Tag: 2021 Oklahoma Sooners

A master of the ‘Speed D,’ Nik Bonitto passing on knowledge to younger Rush LBs

Oklahoma Sooners rush linebacker Nik Bonitto shares the importance of passing on the knowledge of Alex Grinch’s defense to the younger players.

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When you can perform a concept or a skill in any walk of life, you’ve displayed a grasped knowledge of that concept. When you’re able to teach a skill or concept, you’ve mastered it. The veteran members of the Oklahoma Sooners defense have become masters of Alex Grinch’s Speed D. 

Nik Bonitto, in his third year under Alex Grinch, has arguably been the biggest beneficiary of Grinch’s presence in Norman. He’s seen his production increase in every season under his defensive coordinator.

In two games as a freshman, Bonitto didn’t record a single tackle for loss or sack in 2018. In 2019 he had a modest breakout with 3.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, and an interception. In 2020, he really burst onto the scene with nine sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss.

Bonitto was so good last season he’s put himself on every award watch list imaginable heading into his fourth year with the Sooners. He’s arguably the best player on an ascending defense that has a chance to help the Oklahoma Sooners win the national championship in 2021.

Safe to say he’s mastered Alex Grinch’s defense.

The Sooners All-American understands, though, that his responsibility and impact go beyond simply what he does on the field. As a veteran of the defense, he understands that he and the other veteran leadership have a responsibility to pass on the knowledge they’ve acquired to help the younger guys pick up Grinch’s defense.

There’s a lot of guys who have been in the system for three years now since (Alex Grinch has) been through that door. And now it’s just a matter of okay, we know it, now we’ve got to help the young guys know it. Specifically, in my group a Clayton Smith or Brendan Walker, (Marcus) Stripling, he just moved to a rush linebacker, so he’s still trying to learn a couple things. As older guys we gotta take it upon ourselves to bring young guys along and make sure they know the defense as well as we do. – Nik Bonitto

Sharing his knowledge will not only pay dividends in 2021 but for years after Bonitto is gone. For as long as Alex Grinch is the defensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners defense, Bonitto helping the guys in his position group have a better grasp of what’s going on will pay dividends down the road.

As Nik Bonitto is getting set for what could be an award-laden 2021 season, he’s kept a grounded mentality thanks to his father, who’s encouraged him “to stay with that same hunger” when Bonitto didn’t have all of the preseason accolades. Taking the time and energy to impart knowledge to his younger teammates shows leadership and a grounded mentality.

The Sooners defense will continue to take steps forward in 2021 and could end up being elite. Nik Bonitto’s performance between the hashes will be a big reason for their ascension. However, what he does outside the lines with his teammates will be vital to the defense staying elite for years to come.

8 Oklahoma Sooners named to the 2022 Senior Bowl watch list

Ahead of the 2021 season, eight Oklahoma Sooners make the 2022 Senior Bowl watch list.

The Oklahoma Sooners come into 2021 with a veteran group on both sides of the football. That’s part of the reason experts are so high on the Sooners’ chances at a seventh-straight Big 12 Championship and contention for the national championship.

Many in that group of veterans will likely be off to the NFL next season, though some will be more highly sought after than others. The NFL draft process can often put more weight on younger players, often leaving seniors to scrap for their spot among a draft class elite.

Whether it’s a late breakout or competition at the top of the depth chart that prevented them from seeing the field, senior draft prospects can sometimes get dinged depending on the situation.

For those seniors, however, there’s one extra opportunity to make an impression for NFL coaches and front office personnel, and that’s at the Reese’s Mobile Senior Bowl.

At the Senior Bowl, players get put through a week of practice with NFL coaching staffs with scouts, coaches, and general managers in attendance. They go through individual and team drills in the lead-up to the Senior Bowl on the weekend. Though the Senior Bowl isn’t the only thing NFL teams take into account, it can often confirm how they feel about certain players for front offices.

It’s an opportunity for an under-the-radar player or a player with questionable technique or character to get in front of teams and allay any concerns.

In 2021, Tre Brown, Rhamondre Stevenson, Creed Humphrey, Tre Norwood, and Adrian Ealy were in attendance at the Senior Bowl. In 2020, Neville Gallimore and Jalen Hurts took part. In 2018, Baker Mayfield surprised everyone when he participated in the evaluation process.

For 2022, the Oklahoma Sooners have eight players named to the Senior Bowl’s watch list. Not every player will make the final rosters for the week in Mobile, but several will and they’ll benefit greatly from the process.

Let’s take a look at the eight players that could represent the Oklahoma Sooners at the 2022 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

Oklahoma Sooners 2021 Football Schedule

Oklahoma Sooners 2021 football schedule

The Oklahoma Sooners are set to embark on what could be a run at their first national championship in 21 seasons. Hoping to capture their seventh straight Big 12 Championship, the Sooners will be returning one of the most explosive offenses in college football led by Lincoln Riley and Spencer Rattler.

