Tag: Kalib Hicks

Projecting Oklahoma’s offensive depth chart before summer practice

Summer offensive depth chart projection for the 2023 Oklahoma Sooners.

Oklahoma has started summer preparation for the upcoming season. Currently, the players are getting in their strength and conditioning work. There have been no padded practices, and there will not be any for a while, but that will not stop us from trying to figure out what Oklahoma’s starting offense and defense will look like when the Sooners take the field on Sept. 2 against the Arkansas State Red Wolves.

Offensively, the Sooners starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel returned to help quarterback an offense that was 13th nationally in total offense last season. Much was made about Gabriel’s performance but a team finishing in the top 20 in total offense is probably doing many things right. Blaming the quarterback for a 6-7 season seems a bit excessive. In the one game Gabriel didn’t play, Oklahoma scored zero points in its biggest game of the season versus Texas.

Outside of that, Oklahoma underwent departures to the NFL by their starting right and left tackles, Wanya Morris and Anton Harrison, respectively. The latter was selected in the first round by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Marvin Mims went in the second round to the Denver Broncos. Starting running back Eric Gray was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Giants. Starting tight end Brayden Willis is a San Francisco 49er after being drafted in the seventh round.

Oklahoma will have holes to fill. We took our best shot at projecting an offensive depth chart while considering transfer portal acquisitions, recruiting, general roster maturation and turnover from last year’s team.

‘DeMarco is really excited about him’: Kalib Hicks standing out in first spring with the Sooners

True freshman Kalib Hicks performing well in his first spring with the Oklahoma Sooners.

The running back position at the University of Oklahoma has had a number of productive runners over the course of its history. As the Oklahoma Sooners work through spring ball, they’re looking for the guy that’ll take the reigns as the next starting running back. Someone they can rely on in every situation.

Though most figure the lead roles will go to [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag] and [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag], true freshman [autotag]Kalib Hicks[/autotag] is having a strong start to his Sooners career.

“Hicks has done really well,” Brent Venables said after Wednesday’s practice. “He catches the ball well, he’s fearless, runs behind his pads does a great job in blitz protection… He plays fast and plays with really good instincts and good pace to him behind the line, and I know DeMarco (Murray) is really excited about him.”

Hicks amassed 3,228 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns, averaging 7 yards per carry on 455 rushing attempts in high school. He’s a fluid and physical runner that displays a lot of patience before hitting the hole.

With Jovantae Barnes recovering from surgery, Hicks has the opportunity to carve out a role on the depth chart this spring. In last year’s spring game, Barnes carried the ball a ton. With Barnes likely to be out, this could be Hicks’ time to shine at Oklahoma’s 2023 spring game on April 22.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1366]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

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 John on Twitter @john9williams.

DeMarco Murray looking for a running back Sooners ‘can rely on every single day’

The Oklahoma Sooners have a talented group of runners, but who will emerge to be Oklahoma’s lead back in 2023?

The Oklahoma Sooners are in a familiar position at running back. They’re looking to find the guy that will replace last season’s leading rusher.

Two years ago, they were working to replace [autotag]Rhamondre Stevenson[/autotag]. Last spring, they were again looking for their lead running back after the departure of [autotag]Kennedy Brooks[/autotag].

They found answers each offseason. So there should be no concern. However, the question remains, who will be Oklahoma’s lead running back in 2023?

“I’m looking for a starter. That’s why we’re able to have the depth that we have here,” [autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag] said after Tuesday’s practice.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a depth chart as deep as it has been during Murray’s time in Norman. Though young, it’s four deep with blue-chip running backs [autotag]Marcus Major[/autotag], [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag], [autotag]Gavin Sawchuck[/autotag], and [autotag]Daylan Smothers[/autotag]. Three-star runner [autotag]Kalib Hicks[/autotag] was probably one of the more underrated additions of the 2023 signing class after an incredible career at Denton Ryan.

The Sooners have talented running backs to work with. Barnes and Sawchuk entered the spring as the backs at the front of the line. The two had memorable Cheez-It Bowl performances, each rushing for over the 100-yard mark in the three-point loss to Florida State.

“Just speaking on those two guys (Barnes and Sawchuk), they’ve always had a terrific mindset,” Murray said about his returning running backs. “They’ve always had a great working habit. We’re fortunate to have them here. But we have to continue to learn and continue to grow and get stronger and get faster in all areas. I’m pleased with where they are now.”

With Major, Barnes, and Sawchuk, the Sooners have guys with some significant experience. It’s not in the same vein as Kennedy Brooks, who entered the 2021 season already with a pair of 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. At the same time, they have the experience they can build upon as Oklahoma looks for their next lead running back.

