Tag: Brayden Willis

ESPN: ‘Turnover on offense’ is Oklahoma’s biggest question mark entering 2022

ESPN’s Chris Low writes that “turnover on offense” is Oklahoma’s biggest question mark entering the 2022 college football season.

ESPN ranked Oklahoma No. 17 in its 2022 Way-Too-Early top 25 rankings. Now, ESPN is digging into the biggest question marks for each of the teams listed within that top 25.

For Oklahoma, ESPN’s Chris Low identified “turnover on offense” as the Sooners’ biggest potential pitfall entering 2022.

The combination of the coaching staff overhaul and exodus of talented players on offense could make for a challenging transition for new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and his staff. With quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Spencer Rattler both gone via the transfer portal, Lebby will reunite with UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel. Lebby coached Gabriel in 2019, when he passed for 3,653 yards and 29 touchdowns. Some of the biggest question marks for the Sooners will center around the players trying to make plays for Gabriel. Running back Kennedy Brooks is off to the NFL after rushing for 1,000 yards in three different seasons for OU. This is a big opportunity for Tennessee transfer Eric Gray to step up as the go-to running back. Leading receiver Marvin Mims returns, but Jadon Haselwood (Arkansas) and Mario Williams (USC) both transferred. Theo Wease is coming off a 2021 season in which he barely played after being injured in the preseason, and tight ends Jeremiah Hall (NFL draft) and Austin Stogner (transfer to South Carolina) have both moved on. – Low, ESPN.

There’s no arguing that Oklahoma will have a different signal-caller in 2022. The great news for the Sooners is it happens to be Gabriel who has thrown for over 8,000 passing yards and 70 touchdowns during his college career.

He’s also familiar with Lebby, which should help jumpstart Oklahoma’s transition into Lebby’s offensive system.

“I think that the great thing about him walking in the door right now…there’s a couple of things, but, one is the production. The guy’s averaging over 300 yards a game, three touchdowns a game in 26 starts, so you can’t argue that piece of it, but I think probably the thing that I’m most excited about is this guy knows how to operate. He knows how to walk in the building every single day have great ownership in how he’s going to operate, how he’s going to take command of the offense and what it means to be a quarterback. To me, that is huge and that is critical as we set the tone and the standard of how we’re going to do things,” Lebby said.

Oklahoma will be replacing a pair of starters on its offensive line as left guard Marquis Hayes and right tackle Tyrese Robinson both declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. OU added TCU transfer Tyler Guyton and Cal transfer McKade Mettauer to go along with four-star signees Jake Taylor and Jacob Sexton on its offensive line to help withstand those departures.

“I feel good about it. Those guys have really done a nice job as well. We’ve got two in, obviously midyear. Both those guys have been working their butt off, but when you look at it, we’ve got a talented group. We’ve got some guys that are young, that can’t be young anymore. Again, offensively, being a little new, being different than what they’ve been, looking for great maturity from the old guys, guys that have played a bunch of ball that continue to push that group, lead that group,” Lebby said.

At running back, it is a big opportunity year for Gray. Gray finished the 2021 season with 412 rushing yards on 78 carries and had 229 receiving yards on 23 receptions. Marcus Major will factor in at running back, too. Then, there’s the two four-star freshmen: Jovantae Barnes out of Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas and Gavin Sawchuk from Valor Christian High School in Littleton, Colo.

“I think the first thing that sticks out with both of those guys, Jovantae and Gavin, is they can flat run. Those guys have great top end speed. They’re guys that can figure out how to take it distance from anywhere they’re getting it on the field, so that’s exciting for us. Jovantae’s done a really nice job getting going here in the first two and a half, three weeks and then, obviously, really excited about Gavin’s spring track season that he’s having and then as he gets here in June to get him going. Those guys are going to get counted on. We’ve got two guys back, but we’ve only got two other guys on scholarship that are going to be with us. I do think both are incredibly capable and are going to have great careers for us,” Lebby said.

As for the pass-catching departures, OU has its No. 1 wide receiver back in Marvin Mims, returns Theo Wease from injury and saw the emergence of Jalil Farooq in its bowl game win over Oregon. Plus, Oklahoma signed two talented wide receivers in Jayden Gibson and Nicholas Anderson.

The loss of Jeremiah Hall might be what the Sooners feel the most. OU did get good news in the form of tight end Brayden Willis announcing his return and the Sooners added transfer tight end Daniel Parker Jr. from Missouri as well.

There’s no doubt that OU will look vastly different offensively, and, if you’re looking for a question mark, then offensive turnover is a fair question mark to have. Skill positions isn’t where the concerns should be, though.

