Weekend Round-Up | Baker Mayfield Update, Blake Bell Taking Reps At QB, Names To Know

With kickoff just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to reintroduce our Weekend Round-Up as well as the Mid-Week Round-Up segments. With games coming on Saturday, look for the Weekend segments to hit on Friday with the Mid-Week portion coming on Tuesday.

OU Sports: Mayfield source: 'It's an empty gesture.' | Tulsa World | Eric Bailey

Another source said Texas Tech allowed Mayfield "permission to contact" Oklahoma after a fourth request seeking his release to become eligible to play this fall. The "permission to contact" is what allows Mayfield the scholarship opportunity, but is not a release for eligibility.

Oklahoma football: Sources confirm Blake Bell taking limited practice reps at quarterback | NewsOK | Jason Kersey

Earlier this week, coach Bob Stoops said redshirt freshman Cody Thomas would likely be Knight's primary backup, but according to sources, Thomas has been injured, which is why Bell has split second-team reps this week with true freshman Justice Hansen.

Thomas' injury isn't believed to be serious. He was dressed out in full pads for the open portion of Thursday's practice, when students and media were allowed inside.

Bell didn't take any snaps at quarterback during the open portion of practice.

Oklahoma Football: 5 Names To Know In 2014 | News9 |  Luke McConnell

The Oklahoma Sooners have plenty of household names on the roster this year, but with gaps to fill on both sides of the ball, expect to hear some new-or at least unfamiliar-names this season.
Here are five players you could be hearing a lot about as the 2014 season rolls along.

1. Safety- Steven Parker (6-1, 197, freshman)

The freshman safety from Jenks is drawing a lot of praise from coaches and teammates alike for his performance during practice. The Sooners have an opening at safety and have experimented with Parker at both safety positions, as well as nickel back.