Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Pro Days for March 12.
Without the NFL Combine coming to the Circle City, the Indianapolis Colts will have to work harder to rely on pro days to get the measurements on potential targets for the upcoming 2021 NFL draft. Here’s the preview for March 12:
The Los Angeles Chargers will be looking to improve their special teams unit this offseason.
The majority of the attention is shifted to who the Chargers will draft on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, but the special teams unit is just as important, especially for a team that finished dead last in the league last season.
With that being said, let’s take a look at a few prospects that I believe general manager Tom Telesco would like to add who could benefit new special teams coordinator Derius Swinton’s group.
The Chargers are already confirmed to have met with Williams. Named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year and a first-teamer for the conference in 2019, Williams amassed nine career touchdowns off returns and 1,990 career return yards. Along with his outstanding return numbers, Williams was incredible on the other side of the ball, finishing with three blocked punts, a blocked field goal, a blocked point after attempt and a forced fumble on a kickoff. Williams could make an impact both returning and in coverage.
Starting 33 out of 51 games, Brown made his impact as the Sooners’ outside cornerback. In four seasons, he posted 141 tackles, 31 passes defensed, 8.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions. On top of that, he shined as the teams’ kick returner, where he returned 55 kicks for 1,207 yards (21.9 yards per return). Despite having a shorter stature, Brown is an excellent athlete who possesses speed, explosiveness and quickness. With the Chargers, Brown could be a versatile corner who plays both inside or outside. His special teams experience would serve him well in a variety of roles whether it’s as a returner, gunner or jammer.
Rochell had 10 interceptions and 38 passes defensed over the course of his collegiate career. Standing at 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds, Rochell boasts elite athletic traits, having reportedly posted a 4.38 40-yard dash, 41-inch vertical, 140-inch broad jump, 3.98 short shuttle, per The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. Rochell checks a lot of boxes: speed, ball skills, length, fluid mirroring skills, and toughness against the run. With Los Angeles, he has the versatility to play inside or out. His speed and physical traits could go a long way on special teams.
St-Juste, a transfer from Michigan to Minnesota, didn’t necessarily fill up the stat sheet. Over 18 games played between the two schools, he only logged 62 total tackles, 11 passes defensed with zero interceptions. However, the numbers don’t necessarily replicate his actual impact on the field. Hailing at 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds with over an 80-inch wingspan, St-Juste uses his length and strength to his advantage to jam receivers at line of scrimmage and at the catch point to disrupt throwing lanes. With L.A., St-Juste could be a versatile defensive back who plays on the outside and some safety. His deep speed, length and strength would carry over well as a gunner or jammer.
In his Gamecock career, Smith appeared in 42 games, posting 171 receptions for 2,176 yards and 13 scores. Smith is a crafty route runner who has the speed, quickness, and yards after the catch ability. Those traits translated well as a kick returner, where he finished with 448 yards on 21 returns (21.3 YPR). With the Bolts, Smith could be a backup slot receiver. But he would make the majority of his money as a returner and in coverage.
LSU has done a fine job of dishing out phenomenal wide receivers that have gone on to play in the NFL. While McMath might not be on the level as some of the others, he has the ability to his presence known as a key special teamer at the next level. He completed his career with only 33 receptions for 522 yards and four touchdowns. However, he finished with a whopping 507 special teams snaps. The 6-foot-2 and 225 pounder has the rare combination of size and speed (4.40 40). His speed and toughness should allow him to contribute as a gunner or returner on special teams for Los Angeles.
The list of Oklahoma Sooners that are NFL draft eligible and will participate in the OU Pro Day on Mar. 12.
The NFL draft is just over a month away. Many young men will realize their dream of playing in the NFL. Continue reading “NFL draft eligible players from the 2020 Oklahoma Sooners team”
There will be six former Oklahoma Sooners to participate in the annual Pro Day in Norman. Pro Day is set for Mar. 12.
With no true NFL Combine this upcoming draft season, all eyes turn to each school’s Pro Day. For the Oklahoma Sooners’ NFL draft hopefuls, that day will be on Mar. 12, according to 247Sports. Continue reading “Six former Sooners will participate on Oklahoma’s Pro Day”
There were multiple players down at the Senior Bowl who had important weeks for their draft stock. Tre Brown surely helped his. And a lot.
