The status of OU’s best defensive player for the first five games of the season is still unknown, as well as two others that are suspended.
The status of Oklahoma’s best defensive player for the first five games of the season is still up in the air.
Ronnie Perkins was suspended for the Peach Bowl due to failing a marijuana drug test after the regular season. Trejan Bridges and Rhamondre Stevenson also received the same suspension.
A suspension for a failed drug test is 50 percent of team competition. That means the three are set to miss the first five games of 2020 after missing the one game in 2019. Oklahoma applied for an appeal, but Lincoln Riley told members of the media on Thursday that there is still no update on their status for the first five games of 2020.
“I think that’s fair to say, that all of this has probably slowed this process down,” Riley said. “It’s still being discussed. I don’t think it’s going to get left unattended to, but I do believe it’s fair to say that has slowed it down. There’s obviously other priorities that are a lot higher right now for the people that make those decisions.”
Oklahoma has a major hole at defensive end and depth problems at running back and wide receiver—where each of the three suspended players play.
With a current four-straight Big 12 Championship’s, Oklahoma is again the clear favorite on BetMGM at -110.
Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Vegas is still pushing out lines for seasons that could eventually be on hold. With four-straight Big 12 Championship’s, Oklahoma is again the clear favorite to win the conference at -110, per BetMGM.
Despite sending another promising crop of star-studded players to the NFL Draft, the Sooners have several returning players that will aid in the quest of another conference championship. Creed Humphrey will anchor an offensive line that has bolstered a top offense for several years, and will be looking to do the same next year. Jadon Haselwood will be looking for a much bigger role with CeeDee Lamb moving on to the NFL and Kennedy Brooks will look to continue to average a ludicrous amount of yards per carry. Ronnie Perkins and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell will return to command a defense that took tremendous strides under defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.
Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.
Texas follows Oklahoma with second best odds to win the conference at +130. After posting an 8-5 record in 2019, Sam Ehlinger will return for his senior year with the Longhorns to help commandeer the offense.
Oklahoma State has third-best odds at +800. Star’s Chuba Hubbard and Tylan Wallace are bypassing the NFL and returning for the Cowboys, and Spencer Sanders will have nearly a full year of experience at quarterback in his second season.
Here are the full odds for the conference:
Oklahoma -110
Texas +130
Oklahoma State +800
Iowa State +1600
Baylor +2500
West Virginia +2500
Kansas State +3500
TCU +4000
Texas Tech +8000
Kansas +12500
*Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
The Sooners’ spring football is set to begin on Tuesday where expectations can’t be higher.
Oklahoma’s offseason will take a quick break.
The Sooners’ spring football is set to begin on Tuesday where expectations can’t be higher.
Oklahoma will begin the 2020 season less than six months from now and will get plenty of practice this spring for it. Lincoln Riley will be working through position battles at quarterback and left tackle as Alex Grinch will be finding replacements for Neville Gallimore, Kenneth Murray and Parnell Motley.
Here are the five key returners from the 2019 team heading into the 2020 spring.
CREED HUMPHREY
Oct 12, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Creed Humphrey (56) wears the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The 6-foot-5, 316 pound center was the glue of Oklahoma’s offensive line in 2019.
Creed Humphrey explored NFL Draft possibilities after his redshirt sophomore season, but chose to return to Norman, Oklahoma, as one of four returning starters off of the 2019 offensive line. He’ll be the only returning Rimington Trophy finalist from a year ago.
Oklahoma’s never had a Rimington Trophy winner before.
RONNIE PERKINS
Nov 23, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Ronnie Perkins (7) reacts during the fourth quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The status of Ronnie Perkins for the first five games of the 2020 season is still up in the air, but the talent can’t be denied.
There were no other indicators for Perkins’ impact in 2019 than the Peach Bowl game he missed. Neville Gallimore was taking on triple teams as LSU was able to single block against any defensive end on the field in pass protection.
Perkins made 38 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as a sophomore.
DELARRIN TURNER-YELL
Oct 26, 2019; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Wykeen Gill (21) is tackled by Oklahoma Sooners safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (32) during the first quarter of a game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Much the same for Delarrin Turner-Yell.
LSU attacked replacement Justin Broiles for majority of the College Football Playoff semifinal. Turner-Yell became a key piece to what Alex Grinch was able put together in his first season as defensive coordinator for Oklahoma.
He made 75 tackles in 2019, including 5.5 for loss. Turner-Yell missed the Peach Bowl after breaking his collarbone during practice for the game. His status for the spring has not been determined.