If Oklahoma’s offensive line comes together, then it’s hard to envision offensive struggles being what holds the Sooners back in 2022.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

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Oklahoma offers 2022 TE John Locke ahead of national signing day

Oklahoma offered Louisiana Tech commit and class of 2022 tight end John Locke just ahead of next week’s national signing day.

Oklahoma’s tight end room is already set to look radically different heading into the 2022 season. Jeremiah Hall elected to enter the 2022 NFL Draft and Austin Stogner jumped into the NCAA’s transfer portal and wound up with ex-OU quarterback Spencer Rattler at South Carolina.

The Sooners added Missouri transfer Daniel Parker Jr. and Oklahoma has already signed a pair of tight ends in the 2022 class in Bellevue West High School’s Kaden Helms and Aledo High School’s Jason Llewellyn.

OU also returns tight end Brayden Willis who has 36 receptions for 484 receiving yards and six touchdown grabs over the course of his career.

Oklahoma might not be done adding either. OU just offered class of 2022 tight end John Locke out of O’Connor High School in Helotes, Texas.

Locke is currently a Louisiana Tech commit. He was offered by Louisiana Tech on Dec. 23 and committed to the Bulldogs last week on Jan. 22.

In addition to Louisiana Tech, OU joins an offers list for Locke that includes Air Force, Colorado State, Dartmouth, Harvard and Yale.

ESPN has Locke ranked the highest, where he’s listed as the country’s No. 40 tight end and the No. 226 player from the state of Texas in the 2022 class. On3 rates Locke as the No. 89 tight end and the No. 225 player from the state of Texas. According to 247Sports, Locke is a three-star prospect, the nation’s No. 127 tight end and the No. 259 player from the state of Texas.

John Locke’s Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
ESPN 3 N/A 226 40
Rivals 2 N/A N/A N/A
247Sports 3 N/A 259 127
247 Composite 3 1924 257 112
On3 Recruiting 3 N/A 225 89
On3 Composite 3 1893 272 119

Vitals

Hometown Helotes, Texas
Projected Position TE
Height 6-4
Weight 215

Recruitment

  • Offered on Jan. 29

Offers

  • Oklahoma
  • Louisiana Tech
  • Air Force
  • Colorado State
  • Dartmouth
  • Harvard
  • Yale

Film

Here’s a peek into Locke’s Hudl tape.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

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Depth Chart observations from Brent Venables’ time at Clemson and Jeff Lebby’s time at Ole Miss

With new coaches come new depth chart designations, so what can we glean from Brent Venables and Jeff Lebby’s previous stops?

With a change among the coaching staff comes a change in how the roster is constructed. Through the transfer portal and the recruiting cycles we see how they’re looking to add talented players across the board, but are putting an emphasis on front seven players on defense.

Some of that is due to the success that Brent Venables has had as a defensive coordinator that started with elite play along the defensive line and at linebacker.

Taking a look at depth charts from Venables’ time at Clemson and new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s time at Ole Miss, there are certain things that simply look different to the way the depth charts were constructed under the previous coaching staff. Hopefully, one of those things is the “or” designation that didn’t really delineate a starter.

As we look to the future though, here are five observations from the depth charts from Brent Venables and Jeff Lebby’s last stops on the coaching trail.

Oklahoma Sooners TE Brayden Willis announces that he’s back for 2022

On his weekly show, the Podcast on the Prairie, Brayden Willis announced he’s returning to the Oklahoma Sooners for 2022.

Amid the turnover that the Oklahoma Sooners have seen on both sides of the football, an atmosphere of anticipation has followed the Sooners around, waiting for insight into what veterans of the team will be doing. With 11 starters heading to the NFL, several on their way out via the transfer portal, there’s reason for excitement any time a player decides to stay.

On his weekly show, The Podcast on the Prarie, with fellow Sooners’ TE/H-Back Jeremiah Hall, Brayden Willis made it known he’s not leaving. Willis will be returning for the 2022 season for the Oklahoma Sooners.

As it stands, Brayden Willis and Missouri transfer Daniel Parker Jr. will be the only tight ends on the roster with experience to start the 2022 season. The 2022 recruiting class will be adding Kaden Helms and Jason Llewelyn to the group, but it’ll be good not to have to rush the true freshman into action.

As part of the three-rotation at TE/H-Back with Jeremiah Hall and Austin Stogner, Willis put up the best season of his Sooners career, catching 15 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

Beyond the box score, Willis was an asset in the run game. For much of the first half of the season, Willis was the highest graded tight end in the Power Five according to Pro Football Focus.

Though his usage in the passing game was limited due to the rotation, he flashed an ability to get open in the middle of the field and help the Sooners as a short to intermediate option in the passing game.

Though we’re a long way from the start of the 2021 college football season, Willis likely projects as the starter at tight end in new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s offense.

With Jadon Haselwood, Michael Woods, Mario Williams, Austin Stogner, and Jeremiah Hall heading out the door, Willis faces a great opportunity to make a name for himself in his final season with the Oklahoma Sooners.

