Tag: Trey Sermon

How Trey Sermon’s transfer impacts Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma

In one of the more surprising moves of the offseason, Oklahoma lost one of its top returning offensive talents to the transfer portal.

In one of the more surprising moves of the offseason, Oklahoma lost one of its top returning offensive talents to the transfer portal.

Trey Sermon started for much of the 2018 season after starring in a backup role in 2017. After a shaky 2019 season in what seemed like things that were out of his control, Sermon suffered a season-ending injury against Iowa State on Nov. 9.

Sermon announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Saturday morning.

Oklahoma returns leading rusher Kennedy Brooks, but after that, it looks bleak as long as Rhamondre Stevenson’s suspension remains in place. Here is how Sermon’s transfer will impact the Sooners in 2020.

PASS PROTECTION

To play running back in Lincoln Riley’s system, you must be a provider of time for routes to develop and time for the quarterback to see his progression through.

Over the course of Sermon’s career at Oklahoma, it was evident that was a part of the game that came natural to him. During the 2019 season when his carries started to diminish,  he would be put in two-back situations alongside Brooks where Sermon would either pick up back-side run blocks on play action, lead block for Brooks or pick up blitzes.

Pass blocking as a running back is something that can be natural, and Sermon is one of those guys who didn’t need the extra hours of practice to be ready for it when he stepped in as a freshman in 2017.

EXPERIENCE

It’s Oklahoma and Oklahoma is always going to have good running backs.

Sermon, as a freshman, flashed that potential of not only being good, but being great. Whether one wants to mention the Ohio State game or the big run against Georgia in the Rose Bowl, the promise was there.

His carries did take a hit in 2019. There really isn’t a known reason why or how it turned out to be that way. When Sermon was healthy and in a starting role, his vision, elusiveness and power matched up with the best running backs in college football.

Now, Riley and the Sooners—again, pending the Stevenson suspension appeal—will rely upon T.J Pledger, who has 40 total carries in two non-redshirt seasons, redshirt freshman Marcus Major who is coming off an injury that sidelined him in 2019 and incoming freshman Seth McGowan who is already on campus as an early enrollee.

PASS-CATCHING ABILITY

With pass protection being so vital in Riley’s offense, the other is the dynamic ability out of the backfield as a receiver.

Sermon was reliable in that regard. It was showcased early in his second ever game against Ohio State and continued on through the 2019 season.

Kennedy Brooks can catch passes out of the backfield, but is better suited not to be put in downfield situations. Rhamondre Stevenson made the most of his chance when motioned out against Baylor in the historic comeback in Waco, Texas. T.J. Pledger has a chance, but outside of Trey Sermon, the do-it-all ability is hard to be found.

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Oklahoma RB Trey Sermon has entered the transfer portal, and there’s rumors about Ohio State

The Oklahoma Sooner 6-foot running back Trey Sermon is entering the transfer portal, and Ohio State could be a top option for him.

The Oklahoma Sooner’s six-foot running back Trey Sermon has entered the transfer portal as a grad transfer.

While there’s no confirmed reports on where he’s heading quite yet, Sermon will likely take his time to pick his next football home. Columbus will certainly be an option for the stud back. In fact, there’s sources that say Sermon is fixing his gaze towards Ohio State.

And there’s good reason. It could be a perfect fit.

Losing J.K. Dobbins after a record-setting season, Sermon could come in and either lead the team’s backfield or be a strong second option to Master Teague, who was ruled out for the rest of spring with an Achilles injury before spring itself was ruled out.

Ohio State and Sermon are just a good fit because the Buckeyes need running back depth. Sermon would come in after three collegiate seasons with the Sooners and provide not only an extra body, but one that could make a huge difference in the running game.

His best season was, by far, 2018, and he lost most of last year to injury.

Nearing 1,000 yards with a 5.8-yard average, Sermon had the most carries from the team’s backfield, a roster that also included Kyler Murray and Kennedy Brooks. All three secured three digits in total carries.

The 12-2 Sooners thrived with Sermon and Murray leading the way. The style of play that Murray played with at the collegiate level mirrors that of the dual-threat Justin Fields.

Combine all the similarities, and it’s clear that Ohio State could use Sermon to give their backfield both depth and competition as they enter what should be another terrific season in 2020.

Oklahoma’s Trey Sermon is reportedly ‘planning to enter the transfer portal’

And the beat goes on. Late Friday night, Trey Sermon’s intentions to transfer from Oklahoma were reported.

And the beat goes on.

Late into the final night of one of the strangest work weeks in recent history, Oklahoma football news takes over the spotlight for just a smidge.

According to a report from SoonerScoop.com, the Sooners should be expecting running back Trey Sermon to enter the transfer portal soon.

Sermon, a Marietta, Georgia, native, appeared in ten games for Oklahoma a year ago in a Robin role to Kennedy Brooks’ Batman. His carried oddly dropped after the fifth game of the season from 45 to eight in the next four, all prior to having a season-ending injury against Iowa State on Nov. 9.

The senior running back came to Oklahoma as a 4-star recruit in the 2017 recruiting class and one of the top-200 recruits in the entire class. During his Sooners career, Sermon rushed for 2,076 yards and accounted for 25 total touchdowns.

