Tag: Jayden Jackson

Sooners defensive tackle among PFF’s best true freshmen from week 8

After his strong performance against South Carolina, Jayden Jackson earned the best interior defensive lineman grades from Pro Football Focus.

The Oklahoma Sooners spent the first couple of years on the recruiting trail working tirelessly to fortify their defensive line. It all culminated in a strong [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag] upfront.

One of the key figures in that recruiting class was defensive tackle [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag]. Seven games into his Sooners career, he’s already meeting expectations. The four-star prospect out of IMG Academy was a week one starter for Oklahoma, becoming the first true freshman to start at defensive tackle since Tommie Harris.

And he keeps getting better each week. Against South Carolina, he had arguably his best game of the season, posting his highest defensive grade from Pro Football Focus. He had four total tackles, including a sack, two total pressures, and three stops, which PFF defines as a play that constitutes a loss for the defense.

He was the highest-graded true freshman defensive tackle from Week 8 and was among the 10 highest-graded true freshmen from the week.

Through seven games, Jackson ranks among PFF’s 10 highest-graded Sooners, coming in at No. 9.

On the season, Jackson is tied for 10th on the Sooners with 16 total tackles. He’s recorded one tackle for loss and one sack in 2024. And he’s just scratching the surface.

So much of what Jackson’s been able to do for the Sooners doesn’t show up on the stat sheets. He’s been difficult to move off the ball and his quickness has been a challenge for opposing offensive linemen.

Even with Damonic Williams, Da’Jon Terry, and Gracen Halton all playing well, it’s hard to keep Jackson off the field. With that four-man rotation in the middle, the Sooners have become one of the best run defenses in the nation, surrendering just 2.9 yards per carry in 2024, which ranks ninth.

Just seven games into his Sooners career, Jayden Jackson has been everything Oklahoma could have hoped for. And the scary thing is he will only continue to get better.

Oklahoma Sooners captains for South Carolina Gamecocks

On Monday, Oklahoma released their captains for week 8 against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

The Oklahoma Sooners need a rebound performance this weekend against South Carolina. After their 34-3 loss to Texas, the best way to cleanse the soul would be a complete performance against the Gamecocks.

Leading the way for the Sooners this week are captains Danny Stutsman, Troy Everett, Gracen Halton, Jayden Jackson, and Luke Elzinga.

Danny Stutsman is the heartbeat of the defense. He and the defensive side of the ball hope to have a bounceback week against a good, young quarterback in LaNorris Sellers.

He’s joined as a captain by fellow defensive standouts, defensive tackles Gracen Halton and Jayden Jackson.

Halton is putting together a breakout season in 2024. He’s second on the team in sacks and third on the team in pressures. He was playing well early in the game against Texas, creating pressure and had a huge stop on third down chasing Ewers who was scrambling.

Jackson has been a huge bright spot for the defense, starting from day one at defensive tackle, and is third among interior defensive linemen in snaps. He’s 12th on the defense in snaps and has the seventh-highest run defense grade this season.

Everett is the lone offensive starter. Troy Everett made his return to the lineup against Texas and was one of the few bright spots from the loss. He earned the third-highest grade from Pro Football Focus on Saturday.

And last but not least is Luke Elzinga, who’s been arguably the most consistent player on the roster through six games. His punting has been a key factor in the Sooners ability to play the field position battle. Even when Oklahoma’s offense hasn’t been able to move the ball, the Sooners have been able to rely on Elzinga’s leg to flip the field.

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3 Oklahoma freshmen that need to standout this week against the Longhorns

Taking a look at three freshman not named Michael Hawkins Jr. the Sooners need to show up on Saturday.

Saturday is a massive moment in the Oklahoma football season. It always is when they take on Texas, but even more so considering how the season has unfolded.

The Sooners entered with the belief they had their quarterback of the future in [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], only for doubt to be cast after he struggled for multiple games. Head coach Brent Venables benched Arnold for former four-star freshman [autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag] to jumpstart his offense.

True freshman Hawkins showed grit and determination and, with his legs, added another component that helped give Oklahoma other ways to move the ball. He is set to start his second game and the first Red River game of his career this Saturday. His play as the team’s starting quarterback is paramount to Oklahoma’s chances of pulling off the upset of the No. 1 team in the country.

However, instead of focusing on the obvious, we wanted to highlight three other freshmen not named Hawkins who need to have big games for Oklahoma to pull off something it hasn’t done since 1982: beating Texas when they were ranked 10 spots or lower than their opponent.