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5 things Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams said during his podcast appearance

Oklahoma true freshman quarterback Caleb Williams joined teammates Jeremiah Hall and Brayden Willis on the Podcast on the Prairie.

Sooner fans haven’t heard from true freshman starting quarterback Caleb Williams since he arrived on campus. Not by his choosing either.

That was an existing media policy under previous Oklahoma head football coach Lincoln Riley.

At long last, Williams found his way into the public forum, joining teammates Jeremiah Hall and Brayden Willis on their podcast titled “The Podcast on the Prairie.”

For those that want to listen to the full episode, fans can find it here.

Williams sat down for a little over half an hour and broached a variety of topics. Here’s a peek at five items that stood out.

Bob Stoops, OU Assistant Coaches making an impact on current roster, recruiting trail

Not missing a beat, Bob Stoops and the Oklahoma Sooners assistant coaches have been making a big impact on the recruiting trail.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a long way to go in securing the football program’s future, but in the wake of all the chaos that’s surrounded the last several days, they’re still in a promising position. And that’s thanks to the efforts of the Oklahoma assistant coaches and interim head coach Bob Stoops on the recruiting trail.

Still, just a few days removed from the sudden departure of Lincoln Riley and other assistants, those who’ve remained loyal to the program haven’t wasted any time. With the opening of in-home visits across the country, they’ve made quick work getting to their top recruits in the 2022 recruiting class to continue to build relationships with the players and their families.

Guys like DeMarco Murray, Cale Gundy, and Joe Jon Finley have been active with Bob Stoops to continue to put Oklahoma’s best foot forward. Although nothing is certain, the efforts being made by the Oklahoma contingent have meant a lot to the OU prospects.

When Stoops took over as the interim head coach, he made it known that his priority was stabilizing the program for the current players and then getting out on the trail to remind recruits that “this is still Oklahoma.”

Stoops was doing just that on a visit yesterday with 2022 running back Gavin Sawchuk in Nevada. He was in Arlington, Texas, recently as well visiting with Xavion Brice. The other night, he was with Robert Spears-Jennings in Tulsa. At the same time, Joe Jon Finley was in Kansas to further his relationship with Kaden Helms.

With the early signing period approaching, the Sooners current staff of coaches are making a significant impact furthering the interests of the University of Oklahoma. It remains to be seen just how much the coaching change will hurt the Sooners over the next couple of recruiting cycles, but whatever happens, it won’t be because the assistants who stuck with the Sooners didn’t give their best efforts.

Despite the uncertainty of their future, the assistant coach team at Oklahoma continues to grind away for the betterment of the program. Bob Stoops’ passion and commitment to the program helps to add to the relationships the assistants already have with the kids their visiting or attempting to retain.

Their relationships with current and (hopefully) future Sooners is what will make the difference in December of 2021 and beyond.

Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys tied 24-24 at halftime of Bedlam

At halftime of Bedlam, the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys are in a barn burner tied at 24 apiece.

In what many thought would be a defensive battle, the complete opposite has broken out in this 2021 version of Bedlam. The Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys enter the half tied at 24 apiece after an interception by cornerback Woodi Washington set the Sooners up in the red zone leading to a beautiful touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to Brayden Willis.

Williams has seemingly freed himself from the funk that he was in for the last two games. His arm has kept the Sooners in the game and has them going blow for blow with an Oklahoma State team that has completely deviated from the ball control, run-heavy offense many expected.

The two teams traded punts on their opening possessions before Spencer Sanders found Tay Martin on the outside for a 30-yard touchdown. The Sooners would answer as Caleb Williams hit H-Back Jeremiah Hall for a huge gain, setting up Williams and Brian Darby’s 9-yard connection for a touchdown.

They would trade touchdowns back and forth before the Sooners would have to settle for a field goal on their first possession after giving up a 100-yard kick return to Brennan Pressley to make it 21-17 Cowboys.

The Cowboys would answer once more with a field goal of their own after being stymied in the red zone thanks to a massive tackle for loss by All-American Nik Bonitto. The play was huge as a touchdown would’ve given the Cowboys an 11 point lead.

Instead, with Oklahoma State driving late in the second quarter, Woodi Washington jumped a route, picked off Sanders, returning it to the red zone. Caleb Williams then threw a beautiful ball to H-back Brayden Willis for the game-tying touchdown.

To round out the half, Williams ended up 14 of 21 for 204 yards and three touchdowns. Perhaps the best throw of the first half was this one to Austin Stogner, who made an incredible catch before throwing up the “X,” former Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant’s touchdown celebration.

Heading into the second half, the Sooners will need to figure out the Cowboys’ offense as they often looked confused and out of place multiple times in the first half.

