Tag: Quentin Johnston

Could upcoming quarterbacks provide fatal blow for Oklahoma’s 2022 season?

The letdown against Kansas State revealed what could be a problem for the Oklahoma Sooners over the next three weeks, according to ESPN’s Bill Connelly.

One would think after the way Oklahoma played against [autotag]Casey Thompson[/autotag] and the Nebraska Cornhuskers that the Sooners would be trending toward an elite defense this season. That thought was quickly dashed on the opening two drives in OU’s loss to Kansas State. The Wildcats putting up 14 points before the Sooners could catch their breath.

It was a startling start to the game in Brent Venables’ first Big 12 game. Perhaps more surprising was that the defense couldn’t sustain their play from a stretch where they forced three-straight three and outs. Kansas State adjusted and executed better than Oklahoma did on their way to their second straight win in Norman over the Sooners.

While the season is far from over, the loss brings into focus a potential problem for the Oklahoma Sooners as they dig into conference play. The defense may still have a long way to go.

In his assessment of the fatal fall for each of the top 16 playoff contenders, ESPN’s Bill Connelly had this to say about the Oklahoma Sooners (ESPN+). Yes, Connelly still considers the Sooners a playoff contender, even if the probability dropped significantly last week.

Brent Venables’ first OU squad was rounding into form before Kansas State came to town. The Wildcats won for the sixth time in their past 11 trips to Norman, their 41-34 victory driven primarily by the fact that they were almost always ahead of the chains. Quarterback Adrian Martinez and KSU averaged 6.7 yards per play on first down and dropped Oklahoma to 70th in success rate allowed. The Sooners aren’t allowing many big plays — aside from Martinez’s spectacular, game-clinching 55-yard scramble, anyway — but they aren’t creating uncomfortable downs and distances for opponents. It caught up to them once, and the Sooners can’t let it happen twice.

The next three quarterbacks on the OU schedule, by the way? TCU’s Max Duggan (currently ninth in Total QBR), Texas’ Hudson Card (36th) or Quinn Ewers, and Kansas’ Jalon Daniels (first). All rank ahead of Martinez. – Connelly, ESPN

Neither Hudson Card nor Max Duggan appears capable of putting together an Adrian Martinez-type performance against the Oklahoma Sooners. Yes, Duggan can run, but he’s not going to be able to break tackles in the same way Martinez did Saturday night. Both quarterbacks have the weapons on the outside and in the running game to make life incredibly difficult for the Oklahoma Sooners defense.

And then there’s Jalon Daniels, who is playing like a Heisman candidate for the Kansas Jayhawks. That doesn’t even mention Spencer Sanders who’s looked a lot like the guy who threw all over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl earlier this year.

The Big 12 schedule is chock-full of potential pitfalls for the Oklahoma Sooners. They have to improve, and that starts Saturday against TCU. A better showing against Duggan, Kendre Miller, Quentin Johnston, and the Horned Frogs would provide a huge confidence boost for the rest of the season.

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TCU’s Quentin Johnston has the goods to tempt Packers to end first-round WR drought

TCU wide receiver and 2023 draft prospect Quentin Johnston is a player to watch for Packers fans during this college football season.

The Green Bay Packers ended a drought during the 2022 NFL Draft. With the selection of Quay Walker, it marked the first time that the Packers selected an off-the-ball linebacker in the first round since the late Ted Thompson selected A.J. Hawk with the fifth overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. A number of forces could see the Packers end another drought in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

It’s been well documented that the Packers haven’t drafted a wide receiver in the first round since they selected Javon Walker with the 20th overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. 

With Randall Cobb, Sammy Watkins, and Allen Lazard all set to be free agents following the upcoming season, the Packers could look to add a first-round wide receiver to the young core that consists of rookie wide receivers, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure. 

If Brian Gutekunst opts to add another playmaker to the mix, a wide receiver Green Bay’s general manager could target in the first round is TCU’s Quentin Johnston. 

At 6-4, 215 pounds, with freaky athleticism, Johnson has all the tools to be a team’s No. 1 wide receiver. 