Eli Bowen, CB

Texas has the best combination of wide receivers and quarterbacks that Oklahoma has faced this season. That much really cannot be argued. Quinn Ewers has incredible talent, and the combination of Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden, DeAndre Moore, and Johntay Cook is formidable.

Oklahoma is likely not that worried about Texas’s run game as it is not nearly as dynamic and potent as last year with the departure of Jonathon Brooks to the NFL and injuries to multiple impact runners.

Oklahoma’s bigger worry should be containing the Longhorns’ passing attack. With a dynamic group of wide receivers, [autotag]Eli Bowen[/autotag] must continue his terrific play on Saturday, no matter who he may be matched against.

Pro Football Focus has Bowen as the Sooners’ highest-graded cornerback through five weeks, and his coverage grade is third on the team. He’s adapted to college football fine, and now he’s become a contributor for the Sooners. He needs to play well every week.

Up Next: Dynamic skill player set to return

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3 key Oklahoma Sooners vs. the Tennessee Volunteers

The Oklahoma Sooners and Tennessee Volunteers are set for a big-time matchup on Saturday night and these three players will be key to victory.

The stage is set Saturday for a terrific ball game between the No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners.

The storylines are plentiful, with Josh Heupel’s return to Norman leading the way.

Oklahoma and Tennessee are in a spot where this game is the first serious test for either team this year. It also begins the conference slate for both squads.

Media and betting pundits have the Sooners as the underdog, with Tennessee the overwhelming favorite to win the game. With that in mind, which players will be the difference makers for Oklahoma and help them pull off the first major home upset for the Sooners since 2008 versus Texas Tech?

Danny Stutsman, LB

Picking [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] as a player to watch feels shallow, but there’s a specific reason. He is the team’s leader, and this is the season’s biggest game.

Tennessee’s running game is potent. They are currently the nation’s No. 3 rushing attack. Stutsman is at the center of the nation’s No. 22 run defense, and as a linebacker, he will be tasked with flowing to the ball and making tackles.

Da’Jon Terry, Damonic Williams, and Jayden Jackson will all play pivotal roles as well, but a team captain and the vocal leader of this defense needs to show up in a big way in what is a monumental game.

Nic Anderson, WR

Saturday is expected to be [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag]’s first game of the season. He fought injuries all offseason and is finally ready to contribute to an Oklahoma offense deprived of consistent playmakers.

He immediately slots back in as a starter, and play-caller Seth Littrell will open things up with a proven threat like Nic Anderson for Jackson Arnold to depend upon. How he responds to his first bit of game action will be vital, but if Anderson can provide one or two big plays, they could go a long way in helping the Sooners pull off an upset.

Jacob Sexton, LT

Jacob Sexton may have the single most challenging matchup on Saturday as he will likely be the tackle opposite of projected first-round pick James Pearce for most of the evening on Saturday.

It will not be easy, but Sexton will have to give Jackson Arnold a chance on Saturday. Tennessee boasts a ferocious and deep defensive line, so Sexton will face challenges regardless of who lines up across from him on Saturday night.

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3 freshmen to watch for Oklahoma Sooners against Tennessee Volunteers

OU will need great efforts from everyone on the depth chart to take down the Vols, including these three true freshmen.

The Oklahoma Sooners will try to stay unbeaten in 2024 when they take on the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday night in Norman. Both teams are 3-0, and OU’s first conference game as a member of the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] is one of the most highly-anticipated home games the Sooners have had in a long time.

While [autotag]Josh Heupel[/autotag]’s Vols have looked very impressive in their three games to begin the year, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ OU team has struggled offensively but has managed to stay undefeated.

As Oklahoma continues to deal with injuries all over the roster, we’ve seen plenty of true freshmen get big-time experience this season. However, the stakes haven’t been as high as they will be on Saturday on national television. Here are three freshmen to keep your eye on in this primetime matchup.

1. Jayden Jackson, DT

As Oklahoma’s only true freshman starter, [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] has been excellent at defensive tackle. He’s part of an excellent group of interior defensive lineman. Despite playing at the high school level this time last year, he hasn’t looked overwhelmed at all through three weeks.

Tennessee’s offensive line is by far the best the Sooners have played this year, and the Volunteers have a high-flying up-tempo spread offense that can be a nightmare for defenses. How Jackson handles his first real test as a Sooner could be crucial to the outcome of this contest.

2. Taylor Tatum, RB

Running back [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] was more involved in the game plan last week against Tulane than he was in week two against Houston. He responded with two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground.

