How’s it going, Sooner fans? As fall camp moves along, battles for starting positions begin to wind down as contenders create separation between themselves and the competition. It’s expected to happen at a number of positions, especially at QB, on the O-line, and in the secondary.
However, one other position where a starter has yet to be decided is H-back. For as long as Lincoln Riley has been in Norman, that job belonged to Dimitri Flowers, and he was lethal in that role. Prior to Flowers’ arrival in Norman, Trey Millard held the role for four years himself. Now the Oklahoma Sooners are tasked with filling the massive void, and according to Riley, some noticeable separation is starting to come into focus.
Lincoln Riley was asked on Wednesday about the H-back position: "I would say Carson Meier is definitely the leader in the clubhouse now. He’s really kind of started to separate himself a little bit. He’s really starting to play at a high level."#Sooners pic.twitter.com/oBGTHemzcX
— Eric Bailey (@EricBaileyTW) August 15, 2018
Carson Meier, a redshirt senior, is reportedly leading for the starting spot, ahead of redshirt freshman Jeremiah Hall. Meier has yet to log any stats on offense, but he’s proven to be more than capable as a blocker, which is paramount in Riley’s offense. Additionally, the former standout TE from Tulsa Union has been praised for his improvement as a playmaker and his development from a physical standpoint. The competition will continue, but if the head coach is already singling out a leader at this stage, the gap is likely wider than most previously thought.
Now onto today’s Hot Links! Baker Mayfield could fall to third string in spite of his play, Delarrin Turner-Yell is turning heads, Oregon’s jersey numbers can be seen from space, and more!
OU Links
- While Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson says Tyrod Taylor remains the starter, he also says Drew Stanton’s experience could make him Taylor’s backup. So does that mean Mayfield will be the third-string QB? Maybe they’re serious about that “redshirt” season.
- Speaking of QB battles, Lincoln Riley says that the Sooners’ quarterback competition is starting to come into focus. Most outside the program presume the job is Kyler Murray’s to lose, but Riley asserts Austin Kendall has made strides and is pushing Murray every step of the way.
- In what seems like a precautionary measure, some players were at practice without pads on Thursday, including Brendan Radley-Hiles, Ronnie Perkins and Dillon Faamatau.
Guys I noticed not wearing pads this morning: Ronnie Perkins, Dillon Faamatau.
— Tyler Palmateer (@Tpalmateer83) August 16, 2018
Didn't see it myself, but appears Brendan Radley-Hiles was also not suited up.
- Lincoln Riley said true freshman safety Delarrin Turner-Yell was one of the young players who stood out in Oklahoma’s latest scrimmage. Turner-Yell is quickly gaining the reputation of being one of the more physical players on the team, and brings a thumper mentality to every snap.
- As is the case most seasons, Oklahoma will once again be absolutely loaded at running back this fall. Rodney Anderson and Trey Sermon figure to be the top two ball carriers, but don’t forget about Kennedy Brooks and the rest of the guys.
- CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso listed Oklahoma’s top 2019 NFL Draft prospects, and all of them are on the offensive side of the ball. Still, it could be another successful draft class for the Sooners even if it shakes out that way. Give it another year or two and we could start seeing elite draft prospects on the other side more frequently.
Around the Sports World
- TCU star defensive tackle Ross Blacklock will miss the 2018 season after suffering an injury. Blacklock was not only expected to start, he was expected to anchor the Horned Frogs’ defense.
- The Oregon Ducks are known for their innovations with alternate uniforms. In 2018, when you see UO on the field, you should have no problem identifying their jersey numbers. I mean look at them. They’re HUGE.
Oregon’s new uniforms use the same font size as your mom’s iPhone pic.twitter.com/sCgURQuAIW
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) August 16, 2018
- Speaking of uniforms... woof, Notre Dame. WOOF!
New Notre Dame football jerseys and helmet for their game at Yankee Stadium. pic.twitter.com/g6krQX7tWR
— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) August 16, 2018
- Kobe Bryant invested $6 million into the ‘BodyArmor’ sports drink company in 2014, and today his stake is worth just over $200 million. Since retirement, Kobe has won an Academy Award and is now becoming a giant on the investments scene. What will he do next?
- I don’t know why, but watching this makes me super jealous that we never played it when I was in P.E. class. Somebody make this an actual sport with arenas and custom merch.
Watch these 4th graders at Lowell Elementary School play the most epic game of rock-paper-scissors ever. (via @ELBranch13) pic.twitter.com/81QStnlw46
— ESPN (@espn) August 16, 2018
- Following the Miami Marlins-Atlanta Braves game, a heckling fan ran up to the postgame crew’s setup. A security guard sprang into action to remove the fan, but in the midst of his pursuit, well, we’ve all been there...
@DOBrienATL @AdamAizer @keithlaw @kileymcd so this just happened on the Braves post game... pic.twitter.com/WQD9Cgnryj
— Kaleb Cribb (@Booze_Lord) August 15, 2018
Stick to Sports!
- Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul”, has passed away in her Detroit home at the age of 76. Earlier in the week it was reported that Franklin was gravely ill. The music icon was said to be surrounded by family and friends at the time of her passing.
Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul, is dead at 76.
— Vox (@voxdotcom) August 16, 2018
Her 60-plus-year career was one of broken boundaries and broken records. https://t.co/Iha7b1Cijb pic.twitter.com/TQW1uLW5Zb
Follow Crimson & Cream Machine on Twitter!