Finally, Lincoln Riley has a defense he can feel comfortable with heading into the season. Alex Grinch’s squad is looking to be a unit that can win this team games by taking the ball away and giving it back to the high-powered offense.

The 50th anniversary of the “Game of the Century” highlights the non-conference schedule as part of Fox’s Big Noon Saturday kickoff show. Games against Iowa State and Kansas State offer opportunities for redemption and the Sooners must navigate their way through the annual minefield that is the Red River Rivalry.

Some game times and broadcast information are still to be determined. Times are listed in the central time zone.

Week
Date
Opponent
Time
1 9/4 at Tulane Green Wave (ABC) 11 a.m. 
2 9/11 vs. Western Carolina Catamounts TBA
3 9/18 vs Nebraska Cornhuskers (FOX) 11 a.m.
4 9/25 vs. West Virginia Mountaineers TBA
5 10/2 at Kansas State Wildcats TBA
6 10/9 vs. Texas Longhorns in Dallas, TX TBA
7 10/16 vs. Texas Christian Horned Frogs TBA
8 10/23 at. Kansas Jayhawks TBA
9 10/30 vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders TBA
10 11/6 BYE WEEK TBA
11 11/13 at Baylor Bears TBA
12 11/20 vs. Iowa State Cyclones TBA
13 11/27 at Oklahoma State Cowboys TBA

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Sooners’ RB Kennedy Brooks on Tre Bradford: I see a bright future for him

Despite his standing on Oklahoma’s depth chart Tre Bradford’s size, speed, and explosiveness will allow him to make a big impact in his first year with the Oklahoma Sooners. 

The running back position has seen a ton of turnover this spring. The Sooners lost Rhamondre Stevenson to the NFL draft. Seth McGowan and Mikey Henderson were dismissed due to legal issues. Despite those three departures, there’s a lot of excitement about what the Oklahoma Sooners are bringing into the 2021 college football season.

In a tumultuous offseason that also saw the return of Kennedy Brooks and the addition of Eric Gray in the transfer portal, Tre Bradford came in with much less fanfare at the running back spot.

Coming over from LSU, Bradford has just 19 career snaps to his ledger and 10 career rushing attempts. Most of his work came at the end of the 2020 season against Ole Miss.

Bradford carried the ball nine times for 53 yards in that matchup, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He picked up four first downs in the Tigers 53-48 shootout win over the Rebels.

Since joining the Sooners, he’s earned the praise of the veteran running backs on the depth chart. Last week, speaking to the media, Eric Gray had this to say:

Tre has done a great job acclimating. I’ve kind of been in charge of Tre. He’s been in my workout group. Getting him acclimated to the system. Getting him learning the system, the schemes, the protections. You should definitely expect a strong, elusive runner, who’s also fast, who can also breakaway and really show off some speed.

Yesterday, Kennedy Brooks added, “He’s a very explosive dude. When the ball’s in his hands, he does great things. He’s fast, strong. I see a bright future for him.”

Though he likely comes in behind Brooks and Gray on the depth chart, Bradford will mix in with Marcus Major for those third running back repetitions. Despite his standing on the depth chart, Bradford’s size, speed, and explosiveness will allow him to make a big impact in his first year with the Oklahoma Sooners.

Oklahoma Sooners’ Andrew Raym earns praise from OL Coach Bill Bedenbaugh

Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh heaped high praise on center Andrew Raym on Tuesday when speaking with the media.

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One of the lingering questions from the spring was what the Oklahoma Sooners were going to do at center entering the fall. Speaking to the media last week, Lincoln Riley made it known that a full-blown competition was underway to replace Creed Humphrey.

As many as five players were getting a look at taking over the starting spot in the middle of the Oklahoma Sooners offensive line. Though Andrew Raym had been the consensus favorite to win the job, Riley mentioned Chris Murray, Robert Congel, Ian McKiver, and Nate Anderson as part of that center competition.

It’s a vital part of our offense. It always has been. One we put a lot on that position mentally. We really rely upon that position to have us in the right calls. And to be able to handle all that we do. We do a lot offensively. I mean compared to most places, we’re pretty demanding there. I don’t think it’s a coincidence when you look back, just about every center that’s played for us has either played in the NFL or coached for us. It’s a big position, we’re going to look at several guys… We’re going to look at several of those guys there and see where we stand. It’s interesting because we’ve got four guys there that have played and done it. – Riley

And while the head coach loves to create competition on his team, even to the point of trying to convince us that Tanner Mordecai was competing for the starting quarterback job with Spencer Rattler last summer, Offensive Line Coach Bill Bedenbaugh sounds like he knows who his starting center is going to be.