There were multiple players down at the Senior Bowl who had important weeks for their draft stock.
A lot of people were excited for what Creed Humphrey did. Adrian Ealy got some love and Rhamondre Stevenson got gushing reviews. The Sooners had two others down in Mobile, Alabama, with one of them taking some hardware home.
Tre Brown had an up-and-down career at Oklahoma, but was a 4-year starter and started to put some things together his last two years under new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. Pro Football Focus remains steadfast on his talent and that was backed up at the Senior Bowl.
Brown was named the top corner back for the National Team during their practices, which is the most important part of the week.
Oklahoma’s Tre Brown was named top DB on the American team in a vote from the WR group at practice player-of-the-week awards ceremony tonight at 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl. #TheDraftStartsInMobile pic.twitter.com/nm0XUNBFoF
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) January 30, 2021
There’s nothing bigger than his performance in the Sooners’ last three Big 12 Championship games.
Brown sacked Sam Ehlinger for a safety to help give Oklahoma a win in 2018, raced down a Baylor wide receiver to save a touchdown near the end of the 2019 Big 12 Championship against Baylor and then his interception on Saturday.
The Tulsa, Oklahoma, native has helped ensure he will be selected at some point in the 2021 NFL draft after a strong week at the Senior Bowl. All depends on where.
[vertical-gallery id=23809]
Former Oklahoma defensive back Tre Brown has picked off former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger yet again, this time at Senior Bowl practice.
Former Oklahoma defensive back Tre Brown is one of five Sooners who will be participating in the Reese’s Senior Bowl this weekend along with Tre Norwood, Creed Humphrey, Adrian Ealy and Rhamondre Stevenson.
College football players from all over the country are going through practices this week to prepare for the game set for Saturday. While there, Brown made a play that likely made him and his former teammates grin.
Brown jumped a route to intercept a pass from an old foe in none other than former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger.
Tre Brown with the pick #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/tGWXa9pM68
— Nick Faber (@NickFaberNFL) January 26, 2021
Brown, of course, somewhat famously intercepted Ehlinger to seal the deal in the Red River Showdown back in October. Now, he’s done it again.
The good news for Ehlinger is that the two are on the same team on Saturday, so there is no chance of this happening a third time – at least with the two sporting their respective college’s helmets.
The Reese’s Senior Bowl is set to kickoff at 1:30 p.m. CT on Saturday in Mobile, Alabama.
[vertical-gallery id=23512]
Four Oklahoma players were named to the AP All-Big 12 first team on Thursday with another five getting placed on the second team.
The end of the season accolades keep coming in for Oklahoma.
On Thursday the AP All-Big 12 teams were announced with nine players receiving honors including four on the first team. Those four are quarterback Spencer Rattler, center Creed Humphrey, defensive tackle Isaiah Thomas and kicker Gabe Brkic.
#Sooners AP All-Big first team selections
QB Spencer Rattler
C Creed Humphrey
K Gabe Brkic
DT Isaiah Thomas— Joe Buettner (@JoeBuettner) December 24, 2020
Rattler was not included on either of the conference’s All-Big 12 teams that were announced last week, which he expressed his displeasure about, and Thomas was on second team as no Sooners defensive players received first team honors. Head coach Lincoln Riley made it clear the team was displeased by those lack of selections. Those frustrations are certainly receiving some validation given the honors that have come their way since including Rattler being deemed the Big 12 Player of the Year by Pro Football Focus.
The five players who were named to the AP All-Big 12 second team are offensive tackle Adrian Ealy, tight end Austin Stogner, wide receiver Marvin Mims, linebacker Nik Bonitto and cornerback Tre Brown.
#Sooners AP All-Big 12 second team selections
OT Adrian Ealy
TE Austin Stagner
WR Marvin Mims
LB Nik Bonitto
CB Tre Brown— Joe Buettner (@JoeBuettner) December 24, 2020
Similar to Rattler, Bonitto was not named to the first or second team All-Big 12 either, but was named an All-American by Pro Football Focus.