During his first year on campus, the former four-star recruit hauled in 22 receptions for 487 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 22.1 yards per reception, the highest mark in Big 12 history for a freshman. In eight games last season the TCU wide receiver recorded 33 receptions for 634 yards and six touchdowns. 

With Sonny Dykes now calling the shots, Johnston could be in store for a monster season in what will likely be his final season at TCU. 

“He had 22 catches as a freshman and 33 last year,” Steven Johnson, the TCU beat writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram said. “I think he could easily reach 50 this year and top 1,000 yards. He’s averaged 20.4 yards per catch in his career. That number might drop a little bit as TCU will use him in more ways in the short and intermediate game, but I think overall he’ll have a breakout year and solidify himself as a potential first-rounder.”

With his size and 4.4 speed, Johnston challenges cornerbacks vertically and eats up grass with his long strides. He has outstanding body control at the catch point and climbs the ladder to get the ball at the highest point. 

Johnston is a big-play threat. For his career, he’s averaged 20.4 yards per reception. According to Pro Football Focus, Johnston recorded 16 receptions of 15-plus yards last season. His ability to create explosive plays is his trump card.

“I think it starts with his ability to create separation and also hit his top speed rather quickly that helps in these situations,” Johnson said. “He’s a long strider, so it may not look like he’s running as fast as he actually is. When the ball is in play Johnston is usually stronger and longer than the opposing defensive back which is why he wins so much in these situations. His speed allows him to not be a receiver that relies on just winning contested catches though.”

With his size and quickness, Johnston is a terror in space for opposing defenses. He’s a load to take down for defensive backs and if he makes the first man miss he could be making a house call. According to PFF, Johnston has an average of 7.7 yards after the catch for his career and has forced 25 missed tackles. A pretty good clip for a wide receiver that only has 55 career receptions.

“I think it’s his size,” Johnson said. “He has really good wiggle for a receiver his size. For example, at practice on Monday, he caught a curl route, hit a quick spin move to left, and looked like he was about to take off on the defense.”

For a man of his size, he’s got the lower body flexibility of a smaller wide receiver. He’s able to drop his hips at the top of his routes and explode in and out of his breaks. In Garrett Riley’s offense, he’ll look to expand his route tree this fall. 

“It’s an area where I think he’s been focusing on improving the most,” Johnson said. “The arrival of Sonny Dykes and Garrett Riley should help him in this area as he’ll be asked to do more by an offensive-minded staff. We know what he can do on the deep routes, but creating separation with his route running and not just his speed is the next step for him this year.”

Johnston is an alpha. He has all the tools to become a star wide receiver at the next level. He’s a long, explosive athlete with a huge catch radius. With his ability to win vertically and make plays after the catch, Johnston has the goods to tempt Brian Gutekunst to take a wide receiver in the first round for the first time since 2002. 

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2023 NFL draft film room: TCU WR Quentin Johnston

See for yourself what makes TCU’s Quentin Johnston one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2023 NFL draft

It’s never too early to look ahead to the next group of top prospects, so if you’re looking to get a head start on the 2023 NFL draft class, we’ve got you covered.

What makes TCU’s Quentin Johnston one of next year’s top wide receiver prospects?

Watch the tape and see for yourself:

Best player the Oklahoma Sooners will face each week during the 2022 season

Who are the best players the Oklahoma Sooners will face each week during the 2022 season?

Looking at ESPN’s matchup predictor for the 2022 season, the Oklahoma Sooners are the projected favorite in all but one game; the Red River Showdown. Though there’s been a lot of turnover in Norman, the talent level is still quite high. That doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges, like week three on the road in Lincoln, or the Red River Showdown, but the Sooners will once again be one of the teams in contention for the Big 12 title.

Along the road to return to Arlington for the Big 12 championship game, the Sooners will have to contend with some talented individuals in the conference. Most teams won’t have the depth of talent that the Sooners have, but they have talented individuals that can make life difficult Oklahoma each week.

With the season opener against the UTEP Miners 30 days away, let’s take a look at the best player the Sooners will face each week during the 2022 college football season.

