Tag: Justin Broiles

Oklahoma Sooners name captains for Week 1 vs. Arkansas State

The Sooners named their captains for the first game of the season against Arkansas State.

Being a captain for a blue-blood program such as the [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] is something special. Not many players get to say they were voted a captain by their peers.

Getting to walk out first and head to the middle of the field for the coin toss shows all of the hard work you put in on and off of the field. Last year first-year head coach, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] had a rotation of captains for each game of the season before announcing who would be the captains for the whole season at the end of the year.

Those were [autotag]Justin Broiles[/autotag], [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Murray[/autotag], [autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag], [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]David Ugwoegbu[/autotag], [autotag]DaShaun White[/autotag] and [autotag]Brayden Willis[/autotag]. Gabriel, Stoops and Stutsman are the only captains returning from last season.

So, before the season opener against the [autotag]Arkansas State Red Wolves[/autotag], the Sooners announced the new captains for the start of the season. Those were Stoops, Stutsman, [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Harrington[/autotag].

What a great story it makes to see Harrington included. Harrington entered the transfer portal before deciding to return to Oklahoma. He’s a guy who was given a second chance by Venables and had to earn every bit of it.

He’s someone who has a great deal of potential but until now has only been an offseason talking point. Is this the year it finally all comes together? Many think it does. If it does, you could see the defense taken to another level.

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Safeties bring the most depth to the Oklahoma Sooners’ roster

Heading into 2023, the safety position arguably has the most depth of any other on the Sooners roster.

Last season the safety position was filled with inexperience. [autotag]Patrick Fields[/autotag] and [autotag]Delarrin Turner-Yell[/autotag] were gone after starting the previous three seasons.

Billy Bowman played some in a rotational role as a true freshman, but it has been a rocky couple of years in Norman. [autotag]Justin Broiles[/autotag] and [autotag]Key Lawrence[/autotag] had experience but were mainly role players.

This upcoming season the safety position arguably has the most depth of any on the Sooners’ roster. Lawrence and Bowman are back. They then added [autotag]Reggie Pearson Jr.[/autotag] who started at Texas Tech.

[autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag] is also back this year after playing some as a true freshman last season. He’s been injured this offseason but is expected to be good to go by the start of the regular season.

Then the Sooners added five-star [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag]. If you read our article on the five freshmen who could make an immediate impact, you’ll see why he will factor into the safety room.

All in all, this room is the one with a ton of depth and talent. It could be the best position group on the team. The secondary as a whole could be very good in 2023.

Now, they’ll only be as good as their pass rush allows them to be. If the Sooners don’t get pressure on the quarterback, you could put Deion Sanders back there, and it won’t matter. Given enough time, wide receivers get open.

They have to work together as a team but if they do, this defense should see a ton of improvement in 2023.

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‘We’ll be an improved group’: Sooners defensive backfield improved from a year ago

Head Coach Brent Venables believes his defensive backs will be better than they were a year ago.

Brent Venables and his staff committed to ensuring the results of the 2022 season would not be replicated in 2023.

He and the Sooners’ staff were hyperactive in the transfer portal, and they closed their 2023 recruiting class on a significant high note by securing the services of five-star safety Peyton Bowen.

As the Sooners look ahead to spring practice, the time for evaluation and understanding just what type of roster the Sooners will have is here. When speaking with the media last week, Venables made it clear one specific group is primed for a better year.

The defensive backfield.

“So I think we’ll be an improved group,” Venables said about the defensive backfield. “And we lost a bunch of guys. I think we know that … I’m not sure we didn’t lose a lot of production in the secondary, but we, we lost a bunch of bodies.”

Brent Venables believes between the players returning and those that joined the team as midyear enrollees, the Oklahoma Sooners have a better group of defensive backs than they did a year ago.

[autotag]Kendall Dennis[/autotag] (USF), [autotag]Bryson Washington[/autotag] (New Mexico) and [autotag]Joshua Eaton[/autotag] (Texas State) transferred out after the 2022 season. It’s notable none landed with a Power Five squad.

[autotag]CJ Coldon[/autotag] is the biggest loss the Sooners suffered in the secondary after a strong second half of the season. [autotag]Justin Broiles[/autotag] hopes to continue his playing career at the NFL level.

Dennis, Washington and Eaton didn’t play enough for their departures to matter much. Their transfers allow Oklahoma to examine what they have in the players brought in over the past two cycles.