Backup running back Rhamondre Stevenson is potentially suspended for the first five games of the 2020 season, which will give opportunity to T.J. Pledger, redshirt Marcus Major and incoming freshman Seth McGowan who is already on campus. Brooks carried the load at running back in 2019, accounting for 48.5 percent of the carries by running backs for Lincoln Riley last season.

Sermon will have two years of eligibility left at wherever he transfers, with one being a redshirt.

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Trey Sermon, Jalen Redmond and Jon-Michael Terry to be out for spring football, others limited

Lincoln Riley announced who will be limited and who won’t be going through spring football on Monday. More than handful were included.

Lincoln Riley announced who will be limited and who won’t be going through spring football on Monday.

Riley kicked off the 2020 spring with a press conference, and announced over a handful of guys who will miss time or miss the whole spring.

Nik Bonitto, Marcus Major, Delarrin Turner-Yell and Justin Broiles will be limited during the early portion of spring. Bonitto and Turner-Yell were major pieces of Alex Grinch’s defense in 2019.

“Some of those guys are recovering from some things that happened during the season,” Riley said. “Nothing serious. All guys that we expect to have sooner rather than later here in spring ball.”

Among the guys listed out for the spring, Trey Sermon, Jalen Redmond and Jon-Michael Terry were starters at some point in 2019. Theo Howard, a graduate transfer from UCLA, arrived to Oklahoma in Jan, but will miss the spring according to Riley.

“So all expected, all those guys are doing well,” Riley said. “All those guys will be full participants in our next offseason period after spring ball, and all four of those guys are doing extremely well.”

This will open the door for returning players like David Ugwoegbu, Kori Roberson, Woodi Washington, Jeremiah Criddell to get much needed reps and get a chance to prove their worth ahead of the 2020 season.

Oklahoma’s spring practice begins on Tuesday. The Sooners spring game is set for April 18 at 5 p.m. CT.

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How Oklahoma wins, loses against Baylor

No. 10 Oklahoma versus No. 13 Baylor. Playoff aspirations are on the line in Waco, Texas this weekend. 

No. 10 Oklahoma versus No. 13 Baylor.

Playoff aspirations are on the line in Waco, Texas this weekend.

OKLAHOMA WINS IF…

… Jalen Hurts does Jalen Hurts things. Last week, Hurts did not look like himself, throwing a, interception on a throw that even a freshman high school quarterback probably would not have forced. This week should be different. An atmosphere as similar to an SEC game as a Big 12 game can get and with implications that Hurts is familiar with, Hurts should be comfortable in the spotlight. Against Iowa State, Hurts was caught off guard with the pressure. If Hurts knows the stakes coming into a game, history favors him playing well.

… they run the ball. It sounds simple but it has been such a problem for the Sooners recently. Establishing the run with an offensive line that has been somewhat subpar so far this season will have to be a necessity Saturday night. With Trey Sermon out for the season and Rhamondre Stevenson limping around the field last week, Oklahoma’s running backs room is wounded but not all the way out. Running the ball with players other than Jalen Hurts will have to happen if the Sooners want to walk away with the win.

… the defense steps up. I know, I know I’m beating a dead horse. But the Oklahoma defense has to show some signs of life following two straight games of nearly flatlining. It will be a tall task but the defense has an opportunity to show the nation that the Sooners should still have a shot at making the playoff.

OKLAHOMA LOSES IF…

… Jalen Hurts lays an egg. Although Hurts has played in regular season games with similar postseason implications, Waco at night is different. Baylor will play with nothing to lose unlike teams Hurts faced while at Alabama. With the Bears lined up across from him, the chances Hurts folds are just as high as him deciding to run on a pass play.

… Lincoln Riley fails to establish the run. Bad things can happen and happen quickly if the offense cannot gain decent yardage on the ground.

… Alex Grinch’s defense fails to make the trip to Waco. If the Sooners look anything like they did the past two games on the defensive side of the ball, Oklahoma may be in trouble.

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Lincoln Riley announces Trey Sermon, Kenneth Mann have season-ending injuries

“Im sick, heartbroken for those two.” Lincoln Riley told reporters at his weekly press conference, Monday. “They’ve put a ton into this program.” Both running back Trey Sermon and defensive tackle Kenneth Mann are done for the season after …

“Im sick, heartbroken for those two.” Lincoln Riley told reporters at his weekly press conference, Monday. “They’ve put a ton into this program.”

Both running back Trey Sermon and defensive tackle Kenneth Mann are done for the season after sustaining leg injuries against Iowa State.

Sermon went down late in the first half against Iowa State this past Saturday. Coming into the game against the Cyclones, Sermon had little production from what fans grew accustomed to over the previous two seasons. Even still, Sermon’s loss is not what the Sooners need as they head into the stretch run of the college football season.

Kenneth Mann was also injured in the second quarter against Iowa State. Mann was unable to put any pressure on his left leg as trainers assisted him off the field, Saturday.

Mann was a captain of the 2018 team and had 40 games under his belt coming into last week.

Sermon finishes the season under 400 yards rushing and just four touchdowns.

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