Report Card: Defense earns highest marks as they stymie Breece Hall and the Iowa State Cyclones

The defense leads the way in this week’s report card after a sturdy and strong performance in a must-win game for the Sooners.

The Sooners won a rock fight with Iowa State 28-21, largely behind the inspired play of their defense. A unit who has found their swagger since getting back some major pieces from injury.

Meanwhile, on the offensive side of things, the Sooners have hit a wall of sorts behind their true freshman quarterback Caleb Williams. Unlike the week prior against Baylor, he made enough plays to help get the offense over the finish line.

Ultimately, the Sooners walked away victors and with a chance to fight for a spot in the Big 12 Championship game.

As the page flips from Iowa State to the biggest Bedlam matchup in recent memory, we should close out the Iowa State week by passing out our grades for the Sooners 28-21 win over the Cyclones. .

No. 4 Oklahoma impresses in first half, leads Texas Tech 28-7

Caleb Williams tossed four first-half touchdown passes to four different receivers and No. 4 Oklahoma leads Texas Tech, 28-7.

Playing its final game of nine straight to open the season before the Sooners’ bye week, No. 4 Oklahoma wanted to end that stretch with a statement win over Texas Tech.

So far, so good. The Sooners lead Texas Tech, 28-7.

It got started with back-to-back stops by OU’s defense. Shifted over to cornerback with the return of senior safety Delarrin Turner-Yell, sophomore Key Lawrence broke up the first pass attempt of the day from Texas Tech quarterback Henry Columbi.

Later on, senior safety Pat Fields came away with an interception off a Columbi pass that redshirt senior defensive lineman Isaiah Thomas deflected up into the air at the line of scrimmage.

Meanwhile, true freshman quarterback Caleb Williams put on an absolute show. Williams tossed four touchdown passes to four different receivers in the first half against the Red Raiders.

It got started with this Houdini act to escape pressure and find freshman wide receiver Mario Williams.

Williams finished the first half 13-of-18 through the air with 268 passing yards with touchdown passes to Mario Williams, Marvin Mims, Brayden Willis and Drake Stoops.

In his first six quarters starting at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Williams has racked up 563 passing yards with eight passing touchdowns. The Washington, D.C., native also ran for a 41-yard score against TCU.

Oklahoma outgained Texas Tech in the first half in total offensive yards, 283 to 190. Defensively, the Sooners held the Red Raiders to one of seven of third-down conversion tries.

Tech did do a nice job corralling Oklahoma’s rushing attack. The Sooners rushed eight times for just 15 rushing yards.

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‘Glue guys’ seal the deal for the Oklahoma Sooners vs. the Texas Longhorns

The Oklahoma Sooners got incredible contributions from their star players, but they don’t win without contributions from their “glue guys.”

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Every team has them. They’re the guys that championship teams can’t live without. They aren’t always your best players, but they’re the players that show up in the big moments and make the big plays. Or they’re the guys that quietly go about their business and simply do their job in a big moment.

They’re called “glue guys.” They’re the guys on the roster that hold the team together.

Late in the fourth quarter of the Sooners thrilling comeback win over the Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma’s glue guys came through in big ways.

Af Oklahoma scored to make it 41-39, Spencer Rattler found Drake Stoops at the front of the end zone to complete the two-point conversion attempt and tie the score for the first time since it was 0-0.

On the ensuing kickoff, Oklahoma’s leader, the elder statesman, Caleb Kelly came up with arguably the play of the game. As Xavier Worthy, who’d been killing the Sooners all day, was fighting through tacklers to gain extra yards, Kelly smartly went after the football and ripped it away from the dynamic freshman receiver. Nobody knew what happened, but Kelly had the ball and immediately went over to the Sooners’ fanbase to celebrate the turnover. After replay review confirmed it, OU was set up with fantastic field position with a chance to take the lead.

On Oklahoma’s ensuing drive, Kennedy Brooks was able to take the direct snap and work his way through the Texas defense to give the Oklahoma Sooners their first lead of the game. How was he able to do it? Behind fantastic blocking from his offensive line and glue guys Brayden Willis, Drake Stoops, and Jadon Haselwood.

The Sooners were able to win the game on the exact same play, run the same direction, with the same guys out front leading Kennedy Brooks to the end zone for the 55-48 lead.

The Sooners star players showed up in Saturday’s win, but that game isn’t won without the contributions of other guys on the roster making big-time plays for the Oklahoma Sooners.

While it’s the Caleb Williams’ or Marvin Mims’ of the world that will get all of the attention, the work that guys like Jadon Haselwood, Drake Stoops, Brayden Willis and Caleb Kelly put in shouldn’t go unnoticed. They were fantastic on Saturday and will continue to feature prominently in the Oklahoma Sooners’ success.