Tag: kennedy brooks

Big 12 Football: Ranking the starting running backs for 2021

Take a look at our rankings of the starting running backs in the Big 12 for the 2021 season.

The Big 12 conference is home to two of the top running backs in the country. Continue reading “Big 12 Football: Ranking the starting running backs for 2021”

Look where Pro Football Focus ranks Kennedy Brooks among returning running backs

Oklahoma Sooners will see the return of Kennedy Brooks in 2021 after his opt-out this past season. He was named No. 3 returning back by PFF.

The Pro Football Focus crew has begun their series of the top returning players in college football at their prospective positions. The Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler came in as the top returning passer in all of college football ball. No surprise considering the top passers in Justin Fields, Trevor Lawrence, and Zach Wilson all opted for the NFL draft.

The second installment of the series features the top returning running backs. From the 2020 Sooners football team they lose T.J. Pledger as he transferred to Utah and Rhamondre Stevenson opted for the NFL. The most productive back in Seth McGowan will return to Oklahoma but likely as the No. 2 option in the backfield. Another running back made the top list, Kennedy Brooks.

In PFF’s ranking of the top 10 returning running backs, Auburn’s Tank Bigsby comes in at No. 1, and Kansas State’s Deuce Vaughn coming in at No. 2. Brooks checks in as the No. 3 back on the list after missing the entire 2020 season when he opted out.

Brooks decided to opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, but he will be back for the 2021 campaign — very good news for the Sooners.

Brooks was the third-highest-graded ball carrier in the FBS from 2018 to 2019 and established himself as one of the top breakaway threats at the position. No FBS running back churned out 10 or more yards on a higher rate of their carries over that period than Brooks (23.4%). He doesn’t have electrifying speed, but he is elusive and fights through contact as well as anyone.

Year Att Yards Avg TD Touches Scrimmage Yards
2018 119 1,056 8.9 12 129 1,113
2019 155 1,011 6.5 6 165 1,090

The other Big 12 back on the list joining Vaughn and Brooks is Iowa State’s Breece Hall, the nation’s leading rusher in 2020. Add in the Texas Longhorns‘ standout freshman Bijan Robinson and the conference is full of playmaking running backs.

During the 2019 season, Brooks led the Sooners in yards after contact with 549. He would also finish second on the team in runs of 10+ yards behind quarterback Jalen Hurts. Brooks will provide a boost to the offense in 2021.

Look where Pro Football Focus ranks Kennedy Brooks among returning running backs

Oklahoma Sooners will see the return of Kennedy Brooks in 2021 after his opt-out this past season. He was named No. 3 returning back by PFF.

The Pro Football Focus crew has begun their series of the top returning players in college football at their prospective positions. The Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler came in as the top returning passer in all of college football ball. No surprise considering the top passers in Justin Fields, Trevor Lawrence, and Zach Wilson all opted for the NFL draft.

The second installment of the series features the top returning running backs. From the 2020 Sooners football team they lose T.J. Pledger as he transferred to Utah and Rhamondre Stevenson opted for the NFL. The most productive back in Seth McGowan will return to Oklahoma but likely as the No. 2 option in the backfield. Another running back made the top list, Kennedy Brooks.

In PFF’s ranking of the top 10 returning running backs, Auburn’s Tank Bigsby comes in at No. 1, and Kansas State’s Deuce Vaughn coming in at No. 2. Brooks checks in as the No. 3 back on the list after missing the entire 2020 season when he opted out.

Brooks decided to opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, but he will be back for the 2021 campaign — very good news for the Sooners.

Brooks was the third-highest-graded ball carrier in the FBS from 2018 to 2019 and established himself as one of the top breakaway threats at the position. No FBS running back churned out 10 or more yards on a higher rate of their carries over that period than Brooks (23.4%). He doesn’t have electrifying speed, but he is elusive and fights through contact as well as anyone.

Year Att Yards Avg TD Touches Scrimmage Yards
2018 119 1,056 8.9 12 129 1,113
2019 155 1,011 6.5 6 165 1,090

The other Big 12 back on the list joining Vaughn and Brooks is Iowa State’s Breece Hall, the nation’s leading rusher in 2020. Add in the Texas Longhorns‘ standout freshman Bijan Robinson and the conference is full of playmaking running backs.