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel named to Walter Camp Player of the Year award watch list

In addition to the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien, Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel was named to the Walter Camp award watch list.

When you’re the quarterback at the [autotag]University of Oklahoma[/autotag], the expectations are high. In addition to being named to the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell award watch lists, Oklahoma Sooners quarterback [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] was added to the Walter Camp Player of the Year award watch list.

Oklahoma is tied for second all-time in Walter Camp Player of the Year awards with four. USC is No. 1 in the country with six, including inaugural award winner O.J. Simpson.

Former Sooners who’ve won the award are [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] (2017), [autotag]Josh Heupel[/autotag] (2000), [autotag]Billy Sims[/autotag] (1978), and [autotag]Steve Owens[/autotag] (1969).

Garbiel is joined by eight other players from the Big 12 and a few familiar faces at quarterback on the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list.

How does College Football News see Oklahoma’s 2022 season playing out?

College Football News predicted each game for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2022. Where do they see OU stumbling?

Under two months from the Oklahoma Sooners season opener against the UTEP Miners and the time for predictions and prognostications has arrived.

Eager to bounce back from their disappointing 2021 season and open a new chapter of Oklahoma football, Brent Venables will be looking to build upon the foundation set by Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley.

The folks over at College Football News predicted every game in the Big 12 and who would make the conference championship game. How did the Sooners fare in their 2022 predictions? Let’s take a walk through their schedule and see how College Football News predicted each game this season.

Oklahoma Sooners will face 2 of the most explosive players in 2022 according to 247Sports

The Oklahoma Sooners defense will be tasked with figuring out how to slow down two of 247Sports’ most explosive players heading into 2022.

The Big 12 might have taken on a more defensive approach in recent seasons, but there are still a ton of incredible offensive talents that the Oklahoma Sooners will have to contend with in 2022.

Brad Crawford of 247Sports ranked the seven most explosive players in college football. The Oklahoma Sooners have experience with two of those players, but will have to worry about them again in 2022; Deuce Vaughn of Kansas State and Xavier Worthy of Texas.

Worthy came in at No. 2 on the list while Vaughn came in at No. 3. Both are worthy additions to a list headlined by Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Sooners fans became very familiar with Worthy on the opening play of the Red River Showdown in 2021 when the Texas wide receiver took a screen 75 yards for a touchdown to open the game. He’d kill Oklahoma that day with nine receptions for 261 yards and two touchdowns.

Here’s what Crawford had to say about Worthy:

Depending on who you ask, [autotag]Xavier Worthy[/autotag] might be the fastest wideout in college football. No one runs the fly better than the Longhorns’ top threat and Big 12 coaching staffs are well aware of his exploits down the field and believe he’s the most terrifying player in the conference from a he-can-score-from-anywhere standpoint. Worth averaged 15.8 yards per catch and scored 12 touchdowns as a freshman in 2021, highlighted by a mammoth 261-yard outing against Oklahoma. He is Steve Sarkisian’s new DeVonta Smith, and the Texas braintrust will work to get him as many touches as possible this season in space. – Crawford, 247Sports

Worthy announced his presence with authority in 2021. Deuce Vaughn, on the other hand, the Sooners have a couple of years of familiarity with.

In Kansas State’s win in 2020, Vaughn had eight carries for 35 yards and caught four passes for 129 yards, and a touchdown, including this big catch and run:

In 2021, Oklahoma still struggled to stop Vaughn in the passing game, this time catching 10 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. He also ran the ball 15 times for 51 yards.

The Sooners under defensive coordinator Alex Grinch were able to slow Vaughn down in the running game, but couldn’t figure out how to contain him as a receiver. Maybe Brent Venables and Ted Roof will have more answers on how to slow down Vaughn in 2022.

