Tag: Marquis Hayes

Trey McBride, 2 other draft picks sign rookie contracts

The Cardinals now only have their two third-round picks, Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders,

The Arizona Cardinals announced last week that three of their draft picks signed their rookie contracts. Another trio of draft picks has now signed their rookie deals, the team announced Wednesday.

The team announced that second-round pick Trey McBride and seventh-round picks Christian Matthew and Marquis  Hayes signed their four-year rookie contracts.

That leaves only their two third-round selections, linebackers Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders, as their only unsigned draft picks

These are the player bios the Cardinals gave in their press release for the signings.

McBride (6-4, 246) was the John Mackey Award winner in 2021 as the nation’s top tight end after starting all 12 games and finishing with 90 receptions for 1,121 yards, the fifth-most yards by a tight end in FBS history. He was also a unanimous first-team All-American selection last year, becoming the first player in Colorado State history to earn that honor. McBride appeared in 40 games (32 starts) in his college career and had 164 receptions for 2,100 yards and 10 touchdowns. He established school career and single-season records for receptions, receiving yards and 100-yard performances (8) by a tight end. A Fort Morgan, CO native, McBride was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Mountain West Conference selection while at Colorado State.

Matthew (6-2, 195) played in 42 games during his collegiate career at Georgia Southern (2016), Samford (2018-19) and Valdosta State (2021) and finished with 85 tackles, two interceptions, 22 passes defensed, a half sack and a blocked kick. Last year at Valdosta State, Matthew helped lead the Blazers to an appearance in the Division II National Championship game after appearing in 14 contests and collecting 37 tackles (26 solo), one interception and 15 passes defensed. A Columbus, GA native, Matthew played in 19 games at Samford and appearing in nine games at Georgia Southern as a freshman in 2016. 

Hayes (6-5, 318) played in 40 games (37 starts) at Oklahoma and was a three-year starter with the Sooners. In 2021, he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors after starting all 13 games at left guard and helping Oklahoma average 451.5 yards per game and finish with 62 total touchdowns. As a junior in 2020, Hayes started all 11 games and allowed just two sacks on 416 pass-blocking plays according to Pro Football Focus. In 2019, he started all 13 games and helped the Sooners make the College Football Playoff. A St. Louis, MO native, Hayes was a first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection as both a junior and senior. 

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Trio of Oklahoma Sooners considered NFL draft ‘steals’ by the Draft Wire

The NFL draft has come and gone and three Oklahoma Sooners were considered steals by Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling.

Every year the NFL draft provides surprises. At least based on where draft analysts believe prospects will land in the draft. This year was no different as several players fell below the consensus rankings, becoming value picks for the team that selected them.

As they continue their analysis of the 2022 NFL draft, the Draft Wire of USA TODAY Sports took a look at the steals of the draft, and three Oklahoma Sooners were featured on their list: [autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag], [autotag]Perrion Winfrey[/autotag], and [autotag]Marquis Hayes[/autotag].

Bonitto was one of the more polished players going into the draft, but a perceived lack of size and position fit made him a second-round prospect seemingly from the get-go. As we’ve seen in years past, great players can often be slept on by NFL teams only for 31 of them to regret not taking a shot on a player that turned out to be a star.

[autotag]Creed Humphrey[/autotag] is the most recent example of how the league missed on a prospect. He fell to No. 64 in the 2021 NFL draft but was arguably the best center in the NFL in 2022. Were it not for the position he plays, he could have had real consideration for NFL offensive rookie of the year.

Nik Bonitto falling to the end of the second represents a great value pick for the Denver Broncos. He could have been taken at the top of the second round and it would have been a good pick with his pass-rush ability. Now he heads to the Broncos looking to repeat what Humphrey did in 2021 and that’s outplay his draft slot.

Arguably the biggest surprise among Oklahoma Sooners drafted was Perrion Winfrey’s slide into the top of the fourth round. From his Senior Bowl performance, which earned him MVP honors, Winfrey was looking like a top 100 prospect. That wasn’t to be the case as he slid through the third round into the fourth.

The Cleveland Browns took the defensive line prospect, who will come into the league with an extra-large chip on his shoulder ready to go to work on a defensive line that features Myles Garrett. The intensity and energy they bring to Cleveland will have that pass rush humming, causing problems for the AFC North.

Finally, Marquis Hayes went way later than projections and mock drafts had him going in the build-up to the 2022 NFL draft. Ranked by Matt Miller of ESPN as a top 70 prospect, Hayes fell to the end of the seventh round and was selected No. 257 by the Arizona Cardinals. Hayes brings a tenacity and physical presence to the interior with size to match. He’ll begin his NFL career as a rotational interior offensive lineman, but with some work could develop into a starter in the league.