Tatum runs with a burst that is desperately needed right now in the OU run game. If Oklahoma can find a way to run the ball effectively, it can open up the rest of the offense, which hasn’t reached expectations yet this season.

Though Tatum is still behind both Gavin Sawchuk and Jovantae Barnes on the depth chart, he needs to be a bigger part of the offense going forward.

Tatum’s biggest issue has been in pass protection, a common theme for young running backs. Aside from that, he’s been dynamic when called upon.

3. Eli Bowen, DB

Defensive back [autotag]Eli Bowen[/autotag], the younger brother of safety Peyton Bowen, got snaps in big moments of the fourth quarter last week versus Tulane. With starting cheetah Kendel Dolby out, the Sooners were forced to shuffle some pieces around in the secondary, and one of the beneficiaries was Bowen.

Though his most natural position is at cornerback, Bowen is capable of playing safety and cheetah as well. He isn’t primed for a big role with Dolby likely to play against the Vols, but with Gentry Williams out and Woodi Washington moving around the defense, don’t be surprised if Bowen makes an appearance in OU’s secondary again this week.

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3 freshmen to watch for Oklahoma Sooners against Houston

Oklahoma’s true freshmen stood out in a big way in week one can these three freshmen have another strong performance?

The Oklahoma Sooners look to improve to 2-0 on Saturday night. They’ll welcome the Houston Cougars to Norman at 6:45 p.m. after defeating the Temple Owls, 51-3, last Friday.

OU’s younger players received plenty of playing time in Week 1, as the home team was in control from the beginning. While Houston is a more talented team than Temple, the Sooners are expected to win in convincing fashion again.

Even if the opponent were a tougher one, Oklahoma would still need contributions from the youngest players on their depth chart. [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his coaching staff did an excellent job in the [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag]. Now they hope their hard work continues to pay off, beginning with a strong showing against the Cougars. Here are three freshmen players on OU’s roster to watch in Week 2.

1. Jayden Jackson, DT

Making history last week as the first true freshmen starter at defensive tackle since Tommie Harris in 2001, [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] starts again up front for Venables and Co.

Jackson’s size and strength on the interior of the defensive line will be tested more once the Sooners reach [autotag]SEC[/autotag] play, but against Houston, he should once again have a chance to make some noise.

He wasn’t the player up front that popped the most last week against Temple, but the defensive line dominated the game when he was in. Watch for Jackson to make plays stuffing the run against a porous Cougars offensive line while rotating with [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag], and [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag].

Up Next: Freshmen Playmakers Need More Snaps

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Final thoughts on Oklahoma Sooners vs. Temple Owls

The Oklahoma Sooners get set to open the season against the Temple Owls and here are this week’s final thoughts.

It’s football time in Oklahoma, and the Sooners are stepping into a monumental season in college football. The Sooners enter 2024 in unfamiliar territory as a team with something to prove.

No longer are they the conference powerhouse, but instead will fight to earn their place at the SEC’s grown-up table alongside Georgia and Alabama. But that’s what this program has been about throughout its existence. The Sooners are one of the big boys of college football, a blue blood that’s had as much success as anyone.

But, like anything in life, the Sooners will have to earn the respect of their new conference brethren. And that’s the way Brent Venables wants it.

As the Sooners get set to kick off the 2024 season, here is this week’s final thoughts.

Offensive Line Time

So much has been said about the Oklahoma Sooners offensive line. Sure, they don’t return a primary starter from a year ago. But no reason to fret. The Sooners have had productive offensive line play for a long time and are coached by one of the best in the business in [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag].

It will come together and this week against Temple provides the first opportunity to see the unit begin to gel. [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag], [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag], [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag], [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag], and [autotag]Jake Taylor[/autotag] have a nice mix of blue-chip talent and experience.

Believe in Bedenbaugh.

Need for Speed

The Oklahoma Sooners will start two legitimate speedsters this week against the Temple Owls when [autotag]Brenen Thompson[/autotag] and [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] take the field. Burks showed off his big-play ability in the spring game and Thompson, though in a limited role, averaged more than 34 yards per reception on his seven catches last season because of his track speed.

The Temple defense is going to have a difficult time keeping track of Burks and Thompson, who will blow down the field like an Oklahoma wind on the prairie.

Welcome Back JoBa

[autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag] got off to a great start to his collegiate career when he emerged as the backup to [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag] during the 2022 season. He ran for over 500 yards and looked headed for a jump in production as a true sophomore in 2023. However, injuries kept Barnes from getting going and last season was pretty much a wash.

