J.T. Shrout – Syndication Server

Get to know Oklahoma’s Week 1 opponent with Arkansas State radio play-by-play voice

Get to know the Oklahoma’s foes for Saturday with some insight from Arkansas State’s radio play-by-play voice Matt Stolz.

The [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] are set to kick off their 2023 season at [autotag]Gaylord Memorial Stadium[/autotag] at 11:00 a.m. CT in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners will take on an [autotag]Arkansas State Red Wolves[/autotag] team that went 3-9 a season ago.

But with the transfer portal and Head Coach Butch Jones signing back-to-back No. 1 classes in the Sun Belt Conference, the Red Wolves feel like they could be better than a season ago. Matt Stolz, who does radio play-by-play for the Red Wolves, went on my podcast, Eat. Sleep. Bedlam, and he said while the team is improving, they are still a very young team.

“(They have) the third-fewest amount of seniors in the entire country this year,” Stolz said. “Just 11 seniors on this roster.”

Still, the team looks to be much improved, and that starts with the players that added up front offensively. “They brought in some transfers, particularly on the offensive line,” Stolz said. “Three starters that are transfers on that offensive front. One thing that they’ve done is they’ve brought in a lot of size on the offensive line. They average over 320 pounds among those five starters.”

That kind of size is why it was important Oklahoma beefed up its defensive line heading into this season. They also added transfers like [autotag]Colorado Buffaloes[/autotag] transfer quarterback [autotag]J.T. Shrout[/autotag], [autotag]Syracuse Orange[/autotag] transfer wide receiver [autotag]Courtney Jackson[/autotag], [autotag]U.T. Martin Skyhawks[/autotag] transfer running back [autotag]Zak Wallace[/autotag], [autotag]Ja’Quez Cross[/autotag] who played for the [autotag]Purdue Boilermakers[/autotag] two years ago but spent last season at Arkansas State and [autotag]Brian Snead[/autotag] who was a five-star out of high school who originally played for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

They are all expected to play a big role for the Red Wolves this season, including this weekend.

Stolz believes the defense, especially in the secondary, is the strength of the Red Wolves. “Defensively, there’s a little bit more experience than that offensive side of the ball,” Stolz said. “Particularly in the back end of the defense. So, hopefully, that’s an area of strength for the Red Wolves this season.”

A secondary with a lot of experience going up against an Oklahoma receiving corps with not a lot of experience could cause problems, especially early for Oklahoma. This will be a game you don’t want to keep them hanging around. They are still a young team.

Oklahoma has a chance to assert its dominance early and often. If they do that, the Sooners should win fairly comfortably.

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

3 Arkansas State Red Wolves to know ahead of Oklahoma’s Week 1 contest

Taking a look at three Arkansas State Red Wolves to know as Oklahoma gears up for their 2023 season opener.

Oklahoma’s season opener should be a relatively stress-free affair as long as they respect their opponent and come out flying like they did in game one last season. They are the more talented and deeper team on a day where depth will matter because of the sweltering heat the teams will be playing in.

For Arkansas State, this season is about rebuilding back to where they were from 2010-2019. During that stretch, the Red Wolves had nine winning seasons, went to nine straight bowl games, and won five Sun Belt titles.

Last season, they went 3-9 overall and 1-7 in the Sun Belt. While Arkansas State struggled last year, this year brings new opportunities and fresh faces. The transfer portal created a little turnover, but the Red Wolves also received some talented arrivals.

Corey Rucker, WR

One player to know for the Red Wolves is Corey Rucker. He’s their best offensive weapon and looks like a guy that could sneak into day three of the NFL Draft next April.

He’s been productive every year of college except for last year.

He committed and started his career at Arkansas State, and he was a big-time target in 2020 and 2021 before leaving for South Carolina in 2022. He returned to Arkansas State this spring after an injury derailed his season with the Gamecocks a year ago.

In 2021, Rucker was named FWAA Freshman All-American and Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference after posting a team-high 826 receiving yards, which was fifth in the Sun Belt on 59 catches. He scored nine touchdowns, leading the team and ranking second in the league that year.

He’s not overly big, but at six feet, he’s not scared to attack the ball in the air. He lined up outside and in the slot for Red Wolves. He has the speed to stress corners.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see new starting cornerback Gentry Williams get the assignment, as he has more footspeed than Woodi Washington.

UP NEXT: The man throwing to Rucker

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Former Vols’ quarterbacks by the numbers in Week 1

Former Tennessee Vols’ quarterbacks by the numbers in Week 1.

The 2022 college football season kicked off Aug. 27 with Week 0.