During the 2019 season, Brooks led the Sooners in yards after contact with 549. He would also finish second on the team in runs of 10+ yards behind quarterback Jalen Hurts. Brooks will provide a boost to the offense in 2021.

Lincoln Riley confirms RB Kennedy Brooks and DL Jalen Redmond will return for 2021 season

Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley confirmed that running back Kennedy Brooks and defensive lineman Jalen Redmond will return in 2021.

A little less than two weeks ago it was reported that Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks would be returning the Sooners for the 2021 season after electing to opt out of this year.

That report was confirmed by head coach Lincoln Riley on Friday, as well as the impending return of defensive lineman Jalen Redmond, who had also previously opted out of the season.

These were both expected returners for the Sooners, but it is still huge to see it confirmed from Riley. Brooks will more than likely be the top running option on offense while Redmond will certainly be a key contributor on the defensive side.

Brooks ran for over 1,000 yards each season in 2018 and 2019 with 18 total touchdowns, while Redmond had 23 total tackles including 11 for loss with six and a half sacks in the 2019 season. These are obviously big additions to a team that finished out 2020 very strong and will be looking to take the next step to true national title contender status in 2021.

[vertical-gallery id=22284]

Oklahoma DT Jalen Redmond removed from Oklahoma’s roster, no word on opt-out

Oklahoma has only had two players reportedly opt-out of playing in 2020: Kennedy Brooks and Jalen Redmond. Both aren’t on the roster now.

Oklahoma has only had two players reportedly opt-out of playing in 2020: Kennedy Brooks and Jalen Redmond. Neither, though, have said anything about it nor have the Sooners confirmed.

That, though, hasn’t stopped the situation from being clear.

Days after Jason Kersey of the Oklahoman reported that Brooks was opting-out of the season, the Sooners removed him from his online roster. Days after Redmond’s opt-out was reported, he has now been removed from Oklahoma’s online roster.

Sooners Wire can confirm that Redmond, who wore No. 31, was dealing with a shoulder injury that had been lingering since the end of the 2019 season and did not practice much, if it all, during fall camp ahead of the 2020 season. Lincoln Riley told the media in his last appearance that he would not be commenting on players who have opted-out, but would let the player deliver the news if he so chooses.

The Oklahoma native led the Sooners in sacks (6.5) in 2020. Behind him is 2019 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year LaRon Stokes and redshirt freshman Kori Roberson.

Oklahoma is set to kick off the 2020 season against Missouri State on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT at home.

[vertical-gallery id=16867]

Sunday Big 12 Morning Rush: More conference opt outs

The latest Big 12 Conference news from around the globe in the latest Big 12 Morning Rush. USA TODAY Sports and CBS provide the headlines.

The college football season is now just less than a week away for the Big 12 Conference. Well at least for nine of the ten conference teams. The TCU Horned Frogs will have to wait another couple of weeks to get on the football field following their postponement of their opening game. Today’s Big 12 Conference headlines are courtesy of USA TODAY Sports and CBS Sports.

Oklahoma DT Jalen Redmond has reportedly opted-out of 2020 season

According to Sooners Wire, defensive tackle Jalen Redmond is the latest Oklahoma player to opt out of the upcoming season. Their starting running back Kennedy Brooks also opted out earlier during fall camp.

SoonersWire can confirm that Redmond has not practiced much, if it all, throughout this fall camp due to a lingering shoulder injury.

The former four-star recruit from Midwest City suffered from blood clots as a freshman and missed much of the 2018 season. Redmond stormed onto the scene in 2019, leading the team in sacks (6.5) and top three in tackles for loss (11).

Former five-star LSU linebacker Marcel Brooks granted waiver for immediate eligibility at TCU

Despite the fact that the Horned Frogs won’t play until Sept 26, they received some good news over the weekend. Former LSU linebacker who transferred to TCU has been granted immediate eligibility according to Barrett Sallee of CBS Sports.

LSU has seen a mass exodus of players following its 2019 national championship season, and one of its former hotshot recruits now has clarity on his immediate football future. Sophomore linebacker Marcel Brooks, a former five-star prospect in the Class of 2019, announced on Twitter on Friday that he has received immediate eligibility to play for TCU this fall. He originally announced his transfer to the Horned Frogs in mid-July.