In 2024, Barnes has stayed healthy and looks primed to reprise his role from the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl, where he and fellow 2022 four-star signee [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag] operated in the lead running back tandem.

Sawchuk may get the start, but Barnes is going to get a lot of work in 2024 and the two will complement each other well in the Sooners rushing attack.

Jackson Arnold Show

The former five-star quarterback, Elite 11 winner, and Gatorade National Player of the Year is set to take the stage for his first season as a starter, and the anticipation has reached a fever pitch. [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] has all the talent in the world to be Oklahoma’s next great quarterback.

With an entire offseason to work with his wide receivers and to familiarize himself with [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag]’s offense, look for a much more comfortable and decisive heading into his second career start. Though the level of competition isn’t quite what Arnold faced in the Alamo Bowl, there’s still a lot to be gleaned from this game against Temple.

Defensive Dominance

The Oklahoma Sooners’ defense will lead the way for the Sooners in 2024. And that starts against Temple. The Owls are one of the worst teams in the country in SP+ offensive ranking and don’t have a settled situation at quarterback.

Oklahoma’s depth and talent are so much greater on the defensive side of the ball. The Sooners should be able to dominate the line of scrimmage, making life incredibly easy for the back seven. Look for this game to resemble what OU did to Arkansas State last year.

Brent’s Guys

It’s year three of the [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] era. All but a handful of guys on the roster committed and signed to play for Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners after his arrival.

This team has his fingerprints all over it on both sides of the ball. It’s a team marked by energy, intensity, and determination. They may not be the most talented team in the country, but they’ll be one of the hardest working and toughest teams in the nation.

Young Guns

The [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag] has already made a name for themselves with the way they’ve worked this offseason to get ready for OU’s first year in the SEC. [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] earned a starting spot on the defensive line. Venables praised David Stone’s work ethic. [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] and [autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag] received rave reviews for the work they put in after arriving this summer.

We still need to see that group on the field. What they look like in year one isn’t a finished product. But from what we’ve seen, the Sooners coaching staff won’t have to wonder if this crew is going to work for what they want.

Tonight, we get our first glimpse of what this class is made of.

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3 Freshmen to watch in Oklahoma’s matchup with the Temple Owls

Which three freshmen are we looking forward to watching when the Oklahoma Sooners take on the Temple Owls?

The Oklahoma Sooners open the season with the Temple Owls on Friday night, giving us our first glimpse of team 130. The Sooners have improved their depth over the three offseasons that Brent Venables has been in Norman.

Heading into the 2024 season, the Oklahoma Sooners have 18 true freshmen on their initial depth chart. The talented 2024 recruiting class will have an impact on both the present and the future, but we might get our first chance to see several of those impact freshmen this week when the Sooners take on a Temple team that went 3-9 in 2023.

Here are three freshmen to watch this week.

1. Michael Hawkins, QB

[autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag] earned the backup quarterback job out of fall camp and will have a chance to get some action against Temple. When he does see the field, Hawkins will be must-see television.

He’s got excellent athleticism and a really good arm. If the Sooners can generate a healthy lead by the second half, look for offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag] to get Hawkins some action.

2. Jayden Jackson, DT

In a surprise, [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] earned the starting defensive tackle spot next to [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag]. He’ll have to keep the role, but Jackson has the size, strength, and athleticism to be an impact player for the Sooners in year one.

Oklahoma will use a rotation, but Jackson is going to be a key piece to the Sooners’ success in 2024.

3. Zion Kearney, WR

The Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver depth has taken a hit during fall camp. Oklahoma will be down [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag] this week, and although [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] will be available, they’ll make sure he’s safe as he makes his return to the field for the first time since last October.

The Sooners will need some of their younger wide receivers to play some this week, and that opens the door for a guy like [autotag]Zion Kearney[/autotag] to get an opportunity. He’s got really good speed and athleticism to be an impact player in the Sooners offense.

Other freshmen like [autotag]Reggie Powers[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Boganowski[/autotag] have made noise in fall camp and will certainly get a lot of playing time. A guy like [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] will get some run. He was listed as the fourth running back on the depth chart to start the season and has been impressive since arriving in the summer.

If everything goes according to plan, the Sooners should get an opportunity to see several freshmen this week.

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Pair of Sooners make ESPN’s list of top newcomers

The Sooners will be relying upon their portal class to help them win in 2024.