Week 1 is taking place Sept. 1-5.

Tennessee defeated Ball State, 59-10, in Week 1 at Neyland Stadium. 14 Vols set or tied career highs in Week 1 against Ball State.

Tennessee’s 2022 regular-season schedule features home games against Ball State, Akron, Florida, Alabama, UT Martin, Kentucky and Missouri.

The Vols’ 2022 schedule features road contests at Pittsburgh in the second edition of the Johnny Majors Classic, LSU, Georgia, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

2022 Tennessee Vols’ football schedule: Vols Wire’s downloadable schedule wallpaper

Vols Wire looks at statistics from former Tennessee quarterbacks in Week 1. Former Vols’ quarterbacks stats from Week 1 are listed below.

Former Vols’ quarterback debuts in Pac-12

Former Vols’ quarterback debuts in the Pac-12.

Former Tennessee quarterback J.T. Shrout made his debut with Colorado Friday.

TCU defeated the Buffaloes, 38-12, in Boulder, Colorado.

Shrout transferred from Tennessee to Colorado in Dec. 2020.

He appeared in eight games for the Vols from 2018-20.

Shrout completed 37-of-69 passing attempts for 494 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions at Tennessee.

After arriving at Colorado, Shrout injured his knee, requiring surgery during the second week of fall training camp. He missed the 2021 season due to injury.

Shrout practiced on a limited basis during the spring ahead of the 2022 season.

Below are Shrout’s statistics in his debut with Colorado against TCU during Week 1 of the 2022 season.

Jeremy Pruitt discusses Vols’ quarterback unit

Tennessee plays Texas A&M Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee kicked off game week ahead of playing Texas A&M.

The Vols and Aggies kick off at noon EST Saturday. ESPN will televise the contest.

Tennessee started freshman quarterback Harrison Bailey the last two games with redshirt sophomore signal-caller J.T. Shrout splitting reps.

Vols’ head coach Jeremy Pruitt discussed if Bailey and Shrout feed off each other splitting reps within games. Both have split reps since redshirt senior Jarrett Guarantano was relieved of starting. Sophomore Brian Maurer has also been inserted in games for situational plays.

“I think both of them are really good teammates and throw Brian in there,” Pruitt said. “With Brian, we’ve tried to create a little bit of a role with him. He made a really good run down there and kind of turned his ankle a little bit. Just with the quarterback room on Saturday, I thought Jarrett did a heck of a job on the sideline with Coach (Chris) Weinke and helping those guys. I really like the way that room is.

“These younger guys are getting opportunities and they are trying to make the most of it. They probably make mistakes that a lot of people don’t see, but they are learning from it. They are gaining confidence. The game is going to slow down for them the more they play. It’s good to see both of these guys go out there and improve each week.”

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Jeremy Pruitt discusses playing Harrison Bailey, J.T. Shrout at Vanderbilt

Tennessee defeated Vanderbilt, 42-17.

Tennessee defeated Vanderbilt, 42-17, Saturday, ending a six-game losing streak.

Freshman quarterback Harrison Bailey received his second start against the Commodores. Bailey started the game going 7-for-7 against Vanderbilt.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback J.T. Shrout entered the contest following Bailey’s perfect start. Shrout finished the game 6-for-13, 90 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Tennessee quarterback Harrison Bailey (15) scrambles out of the pocket as he is pressured during the third quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. © George Walker IV / Tennessean.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Third-year Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt discussed playing both quarterbacks and inserting Shrout into the game after Bailey’s 7-for-7 start.

“We kind of went a feel for it there,” Pruitt said. “Harrison is not going to do anything but improve.”

Tennessee quarterback J.T. Shrout (12) throws a pass under pressure during the second quarter at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. © George Walker IV / Tennessean.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Pruitt further discussed having a plan for Shrout to enter the game to play both quarterbacks.

“We had a plan to play J.T. because he played really well last week, just to see how he would do this week,” Pruitt said. “We thought he did well — decided to go back with Harrison at halftime and gave them both opportunities.

“They’re both young players. The one thing they missed with fall camp is the opportunities to play in live situations. The way the season started early, it didn’t work out that way, so we’re giving them both opportunities.”

Bailey finished the contest 14-for-18, 207 yards and two touchdowns.

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Jeremy Pruitt updates Vols’ quarterback depth chart ahead of Vanderbilt game

Tennessee will play at Vanderbilt Saturday.

Tennessee will travel to Vanderbilt Saturday for an in-state SEC East matchup.

Tennessee enters the contest following a 31-19 loss to Florida. The Vols played three quarterbacks against Florida in Harrison Bailey, Brian Maurer and J.T. Shrout.

