as a backfield that rushed for over 2,000 yards.

Chris Brown, Running Back – All Big 12 Honorable Mention in 2008. Led the team in rushing with 1,220 yards on 217 carries (5.6 ypc). Also led the team in rushing touchdowns with 20.

Matt Clapp, Fullback – First Team All Big 12 in 2008. Helped pave the way for two 1,000 running backs last season as an intense blocker. Also scored three touchdowns on receptions.

Jermaine Gresham, Tight End – Second Team All American, First Team All Big 12 in 2008. Led the team in touchdown receptions (14), also set the school record for touchdowns in a season by a tight end. Second on the team in receptions (66) and receiving yards (950).

DeMarco Murray, Running Back – First Team All Big 12 in 2008. Led the team in all-purpose yards (2,171), second on the team in rushing (1,038), second on the team in rushing touchdowns (14), averaged 5.6 yards per carry and 12.7 yards per reception.

Trent Williams, Left Tackle – First Team All Big 12 in 2008. Registered 131 knockdown blocks. Will be called upon to lead the line in `09.

Defense

Jeremy Beal, Defensive End – Second Team All Big 12 in 2008. Led the team in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (15.5). His 61 total tackles were tops among Oklahoma’s defensive linemen.

Keenan Clayton, Linebacker – All Big 12 honorable mention in 2008. Clayton was on no one’s radar last season but the converted safety placed third on the team in total tackles (82), had 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

Austin English, Defensive End – Was limited to seeing actions in 11 games in `08 because of a knee injury after being a Frist Team All Conference selection in `07. Recorded 32 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season.

Dominique Franks, Cornerback – Second Team All Big 12 in 2008. Tied for the team high with 10 pass deflections (Brian Jackson), also led the Sooners in defensive touchdowns (2). Tied for the team high with 4 interceptions (Travis Lewis). Recorded 42 total tackles.

DeMarcus Granger, Defensive Tackle – Was hampered by an injury sustained in the Washington game last season. Recorded 20 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in `08. Was an All Big 12 Second Team selection in `07.

Travis Lewis, Linebacker – Second Team All Big 12 in 2008. Led the Sooners in total tackles (144), second on the team in tackles for loss (12), tied for most interceptions (4/Dominique Franks), recorded 3.5 sacks.

Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle – First Team All Big 12 in 2008. His 30 tackles led Oklahoma’s defensive tackles, was second on the team in sacks (6.5), recorded 11 tackles for loss.

Who shouldn’t be on this list? Who did I leave off? Let me know!