Tag: kennedy brooks

Former Sooner Eric Gray shows out in preseason opener

Eric Gray spent two years in Norman before being drafted by the New York Giants.

The NFL preseason is underway, as just weeks remain before the season will return and we’ll have more football than we know what to do with.

One former Oklahoma Sooner made his 2024 preseason debut on Thursday night and was a standout in the Big Apple.

Former OU running back [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag] stole the show for the New York Giants in a 14-3 win over the Detroit Lions on Thursday. Gray only got four carries in limited action, but he certainly made the most of them, racking up 52 yards and two touchdown runs.

Gray’s first house call went for 48 yards and showed off the open field running that made him so elusive at Oklahoma.

But Gray wasn’t done, showing good vision and versatility on a one-yard score, finding the hole to get to paydirt for the second time on the night.

Gray is in his second year in the league, after being selected in the fifth round (172nd overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was a transfer portal addition for the Sooners in 2021 and had 78 carries for 412 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 23 receptions for 229 yards and two touchdowns, playing second fiddle in the backfield behind [autotag]Kennedy Brooks[/autotag].

He took over as the lead back in 2022, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ first season as the head coach, and had 213 carries for yards and 11 touchdowns to go with 33 receptions for 229 yards. He had eight games during the season where he went over 100 rushing yards and four games with two rushing touchdowns.

Gray is looking for a bigger role on the Giants’ offense in 2024, after the G-Men lost Saquon Barkley in free agency this offseason. He’s in a fight to make the roster and contribute in the backfield after 17 carries for 48 yards and 6 catches for 22 yards as a rookie last year.

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DeMarco Murray to stay at Oklahoma and sign an extension per report

DeMarco Murray staying in Norman despite overtures from Ohio State.

The Oklahoma Sooners have dodged what could have been a big blow to their coaching staff. This comes after reports started circling earlier this week that running backs coach DeMarco Murray was being pursued by a number of college and NFL teams, including the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Buckeyes are widely thought of as having the best running back room in the country this upcoming season with TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins. But the Sooners got some good news on Wednesday as On3’s Pete Nakos reported Murray would be staying at Oklahoma.

Murray and the Sooners agreed on a three-year contract extension.

Murray has family ties to Ohio, which made that job a real possibility. He’s currently the lowest-paid assistant on staff, making $575,000 annually. He’s expected to receive a pay bump with this new contract but those details have not been announced.

Murray is also one of the most tenured assistants on staff. He arrived back in Norman in 2020 and has been huge on the recruiting trail.

He most recently helped Oklahoma sign [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] as part of the 2024 recruiting class. The Longview, Texas, native was ranked as the No. 1 overall running back in the [autotag]2024 recruiting cycle[/autotag].

He’s also helped guys like [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag], [autotag]Kennedy Brooks[/autotag], and Rhamondre Stevenson have career years under his tutelage. His room this year is loaded with talent, but it is also very young. If they can avoid the injury bug, Oklahoma’s running backs will play a pivotal role in the Sooners success in 2024.

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.

Which Sooners could have been on the cover of EA Sports NCAA football during its absence?

With EA Sports NCAA Football returning, which Oklahoma Sooners could have graced the cover during their hiatus since 2015.

EA Sports did what many thought was impossible by announcing it would bring back its college football video game series. After a hiatus that will have spanned at least 10 years come July, the newest version of the beloved game series will return sometime in the summer of 2024.

The last one to drop before the series ended came out in July 2013. NCAA 14 is one of the most iconic sports video games of all time because of the attachment many have to it. Its resale value has never been higher.

The reason for the original cancellation of the series? Name, image and likeness — a hot-button topic that eventually led to NIL being accepted into collegiate sports.

EA Sports couldn’t figure out how to compensate players because it wasn’t legal in that era of collegiate athletics. That hurdle has been cleared and the game looks headed for a summer release date.

Who gets the distinction of being the game’s cover athlete in its resurrection? It’s always a fun and exciting debate when new sports games come out. Former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson graced NCAA 14’s cover. Since the last game, college football has had iconic athletes that would’ve been perfect fits to be cover athletes.

Our friends at College Wire went through and named which players they thought would have been great fits as cover athletes for the years we didn’t have a game. We decided to do the same, but only with Oklahoma players for those years. Take a look below.

Eagles vs. Cowboys final injury report: Dallas Goedert returning to lineup for Week 14

The Philadelphia Eagles released their final injury report for Week 14 and Dallas Goedert will return to the lineup against Dallas Cowboys

The Eagles released their final injury report for Sunday night’s massive showdown against the Cowboys, and no player has an injury designation.