Iowa State reverses course and will not allow fans at football season opener

The Iowa State Cyclones were originally set to host fans in their opener on Sept 12, however they have made a change in plans. Travis Hines of the Des Moines Register reported that the school president had a change of heart last week.

“Over the weekend, (university president Wendy) Wintersteen gave our working group the approval to move forward with the plans that were jointly developed,” Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said in a statement released by the school. “Our department announced those plans on Monday, which included allowing fans, who purchased season tickets, to attend the first game.

“President Wintersteen shared with me on Tuesday evening that, after weighing feedback she has received from the community, she has decided to reverse the decision. As a result, we will play the season opener without fans.”

Lincoln Riley focusing on ‘guys that are here’

Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley will be focusing on his team moving forward

Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley will be focusing on his team moving forward.

With COVID-19 sweeping across the sports world, that might not include several players from his roster.

Despite being extremely transparent about the virus affecting his team, Riley wouldn’t disclose any information about players who have allegedly opted out of playing the 2020 season.

“I visited with our leadership group, several of our older players,” Riley told media Tuesday. “Their wish, and I totally agree with it, is that we’re going to keep the focus on our guys that are here. If a player chooses to opt out, obviously that’s their choice. If they want to make an announcement or something, that’s up to the individual.”

So far, only RB Kennedy Brooks has publicly opted out.

Oklahoma has suffered plenty of other setbacks in the form of injures and suspensions. One being Jadon Haselwood, who will more than likely miss the beginning of the season with an ACL injury.

“He’s still around the team,” Riley said. “He’s still out there every single day. He’s still preparing as if he’s going to play tomorrow. He’s in every single meeting, every single walk-through.”

Oklahoma reported 17 positive cases on Monday, but Riley said in his conference that around half of those are no longer active. 

The Sooners are set to kickoff on Sept. 12 versus nonconference opponent Missouri State.

[vertical-gallery id=16867]

Kennedy Brooks no longer on Oklahoma’s roster, no word on opt-out

Junior running back Kennedy Brooks removed from Oklahoma’s 2020 roster after his decision to opt out of the 2020 college football season

Redshirt junior running back Kennedy Brooks was officially removed from Oklahoma’s 2020 roster on Friday. The move comes less than a week after Brooks’ decision to opt out of the 2020 college football season, as reported by The Athletic’s Jason Kersey.

Brooks is the only OU player to opt out thus far. While OU’s offense will certainly look slightly different without its starting RB, there is still reason to believe OU can put together a powerful rushing attack in his asbence.

Brooks, a two-time 1000 yard rusher, was named second-team All-Big 12 last season. He racked up 1011 yards and 6 touchdowns on 155 carries as a sophomore.

As a freshman, he totaled 1056 yards and 12 touchdowns on 119 carries. He was named a USA Today Freshman All-American.

[vertical-gallery id=16867]

Oklahoma’s top running back Kennedy Brooks opts out

Oklahoma’s star running back Kennedy Brooks has informed head coach Lincoln Riley that he will opt out of the 2020 college football season.

On Sunday afternoon the Oklahoma Sooners team was dealt a serious blow to the upcoming season. It was announced by Jason Kersey of the Athletic that two-time 1,000-yard rusher Kennedy Brooks would opt out of the upcoming season. This coming off the heels of the Sooners announcing that nine players had tested positive for COVID-19.

Kennedy Brooks was poised for yet another big season and likely to help out redshirt freshman quarterback Spencer Rattler. The other top running back on the roster Trey Sermon transferred to Ohio State prior to the upcoming season as a graduate. The tough question begins for Lincoln Riley, what now?

According to many in the NFL Draft community, Brooks was viewed as one of the best draft eligible running backs for the 2021 class. He could in theory declare and spend the year prepping for his next move. The Sooners backup Rhamondre Stevenson is under suspension for the first few games. The next man up for Oklahoma would be T.J. Pledger.

Against the Longhorns in 2018, Brooks carried the ball 13 times for 62 yards in both games. This past year he accounted for 105 yards. Pledger will take up the mantle for now. He has 40 career carriers for 244 yards and one touchdown.

Likely Stevenson will take back over once he is re-instated from suspension. In his first season in Norman, he carried the ball 64 times for 515 yards and six touchdowns. It will be interesting to watch how Riley adapts his team after losing one of its top weapons before the season even started.