JADON HASELWOOD
Sep 1, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jadon Haselwood (11) in action during the game against the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
When you talked to Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb throughout the 2019 season, one of the trio of five-star freshmen receivers stood out more than the others.
Jadon Haselwood had a promising year one in a backup role behind Lamb, who is going to be the first or second wide receiver off the board come NFL Draft time in late April. The Georgia native should plug right into Lamb’s role in 2020 in an offense better suited for receivers.
GABE BRKIC
Nov 16, 2019; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners place kicker Gabe Brkic (47) kicks the game winning field goal against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Da Kicka.
Don’t expect Gabe Brkic to go perfect again in his sophomore season, but Oklahoma should be comfortable at the kicking position once again.
A Freshman All-American by the Athletic and Football Writers Association of America, Brkic went 17-for-17 on field goal attempts and 52 for 52 on PATs in 2019.
Lincoln Riley named Shane Beamer his special teams coordinator at his press conference on Wednesday.
Lincoln Riley named Shane Beamer his special teams coordinator at his press conference on Wednesday.
Lincoln Riley said Shane Beamer would take a bigger role with special teams but that special teams would be more of a collaborative effort this season #Sooners
The vacancy came open due to Jay Boulware’s departure to Texas. Boulware spent seven seasons with the Sooners, acting as Oklahoma’s running backs and special teams coach.
Riley has not given the special teams coaching role to anyone yet. Along with Beamer, cornerbacks coach Roy Manning has spent time coaching special teams in his lone season at UCLA. New running backs coach DeMarco Murray also returned kickoffs for Oklahoma during his playing days starring for the Sooners.
Beamer was initially hired on as Oklahoma’s assistant head coach and tight ends coach in 2018. He spent the previous year as the tight ends and special teams coach for Georgia. Before that he had stints at South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Georgia Tech.
Demarco Murray replaced Boulware as the Sooners running backs coach.
The Sooners begin spring practice on March 10, and will play their annual Spring Game on April 18. Their first game of the 2020 season will be against Missouri State on Sep. 5.
The University of Oklahoma’s spring break commences on March 14 and lasts through March 22.
A lot is up in the air with this Sooners team, but one thing is certain—there will assuredly be a quarterback battle. This year’s contest features freshman Spencer Rattler and junior Tanner Mordecai. While Mordecai saw a majority of the backup role behind Jalen Hurts last season, Riley opted to go with Rattler at the end of the game in last year’s loss to LSU in the Peach Bowl. Both have plenty of arm talent.
This will be Alex Grinch’s second spring season with the Sooners. After losing several key players to the NFL draft, including linebacker Kenneth Murray and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, a lot is left to be desired for Oklahoma’s defense. With a full season under his belt at Oklahoma, Grinch should continue to help the unit improve.
Oklahoma’s spring game will kick off on April 18. The time has not been announced.
Lincoln Riley gave a post-signing day press conference prior to introducing Jamar Cain and DeMarco Murray.
Lincoln Riley gave a post-signing day press conference prior to introducing outside linebackers/defensive ends coach Jamar Cain and running backs coach DeMarco Murray.
Riley on the three suspended players for the Peach Bowl, "We'll get to that at a later date. Process is ongoing." #Sooners
Prior to the Peach Bowl, Ronnie Perkins, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Trejan Bridges were all suspended for failing an NCAA drug test. The trio was suspended for the Peach Bowl and the national championship game if the Sooners would have made it that far.
NCAA rules state that a player failing a drug test must sit out for half the regular season, regardless of the sport. With the trio already serving one game, that leaves five games for them left to serve if their appeals do not lessen the punishment.
Looking forward, Oklahoma opens the season against Missouri State on Sept. 5. The Sooners play host to Tennessee before playing against Army on the road following a BYE week. To open Big 12 play, Oklahoma squares off against Baylor and Texas in their first two conference games.
If the appeals process does not pan out for the trio, they will not be available to play until Oct. 17 when the Sooners head to Ames, Iowa in Week 7.
Perkins finished the year as one of Oklahoma’s premier defensive linemen, accounting for 28 solo tackles, 13.5 of which were for loss, and six sacks. He finished with 38 tackles in total for the year.
In total, Stevenson carried the rock 65 times for 516 yards for the Sooners, an average of 7.9 yards per carry. He was a solid backup to Kennedy Brooks, and had just began to find his groove, rushing for 16.7 yard per carry against Oklahoma State and 6.0 yards per carry with a touchdown in the game against Baylor in the Big 12 title game.