Here’s what Crawford had to say about the electric running back:

It comes as no surprise that Kansas State’s [autotag]Deuce Vaughn[/autotag] was one of the nation’s leaders in broken tackles forced last season. He’s 5-foot-6, 170 pounds and shifty as any player in the Power Five ranks. Over his first two seasons with the Wildcats, Vaughn has averaged 5.7 yards per carry and doubled his total number of catches as a sophomore compared to 2020. Kansas State does a very good job of centering its game plan around his touches and with Nebraska transfer quarterback Adrain Martinez this season, that’s a speed-rich offense. Vaughan tallied 22 total touchdowns as a second-year starter and 1,872 yards from scrimmage. – Crawford, 247Sports

Though they didn’t make the list, Quentin Johnston of TCU and Xavier Hutchinson of Iowa State will be explosive playmakers the Sooners will have to deal with as well.

Oklahoma wide receiver [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] is certainly an explosive player that the Sooners’ opponents will look to get the ball to. He’s averaged 19.1 yards per reception over his first two seasons at OU, including 22 yards per reception in 2022. He’s a dangerous player who can win deep at any moment.

Oklahoma’s defense may have lost a lot of talent from the 2021 squad, but there will be a different level of intensity coming with this defense. This unit has a lot of guys to be excited about, we simply haven’t seen them in full-time roles on the defense. They’ll have a lot to prove come September. Most notably, they have to prove they can slow down Xavier Worthy and Deuce Vaughn better than their former teammates.

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6 Sooners make Athlon Sports’ All-Big 12 second team ahead of 2022 season

With an early look at the 2022 season, 6 Oklahoma Sooners were named to Athlon Sports All-Big 12 second team.

Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff did a great job at addressing immediate needs in the transfer portal. Finding starters and rotational players to replace the guys they lost will help the Sooners stay in contention in the Big 12 and potentially for a playoff spot.

The new coaching staff combined with the addition of Dillon Gabriel has the Sooners projected to be one of the top teams in the Big 12 three months ahead of the 2022 season. At the same time, a lot of the optimism is in projecting how the new additions and the guys rising up the depth chart will do with increased opportunities.

Looking ahead to the 2022 season, Athlon Sports named their 2022 All-Big 12 first and second teams. The Oklahoma Sooners had six players selected to the second team and no first-team selections. Zero.

Dillon Gabriel, Marvin Mims, Anton Harrison, Jalen Redmond, Danny Stutsman, and DaShaun White were named to Athlon’s All-Big 12 second team.

It’s understandable how the Sooners might not get [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] in as a first-team wide receiver. Xavier Worthy, Quentin Johnston, and Xavier Hutchinson are really good players. Mims is in the mix and there’s certainly an argument to be made for his inclusion, but those three guys are just as talented and Worthy and Hutchinson have the production to go along with the talent.

Where an argument can be made is with Spencer Sanders as the first-team quarterback. Sure, I wrote about how Sanders could be a problem for Oklahoma in 2022 and he’s coming off of an incredible game against Notre Dame and was the first-team quarterback selection in 2021. But are we sure he can maintain the consistency needed to be the top quarterback in the conference again in 2022?

Of course, [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag], who was the second-team quarterback hasn’t played a snap in the Big 12, but he’s had a ton of success in his career and his work against the Power Five is pretty solid. In games against Stanford, Pittsburgh, and Georgia Tech, UCF was 2-1 and Gabriel averaged 367 yards passing, threw 10 touchdowns, just two interceptions, and completed 65% of his passes.

[autotag]Anton Harrison[/autotag] also made the second team and has received a lot of first-round buzz in early mock drafts for 2023. He’ll be relied upon to anchor the Oklahoma Sooners’ offensive line as it looks for a bounceback season in 2022.

The Sooners also had three defensive players selected to the second-team. [autotag]Jalen Redmond[/autotag], [autotag]DaShaun White[/autotag], and [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] lead the way for a Sooners defense that is looking to replace five NFL draft picks and a starter in [autotag]Patrick Fields[/autotag] who went to Stanford as a grad transfer. The talent is there, but it’s largely unproven.

White and Stutsman will be expected to take on bigger roles at linebacker along with [autotag]David Ugwoegbu[/autotag] while Redmond will look to put together a big 2022 with [autotag]Perrion Winfrey[/autotag] gone.

[autotag]Brayden Willis[/autotag], [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag], and [autotag]Key Lawrence[/autotag] were named to the third team while [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Murray[/autotag], and [autotag]Reggie Grimes[/autotag] were selected to the fourth team.

