/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66082014/1190751045.jpg.0.jpg)
The last shoe to drop in regards to Oklahoma Sooners making their decision on whether to stay in school or declare for the 2020 NFL Draft has finally fallen, and it’s great news for OU fans. On Friday, redshirt sophomore center Creed Humphrey announced that he is coming back to Norman for another season.
#Boomer pic.twitter.com/83McCihshU
— Creed Humphrey (@creed_humphrey) January 10, 2020
This is incredibly positive news for Oklahoma, who will be breaking in a new starting QB (presumably Spencer Rattler) next season with the departure of Jalen Hurts. At 6’5” and 315 pounds, Humphrey has prototypical size and strength to play at the next level, on top of his natural football acumen. With his name popping up in a number of first round mock drafts, he probably could have declared and saw a first or second-day selection. Now that he’s coming back, he has a chance to improve his stock even further.
Since 2018, Humphrey has started 26 games at center for Oklahoma, including all 14 contests in 2019. Last season he was a Rimington Award finalist, and the year before he was the keystone for the Joe Moore Award winning O-line. He was named the 2019 Big 12 co-Offensive Lineman of the Year and a Second Team All-American by the AP, the FWAA, Walter Camp and Sporting News.
With the Shawnee native making his decision official, the Sooners are bringing back four of the five starting offensive linemen from 2019. In fact, left guard Marquis Hayes, Humphrey at center, right guard Tyrese Robinson and right tackle Adrian Ealy are all entering their redshirt junior seasons in 2020, so there’s a possibility that some of the four could still be in the mix in 2021, as well. Only left tackle R.J. Proctor has to be replaced going into next season, and former starter Erik Swenson will have a chance to reclaim that vacant spot along the O-line. However, watch out for ultra-talented redshirt freshman Stacy Wilkins to grab that job.
Follow Crimson & Cream Machine on Twitter!