Happy Friday, friends and fans!

Oklahoma Sooners redshirt senior Spencer Jones was recently recognized as the 2020 Pete Mortell Holder of the Year. He now joins former OU standout Connor McGinnis (2017) as the program’s only two winners of the HOTY — one of college football’s most prestigious individual awards.

Jones, a Nashville, Tennessee native and former Liberty Flame, was placed on scholarship last month after originally walking on at Oklahoma in 2018. After a stellar senior campaign that established his membership of the exclusive HOTY fraternity, the elite specialist officially announced his intention to return to OU next season to continue his pursuit of leading the Sooners back to the College Football Playoff for another chance at winning a national championship.

Now onto this week’s Friday edition of Hot Links! The Sooners will probably shop around the transfer portal over the next few weeks, Baker and his Brownies are confident despite their lack of practice, Michigan has decided to re-write Harbaugh’s contract and more!

OU Links

• After receiving Pro Football Focus’ highest grade for an offensive lineman during the bowl season, senior OT Erik Swenson was named to the AP’s All-Bowl Team. Congrats, Erik!

• Now that Rhamondre Stevenson has officially declared for the 2021 NFL Draft, what does OU’s running back situation look like now? If DeMarco Murray and company are seeking reinforcements, where should they start? SI Sooners’ Ryan Chapman has more.
• Sooner Scoop’s Bob Przybylo recently took an early look at which transfer portal targets Oklahoma may have its sights on this offseason.
• Although Baker Mayfield and his Cleveland Browns have not been able to practice virtually all week ahead of their AFC Wild Card meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the third-year signal caller is not making any excuses.
• Malcolm Kelly’s iconic freestyle from 2006 is truly the gift that keeps on giving. After Oklahoma dismantled the Florida Gators in the Cotton Bowl last week, the team rapped those hallowed lyrics in unison, creating one of the coolest moments of the 2020 season. Now, thanks to the good folks over at BreakingT, you can join in on all the fun by purchasing a t-shirt or hoodie with this ever-so appropriate design inspired by the words of the former standout Sooner receiver.

Around the Sports World

• The Michigan Wolverines have chosen to retain head coach Jim Harbaugh, but only under the condition that he sign a new contract extension that lowers both his base salary as well as his potential future buyout. I won’t mention any names, but that’s probably what the folks south of the Red River should have done.
• Urban Meyer is reportedly set to interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars in person today to discuss the head coaching vacancy. The former Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes national championship winning coach has been “retired” for two years.
• In an unexpectedly swift move, the Penn State Nittany Lions announced that they have fired offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca and hired former Texas Longhorns OC and QB coach Mike Yurcich for the same roles in Happy Valley.
• Philadelphia 76ers guard Seth Curry reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and immediately went into isolation after he was briefly with his team at the start of their game against the Brooklyn Nets. That’s not a good look for the NBA.
• The Green Bay Packers are allowing 6,000 fans to attend their home game during the NFC Divisional Round following this weekend’s Wild Card action.

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