Happy Thursday, friends and fans!

Oklahoma Sooners redshirt freshman offensive tackle Stacey Wilkins is no longer listed on OU’s official team roster, first reported by Sooner Scoop’s Bob Przybylo. For now, it isn’t known whether this situation is simply him opting out the remainder of the season or if the issue is something greater that extends beyond the 2020 campaign.

Wilkins originally signed with Oklahoma as part of the 2019 recruiting class as a four-star prospect out of Camden, Ark. He appeared in four games as a true freshman last season, allowing him to retain a year of eligibility while maximizing his playing time per the updated redshirt rules.

Coming into 2020, Wilkins was expected to challenge for a starting spot along the Sooners’ offensive line, and appeared as the definitive backup at left tackle behind true freshman Anton Harrison in the first official depth chart days before the season opener.

Time will tell if Wilkins makes his return to the team following the conclusion of this season. If he does, his presence will be a welcomed addition to the group up front.

Now for today’s Hot Links! Reinforcements are on the way for the Oklahoma O-Line, OU Golf tops the national charts, OBJ is banned from Death Valley and more!

OU Links

• For those of you who are interested, here is a look at the uniform combination TCU plans to rock when Oklahoma takes the field in Forth Worth this Saturday. I can dig it. When combined with Oklahoma’s impeccable road whites, this makes for an aesthetically pleasing matchup.

• Spencer Rattler is at his best when he’s on the move outside the pocket, and according to Pro Football Focus, his best ranks him well above all other collegiate passers in 2020.

• Redshirt junior center Creed Humphrey has all the tools one would expect from a top tier lineman with a bright NFL future. OL coach Bill Bedenbaugh has an extensive track record of sending the players he recruits and develops to the league. Together, they form a player-coach combination that gives Oklahoma a decided advantage on Saturdays.

• Speaking of offensive linemen, for the first time this season, Oklahoma will have access to the services of UCLA Bruins transfer Chris Murray this weekend against the TCU Horned Frogs. How will his availability affect the depth and rotation up front? SI Sooners’ Parker Thune has an idea.
• Through four games into the 2020 season, sophomore H-back Austin Stogner has emerged as a major weapon for the Sooners thanks to his tremendous size and soft hands. Watching him on the field, fans can’t help but be reminded of another mega-mismatch — former Mackey Award winner Mark Andrews, writes the Oklahoman’s Ryan Aber.
• According to GolfWeek/Sagarin, the OU men’s golf team is No. 1 in the nation. In fact, eight of the nation’s top ten teams are from the Big 12, so come season’s end, no one will be able to question the Sooners’ strength of schedule. Boomer!

• Make sure you check out this week’s episode of the Oklahoma Breakdown Podcast with Kamiar and Stephen as they preview OU’s upcoming game at TCU. Also hopping on the show this time to help dish on the opponent is Frogs O’ War’s Melissa Triebwasser. As always, it’s a fun listen, and as usual, be aware that there is some NSFW language used on the pod.

Around the Sports World

• The Texas Longhorns’ marching band recently conducted an internal survey, and many of the students refuse to play the ‘Eyes of Texas’ because of the song’s historically racist roots. So far in 2020, UT’s band has not played live at home games this season due to COVID-19 concerns.
• The LSU Tigers have self-imposed sanctions against their football program in the form of a significant scholarship reduction as well as a two-year ban for WR Odell Beckham Jr. after he handed out $2000 worth of hundred dollar bills to several players following the 2020 CFP National Championship. Personally, I’m not so sure everything here passes the smell test. In short, the NCAA remains clueless and backwards.
• Pending a successful workout and clear physical exam, the Baltimore Ravens are prepared to sign soon-to-be 32-year-old WR Dez Bryant to the organization’s practice team.
• The New Orleans Pelicans have hired Stan Van Gundy as the team’s next head coach. Van Gundy last coached for the Detroit Pistons from 2014 to 2018.

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