Tag: Wanya Morris

Tyler Guyton among Dane Brugler’s top-50 prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft

Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton is the lone Sooner in Dane Brugler’s initial 2024 top 50 draft board.

Oklahoma is just a week away from kicking off its 2023 season. They’ll take on Arkansas State at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The  Sooners look to distance themselves from a squad that started 3-0 but struggled inside Big 12 play.

Along the offensive line, the Sooners lost three starters from last year. Chris Murray graduated, and the tackles Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris were drafted in the first three rounds of the 2023 NFL draft.

Enter Tyler Guyton, a former transfer from TCU who played in 10 games and made five starts last year. His best performance came against Jared Verse and Florida State in the Cheez-It Bowl.

Verse would have been a top-ten pick in the 2023 NFL draft, but opted to stay in school one more year. It’s likely he’ll be a top-ten pick in the 2024 draft.

It was a nice back and for the battle between the two, with both Guyton and Verse winning snaps.

That performance and his noteworthy physical traits have caught the eye of the NFL and draft aficionados. Dane Brugler, one of the best scouting and draft experts in the business, released his initial top 50 draft board for the 2024 NFL Draft (subscription required). Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton was the lone Sooner to crack the top 50.

If he were to be drafted there, Guyton slotted in at No. 31. He’s currently Dane Brugler’s No. 6 offensive tackle in the 2024 class. With a premium placed on offensive tackles in the draft, there’s a good chance Guyton could be a first round pick.

Now, there are a couple of ways to look at that. As it stands, Guyton is comfortably a top-100 pick. Anton Harrison was similarly in the same range to start last season and stayed in the top 50 range until the draft before being selected 27th by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Guyton has more to prove than Harrison, as this year would be his first full season as a starter. Harrison started the 2021 season and played a lot in his true freshman season in 2020.

This is a prove-it year for Guyton. Pro Football Focus said he played 400 snaps and allowed two sacks and no hits on 191 pass-blocking plays in 2022. Those numbers work, but how will they play when teams consistently gameplan for you? That will be one of Guyton’s challenges.

Offensive line coach Bill Bedenabugh had a glowing review for his starting right tackle. “He’s got all the ability in the world,” Bedenbaugh said. “He’s one of the most talented guys I’ve ever seen, and we’ve had some pretty talented guys come through here.”

Guyton’s size and athletic traits will make him one of the more intriguing prospects in draft circles next spring. The stage is set for Guyton to become one of the best players on Oklahoma’s roster. He can also position himself as a first-round draft choice next April.

If he can take his game to the next level and secure Dillon Gabriel’s blindside, he has a great chance of becoming Oklahoma’s next first round offensive tackle.

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Savion Byrd looking to be more consistent in the 2023 season

Oklahoma offensive lineman Savion Byrd is ready for his opportunity to make an impact on the 2023 season.

The [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] have consistently had one of the best offensive lines in college football since [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag] took over. They consistently put people in the NFL, most recently [autotag]Anton Harriso[/autotag]n and [autotag]Wanya Morris[/autotag].

To play for someone like Bedenbaugh can be grueling because of what he demands from his lines. But in the end, it is rewarding.

This year shouldn’t be any different.

Offensive Coordinator Jeff Lebby already named four of the five starters, [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag], [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag], [autotag]Andrew Raym[/autotag] and [autotag]Walter Rouse[/autotag]. All four of those guys have started at the Power Five level.

With Raym, Rouse, and Mettauer, the Sooners have three guys who have started three or more seasons of college football. With that much experience, there’s only one spot up for grabs.

[autotag]Savion Byrd[/autotag] looks to be the front runner to start at left guard, taking most of the first-team reps at this point in fall camp. Byrd told reporters, he has been working on being more consistent.

“Taking it one day at a time,” Byrd said. “Getting the game plans down, learning how to watch film properly, learning how to be consistent, like really consistent day in and day out. Being physical is not going to be the problem it’s making sure my hands are in the right place, feet, leverage, just really being consistent in my blocks and molding to be the offensive lineman I can be.”

In the [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyler Murray[/autotag] years, Oklahoma’s offensive lines were known to be nasty. They were physical and just wanted to maul you every play. Since then, there haven’t been too many players on the line with that mentality. Byrd brings that to this team.

But much was made about Byrd’s weight this offseason. He admitted to getting down to 265-270 pounds at one point. But staying consistent and putting in the work has helped him get up to 305 pounds.

As for his diet, “Eat anything that I can put my hands on,” Byrd said. That has obviously worked for him. To be a big-time guard you need to have that mentality that Byrd has but you can’t be too light in the pockets either.