With 13 selections, the Sooners were behind Texas, Oklahoma State and Baylor, who each had 14 players named to the four All-Big 12 teams.

There’s a buzz surrounding the Oklahoma Sooners, who have been considered the favorite in the conference despite all of the turnover on both sides of the ball. A testament to the addition of Gabriel and the new coaching staff, the Sooners might have questions to answer when the 2022 season gets underway, but there’s a lot of optimism about this roster.

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College Football News win total projections for Oklahoma and the Big 12

Win Projections for the Oklahoma Sooners and the Big 12 according to College Football News.

The Oklahoma Sooners head into the summer as favorites to win the Big 12. It’s a familiar place for Oklahoma, which had won six straight conference titles before failing to reach the Big 12 championship game last year for the first time since it was reinstated in 2017.

But being the favorite doesn’t guarantee anything as we witnessed last season. The Big 12 has gotten better. Nine teams can provide trouble for each other, and, as we saw last year, even Kansas is on the rise.

Remember that time Kansas beat Texas? That was awesome.

In Brent Venables’ first year as a head coach, the expectations for the Oklahoma Sooners remain unchanged. Winning the conference is the first goal. The hope is the Sooners do that in such a way that it positions them for a college football playoff berth.

Though Oklahoma will have to prove it each week on the field, it looks like the team to beat heading into 2022. Much like recent power rankings from national outlets have indicated, College Football News gives the Sooners the highest win projection in the Big 12 for the 2022 season.

Let’s take a look at how the Big 12 shakes out according to College Football News’ win projections.

Pair of Oklahoma Sooners in Athlon Sports 10 Big 12 players to watch for 2023 NFL draft

Garnering first-round buzz in way-too-early 2023 NFL mock drafts, Marvin Mims and Anton Harrison are two of Athlon Sports Big 12 players to watch in 2022.

A lot has been made of the Big 12’s lack of first-round selections in the 2021 and 2022 NFL drafts. While it was the second-straight draft without a first round pick from the Big 12, don’t expect that run to go to three straight drafts. The Oklahoma Sooners have a pair of players who’ve already seen some buzz in way-too-early 2023 mock drafts. Wide receiver Marvin Mims and offensive tackle Anton Harrison.

Looking ahead to the 2022 college football season, the Big 12 has a lot of talented players to watch this year. Bijan Robinson, Quentin Johnston, and Deuce Vaughn provide some high-end talent that could get the Big 12 multiple picks in the first round in 2023.

Kyle Kensing of Athlon Sports took a look at 10 players to watch in the Big 12 in 2022 ahead of the 2023 NFL draft and he included [autotag]Anton Harrison[/autotag] and [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag].

Here’s what Kensing had to say.

One big reason — literally and figuratively — to assume the Big 12 will not again be shut out of the NFL draft’s first round is Harrison. The star bookend for Oklahoma’s potent offense may well be the first tackle taken next year. – Kensing, Athlon Sports

Harrison is a bit of a surprise after starting just one season for the Sooners. He’s certainly a talented player, he just needs to put together a dominant 2022 to be considered the top offensive lineman in the draft like he was in Pro Football Focus’ mock draft.

Kensing is equally high on Mims who is looking for the first 1,000-yard season in his collegiate career.

The All-Big 12 selection and electrifying big-play threat could well be a top-10 pick come next spring. Mims maximized his opportunities in 2021, offering up a sampling of his explosiveness. In 2022, expect much more production from Mims as he gets to showcase more of his reliable hands, speed and ball IQ. – Kensing, Athlon Sports

Mims isn’t much of a surprise as the Sooners leading receiver over the last two seasons. He’s expected to have an even more productive year in 2022 as the lead guy in the receiving corps.

Despite the losses to the NFL and the transfer portal, Oklahoma has a talented roster that should have them in contention for the Big 12 and perhaps a spot in the College Football Playoff. For them to get back to the top of the conference, they’ll need big seasons from Mims and Harrison on the offensive side of the ball.

For the two Sooners to be in consideration in next year’s first-round, they’ll need to have big seasons as well.

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