The coronavirus pandemic struck sports just as spring football was starting up for Oklahoma. Saturday would have been the Sooners spring game and the big spring game recruiting weekend would be currently taking place.
Position battles were set to take place on the offense—Spencer Rattler and Tanner Mordecai, Stacey Wilkins and Erik Swenson. While the answer to one is certain, the other is much less clear.
What will the 2020 offense look like? It’s sure to be a near 180 from what we saw Lincoln Riley do with Jalen Hurts in 2019.
Sooners Wire projects the 2020 offensive depth chart without spring practices and months to go before the season.
QUARTERBACK
- Spencer Rattler
- Tanner Mordecai
This has taken all the headlines, but I think we would have seen a distinct difference in the way the offense rolls with Spencer Rattler and the way it does with Tanner Mordecai.
RUNNING BACK
- Rhamondre Stevenson
- Kennedy Brooks
- Marcus Major
The battle for the third running back spot is the major one here. Rhamondre Stevenson is slated to miss the first five games of 2020. All the reviews of Marcus Major before his season-ending injury in the fall raved about what he could become.
H-BACK
- Jeremiah Hall
- Brayden Willis
Not much more to add here. Jeremiah Hall and Brayden Willis will be the glue to Riley’s offense and play the same, but different roles within the confines of the offense.
X-RECEIVER
- Theo Wease
- Jadon Haselwood
Oklahoma is extremely thin at receiver in 2020. The most flexibility they have comes with Jadon Haselwood’s ability to play inside or outside.
Z-RECEIVER
- Jadon Haselwood
- Charleston Rambo
- Theo Howard
This is all under the assumption that Theo Howard will be back in time for 2020 after suffering an alleged injury. Haselwood takes over Lamb’s ‘do-it-all’ role for next season with Charleston Rambo and Howard benefitting from his ability to play inside and out.
H-RECEIVER
- Trejan Bridges
- Drake Stoops
- Marvin Mims
Trejan Bridges is a selfless player who comes from a selfless family. This is the same position Nick Basquine and Myles Tease played in the past and one that Bridges could flourish in with his ability to block and make yards after the catch. Would foresee a lot of crossing and underneath routes and then benefit from one-on-one coverage from what defenses have to do to cover Wease and Haselwood.
Obviously Bridges will likely miss the first five games of 2020, which should open the door wide open for Marvin Mims impact.
Y-RECEIVER
- Austin Stogner
- Jalin Conyers
This may be the best 1-2 punch at tight end in the country. Austin Stogner is well on his way to being a George Kittle type of tight end as Jalin Conyers fits more in the mold of what Jermaine Gresham brought to the table in 2008.
LEFT TACKLE
- Stacey Wilkins
- Erik Swenson
No surprise here, though this cancelation of spring football makes the battle for left tackle even more intriguing. Still think Stacey Wilkins is the future.
*LEFT GUARD
- Tyrese Robinson
- Brey Walker
Status quo. Tyrese Robinson was solid for much of 2019.
CENTER
- Creed Humphrey
- E.J. Ndoma-Ogar
Go ahead and insert a Bill Bedenbaugh-ism here.
*RIGHT GUARD
- Marquis Hayes
- Andrew Raym
Same with Robinson. Will be interesting to see where Andrew Raym lands on the offensive line.
RIGHT TACKLE
- Adrian Ealy
- Anton Harrison
Adrian Ealy also retains his spot at right tackle. Continue to keep an eye on Anton Harrison as fall camp approaches.
*The caveat to the offensive line unit for 2020 is if UCLA transfer Chris Murray can play immediately or not. He may be Oklahoma’s second-best offensive lineman right now and there is no way Bedenbaugh is going to be able to keep him off the field. Robinson has played right tackle before and that could end up being the pivotal position battle between he and Ealy.
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