Tag: Jordan Hudson

Justin Harrington shows first sign of Sooners situational football improvement

Justin Harrington made a late game interception and everyone’s dream would be to try to return that for a touchdown. But instead he showed the ‘we’ not ‘me’ mentality.

Another week, another dominant defensive performance for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners went against the high-powered offense of the [autotag]SMU Mustangs.[/autotag]

Through three quarters, the Sooners’ defense still hadn’t allowed a touchdown on the season. SMU’s top wide receiver, [autotag]Jordan Hudson[/autotag],  didn’t even have a catch despite being its big-play guy.

It wasn’t a perfect performance. It was more of the bend-but-don’t-break model. The Sooners gave up yards, but only 11 points. They also held the Mustangs to 6 of 20 on third- and fourth-down conversion attempts, giving the Sooners the eighth-ranked third down defense through two games. That was emphasized this offseason.

Justin Harrington told reporters after the game he is feeling more and more comfortable in his role.

“I feel like my teammates are as well,” Harrington said. “Having those repetitions with those plays and just going over them over and over again. Just stressing their plays and stressing our plays. What the stress of our calls are and what they’re trying to attack us on just from things we messed up on last year that we fixed up over the spring and fall camp.”

You could see that preparation on full display when the Mustangs tried to bring out the tricks, whether a fumblerooski type of play or a flea flicker. The Sooners’ defense wasn’t fooled and sniffed them out from the start.

But a play Harrington made late in the game isn’t getting talked about enough.

The Sooners were up, 28-11, and SMU was driving. Harrington picked off the pass and could have easily tried to take it to the house. That’s every kid’s dream, right? Also, a 35-11 win looks a lot better than a 28-11 win.

But Harrington didn’t do that.

Instead, he slid. Why? Because he knows it’s about the team and not about himself.

“It’s an instinct to just take off running but fumbles could happen, penalties could happen, and yeah we get the pick but say we get a holding or a blind-side block and that puts the offense in minus territory with their back against the wall,” Harrington said. “Then maybe we have to punt and then they get a chance to return or get back into plus territory. So, all of those things go through our minds, and we preach it and talk about situational football.”

That’s why so many are so high on Harrington and why the defense is showing signs of improvement.

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Three Oklahoma Defenders we’ll have our eye on this weekend against SMU

Oklahoma will have its hand full Saturday against a talented SMU Mustangs squad. These three defenders could make all the difference.

Last week against Arkansas State was as stress-free as Okalhoma will feel throughout the season. Things won’t always feel as easy. That time for breezing through a game 73-0 is behind the Sooners. They welcome a much more talented team to Norman in the form of Rhett Lashlee’s SMU Mustangs.

Brent Venables’ defense passed their first hurdle with no slip-ups and nothing to sweat. The pass rush was not overwhelming, but Oklahoma’s chances to get home were limited because the Red Wolves were in seven and eight-man protections and operating using three-step drops.

SMU won’t do that. They have too many playmakers they want on the field and will take their chances with five or six-man protections. They want to have as many options out in routes as possible. It should provide Oklahoma with a window to attack and try and rattle Preston Stone, SMU’s young but talented quarterback.

The Mustangs’ ground game features two quality running backs, Jaylan Knighton and LJ Johnson. Both can hit the home run play, but Knighton is not as big nor as physical of a runner as Johnson.

How will defensive coordinator Ted Roof combat this talented SMU offense? We’ll find out on Saturday. But we believe three players on defense will need big days for Oklahoma to bottle up this talented SMU offense.

Up Next: 3 players to watch on defense

Reggie Pearson Jr., FS

The transfer from Texas Tech, Reggie Pearson Jr., has started over 30 games and offers valuable experience on the back end of the Oklahoma defense.

Arkansas State could not stress Oklahoma vertically but expect that to change with SMU.

SMU receivers Jordan Hudson and Key’Shawn Smith can move. The Mustangs won’t be afraid to try to test Pearson. Seeing how Pearson responds to being put into more stressful situations from a coverage standpoint could dictate how effective SMU’s offense is.

Danny Stutsman, WLB

The leader of Oklahoma’s defense, Danny Stutsman, will always be a defender to watch. However, this choice isn’t solely about his actual play but more about how well he leads and orchestrates things on defense.

Oklahoma finally gets a bit of a challenge to show the improvements they’ve made as a defense.

Stutsman was in the middle of everything last year. If he wants to elevate himself, he’ll have to lead by example. He’ll also need to make sure his teammates play sound football. His fellow linebackers need to fill gaps, get off blocks, and show an understanding of their roles.