Coach Bedenbaugh heaped high praise on his young center, creating even higher expectations for the favorite to take over for Humphrey. Although there are still a few weeks left of fall camp to prepare for the 2021 season, Raym may already have the center competition wrapped up.

You don’t often hear the word elite thrown around by coaches at any level when talking about their players. They don’t want to give their player any incentive not to work to improve. The fact that Coach Bedenbaugh threw the term out there with little regard for how it might affect Andrew Raym’s motivation says a lot about the player the Sooners are getting to take over at center.

D.J. Graham missing wide receiver, but completely bought in at cornerback

Oklahoma Sooners cornerback D.J. Graham talks about his transition from wide receiver to cornerback and why he’s completely bought in.

Under Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch, the Oklahoma Sooners have made it a habit to recruit two-way athletes for their team and help them find their best spot once they get to Norman. In particular, players who have experience at both wide receiver and cornerback seem a high priority for Oklahoma’s staff.

Speaking to the media yesterday, D.J. Graham shared his thoughts on making cornerback a permanent home after coming to Norman hoping to play wide receiver.

Graham had a breakout season in 2020, though it took until Week 6 against Texas to begin seeing the field. Even then, it was just three snaps in the Red River Shootout. But as the season wore on, Graham’s play forced him onto the field more and more. With an increased snap count, Graham rewarded the defensive coaches with outstanding coverage and game-changing plays.

Over the final six games of the season, Graham was targeted 22 times per Pro Football Focus. He allowed 10 receptions on those targets and a passer rating (NFL) of 37.3 per PFF. That passer rating allowed was 12th among players with at least 112 coverage snaps in 2020.

Safe to say he’s taken to cornerback quite well.

Armed with a more typical offseason to continue to hone his craft, Graham has a chance to be one of the primary outside cornerbacks in Alex Grinch’s defense. As Grinch and cornerbacks coach Roy Manning explained, Graham’s experience at wide receiver should enhance his ability at cornerback.

When the ball is in the air, Graham has a natural ability to attack it. He’ll be competitive at the catch point and, as we saw in 2020, make plays on the football in the air. His understanding of route running and what an offense is trying to do against coverage will help him play faster and think less as he works in his coverage responsibility. Overall, he’ll have a great feel for what the wide receiver lined up across from him is trying to do.

Though he may not carry the same profile as Nik Bonitto or Isaiah Thomas, Graham is one of the reasons for optimism the Oklahoma Sooners defense can take another step forward in 2021.

With Woodi Washington and Graham on the outside, Alex Grinch has two corners with size that will battle for the ball in the air and make life difficult on opposing wide receivers.

Graham is a playmaker in every sense of the word. As a former wide receiver, he believes every ball is his ball and will go get it.

Though he may not have planned to play cornerback in college for the Oklahoma Sooners, he’s found a home there and will continue to thrive in 2021.

Sooners top 3 in the preseason USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll

The Oklahoma Sooners start the 2021 campaign with a top-three ranking in the AFCA Coaches Poll.

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In 25 days the Oklahoma Sooners will open their 2021 season with a trip to New Orleans to take on the Tulane Green Wave. Now that the first USA TODAY AFCA Coaches Poll is out for the preseason, it officially feels like football season is right around the corner.

The Sooners, one of the favorites to contend for the national championship in 2021 came in third in the initial Coaches Poll. With two first-place votes, the Oklahoma Sooners prevented the Alabama Crimson Tide from being the unanimous No. 1 heading into 2021.

The defending national champions will turn over the quarterback position as Mac Jones gets ready for the NFL season with the New England Patriots. The Crimson Tide are joined by Clemson and Ohio State as teams at the top who are replacing their signal-callers from a year ago.

In a year of strife for the Big 12, the soon-to-be ex-member carries the flag for the conference. Iowa State (8), Texas (19) and Oklahoma State (22) are the only other members of the Big 12 in the initial top 25 poll.

Full USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll:

Rank Team Points
1 Alabama 1621
2 Clemson 1508
3 Oklahoma 1481
4 Ohio State 1435
5 Georgia 1386
6 Texas A&M 1286
7 Notre Dame 1139
8 Iowa State 1131
9 North Carolina 999
10 Cincinnati 979
11 Florida 870
12 Oregon 842
13 Louisiana State 664
14 Southern California 655
15 Wisconsin 654
16 Miami (Fl) 575
17 Indiana 573
18 Iowa 554
19 Texas 427
20 Penn State 422
21 Washington 404
22 Oklahoma State 216
23 UL Lafayette 153
24 Coastal Carolina 150
25 Mississippi 149

Others receiving votes:

Utah 145; Northwestern 120; Arizona State 90; Auburn 84; Liberty 68; Brigham Young 53; Texas Christian 48; Michigan 30; Central Florida 29; NC State 27; Boise State 27; Kentucky 20; San Jose State 18; Army 13; Virginia Tech 9; Missouri 8; UCLA 7; Tulsa 6; Pittsburgh 6; Boston College 6; Houston 5; Ball State 5; West Virginia 4; Southern Methodist 4; Appalachian State 4; UAB 3; Arkansas 3; Nevada 2; Mississippi State 2; Air Force 2; Stanford 1; Marshall 1; Florida State 1; California 1.