Now the question is if he can take his game to the next level and become the next Oklahoma offensive lineman to go to the NFL. That’s the plan, now we have to see it play out.

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Highest rated football recruits in Tennessee history

A look at the highest rated recruits in Tennessee football history.

Third-year head coach Josh Heupel is on pace for a top 10 2024 recruiting class.

Tennessee has 19 commitments for its 2024 recruiting class ahead of the upcoming season. The Vols’ 2024 class ranks No. 8 nationally and No. 5 in the Southeastern Conference.

Tennessee’s 2024 recruiting class is headlined by five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews. Matthews ranks as the No. 13 overall prospect in 2024. He is the Vols’ ninth-highest rated commit all time.

PHOTOS: Tennessee football head coaches through the years

Prior to the 2023 season, Vols Wire looks at Tennessee’s highest rated recruits all time. The list below excludes players who committed to Tennessee and did not sign with the Vols.

Chiefs duds in preseason Week 1 loss at Saints

These #Chiefs left something to be desired in Kansas City’s loss to the #Saints on Sunday.

The Chiefs’ 26-24 preseason Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints wasn’t exactly a pretty game. There were some standouts for Kansas City, sure — even some studs — but there were plenty who didn’t exactly show out, either.

Below are Chiefs players who had a rough game in the first week of the preseason, and may have even hurt their stock a little in the process:

Walter Rouse back from his injury and ready to roll

After spending four years playing for the Stanford Cardinal, Walter Rouse is excited about making one last statement at OU.

The [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] made a few splashes last offseason both in the transfer portal and in the [autotag]2023 recruiting class[/autotag]. One of those was the addition of [autotag]Stanford Cardinal[/autotag] offensive tackle transfer, [autotag]Walter Rouse[/autotag].

Rouse finished his four-year career at Stanford with multiple accolades. He was an All-Pac 12 honorable mention selection twice and freshman second-team All-American. Instead of going pro, something he admitted was the plan. He decided to use his COVID year and transfer to Oklahoma.

That’s how he ended up at the [autotag]University of Oklahoma[/autotag]. The Sooners had a need at tackle after the departures of [autotag]Anton Harrison[/autotag] and [autotag]Wanya Morris[/autotag] to the NFL.

Combine that with the injury to freshman [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag], and the Sooners were thin. Rouse comes to the Sooners with 38 starts under his belt and more than 2,500 snaps at the collegiate level. Despite missing the spring due to a shoulder injury, he said he’s ready to go.

“The shoulder feels great,” Rouse said. “A lot better than I expected it to be. Honestly, from the first day to now, I feel like I’ve been getting better every single day and improving just a little bit. Honestly, I’m just having fun. I haven’t been able to hit somebody in about eight months.”

He admits missing the spring led to a learning curve, but he said it helped that he could ask questions and do some mental reps on the side. But even with that missed time, Rouse feels the offensive line is coming along really well.

“Overall, especially the one’s group, we are really connecting with one another, and I’m loving working with Savion (Byrd) on the left side,” Rouse said. “Just really forming a great relationship with one another. Some of the stuff we are doing is non-verbal because we just are already feeling it, it’s already instinctive.”

The offensive line plays a major role in how the offense performs as a whole. It helps to have one of the best in the business coaching them in Bill Bedenbaugh. It might be crazy to say after losing a first-round left tackle, but if this group can come together, they have a chance at being even better than a year ago.

And if they are, the addition of Walter Rouse through the portal will be a big reason as to why.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Chiefs OT Wanya Morris ready for ‘breathtaking’ preseason debut

Wanya Morris is fired up and ready to make his presence felt during the #Chiefs’ first preseason game against the #Saints. | from: @WesleyRoesch

The beauty of the NFL’s preseason is that it gives hundreds of incoming rookies an opportunity to show their skills.

For Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive tackle Wanya Morris, like most of his peers, it’s a chance to prove that he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster. Few roster spots are guaranteed in the NFL, so Morris is understandably excited for his first NFL action when the Chiefs play the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 13.

“Like every kid, it’s a dream come true,” Morris said during Saturday’s presser. “You know, you dream about days like this and to actually go out with them and actually do it, it’s a dream come true. It’s very … breathtaking. Being able to step out there on that field and just go out there and compete with my brothers, and just show everything I’ve got.”

Drafted in the third round of the 2023 draft by Kansas City, the 6-foot-6, 307-pound lineman out of Oklahoma is projected to be the Chiefs’ swing tackle. Frequently working with the first and second teams in camp, Morris could be the backup and eventual successor to either left tackle Donovan Smith or right tackle Jawaan Taylor.