Kicking off Vanderbilt game week, third-year Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt addressed the Vols’ quarterback unit Monday.

“Harrison and J.T. will take the majority of the reps moving forward,” Pruitt said. “Brian brings an extra element with his athleticism. We’re trying to keep him with a role. I thought he did a nice job on Saturday with the role that he had. We’ll continue doing that moving forward.”

Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt speaks with quarterback Harrison Bailey (15) during the first half against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Redshirt senior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano did not play against the Gators. Pruitt discussed if Guarantano will be in the rotation for Tennessee this week and to conclude the regular season.

“We’re going to go with Harrison and J.T., and probably stay with the same schedule as we did this past week,” Pruitt said.

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J.T. Shrout discusses playing against Florida

Florida defeated Tennessee, 31-19.

Tennessee (2-6, 2-6 SEC) lost to No. 6 Florida (8-1, 8-1 SEC), 31-19, Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback J.T. Shrout appeared in his second game of the 2020 season.

Against Florida, Shrout was 12-of-14 for 121 yards and one touchdown. His other appearance this season came against Kentucky, going 0-for-1 and one interception.

Following the game, Shrout discussed his performance against Florida.

KNOXVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 05, 2020 – Quarterback J.T. Shrout #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

On the last few weeks leading up to tonight’s game

“Obviously the Kentucky game wasn’t the outcome I wanted, but I was just having to stay the course and still prepare the same way as if you’re going to be the starter. That’s how I always approach it. That’s how (Coach Pruitt) tells us we should approach it, and that’s basically how it’s been.”

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Why J.T. Shrout played against Florida

Florida defeated Tennessee, 31-19.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback J.T. Shrout appeared in his second game of the 2020 season Saturday against Florida.

Shrout was 12-of-14 for 121 yards and one touchdown in Tennessee’s 31-19 loss to the Gators. His other appearance this season came against Kentucky, going 0-for-1 and one interception.

Following the Florida game, third-year Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt discussed why Shrout has not received more opportunities to play this season.

“After the Kentucky game, we’ve had those Sunday night scrimmages, or what we call opportunity periods after practice,” Pruitt said. “We’ve continued to do that up until the last couple of weeks. We’ve not done it the last couple of years. Based on that, we felt like there was a time that we wanted to go with those guys.

“It kind of came back around to J.T. It happens that way sometimes. I think he’s taken advantage of the opportunities that he’s had. The last 10 days were really good for him. Unfortunately, it looked like he hurt his arm a little bit, but he played okay with it today.”

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Freshman quarterback Harrison Bailey started for Tennessee against Florida.

Pruitt detailed the Vols’ game plan with Bailey and Shrout leading up to playing Florida.

“J.T. really had two weeks of really good practice, and then on Wednesday, he was throwing a ball and then his shoulder popped,” Pruitt said. “We didn’t really even know if he could play going into today, but he felt like he could. We had a plan to play both of the guys going in if J.T. could. We went with Harrison to start and were rocking along okay. I know we didn’t create a ton of explosive plays, but we were kind of changing the momentum of the game there and then gave up a drive right before halftime.

“As the game went in the second half, there were a couple plays that I thought maybe we could have been a little more aggressive on. J.T. is, from an experience standpoint, two years older than Harrison, so just getting him out there and going, I thought he did a nice job at the end.”

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Jeremy Pruitt details Vols’ plan of playing both Harrison Bailey, J.T. Shrout against Florida

Florida defeated Tennessee, 31-19.

No. 6 Florida (8-1, 8-1 SEC) defeated Tennessee, 31-19, Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

The Vols featured three quarterbacks against Florida. Freshman Harrison Bailey started the contest and Brian Maurer and J.T. Shrout also played.

Following the loss to Florida, third-year Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt discussed his quarterbacks.

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Bailey finished the contest 14-of-21 for 111 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked five times.

Shrout completed 12 of 14 passes for 121 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked one time. Maurer completed his only passing attempt for eight yards.

Redshirt senior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano did not play against the Gators.

“He hadn’t practiced in 13 days,” Pruitt said of Guarantano. “A lot of those guys had not practiced in 13 days that played today. It’s probably a lot tougher on a quarterback.”

Pruitt was also asked about the quarterback unit going forward with games against Vanderbilt and Texas A&M remaining in the regular season.

“Every week — so you all will never have to ask me this again — every week we see who competes well in practice, who does the best job that we feel like affects the guys around him, and we will do that as long as I’m the head football coach here at every position, so you don’t have to ask me again,” Pruitt said.

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