SMU has a pair of running backs that could gash the Sooners if Oklahoma isn’t assignment-sound.

Up Next: A player on the prowl

Justin Harrington, Cheetah

Justin Harrington may have the most challenging matchup of anyone come Saturday.

Mustangs’ tight end R.J. Maryland is a matchup nightmare for most teams. Most teams don’t have the players to match up with Maryland’s 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame.

50/50 balls to him are more 80/20 than anything. Oklahoma has not one but two possible solutions for this at cheetah. But with sophomore transfer Dasan McCullough banged up, Harrington figures to get the assignment come Saturday.

How Harrington uses his length and athleticism to match Maryland will be interesting. If he can nullify SMU’s talented tight end, it will go a long way to slowing down a talented SMU offense.

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Know the Foe: 5 Mustangs to know before Oklahoma Sooners vs. SMU

Oklahoma will take on the SMU Mustangs. We take a look at five players to know for this Saturday’s matchup.

Oklahoma has turned the page on Arkansas State and is in preparation mode for their second game of the season. SMU will make the trip from Dallas to Norman for Saturday night’s matchup.

Oklahoma comes in with a nice boost of confidence after dismantling the Red Wolves last week 73-0. SMU comfortably handled Louisiana Tech 38-14. SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee is someone Brent Venables has locked horns with before.

Lashlee was previously an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Miami in 2020. In that game, Venables and the Clemson Tigers held the Hurricanes in check in a 42-17 win.

SMU provides a bump in competition for the Sooners, especially at the skill positions. They have several talented players and are more dynamic than what Oklahoma saw in their first game.

We’ve highlighted five Mustangs you need to know before Oklahoma hosts SMU on Saturday.

Top 5 transfers Oklahoma Sooners will face in 2023

Who are the top transfer additions the Oklahoma Sooners will face in 2023?

The transfer portal giveth and the transfer portal taketh. This statement has been true for everyone across the country even the University of Oklahoma.

The Sooners added Rondell Bothriyd and Dasan McCullough, but just a year ago lost Caleb Williams and Mario Williams. The portal has been good to Oklahoma, but it has been good to Oklahoma’s opponents as well.

The transfer portal has provided programs the opportunity to retool on the fly in the face of losses from the previous season.

SoonerScoop (subscription required) released an article on Saturday discussing the best transfer addition for OU opponents for the 2023 season.

This got me thinking, who are the five best transfer additions the Sooners will face this season.

Rhett Lashlee, SMU among big winners in the transfer portal

SMU is quietly having a good offseason.

We have the usual suspects when it comes to winners and losers in the transfer portal. The Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers, and the USC Trojans are usually active in the portal when it comes to talent acquisition. The Colorado Buffaloes are the outlier this season with a mass exodus like we’ve never seen before.

Outside of those teams, there is a surprise addition to the offseason transfer portal winners. The SMU Mustangs are quietly building a roster that can compete with anyone at the Group of Five level. They could probably take down several Power Five teams as well.

The team added six players coming over from the Power Five, led by former commit Jordan Hudson. The five-star WR flipped from SMU to TCU when Sonny Dykes took over as the head coach of the Frogs. He now comes to Dallas and will suit up for the high-powered SMU offense.

Max Olson of the Athletic (subscription required), highlighted the Ponies in his list of the best transfer portal classes this past offseason.

“SMU has shaken up its depth chart quite a bit entering Rhett Lashlee’s second season by landing 25 transfers,” Olson writes.” Hudson has the tools to be a big-time playmaker and help replace the production of second-round pick Rashee Rice. The top-100 recruit caught 14 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman and was previously committed to SMU before a late flip to TCU. Wilson was an important get for their linebacker room who should make an immediate impact, and the Mustangs were able to upgrade their depth in quite a few spots during this spring window.”

Hudson’s TCU teammate Kyron Chambers will also join SMU this offseason.  Chambers didn’t record any stats with the Frogs during their CFP run but will likely see ample playing time with the Mustangs defense. Rhett Lashlee and the staff were able to address both sides of the ball as they look to improve upon their 7-6 season.

You should circle Sept. 23 on the calendar when Hudson returns to Fort Worth to take on his old team.

Auburn hoping to receive visit from TCU wide receiver Jordan Hudson

Hugh Freeze and staff hope to make a lasting impression on one of the top receiver options within the transfer portal.

Auburn is hoping to bring in one of the top receivers remaining in the transfer portal for a visit this weekend.

[autotag]Jordan Hudson[/autotag], a former four-star wide receiver most recently spending time at TCU, is getting close to making a decision. While it is reported that Auburn is the very distant second to earn his signature, [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and staff are hoping to get the chance to make one lasting impression.