The Oklahoma Sooners were very active in the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] this offseason. In both the winter and spring windows, head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] made key additions to the team at multiple different position groups.

Two OU players were highlighted by ESPN in their list of the Top 100 newcomers in college football (ESPN+). Staff writers Max Olson and Eli Lederman compiled the 100 best players in the sport who changed teams via the transfer portal or are incoming true freshmen.

Two Sooners made the list. The first was wide receiver and Purdue transfer [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag], the star of the spring. He committed to Venables and wide receivers coach [autotag]Emmett Jones[/autotag] in the winter portal window and will start at slot receiver in Norman. Here’s what Olson and Lederman had to say about Burks, the No. 14 player on their list.

Burks landed in the portal after a breakout sophomore season at Purdue that saw him record 47 catches for 629 yards and seven scores. He arrives at Oklahoma as another new face in the Sooners’ offense as [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] steps in under center and first-year offensive coordinator [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag] takes charge. Burks is the complete wide receiver the Sooners were missing last fall after [autotag]Marvin Mims Jr.[/autotag] jumped to the NFL, and he should be a popular downfield choice for Arnold. – ESPN

The second player on the list was defensive tackle and TCU transfer [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag]. He committed during the spring portal window, representing a major [autotag]NIL[/autotag] win for Venables and defensive tackles coach [autotag]Todd Bates[/autotag]. He’ll see plenty of time at nose tackle, along with [autotag]DJ Terry[/autotag], and will be counted upon to help the defensive line get to the next level.

A 27-game starter and a 2022 national runner-up at TCU, Williams’ transfer to Oklahoma filled a critical hole up the middle for the Sooners this offseason. Brent Venables’ defense enters the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] down five upperclassmen defensive tackles from last fall, and in the 6-foot-1, 319 pound Williams, Oklahoma gained needed size and experience at the position. He’ll start at nose tackle next to true freshman DT [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag], a three-star signee who has earned high praise from Venables and his staff. Former Tennessee transfer Da’Jon Terry will feature heavily in the rotation, as could five-star freshman [autotag]David Stone[/autotag]. – ESPN

As Venables continues to rebuild the roster through both the portal and high school recruiting, he’ll be counting on players like Burks and Williams this season to help the Sooners try to contend in their new conference.

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Jayden Jackson starting at defensive tackle because ‘he’s worked for it’

After a tremendous offseason, freshman defensive tackle Jayden Jackson earns opportunity to start week one vs. Temple.

The Oklahoma Sooners have taken a different approach with their younger players than they did in year one, when freshmen didn’t play much. They’re letting competition play out, and if guys get the opportunity to get on the field early, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his staff will give them the chance. And true freshman [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] has earned the opportunity to start for the Sooners this week when they take on Temple.

Speaking at the Rudy’s BBQ Coach’s Show this week, Venables was asked about Jackson, who is listed atop the depth chart at defensive tackle for week one.

“Since Jayden got here, he’s really shown a different level of maturity,” Venables said. “He shows up every day. Just how he lives his life, everything is pretty clean for him. … He makes good decisions, and he’s got incredible discipline.”

Discipline as a defensive lineman, especially a defensive tackle, is as important as some of the more tangible traits like strength or quickness. The defensive tackle can often be responsible for multiple gaps in the defensive alignment and has to be ready to go from run defender to pass rusher or vice versa in a split second. If a defensive tackle guesses wrong or doesn’t play their assignment, it can open up a massive hole in the middle of the defense,c creating vulnerability.

Jayden Jackson’s being lauded for his discipline and decision-making is a strong sign of his potential. If you make good decisions and remain disciplined off the field, it will translate to the field.

Coming out of IMG Academy in the 2024 recruiting class, Jackson flew a bit more under the radar than his teammate [autotag]David Stone[/autotag], who was a five-star prospect and the crown jewel of the Sooners 2024 class. However, Stone himself praised Jackson’s ability and work ethic coming out of high school, and his trajectory has been skyrocketing ever since.

Jackson had a really strong spring, earning the start in the Sooners’ spring game. And he’s continued that throughout fall camp.

“He knows what he wants,” Venables said. “He’s willing to sacrifice things that don’t help get him what he wants. He just lives a really disciplined lifestyle and that’s a prerequisite in order to earn an opportunity to play at a consistent level. He’s really (starting) because he’s worked for it.”

Jackson has the size, strength, and quickness to be an immediate contributor for the Sooners defense. He had a great first offseason, where he showed the coaching staff that he’s ready to play a significant role for the Sooners. And it all starts this Friday night against Temple.

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