The Oklahoma Sooners will be thin at offensive guard next season. It turns out that reserve guard Alex Williams will be transferring from OU, making him the second reserve guard to do so this spring, and the third offensive lineman overall.
Kody Cooke, an Enid native, was the other guard who transferred earlier this spring.
Where does this leave the Sooners in terms of people who can play guard? Senior Brian Simmons and Sophomore Stephen Good are slated to be the starters at RG and LG respectively. Brian Lepak, a transfer from Colorado State, is a dependable backup at guard, but he'll also have to backup at center because Jason Hannan also transferred this spring.
Huge JUCO transfer Tavaris Jeffries (6'5" 320) will probably have to play some guard right away as well.
The Sooners will have to make do with what they have after the sudden exodus of players, and then try to recruit a couple of guys who can play on the interior line next year.
Why You Shouldn't Panic
The Oklahoma Sooners were already slated to be starting Simmons and Good at the guard positions. Simmons is a dependable guy who has played a lot in his career at Oklahoma and should be able to step up and start easily. Good is supposedly the strongest player on the team, and really talented. Ben Habern should be a good starter at center.
The only problem is that the Sooners don't have a whole lot of depth at guard. It isn't a reason for panic. It would only really become a problem if one or two guys went down at that particular position.
Wide Receivers
Who will start with Ryan Broyles at WR? That has been the big question mark this offseason, besides the offensive line. The Oklahoman attempted to answer that with an article about Adron Tennell and Brandon Caleb.
I have to admit, I wasn't aware that they were both 4 star recruits. They both have the size and talent to contribute at wideout. Tennell looked right at home in the spring game, catching a touchdown, and by all accounts he's been great in the spring practices. Apparently they've becoming buddies while waiting for their opportunities. Perhaps Caleb said it best:
Said Caleb, “Everybody that comes in here wants to play immediately and sometimes there are setbacks. As far as waiting, you have to be patient and realize when you’re presented with an opportunity. I feel like we can come on and make the plays that show the coaches that we’re reliable. You have to know whenever you get the opportunity, you have to make something happen. That’s what we’re hoping to do.”
Here's to hoping that they can step up and fill in!
Blake Griffin Going To The Clippers
Okay, it isn't certain, but it's about 99.9% likely. Despite Chad Ford (ESPN) reporting that Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy has fallen in love with international phenom Ricky Rubio, everything out of the Clippers organization has suggested they will take Griffin. In fact they've been set on it for close to a year.
Wayman Tisdale Remembered
A good little article here from the Tulsa World about the services for Wayman Tisdale. Apparently around 4,000 people showed up. Barry Switzer was also in attendance. Other notable names included: John Blake, Kenny Gattison, A.C. Green, Charles Smith, Ryan Humphrey, Rory Sparrow, Sidney Green, and Billy Tubbs. Wayman was one of the truly great people and athletes to pass through the University of Oklahoma, and we'll miss him.
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