In a recent release of his recruiting intel ($), Matt Zenitz of On3 says that former Auburn offensive coordinator [autotag]Rhett Lashlee[/autotag] and SMU is the one to beat for Hudson’s services.

SMU has been the clear favorite (and the expected landing spot
among at least some Power Five personnel staffers) ever since Hudson went into the portal April 18. Still, there are other teams naturally vying for the Class of 2022 top recruit who posted 14 catches and three touchdowns for TCU last season. Auburn is looking to get Hudson in for a visit this weekend.

Auburn was one of 17 programs that reached out to him immediately after he entered the transfer portal on April 18. In his only season at TCU, Hudson reeled in 14 passes for 174 yards and three scores. Outside of Hudson, Auburn has also been in contact with former Colorado wideout Montana Lemonious-Craig.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

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Michigan State football in contact with TCU WR transfer

MSU is reportedly in contact with a TCU WR transfer who was formerly a 5-star recruit

Michigan State isn’t hesitating to use the transfer portal in the spring window, already having hosted Nebraska wide receiver transfer Alante Brown, but it is now being reported that they have been in contact with TCU wide receiver transfer Jordan Hudson.

Hudson was a 5-star in the 2022 recruiting class and has decided to transfer after one season with the Horned Frogs. As a true freshman, he caught 14 passes for 174 yards and 3 touchdowns.

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Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

Tennessee contacts No. 3 ranked wide receiver in transfer portal

Tennessee football contacts the No. 3 ranked wide receiver in the NCAA transfer portal.

Tennessee has contacted former TCU wide receiver Jordan Hudson, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound wide receiver is from Garland, Texas. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Hudson is ranked as the No. 22 overall player and No. 3 wide receiver in the NCAA transfer portal, according to 247Sports.

He played in all 14 games in 2022 for TCU as a true freshman, recording 14 receptions, 174 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns and averaged 12.4 yards per reception.

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Before signing with the Horned Frogs, Hudson was a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 15 overall prospect in the class of 2023. He finished his high school career with 195 receptions, 3,234 receiving yards and 52 receiving touchdowns.

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How the transfer portal shakeup impacts Texas football for 2023

Texas probably won’t make any more dramatic upgrades in the portal this offseason.

Big 12 rosters are in flux as players enter the transfer portal this spring. The portal is hitting one program from the state of Texas hard, but it’s not the Longhorns who are taking a significant hit.

It appears TCU Horned Frogs are set to lose big-time wide receiver Jordan Hudson to the transfer portal. He’s joined by a handful of TCU players including cornerback Kyron Chambers, defensive back Noah Daniels, defensive lineman Landyn Watson and offensive lineman Noah Bolticoff.

The Longhorns are not likely to benefit much from the newly reopened portal due to an already loaded roster. Nevertheless, other aspiring Big 12 contenders could find it worthwhile. Many speculate that SMU could be the main player for Hudson which could mean the Big 12 transfer market for Texas transfer wide receiver Brenen Thompson could heat up quickly.

As for conference balance, the gap between Texas and TCU widens as the Horned Frogs endure more significant losses. As it stands now, Texas is head-and-shoulders above the Big 12 conference in its mix of talent, development and returning production. Should a team like Oklahoma haul in Brenen Thompson, it could shorten the gap between the two teams.

The reality is, teams around the Longhorns are likely to upgrade by filling needs. The Texas schedule could look tougher than it does presently, but the team is in a strong enough position as currently constructed to compete in the conference.

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Where the decommits from Oklahoma’s 2022 recruiting class ended up

Where did the players go that decommitted from the Oklahoma Sooners 2022 recruiting class?

While the 2022 recruiting class ended up as a top 10 group, it’s hard not to look back and consider what could have been. Though it’s no fault of the current coaching staff, assistant holdovers included, the Oklahoma Sooners had quite a few decommits, even from Lincoln Riley’s tenure as the head coach, that negatively impacted the 2022 class.

Over the last year and a half, the Oklahoma Sooners lost commitments from three five-star players, four four-star players, and one three-star player. They’ve seen them go to current and future conference foes. Notably Texas, TCU, and Oklahoma State nabbed once-Oklahoma Sooners commits. If the Sooners move to the SEC sooner rather than later, they’ll face players that ended up at Missouri and Texas A&M.

While the Oklahoma Sooners are moving forward after rebuilding their 2022 class creating momentum toward National Signing Day, let’s take a look at where former Oklahoma commits ended up after the early signing period.