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A couple of key contributors, on the defensive side of the ball, won't be available for the Sooners this spring. On Thursday Bob Stoops announced that linebacker Dominique Alexander and defensive tackle Courtney Garnett will sit out while recovering from surgeries.
Garnett, a redshirt freshman to be, from New Orleans tore his ACL in winter workouts and Alexander is recovering from wrist surgery. While Garnett has yet to have an impact on the team, Alexander is a guy that you can lock in as having a starting spot come this fall. The 6-0/227 product from Tulsa's Booker T. Washington has recorded 187 total tackles in his first two seasons and was named the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2013.
Open Quarterback Competition
As expected, Stoops announced on Thursday that the competition for the quarterback is open. Trevor Knight was named the starter prior to the 2013 season but has been plagued by injury, poor decisions, and inconsistency. While there's much expectation that Texas Tech Baker Mayfield will make the strongest push to replace Knight at the starter, Stoops said that Edmond native Justice Hansen was "absolutely" in the mix.
Cortez Johnson No Longer With Team
The defensive backfield picture got a bit more clear on Thursday when Stoops announced that corner Cortez Johnson was no longer with the team. A transfer from Arizona in 2012, Johnson recorded 32 total tackles for Oklahoma. However after playing in 10 games in 2013, Johnson saw action in just two games in 2014.
Joe Mixon Won't Participate In The Spring Game
Those hoping to see Joe Mixon finally take the to Owen Field are going to need to wait longer. While Mixon will go through spring practice with the team he won't participate in Oklahoma's spring game on April 11. While it's good news in that Mixon finally has the opportunity to get on the field it also means that the first opportunity most people will have to wait until September 5th to see him take the field in a public setting.