Happy Tuesday, friends and fans!

It’s finally October, and Bleacher Report NFL Draft pundit Matt Miller just released his first quarter big board ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft. As expected, a number of Oklahoma Sooners appear throughout many of his lists.

Overall, junior WR CeeDee Lamb and redshirt sophomore C Creed Humphrey cracked Miller’s top 32 prospects at Nos. 16 and 26, respectively.

In the offensive position categories, senior QB Jalen Hurts is rated as the seventh best signal caller, as well as the most mobile of the bunch. Junior RB Trey Sermon is ranked 15th out of all tailbacks. Junior TE Grant Calcaterra is rated as the second-best at his position, and was also noted for having the best hands.

On defense, junior LB Kenneth Murray checks in at No. 3 for all backers, however, K9 was the only defensive player to represent OU in this quarterly big board. I suspect that will change in due time with redshirt senior DT Neville Gallimore rising up the ranks fast.

Now onto today’s Hot Links! Jalen Hurts still leads all Heisman contenders, Alex Grinch wants more TFLs from his defense, JJ Redick needs Zion Williamson to help preserve his streak and more!

OU Links

• This is simply mesmerizing to watch. Check out the synchronicity of the defensive players receiving the play and checking their assignments. Pure poetry in motion. Boy... what a departure from what we’ve seen in recent years. The optics of this are such an improvement over seeing guys who we’re throwing their hands up whilst looking to the sideline. Seriously, this alone should indicate that things are headed in the right direction.

• On Monday, Jalen Hurts was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week after decimating Texas Tech in the conference opener. Kansas, can you stop him from making it two weeks in a row?

• Speaking of Hurts, his grip on the lead of ESPN’s Heisman Watch remains firm, as he’s now garnered seven of the 10 total first place votes through five weeks of college football.
• What does Rivals National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell think of Jalen Hurts’ game and how it could potentially translate to the next level? He offered his take, as well as a league comparison.
• Vic Reynolds for OU Daily reports what DC Alex Grinch had to say about the Sooners latest performance against the Red Raiders. Aside from forcing turnovers, he wants to see more tackles-for-loss, and believes it’s entirely doable given the amount of times Oklahoma defenders are in opponents’ backfield.
• Trejan Bridges was flagged twice in his brief debut at safety last time out, but Grinch was encouraged by his effort. Hopefully this next game allows for more playing time for the gifted true freshman looking to make an impact any way he can.

• Sooners Wire’s Derek Parker previewed the Jayhawks’ glaring deficiencies ahead of Oklahoma’s matchup in Lawrence this weekend.
• The OU men’s golf team is putting on an absolute clinic up in North Plains, Oregon at the Nike Collegiate Invitational. Heading into the third and final round, the Sooners lead the field by a whopping 15 strokes. Boomer!

Around the Sports World

• Banner Society’s Spencer Hall and Ryan Nanni broke down the law that was recently passed in California that will allow student-athletes to profit off of their own names, image and likeness. The possible ramifications are quite significant, but that’s not to say the sport will necessarily be ruined.

• The Oklahoma City Thunder are entering uncharted territory this season without Russell Westbrook as the face of the franchise to lead the way, but SB Nation’s Michael Pina says this team doesn’t have to tank in order to rebuild.
• The Heisman Trophy awarded to legendary Texas Longhorns RB Ricky Williams in 1998 is being sold at an auction and is estimated to go for $500,000, which would set the new record for the prestigious trophy.
• North Carolina Tar Heels AD Bubba Cunningham issued a formal apology to Clemson fans who attended the game in Chapel Hill last Saturday after a series of graphics on the video board suggested the Tigers fans were bandwagoners. I thought it was all in good fun, but not everybody can take a joke, I suppose.
• JJ Redick has reached the NBA Playoffs in each of the 13 seasons he’s been in the association. Now he’s playing with New Orleans Pelicans rookie sensation Zion Williamson, and he gave the young superstar some sage, veteran advice.

Stick to Sports!

• Starting today through Oct. 6, if you bring a pumpkin larger than the size of your head to the Oklahoma City Zoo, you’ll receive free same-day admission. Hopefully you folks with small noggins take advantage of this, because us bobblehead-looking folks will have a hard time finding any gourds massive enough to warrant free entry. It’s a real shame, too, because I sure do like to see all the animals. Woe is me.

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