Oklahoma will conclude their season in less than a week next Wednesday night against the Florida Gators in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
[vertical-gallery id=22284]
Oklahoma will be playing the Cotton Bowl without one of its starters. The Sooners got a huge game in the Big 12 Championship from Tre Brown.
Oklahoma will be playing the Cotton Bowl without one of its starters.
The Sooners got a huge game in the Big 12 Championship from senior corner Tre Brown. He returned two huge kicks near the middle of the field, had a big pass break-up early in the game and then had the game-winning interception to seal Oklahoma’s sixth-straight Big 12 Championship.
Brown has been a three-year starter and has played for much of his four seasons for the Sooners. And his best game of his Oklahoma career will be his last.
Sooners Wire was able to confirm from a source with knowledge of the situation on Monday that the Tulsa, Oklahoma, native has opted-out of playing in the Cotton Bowl against Florida. The Cotton Bowl would have been Brown’s 44th career game in an Oklahoma uniform.
He came to the Sooners as a four-star prospect out of Tulsa Union High School. Brown got going early in his career, entering an extremely competitive and important Bedlam game with Oklahoma State in 2017 as a freshman. In his Oklahoma career, Brown will finish with 141 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, four interceptions and 31 passes defended.
There’s nothing bigger than his performance in the Sooners’ last three Big 12 Championship games. Brown sacked Sam Ehlinger for a safety to help give Oklahoma a win in 2018, raced down a Baylor wide receiver to save a touchdown near the end of the 2019 Big 12 Championship against Baylor and then his interception on Saturday.
Though Brown was a starter, Oklahoma rotates frequently. Jaden Davis and Woodi Washington have experience as starters and true freshman D.J. Graham has emerged over the last half of the season.
The Sooners and Gators are scheduled to play on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. CT.
[vertical-gallery id=22284]
Watch senior cornerback Tre Brown be the hero as Oklahoma laid claim to its sixth-straight Big 12 Championship on Saturday.
Senior cornerback Tre Brown was the hero as Oklahoma laid claim to its sixth-straight Big 12 Championship on Saturday. Oklahoma jumped out to a 24-7 lead before Iowa State slowly crawled back, eventually getting within three points.
Gabe Brkic nailed his second field goal of the day to stretch Oklahoma’s lead to six and put the game in the hands of Oklahoma’s defense, which has played a dominant game but seemed to be losing steam as the game wore on. Iowa State appeared to be driving with momentum before a pair of false starts put them behind the chains, and an ill-advised floater from Brock Purdy ended up in the hands of Brown.
The win marks Oklahoma’s 14th conference title since 2000. All other current members combine for just six titles total. Oklahoma’s current run atop the Big 12 will ultimately be remembered as one of the most dominant stretches of football in recent history.
— Gabe Ikard (@GabeIkard) December 19, 2020
It’s a little bit shocking when you look at it. Oklahoma has landed nine different players on the all-Big 12 first and second team.
The Big 12’s head coaches have decided the league’s all-conference selections, and Oklahoma has landed nine different players on the all-Big 12 first and second team.
Kicker Gabe Brkic, H-Back Jeremiah Hall and center Creed Humphrey represented Oklahoma’s three additions to the All-Big 12 first team. This marks the 20th consecutive season that Oklahoma has landed at least three players on the all-Big 12 first team. Oklahoma trails only Iowa State (five) with their three players on the first team.
Six Sooners were named to the second team: cornerback Tre Brown, offensive lineman Adrian Ealy, wide receiver Marvin Mims, defensive end Ronnie Perkins, defensive end Isaiah Thomas and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey. Oklahoma led all Big 12 teams with six different players on the all-conference second team.
Oklahoma trails only Iowa State (11) with nine players each across the two teams. The Sooners and Cyclones are set to face off in a rematch for the Big 12 Championship in Arlington, Texas on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.
https://twitter.com/OU_Football/status/1339619181885579270?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1339619181885579270%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Foklahoma%2Ffootball%2Fnine-sooners-earn-all-big-12-accolades