But Morris doesn’t have the backup gig locked down yet. His competition includes third-year players Prince Tega Wanogho and Lucas Niang, among others. The preseason is when Morris will have the chance to stand out amid the competition. On Sunday, it’s sink or swim.

“It’s not done ’til it’s done,” Morris said. “I haven’t made the 53 [man roster] yet. So, I have to go out there and ball.”

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Top quotes from Chiefs’ August 5 post-practice press conference

Check out some of the top quotes from the Chiefs’ post-practice press conference on August 5:

The Kansas City Chiefs finished another week of practice on Saturday during training camp displaying more triumphs and improvements on the field during their workouts at Missouri Western State University. Four Chiefs got in front of the podium for the team’s post-practice press conference, and each gave reporters’ generous responses heading into their day off on Sunday.

Dave Toub, Wanya Morris, Leo Chenal, and Justin Reid spoke to reporters and provided valuable insight into their thoughts on training camp, teammates, and more.

Check out their top quotes below:

Chiefs OL Wanya Morris excited to share field with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce

#Chiefs offensive lineman Wanya Morris spoke about his excitement to share the field with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

The experience of working alongside proven All-Pro talent isn’t available for most rookies around the league. The Kansas City Chiefs have the unique ability to trust their top-tier veterans to teach younger players and help raise their proficiency in practice.

The Chiefs drafted offensive lineman Wanya Morris in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft because of his positional versatility, which has traditionally been valued by head coach Andy Reid. Morris is eager and enthusiastic to learn from the veterans on Kansas City’s roster as he develops his game in St. Joseph at Chiefs training camp.

Morris spoke to the media after Saturday’s workouts and shared his excitement and appreciation for the opportunity to work with stars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

“First of all, being with those ones, this is fun, you know, you get to get the feel of the game, the real speed of the game,” Morris explained. “Then you know, you get to go play with Pat [Patrick Mahomes] and Travis [Kelce], stuff like that, you know, those [are leaders] of men. So every time you [get] in that huddle, they expect the best. Expect excellence. So it’s just been great being pushed by those guys and being able to see what they do on a Sunday. So try to replicate that.”

Morris was drafted 92nd overall in the third round of this year’s draft after spending time in Oklahoma and Tennessee for college. His energy to learn and compete is the needed attitude to have as the Chiefs prepare for the start of the preseason.

Chiefs rookie class: Grading their training camp performance

Check out our grades for all of the #Chiefs’ top rookies through two weeks of training camp practices.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2023 rookie class has shown flashes of brilliance at the team’s training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri. Second-round wide receiver Rashee Rice has the deepest highlight reel of the group through two weeks of practices, but others like Keondre Coburn, Nic Jones, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah have been standout performers at their respective positions.

A few undrafted players have also stood out for the team in workouts, particularly running back Deneric Prince and receiver Nikko Remigio.

Take a look at our grades for each member of the Chiefs’ 2023 rookie class,

Chiefs injury, absence updates from Day 1 of training camp

The #Chiefs held their first full team practice at training camp on Sunday and there were only a few injuries/absences to start the year:

The Kansas City Chiefs finally held their first full training camp practice of the year on Sunday, again gracing the practice fields at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.

There were two expected absences to start off practice, one injury-related and one contract-related. Tershawn Wharton is on the active/PUP list due to last season’s ACL injury and is not yet ready to return to practice. Chris Jones did not report to training camp with his veteran teammates as he seeks a long-term contract extension. He’ll incur a mandatory fine of $50K for missing practice on Sunday.

With Jones absent from training camp, former Kansas Jayhawk Daniel Wise wound up as the starting defensive tackle opposite Derrick Nnadi according to multiple reports. Wise spent time on the practice squad in Kansas City last season.

Other injuries include rookie OT Wanya Morris, who left practice early to go to the injury tent in Friday’s pre-training camp finale for rookies. After practice, Chiefs HC Andy Reid gave a quick update on Morris, saying that he suffered a minor hamstring injury.

According to several reporters in attendance, Chiefs second-year RB Isiah Pacheco was still wearing the same yellow non-contact jersey that he wore during the past three days of closed practices. He’s out there working during individual drills, but he’s sitting out team drills until he’s ready for some level of contact.

One player who didn’t seem to get much work on the day was WR Kadarius Toney. He caught kicks ahead of practice in special teams drills, but he was held out of teamwork during practice. Reid updated reporters after practice saying that Toney “tweaked” his knee during warm-ups. We’ll see just how long he’s out of practice, but it feels like caution was key here.

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