Gentry Williams snagged an interception in his first collegiate game. He didn’t see the field much as a true freshman, but the Sooners love his size, athletic ability, and his competitiveness.

Robert Spears-Jennings is another 2022 signee that could make an impact this season. His play speed and physicality were on display last season despite limited snaps.

Kani Walker was brought in before the season from Louisville. Like Williams, Walker has the physical tools the Sooners are looking for in their outside corners.

[autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag], a transfer from Texas Tech, is a heavy hitter with plenty of collegiate experience. That physicality and experience will help bring an edge to the Sooners defensive backfield.

Most notably, [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag] also joins the defensive back room. The most highly coveted secondary recruit for Oklahoma in quite a while, Bowen is expected to be a great one.

[autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag], [autotag]Damond Harmon[/autotag], [autotag]Jaden Davis[/autotag], [autotag]Justin Harrington[/autotag] and [autotag]Key Lawrence[/autotag] return after playing meaningful snaps for the Sooners last season. They’ll get another offseason in the Sooners’ defensive system, and should have a better understanding of the expectations in the defense.

The hope is because of the improved talent, there will be better production and depth on the secondary depth chart when it drops just before the season.

It remains to be seen how this will actually play out over the course of the season. However, it’s hard to argue with Venables’ assessment. The players who played the most last year are back and should understand the scheme better, which will lead to better performances on the field.

All that’s left is for those returning players to prove their head coach right.

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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 Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

Bengals met with Oklahoma DB Justin Broiles

The Bengals met with a notable DB before the draft.

Cincinnati Bengals scouts have been hard at work on the sprint to the 2023 NFL draft.

That includes putting in work on notable defensive backs ahead of a key stretch of free agency. According to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, the Bengals recently met with Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Justin Broiles.

Broiles is exactly what this Bengals program looks for as an experienced redshirt senior from a winning program. Besides droves of on-field experience, he’s often praised for his football IQ and leadership, which is what the Bengals want to keep adding.

The news comes at a time when the Bengals have Jessie Bates, Vonn Bell, Eli Apple, Tre Flowers and others as free agents this offseason, so expect more news like this with other secondary prospects soon.

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Ranking Oklahoma’s last 10 recruiting classes

Ranking the Oklahoma Sooners last 10 recruiting classes.

The Oklahoma Sooners closed the early signing period of the 2023 cycle with a ton of momentum, earning a last-second flip of five-star safety [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag]. Bowen joined Guyer teammate [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] and edge rusher [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag] in the 2023 class to give the Sooners three five-star players for the cycle.

It was a huge recruiting haul for [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his staff, who worked their way into the top five of the 247Sports recruiting class composite. This class has Venables fingerprints all over it with a heavy emphasis on the defensive side of the ball.

The Sooners ended up with 16 four- and five-star signees, and 10 of those came on the defensive side. Six were defensive backs, two were linebackers, and two were defensive linemen. The three-star players they signed on defense can play. [autotag]Taylor Wein[/autotag], [autotag]Markus Strong[/autotag], [autotag]Ashton Sanders[/autotag], [autotag]Phil Picciotti[/autotag] and [autotag]Erik McCarty[/autotag] are athletic players with high motors. Each has a chance to outperform his recruiting status.

It was an historic class for the Sooners, marking just the second time in the 247Sports database (since 2000) that they signed multiple five-star defensive players, and only the second time they had three five-star signees. Looking back, let’s take a look at how it stacks up with the last 10 recruiting classes for the Oklahoma Sooners.

3 Oklahoma Sooners earn first-team and second-team All-Big 12 honors

The Oklahoma Sooners had three first-team and three second-team selections, as well as the Offensive Newcomer of the year in 2022.

After having zero preseason first-team selections, the Oklahoma Sooners earned three first-team honors on the All-Big 12 teams at the conclusion of the regular season. The Sooners also had three second-team selections and a host of honorable mentions.

Though it was a down year by Oklahoma standards, there were several notable performances in 2022 that were worthy of all-conference selection.

Here’s a look at every Sooner honored by the Big 12 with postseason awards.

Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 24 Oklahoma State Cowboys: Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet

Latest lines and betting preview for the Oklahoma Sooners’ in-state matchup with Oklahoma State. From @john9williams

The Oklahoma Sooners play host to the No. 24 Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds, and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet at BetMGM.