Julio Jones was a limited participant in the teams final practice, but he’s expected to play, while Dallas Goedert will return to the lineup.

Linebacker Zach Cunningham (hamstring) was a full participant on Friday after being limited earlier in the week. Cunningham missed last week’s game after exiting the win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 12.

NFL Week 14 picks: Who the experts are taking in Eagles vs. Cowboys

With kickoff fast approaching, we’re looking at who the NFL experts are picking in the Week 14 matchup between the Eagles and Cowboys

The Eagles (10-2) and Cowboys (9-3) are set for a Sunday night meeting that’ll likely decide the NFC East and significantly impact the NFC playoff race.

Philadelphia has won 2 of its last three games vs. Dallas, including a 28-23 home victory in Week 9. The Eagles, who will face the Cowboys twice within a 5-game span for the first time since 2018, are searching for their first regular-season sweep against their rivals since 2011.

Philadelphia owns the best road winning percentage (.783, 18-5) in the league since 2021. The Eagles fare well on the road, logging a 14-2 record (.875) in their last 16 away games, including a 5-1 mark (.833) this year.

With kickoff fast approaching, we’re looking at who the NFL experts pick in the Week 14 matchup.

Eagles announce 5 roster moves ahead of Week 14 matchup vs. Cowboys

Eagles officially sign Shaquille Leonard, waive LB Christian Elliss among five roster moves

The Eagles announced five roster moves on Wednesday, officially adding Shaq Leonard to the organization and releasing Christian Elliss from the active roster.

The team also added Greg Ward to the practice squad while releasing wide receiver Cam Ward.

Leonard joins a linebacker corps decimated by injuries: Nakobe Dean is on Injured Reserve with a foot injury, and Zach Cunningham missed Sunday’s game against the 49ers because of a hamstring injury.

NFC Playoff Picture: Eagles still control their own destiny after blowout loss

We’re looking at the NFC Playoff picture entering Week 14 and the Philadelphia Eagles control their own destiny

The Eagles spent the early part of the season stacking wins, and even after a 42-19 loss to the 49ers last Sunday, Nick Sirianni’s team still has created a clinching scenario for Week 14.

All Philadelphia needs to do is snap the Dallas Cowboys’ 14-game home winning streak in a Sunday night showdown.

We’re looking at an updated NFC playoff picture with Thursday Night Football fast approaching.

Studs and duds from Eagles 37-34 win over the Bills in Week 12

We’re looking at the studs and duds from the Philadelphia Eagles 37-34 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 12

Elliott tied the game with 20 seconds remaining. After the Bills went ahead with a field goal on the first possession of overtime, Hurts put the game away with a walk-off 12-yard score that made the Eagles the only 10-1 team in the NFL.

Philadelphia overcame a 17-7 first-half deficit for the second straight game and benefited from another blown deep passing attempt, this time with Josh Allen and wide receiver Gabriel Davis getting mixed up late on a drive.

With a Week 13 showdown against San Francisco looming, here are the studs and duds from Sunday’s emotional win.

Eagles snap count vs. Bills: Breakdown, observations from 37-34 win in Week 12

We’re looking at the snap counts and playing time percentages from the Philadelphia Eagles overtime win vs. the Buffalo Bills on Sunday

Philadelphia remains the best team in the NFL after Jalen Hurts threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more, outplaying Buffalo’s Josh Allen late in the first of what could be many high-profile matchups in their careers.

The Eagles overcame a 17-7 first-half deficit for the second straight game, using a 59-yard field goal from Jake Elliott to take the Bills to overtime.

Elliott tied the game with 20 seconds remaining. After the Bills went ahead with a field goal on the first possession of overtime, Hurts put the game away with a walk-off 12-yard score that made the Eagles the only 10-1 team in the NFL.

With a Week 13 showdown against San Francisco looming, here are the snap counts and playing time percentages for Week 12.

Takeaways and observations from Eagles 37-34 win over Bills in Week 12

Takeaways and observations from Eagles 37-34 win over Bills in Week 12

The Eagles overcame a 17-7 first-half deficit for the second straight game, using a 59-yard field goal from Jake Elliott to take the Bills to overtime.

Elliott tied the game with 20 seconds remaining. After the Bills went ahead with a field goal on the first possession of overtime, Hurts put the game away with a walk-off 12-yard score that made the Eagles the only 10-1 team in the NFL.

Hurts threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more, outplaying Buffalo’s Josh Allen late in the first of what could be many high-profile matchups in their careers.

With a Week 13 showdown against San Francisco looming, here’s an instant analysis of Sunday’s comeback win.