Oklahoma Sooners’ Kasey Kelleher named to Patrick Mannelly Award watch list

Kasey Kelleher was named to the Patrick Mannelly Award watch list as one of college football’s best long snappers. 

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The Oklahoma Sooners have had one of the best kicking units in college football for what seems like the better part of a decade. Gabe Brkic and Austin Seibert might get all of the accolades, but as the Oklahoma Sooners Twitter account states, “every good kick starts with a good snap.”

To that end, Kasey Kelleher was named to the Patrick Mannelly Award watch list as one of college football’s best long snappers.

In only the third season of its existence, the award has been won by John Shannon of Notre Dame and Thomas Fletcher of Alabama.

Long snapper may not be a position the average college football fan thinks about much, but it is if you don’t have a good one. Kelleher has been a good one for the Oklahoma Sooners in his three seasons in Norman.

He’s been the long snapper for 39 games as part of an Oklahoma Sooners kicking game that has been one of the best in the country the last several seasons.

With Kelleher as the long snapper for the Oklahoma Sooners, the kicking game has made 87% of its field goals between Seibert and Brkic. Since 2018, the Sooners have missed one extra point in 189 attempts.

The long snapper is an underrated position because so much of what happens in the kicking game depends on the snap. If the snap is off even a little bit and it forces the holder to reach for the ball, it can throw off the whole operation of the kick.

Having a reliable and dependable long snapper is incredibly valuable to a team. Kasey Kelleher is as reliable and dependable as they come and will continue to play an important role for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2021.

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Oklahoma Sooners top Number One-Ranked Show’s Preseason Top 10

RJ Young of Fox Sports dubs the Oklahoma Sooners number one in his preseason top 10.

With a Heisman hopeful quarterback, a top-20 defense, and a treasure trove of pass-catching talent, it’s no surprise the Oklahoma Sooners are expected to make noise during the 2021 season.

The buzz around OU’s season has officially reached a fever pitch. Fox Sport’s RJ Young dubbed the Crimson and Cream the best in the nation on the “Number One Show” late Monday afternoon.

Young credits Spencer Rattler as the primary key to Oklahoma’s success.  Rightfully so, the redshirt sophomore ran roughshod on his way to 34 combined touchdowns in his first full season at the helm of the Sooners.

The Fox Sports host also points to the dizzying amount of firepower in Rattler and Lincoln Riley’s arsenal. Not only does Rattler return his favorite receivers in Marvin Mims and Theo Wease (tied for the team lead in receptions), but he also welcomes back Austin Stogner and Jadon Haselwood from injuries that caused them to miss significant time in 2020.

Finally, Young claims a competent defense is all Oklahoma needs to back up his lofty No. 1 claim.

The Sooners have failed to score 30 points just six times in the last four years. If the defense can put together another season similar to 2020 – where they ranked third in interceptions and seventh in sacks per game, then OU could become the most complete team in college football.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.

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Oklahoma Sooners land Two on Earl Campbell Tyler Rose watch list

Two Sooners with Texas ties land on the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list.

The Oklahoma Sooners have announced wide receiver Marvin Mims and running back Kennedy Brooks have been named to the 2021 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list.

Despite the Sooners’ deep-seated rivalry with the Lone Star State, over 40 members of the Crimson and Cream have ties to Texas – an important qualification for Earl Campbell Tyler Rose consideration. Both Brooks and Mims rise above the rest, as they’re expected to build upon their already impressive resumes.

Mims led OU with 610 yards off 37 receptions in 2020. The 5-foot-11 receiver also made Big XII history as the first-ever freshman with nine touchdown receptions. A product of Frisco High School, Mims is forecasted to terrorize defenses from the slot in 2021.

Kennedy Brooks, who opted out of the 2020 campaign, will look to pick up where he left off in 2019 when he averaged 77 yards per game. In total, the Mansfield native has stockpiled 18 touchdowns and 2,067 rushing yards in his two seasons for the Sooners. Now, in a tandem with Eric Gray, Oklahoma expects to have as dynamic a backfield as anyone in the country.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding Division I offensive player who meets one or more of the following criteria: 1. Is born in Texas; 2. Graduated from a Texas high school; or 3. Played at a Texas-based junior college or four-year college.