Happy Friday, friends and fans!

Bobby Evans and Cody Ford are two of the four offensive linemen representing the Oklahoma Sooners at the 2019 NFL Combine, and here they are running the 40-yard dash.

Ford has been projected as a possible first-round pick, so his performance on this day is especially significant for him.

Ben Powers and Dru Samia were in the second group of offensive linemen. Powers did not run the 40, but Samia did, turning in an unofficial time of 5.3.

All this Sooner exposure is great, and Gabe Ikard made a good point about it. If you’ve been following along with the NFL’s coverage of the combine, it’s been an awful lot of Oklahoma. Not a bad thing when you consider the public relations and recruiting aspects.

Once the offensive linemen have wrapped up their on-field drills, running backs and special teams will be up next. Also, the skill-position guys have media availability today. For more information on how to watch and when everything is going down, we’ve got you covered right here. Having said that, things are pretty much done for OU after today, as the skill-position players are all passing on the drills for various reasons.

Now onto this week’s Friday edition of Hot Links! Austin Seibert separates himself from the pack, a pair of Sooner Baseball and Softball double headers are on deck, Larry Nance reminds us that the ball don’t lie and more!

OU Links

• Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star wrote up an in-depth look at why Kyler Murray will succeed in the NFL and why he may have never had this chance if he were playing 20 years ago.
• Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay has been impressed with what he’s seen from Kyler Murray. The praise from one of the NFL’s youngest and brightest coaching stars speaks for itself.

• There’s a lot being said about Kyler Murray this week, but not a lot of that talk is coming from those closest to him. So what kind of insight do his teammates at the combine have to say about their friend and leader on the field?
• Beyond the unique info his teammates have shed some light on, what do Murray’s former offensive linemen have to say about the challenges of blocking for such a dynamic player behind center?

• When it comes to the 225-pound bench press, Rodney Anderson is (unsurprisingly) one of the strongest running backs at this year’s NFL Combine with 25 reps. And check out the Big 12. Alex Barnes from Kansas State tops the chart at 34 while Anderson is fourth. Very solid work, guys.

• A month ago, Austin Seibert stood out amongst all placekickers and punters at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, and now he’s picking up where he left off at the NFL Combine. Go get ‘em, Big Seib!

• Oklahoma baseball begins its four-game series against Columbia with a double header today. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT. For more information on what you can do to keep up with the action, follow the links embedded in the tweet below.

• Like baseball, don’t forget about the pair of Sooner Softball doubleheaders happening today and tomorrow. No. 4 Oklahoma will play its first home games of the season this weekend against Oregon State and Louisiana. The action starts at 2 p.m. CT, and you can find out more on how to follow the games live right here.

Around the Sports World

• A scheduling proposal pitting the Big 12 and Pac-12 against each other in football was presented but ultimately dismissed. The details of the proposed alliance would have resulted in every Big 12 team playing three Pac-12 teams as part of a non-conference slate, which would have undoubtedly shaken up the way records are weighed.
• Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance understands the No. 1 truth throughout the sports world — the ball does not lie. Exhibit A:

• The Pac-12 has been abysmal over the course of this college basketball season, and when the Washington Huskies, the league’s best, finally cracked the top 25, they were naturally upset by Cal, the worst team in the conference. Turrible.
• If Major League Soccer made rule changes on a whim today, where should the powers that be start? Check out seven rule change ideas that could improve the MLS inside and out.
• A senior basketball manager at Cal State Fullerton was able to suit up and get some action, and he certainly made the most of it with a driving and-1. Awesome moment for the young man.

Stick to Sports!

• It’s been 28 years since world renowned children’s book author Dr. Seuss passed away, but in September 2019, a newly discovered book is scheduled for release. ‘Dr. Seuss’s Horse Museum’ will not only entertain its readers, the hope is that it will inspire young minds to see the world around them in new ways and inquire about what they’re seeing. ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ is still my all-time favorite, but I’m certainly excited to check this one out.

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