But what is Murray looking for at the running back position?

“Just a guy that you know can rely on every single day. A guy like Eric Gray, who was kind of our comfort blanket,” Murray shared on Tuesday. “No matter what happened out there, no matter what the situation was, two-minute, short-yardage, situation football, he was going to be there. He was going to get it done.”

The Sooners will deploy multiple running backs in Jeff Lebby’s up-tempo offense. Still, Oklahoma needs to find the guy they can role out there in every situation.

Gone are Eric Gray’s 246 touches. He’s going to make an NFL team happy as an incredible value selection in the middle rounds of the draft. So who will step up to replace that workload?

Barnes looks like the favorite to do so, but don’t count out the rest of the running back room as well. They’re a talented bunch that will be vying for snaps this spring and into fall camp.

“We’ve got a great group of backs who are competing for playing time and competing for that top spot. It’s been great to see and sit back and watch. They’ve got the right mindset, an extremely talented room but a close room. So for us, man, we’re as close as hell, but at the end of the day, we also compete when we step out on the field.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1366]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

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 John on Twitter @john9williams.

5 true freshmen who could have a big impact for the Sooners in 2023

With winter workouts ongoing ahead of the start of spring ball, which true freshmen have a chance to make an impact in year one for the Oklahoma Sooners?

Earning playing time as a true freshman can be difficult. Veterans on the depth chart with knowledge of the defense and experience against the higher level of competition often get favored because of the security the coaches feel with those players.

In 2022, players like [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag], [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag], and [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag] made an impact for the Sooners. Guys like Kanak and Thomas flashed throughout the season, even if they didn’t get a full complement of snaps as a backup.

Barnes, on the other hand, was huge for Oklahoma as Eric Gray’s primary backup. Thrust into playing time due to the injuries of Marcus Major, Barnes held onto the job and gave Oklahoma a different element running the football. He’s expected now to be the Sooners’ lead back with [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag] off to the NFL.

After the turnover that Oklahoma experienced each of the last two offseasons, there’s an opportunity for several 2023 true freshmen to come in and be day-one impact players.

For the purposes of this exercise, we’re going to assume [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] stays healthy for the duration of 2023, which would limit [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] to backup duty. Arnold gives [autotag]Jeff Lebby[/autotag] and the offense a much better option at quarterback if the Sooners were to need someone to fill in for Gabriel in a pinch.

9 Oklahoma Sooners ranked inside the updated On300

Led by P.J. Adebawore, 9 Oklahoma Sooners ranked inside the updated On300.

The Oklahoma Sooners had a tremendous year on the recruiting trail closing with the No. 5 class in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings after the early signing period. With national signing day approaching for the 2023 class, recruiting services are updating their final rankings for the cycle.

Oklahoma’s well-represented with nine players in the On3 On300, including two in the top 10 and three in the top 15. The Alabama Crimson Tide are the only other program with multiple top 10 prospects signed in 2023 with three.

Armed with 16 blue-chip prospects and 10 on the defensive side of the ball, this collection of players has a chance to be a transformational group for Oklahoma.

Here’s a look at the players that landed in the On300.

Oklahoma welcomes 14 mid-year enrollees to campus as the spring semester starts

14 members of Oklahoma’s 2023 recruiting class set to join the Oklahoma Sooners as early enrollees.

Oklahoma has seen a number of players leave this offseason via the transfer portal, graduation or to pursue professional careers in the NFL. In response, Brent Venables and his coaching staff signed the program’s highest-rated class in quite some time. While we will not see any live action from Team 129 until the spring game, it will be encouraging to know that more than half of the 2023 recruiting class will enroll early to acclimate to the collegiate athlete lifestyle.

With classes starting Jan. 17, Oklahoma’s 2023 signees will move in this weekend. Which members of the Class of 2023 can we look out for in winter workouts and spring practices? Take a look below.

QB Jackson Arnold

Edge PJ Adebawore

S Peyton Bowen

C Joshua Bates

OL Cayden Green

RB Kalib Hicks

DL Derrick LeBlanc

ATH Erik McCarty 

LB Phil Picciotti

RB Daylan Smothers

WR Keyon Brown

DB Makari Vickers

DB Jasiah Wagoner

DL Ashton Sanders

Fourteen of the 25 members of the class of 2023 will join the Sooners football program for the offseason program. For multiple freshmen, this early leg up can be invaluable.

For example, five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold can begin to learn the playbook, have actual live reps and build chemistry with the receivers. For players in the trenches such as Cayden Green, PJ Adebawore, Derrick LeBlanc, Ashton Sanders and Joshua Bates, the early time with Jerry Schmidt getting stronger can help their pursuit of early playing opportunities.