It’s no surprise that the several Sooners were slept on in the draft. The Big 12 doesn’t carry the same reputation for level of competition as the SEC and the Big 10 and it shows in the number of players drafted from each conference. But these three Sooners, and the others that landed on teams, will show that the University of Oklahoma produces NFL talent.

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USA TODAY Sports NFL Wire sites said about Oklahoma Sooners and their new teams

Taking a look at what USA TODAY Sports NFL Wire sites had to say about each of the Oklahoma Sooners 2022 NFL draft picks.

The Oklahoma Sooners had a great draft weekend with seven players selected in the 2022 NFL draft. Though they didn’t have a first round pick, the seven selections are the most they’ve had since the 2019 NFL draft when eight Sooners were selected.

Nik Bonitto was the first player selected at No. 64 by the Denver Broncos. Joining him in the Mile High City is safety Delarrin Turner-Yell, who was taken in the fifth round at pick No. 152.

Brian Asamoah was the second-highest selection for the Sooners this year, coming off the board two picks after Bonitto at No. 64 to the Vikings.

The Cleveland Browns were also in the business of adding Oklahoma Sooners to the roster. They drafted three players in Perrion Winfrey, Isaiah Thomas, and Michael Woods. Winfrey was one of the biggest surprises, lasting until the fourth round. In the build-up to the draft, it was felt he was a second-round prospect.

Marquis Hayes, who was a steal for the Arizona Cardinals joins forces with Marquise Brown and Kyler Murray. Brown was sent to the Cardinals after a draft-night trade in the first round.

USATODAY Sports provides coverage for all 32 NFL teams in addition to the number of college sites like this one. Let’s look at what they had to say about the Oklahoma Sooners’ seven draft selections.

Sooners OL Tyrese Robinson signs with Washington Commanders as UDFA

Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Tyrese Robinson signs with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent.

The guy who had one the best names for Oklahoma Public Announcer Jim Miller to introduce in pregame at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is off to the nation’s capital. Tyrese Robinson has signed with the newly-named Washington Commanders.

Robinson didn’t generate much buzz as a draft prospect, and wasn’t rated highly among a crowded offensive line class. Washington came into the draft with a good but not great offensive line with incumbent starters at each position. However, you can never have enough depth and Robinson will be competing for one of those spots.

Robinson played 2021 out of position, as he played all season at right tackle when he should’ve been playing at guard.

Much like the rest of the Sooners’ O-Line, Robinson struggled without the presence of Creed Humphrey. He didn’t get much push past the line of scrimmage in the run game in 2021 at tackle.

As of now, the only other O-Line prospect the Commanders have brought in is Tulsa’s Chris Paul, who also plays guard. Washington took Paul in the seventh round with the 230th pick.

With Robinson and Marquis Hayes now on NFL teams, both of OU’s 2022 O-Line draft prospects have found homes at the next level.

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Sooners to the NFL: Where did Oklahoma’s draft prospects end up after the 2022 NFL draft?

Where did each Oklahoma Sooners draft prospect end up after the 2022 NFL draft weekend?

The Oklahoma Sooners had seven players taken in the 2022 NFL draft. That was tied with Alabama for fifth-most draft picks in this year’s draft. Georgia led the way with 15 picks while the SEC continued its dominance of sending players to the draft. They had 17 more draft selections than the Big 10 and 40 more players picked than the Big 12.

The Sooners didn’t hear a name called in the first round, which wasn’t surprising based on the way the players were ranked or being selected in mock drafts leading up to this weekend.

It was a long wait but finally, with the last pick of the second round, Nik Bonitto came off the board to the Denver Broncos. That last pick of the second round also happens to be the same pick in which the Kansas City Chiefs selected Creed Humphrey the year before. Will Bonitto have a similar impact in his rookie season?

In total, 11 of the 12 Oklahoma Sooners prospects have found new teams. Seven draft picks and four as undrafted free agents. The only one left without a new home at the moment is Gabe Brkic. An NFL team will likely bring him in for a tryout in the next few weeks or during training camp to compete for a kicking job.

Let’s look at where each Sooner will be making their new home.

Sooners OL Marquis Hayes selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL Draft

Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Marquis Hayes selected No. 257 in the 2022 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals.

The Oklahoma Sooners might have started slow with No first rounders in the 2022 NFL draft, but they picked up steam on Friday and Saturday. As the seventh round winds down, their top offensive lineman, Marquis Hayes, was taken No. 257 overall by the Arizona Cardinals.

After a long and illustrious career with the Sooners, Hayes reunited with former teammates Kyler Murray and Marquis Brown.