The game starts at 6:30 p.m. CT and can be seen on ABC.

In their loss last week against West Virginia, Oklahoma failed to cover a spread yet again, falling to 3-7 on the season. In inclement weather,  the two sides played a low-scoring affair that also failed to hit the over and fell to 4-5-1 against the point total.

Despite having a worse record, Oklahoma is more than a touchdown favorite at home against their in-state rivals. While the all-time series record heavily favors the Sooners and Spencer Sanders may be limited, it’s hard to fathom Oklahoma being that big of a favorite with the season they’ve had.

Let’s take a look at the betting lines from BetMGM.

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The lines, courtesy of BetMGM.

  • Point spread: Oklahoma minus-7.5
  • Money line: Oklahoma minus-300 / Oklahoma State plus-230
  • Over-Under: 66

Click here to place your bets at BetMGM.

Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State injury report:

Oklahoma

[autotag]T.D. Roof[/autotag], LB: Out for season (Elbow)

[autotag]Shane Whitter[/autotag], LB: Out for season (Shoulder)

[autotag]Justin Broiles[/autotag], S: Questionable (Knee)

Oklahoma State

[autotag]Spencer Sanders[/autotag], QB: Questionable (Shoulder)

[autotag]Trace Ford[/autotag], DE: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Thomas Harper[/autotag], S: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Blaine Green[/autotag], WR: Questionable (Wrist)

[autotag]Tyler Lacy[/autotag], DE: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Garret Rangel[/autotag], QB: Questionable (Undisclosed)

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Advice and prediction

It’s expected to be 40 degrees at kickoff, and at the moment, there isn’t any moisture or wind in the forecast. Still, by halftime, the temperature will be at or below freezing in Norman. That could play a factor in Oklahoma’s ability to find a rhythm offensively.

As we’ve seen in recent weeks, the best part of the Oklahoma offense is their running game led by [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag]. Oklahoma State’s run defense is a little bit better than Oklahoma’s, but the Cowboys still allow 163 yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry. Gray is second among Power Five runners with at least 150 carries on the season at 6.7 yard per carry.

On what will be a cold night, Oklahoma should continue to lean on the ground game to take the pressure off of a passing attack that’s been inconsistent in recent weeks.

In this game, the big question comes down to how healthy is [autotag]Spencer Sanders[/autotag]. He’s expected to play and will be a threat, but after missing the Kansas game and being limited against Iowa State, there’s no clear expectation on how much he’ll be able to do. Still, he’s a threat with his legs and that’s caused Oklahoma a lot of trouble in 2022. Expect that to keep the Sooners off balance, even if Sanders isn’t at full strength throwing the ball.

The Sooners have struggled to cover spreads in 2022, and I don’t think they will here. With the chilly temps and Oklahoma State’s excellent third-down defense (ninth in the nation at 28.8%), the Sooners will struggle to score a ton of points in this game. Take the under.

Prediction: Oklahoma 27, Oklahoma State 23

Record against the spread and O/U in 2022: 11-8-1.

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.

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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, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 24 Oklahoma State Cowboys: Stream, injury report, broadcast info

Trying to figure out where to find Bedlam on Saturday? Here’s how to watch, stream or listen to Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State. From @john9williams

Oklahoma (5-4, 2-4 Big 12) will face Oklahoma State (7-3, 4-3) on Saturday night in Bedlam, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to end their two-game skid against in-state rival Oklahoma State, who’s been playing some up-and-down football after a 5-0 start. The Cowboys are 2-3 over their last five, and starting quarterback Spencer Sanders has been dealing with a shoulder injury that’s limited him over the last three weeks.

This game has Big 12 title implications for Oklahoma State, who can stay alive with a win over the Sooners. Oklahoma is looking to crack bowl eligibility with a win to avoid missing out on bowl season for the first time since 1998.

Here’s when you should tune in to see the game:

  • Date: Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022
  • Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
  • TV Channel: ABC
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch here)
  • Listen: Streaming on the Varsity App

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Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State injury report:

Oklahoma

[autotag]T.D. Roof[/autotag], LB: Out for season (Elbow)

[autotag]Shane Whitter[/autotag], LB: Out for season (Shoulder)

[autotag]Justin Broiles[/autotag], S: Questionable (Knee)

Oklahoma State

[autotag]Spencer Sanders[/autotag], QB: Questionable (Shoulder)

[autotag]Trace Ford[/autotag], DE: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Thomas Harper[/autotag], S: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Blaine Green[/autotag], WR: Questionable (Wrist)

[autotag]Tyler Lacy[/autotag], DE: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Garret Rangel[/autotag], QB: Questionable (Undisclosed)

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Players to watch:

Oklahoma

[autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag], QB: 63.9% for 2,217 yards, 16 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. 33 carries, 304 yards, and 4 touchdowns.

[autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] WR: 42 receptions for 776 yards and 4 touchdowns.

[autotag]Brayden Willis[/autotag], TE: 25 receptions for 347 yards and 5 touchdowns.

[autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag], RB: 165 carries for 1,113 yards, 10 touchdowns at 6.7 yards per carry. 28 receptions for 189 yards and 0 touchdowns.

[autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag], WR: 28 receptions for 357 yards and 2 touchdowns. 12 carries for 113 yards, 0 touchdowns at 9.4 yards per carry. 10 kickoff returns for 242 yards at 24.4 yards per return.

[autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], LB: 91 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 passes defended.

[autotag]David Ugwoegbu[/autotag], LB: 83 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks.

[autotag]DaShaun White[/autotag], LB: 68 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 5 passes defended.

[autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], DE: 30 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended.

[autotag]Jalen Redmond[/autotag], DT: 19 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 passes defended.

Oklahoma State

[autotag]Spencer Sanders[/autotag], QB: 58.5% for 2,261 yards, 16 touchdowns, 5 interceptions. 60 carries, 386 yards, and 8 rushing touchdowns.

[autotag]Bryson Green[/autotag], WR: 35 receptions for 573 yards and 5 touchdowns.

[autotag]Brennan Pressley[/autotag], WR: 47 receptions for 544 yards and 2 touchdowns.

[autotag]John Paul Richardson[/autotag], WR: 37 receptions for 430 yards and 4 touchdowns.

[autotag]Dominic Richardson[/autotag], RB: 149 carries for 543 yards, 8 touchdowns at 3.9 yards per carry.

[autotag]Collin Oliver[/autotag], DT: 21 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks.

[autotag]Mason Cobb[/autotag], LB: 77 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 sacks.

*Quarterback rushing numbers compiled from Pro Football Focus that doesn’t take away sack yardage from QB rushing totals.

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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, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Report Card: Trench warfare, special teams set the tone for Oklahoma win over Iowa State

Oklahoma was stout in the trenches, and the special teams shined in Oklahoma’s win over Iowa State. Here’s how each position group performed in the weekly report card. From @thatmanbryant

Oklahoma’s win against Iowa State wasn’t a flashy endeavor. But it was a two touchdown win over a team that hadn’t lost a Big 12 game by more than a touchdown.

The Sooners’ 27-13 win over Iowa State was a combined effort that saw some inspired performances from several areas. It truly was a team win.

Here’s how Oklahoma graded out by position group for their performance against Iowa State.

5 takeaways from the Oklahoma Sooners 27-13 win over the Iowa State Cyclones

Oklahoma produced in all three phases on Saturday vs. Iowa State in their 27-13 win. Here are 5 takeaways from the pivotal road victory. from @thatmanbryant

Oklahoma may have found its defensive swagger once again. After the bye week, Oklahoma made the trip to Ames, Iowa to take on Matt Campbell’s Iowa State Cyclones. The Cyclones entered the game 10th nationally in yards per rush allowed and were sixth in the nation in points allowed per game at 15.5. They also feature Will McDonald, one of Iowa State’s all-time best at rushing the passer.

Oklahoma beat the Cyclones 27-13 behind a fairly complementary performance in all three phases.

[autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag] contributed 101 yards on the ground and a touchdown. The defense tallied three interceptions of Iowa State QB Hunter Dekkers. Lastly, [autotag]Zach Schmit[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Turk[/autotag] provided the impact on special teams to put the Sooners over the top. Schmit scored on a fake field goal pass and nailed two field goal attempts, while Michael Turk chipped in two 60-yard punts to flip the field in the fourth quarter, including one that pinned the Cyclones at the one on the drive following a score that made it 20-13.

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The game was sloppy at times, and there are some things to take issue with. However, a conference win on the road considering the season Oklahoma has had, is nothing to scoff at. With such a complementary and tough win, we want to share our five takeaways from the Oklahoma win before Oklahoma starts to prepare for a home game against Baylor.