Brent Venables and his staff will be thrilled to welcome their newest players to the program for good as they prepare Team 129 for the 2023 season.

[listicle id=77461]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

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 inside top 8 for 2024 4-star RB Stacy Gage

2024 4-star running back Stacy Gage included the Oklahoma Sooners in his top 8.

The Oklahoma Sooners finished the 2023 recruiting cycle with a lot of momentum, signing a top-five class in the early signing period. Despite the down year, the Sooners have a lot of momentum on the recruiting trail.

That momentum looks to be carrying over into the 2024 recruiting cycle. The Sooners were included in the top eight for 2024 four-star running back Stacy Gage. The Sooners joined Colorado, Alabama, Florida, Penn State, USC, Ohio State, and Miami in the top eight release.

Out of Tampa, Fla., Gage is a top 20 running back in the 2024 cycle. Playing for IMG Academy in Bradenton, the

[autotag]DeMarco Murray[/autotag] has done a really nice job over the last two recruiting cycles to add running back talent to the program. In the 2022 cycle, Murray brought in [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag] and [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag], and in 2023, [autotag]Daylan Smothers[/autotag] and [autotag]Kalib Hicks[/autotag].

If Oklahoma were able to get a commitment and signature from Gage, the Sooners running back room would have really nice depth to it.

Here’s what Gage told Hayes Fawcett of On3 about Oklahoma, “Always home for me, and I feel like I will be a quick impact to the team.”

Stacy Gage’s Recruiting Profile

Projections

Film

Hudl

Breaking down the Oklahoma Sooners 2023 recruiting class by position

How does the Oklahoma Sooners 2023 recruiting class look broken down by position?

The Oklahoma Sooners have put together a really nice recruiting class through the early signing period of the 2023 cycle. We haven’t even made it to February’s national signing day, and Oklahoma’s sitting with the No. 5 class in 247Sports recruiting rankings.

The Sooners have added a four- or five-star player at every position save for tight end. Even there, the Sooners added one of the best players in the state to Joe Jon Finley’s room.

It’s an incredible collection of athletic, fast and versatile players that will, along with the 2021 and 2022 recruiting classes, be the foundation of Oklahoma’s journey into the SEC.

Let’s break it down by position group.

5 takeaways from the first two days of the early signing period for the Oklahoma Sooners

Peyton Bowen signs with the Sooners. Oklahoma has a top-five class. 5 takeaways from the first two days of the early signing period.

The early signing period for the Oklahoma Sooners has been, in one way, unremarkable and, in another way, utterly insane.

Oklahoma signed every single recruit they had committed prior to December 21. No one jumped ship even after a 6-6 season which was far and away the worst season Oklahoma has had in years. Everyone remained committed, and the Sooners even added guys along the way.

Outside of that, they waited on decisions from four-star [autotag]Tausili Akana[/autotag] and five-star safety [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag]. Oklahoma missed on Akana, who committed to the Texas Longhorns, but landed Bowen after one of the more wild recruiting sagas in recent years.

They didn’t land Bowen at first, who flipped from Notre Dame to Oregon at the signing event in his hometown of Denton. We’ll unpack that later.

Nonetheless, barring another five-star surprise from [autotag]David Hicks[/autotag], Oklahoma may not anyone else until national signing day in February. Unless it’s via the transfer portal.

Here are five takeaways from the first two days of the early signing period.

Which players signed with the Oklahoma Sooners 2023 recruiting class?

Which players in the 2023 cycle have signed with the Oklahoma Sooners?

The Oklahoma Sooners had a great day on the opening of the early signing period. Unlike a few other schools, the Sooners signed everyone that was committed coming into Wednesday.

While they didn’t land a couple of their highly-regarded targets at the end, the Sooners have put together a really nice class in the 2023 cycle.

Led by five-star players Jackson Arnold and Adepoju Adebawore, Oklahoma signed 15 four or five-star players. They were particularly successful on the defensive side of the ball, adding nine blue-chip players.

The defensive backfield is the place where they had the most significant infusion of talent. In Jacobe Johnson, Jasiah Wagoner, Kendel Dolby, Makari Vickers, Daeh McCullough, and Erik McCarty, the Sooners added five four-star talents and a player in McCarty who will be a big-time contributor for Oklahoma’s secondary in the years to come.

In his early signing period press conference, Brent Venables indicated that the Sooners weren’t done adding talent. That could be through the transfer portal or on the high school recruiting trail. That would take an already great recruiting class to another level.

Here are the players who have signed with the Oklahoma Sooners for the 2023 cycle.