Hayes, a three-year starter for some of the best offenses college football has seen, started at both left guard and right tackle during his tenure with the Oklahoma Sooners. He played more than 2,400 snaps during his time in Norman, becoming a reliable starter for Bill Bedenbaugh in 2019.

Despite his late draft slot, his versatility, experience, and demeanor will give him the opportunity to stick in the NFL long-term.

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Cardinals wrap up draft taking EDGE Jesse Luketa, OL Marquis Hayes with final 2 picks

The Cardinals use their final two selections on another edge defender and another offensive lineman.

The Arizona Cardinals had three seventh-round selections in the 2022 draft and the final two were consecutive picks at No. 256 and No. 257. With those final two selections, they added another edge defender and offensive lineman.

With the 256th pick, they selected Penn State defensive end Jesse Luketa, who was the pass rusher opposite Arnold Ebiketie.

With the 257th, they took Oklahoma lineman Marquis Hayes.

Luketa played linebacker until 2021, when he moved to defensive end. He is 6-3 and 253 lbs. He only had half a sack in 2021 and 8.5 tackles for loss. He did have an interception that he returned for a touchdown.

He was a team captain and plays with high motor. He played well at the Senior Bowl.

Hayes was a teammate of Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and receiver Marquise Brown in 2018, although Hayes did not play that season. He is 6-5 and 318 lbs and played in the Senior Bowl as well.

He played left guard for the Sooners but got some work at the Senior Bowl at right guard.

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Where Oklahoma Sooners prospects rank heading into Day 3 of the 2022 NFL draft

After Nik Bonitto and Brian Asamoah were taken on Day 2, there are several Sooners still available for the final day of the 2022 NFL draft.

Heading into Day 3 of the 2022 NFL draft, several Sooners have yet to hear their name called. The only real surprise is Perrion Winfrey, who was projected to go in the top 100 picks by nearly every mock draft we’ve evaluated over the last four months.

Whoever takes the talented defensive line prospect is going to get a steal.

But the Sooners have several really good players remaining on the board that could impact teams in Year 1. [autotag]Isaiah Thomas[/autotag], [autotag]Kennedy Brooks[/autotag], [autotag]Marquis Hayes[/autotag] and [autotag]Delarrin Turner-Yell[/autotag] would provide solid depth and could develop into starters at the NFL level.

[autotag]Gabe Brkic[/autotag] could kick for a number of NFL teams, but kicker is one of those positions that doesn’t always get drafted. The same goes for [autotag]Jeremiah Hall[/autotag]. He could be a starting fullback in the NFL, but will teams value the position enough to spend a draft pick.

[autotag]Michael Woods[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyrese Robinson[/autotag] can help some teams, but they may have their choice of teams as undrafted free agents.

Let’s take a look at the remaining Oklahoma Sooners draft prospects, and how they ranked according to Dane Brugler, Matt Miller and Bleacher Report.

6 Oklahoma 2022 NFL draft prospects on Bleacher Reports Top 300

The day has finally arrived for the 12 Oklahoma Sooners who declared for the 2022 NFL draft. The Oklahoma Sooners will be well-represented through the seven-round and 262 picks over the three-day event in Las Vegas. The guy most likely to be picked …

The day has finally arrived for the 12 Oklahoma Sooners who declared for the 2022 NFL draft. The Oklahoma Sooners will be well-represented through the seven-round and 262 picks over the three-day event in Las Vegas.

The guy most likely to be picked first is edge rusher Nik Bonitto. The Sooners star was Oklahoma’s best defender the last two seasons. Though he may not get his name called on night one of the draft, Bonitto will most assuredly get selected Friday night.

Perrion Winfrey and Brian Asamoah will likely join Bonitto in being a Friday night selection, though recent mock drafts have them going in the third round.

In the top 300 released by Bleacher Report’s draft analysts, a new Oklahoma player stands out among Sooners prospects.

Marquis Hayes was their highest-ranked Sooner coming in at No. 61. The project him to be a starter at the NFL level. His experience and physicality are traits that NFL teams love. And there’s plenty of tape of him moving in space as a part of Lincoln Riley’s rushing attack.

Could this ranking from Bleacher Report signify Hayes as a potential second round target for teams?

In all, six Oklahoma Sooners were ranked within their top 300. Missing were Kennedy Brooks, Michael Woods, Tyrese Robinson, Jeremiah Hall, and LaRon Stokes, and Gabe Brkic.

The only player that hasn’t shown up in mock drafts this spring is Stokes, whose limited playing time and production put a damper on an athletic player who could grow into a player in the USFL or XFL

As you get ready for the NFL draft, take a look at how Bleacher Report ranked the Oklahoma Sooners draft prospects.