Just one of the five-star 2019 receiver trio for the Sooners, Bridges was a special teams mainstay for Oklahoma, but showed flashes at the Z-Receiver position. The highlight of his season came against South Dakota when he recorded 3 catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. His last catch was a 7-yard touchdown reception against Iowa State.
Nov 23, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Ronnie Perkins (7) reacts during the fourth quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Soon after the first report, former Oklahoma player, current Oklahoma sideline reporter for the SoonerSports network and co-host of The Franchise Players radio show (107.7 FM The Franchise sports radio station in Oklahoma City, 107.9 FM in Tulsa), Gabe Ikard, said that the suspensions come from failing an NCAA drug test for weed.
“Do we know what the suspension is for?” co-host and former Oklahoma player Kelly Gregg asked.
“Weed,” Ikard said.
“Recreational?” Kelly asked.
“Recreational. Not PEDs from what I’ve been told,” Ikard answered.
According to Ikard, Oklahoma is appealing the suspension.
Here is what the NCAA rule states as a penalty for failing an NCAA drug test due to a substance in the cannabinoid class:
The penalty for a positive test for a substance in the cannabinoid class is withholding from competition for 50% of the season in all sports in which the student-athlete participates. A second positive test for a cannabinoid results in the loss of a year of eligibility and withholding from participation for 365 days from the test.
Here is what the NCAA rules on the appeals process states:
Per the NCAA rules on the appeals process:
“If the (player's) next competition is imminent and if the institution so requests, (they) shall make a reasonable effort to hear the appeal before the student-athlete’s next contest or within 48 hours of the institution’s … appeal.”
When asked about the suspension at Wednesday’s national signing day press conference, head coach Lincoln Riley said he could not comment on that “at this time”.
Riley also said he would comment “when he can”.
Oklahoma and LSU will play in the College Football Playoff at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 28.
Oklahoma will be without three key players for its College Football Playoff game at the Peach Bowl against LSU due to suspensions.
Oklahoma will be without three key players for its College Football Playoff game at the Peach Bowl against LSU.
Sophomore defensive end Ronnie Perkins, junior running back Rhamondre Stevenson and true freshman receiver Trejan Bridges will be suspended for the game, according to a report from SoonerScoop.com.
Multiple sources have confirmed to SoonerScoop that Rhamondre Stevenson, Ronnie Perkins and Trejan Bridges have been suspended for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Perkins has been one of Oklahoma’s best defensive players this season. He has 38 tackles on the season through 12 games, including 13.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Stevenson has come on as of late for Lincoln Riley’s offense. He had 50 yards on three carries against Oklahoma State two games ago, then the second-most carries of his season against Baylor in the Big 12 Championship with eight for 48 yards and a touchdown. Stevenson was Kennedy Brooks’ backup after the injury to Trey Sermon earlier in the season.
Bridges has had an up-and-down year in a backup role. He has played for the majority of the season on special teams, but is behind Charleston Rambo on the offense. Bridges was a five-star prospect out of high school.
When asked about it at his signing day press conference, Riley would not comment on the matter.
12 Sooners were honored on the all-Big 12 first and second-teams. First team members include CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Hurts, Creed Humphrey…
Once again, the Sooners dominate the all-Big 12 teams.
12 Sooners were honored on the all-Big 12 first and second-teams. First team members include CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Hurts, Creed Humphrey and Kenneth Murray. Both Lamb and Muray landed on the first-team for their first time in their Oklahoma careers.
Kennedy Brooks, Jeremiah Hall, Adrian Ealy, Gabe Brkic, Neville Gallimore, Ronnie Perkins and Parnell Motley were all-Big 12 second-team honorees.
Other Sooners that picked up honorable mentions include Pat Fields, Reeves Mundschau, Jalen Redmond, Delarrin Turner-Yell and DaShaun White.
Oklahoma led the league in honorees followed by Baylor with 10, TCU (9), Iowa State (8), Oklahoma State (6), Kansas State, Texas Tech, West Virginia (5), Texas (4) and Kansas (2).
With not much surprise, both teams with the most Big 12 honorees are the teams playing for the Big 12 Championship and a possible College Football Playoff birth.
Oklahoma and Baylor will face off in a rematch following their thrilling 34-31 bout in November. Kickoff is set for 11a.m. CT on FOX.
