Texas College Blog | Dallas Morning News Jul 27, 2017
Projecting the 2018 NFL draft: Could the Sooners have a first-round pick? Where could Baker Mayfield go?
Editor's note: This originally ran May 2.Oklahoma has built a reputation as a professional pipeline under coach Bob Stoops. After Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine, Dede Westbrook and Jordan Evans were selected in last week's NFL Draft, the Sooners extended their streak of at least four players drafted to 10 years.Let's take a look at five OU players who could be picked up by NFL teams in 2018.5. Baker Mayfield, QBAfter placing in the top four of Heisman Trophy voting both of his first two years in Norman, you'd think Mayfield would be a shoo-in to be drafted next year. Mayfield's skill set and size...
Texas College Blog | Dallas Morning News Jul 26, 2017
Making the Heisman case for (and against) Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield
Editor's note: This story was originally published on April 7, 2017. As college football approaches, we're bringing it back.Twice Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield has made serious runs at a Heisman Trophy, and twice he's fallen short -- finishing No. 4 in voting in 2015 and No. 3 a season ago.Might the third time be the charm for the Texas Tech transfer during his last season of eligibility?Mayfield is nothing short of a household name across the college football landscape at this point, even if it's occasionally been for more his theatrics and magic tricks on the football field. He was surrounded...
Oklahoman Jul 26, 2017
Cooks adjusting without Sunderland
By Ryan Aber Staff Writer raber@oklahoman.comOklahoma defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks felt comfortable with his safety corps after the spring, but Will Sunderland's legal problems, and his subsequent suspension, sent Cooks scrambling a bit. “Football's a fluid situation,” Cooks said Wednesday at OU's preseason golf event at Jimmie Austin Golf Club.Read more on NewsOK.com
Oklahoman Jul 26, 2017
New coach on campus: Ruffin McNeill settles into life at OU
By Brooke Pryor Staff Writer bpryor@oklahoman.comNORMAN — A little before noon Wednesday, the Oklahoma football coaches began emerging from the clubhouse at the Jimmie Austin Golf Course in Norman. They trickled down the back steps toward the giant tent that offered temporary refuge from the harsh sun and housed a catered barbecue lunch for fans attending the annual Sooner Appreciation Day Golf Scramble. Toward the end of the informal coaches' processional, two more figures stepped out of the air-conditioned building, one a bit more recognizable to the OU fans than the other. But the pair...
Oklahoman Jul 25, 2017
Sooners' QB Baker Mayfield helps out Meals on Wheels as part of his community service
Ryan Aber Part of Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield's team punishment stemming from his February arrest in Arkansas was to perform community service. Mayfield's primary service has been to deliver food for Meals on Wheels. At last week's Big 12 Media Days, Mayfield said he's enjoyed his service with Meals on Wheels but hasn't been recognized. "They're kind of like, 'OK, whatever, bye,'" Mayfield said.Read more on NewsOK.com
Oklahoman Jul 24, 2017
OU football: Sooners teammates Obo Okoronkwo and Steven Parker argue for Jordan Thomas' inclusion on Jim Thorpe Award watch list
By Ryan Aber Staff Writer raber@oklahoman.comNORMAN — Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo was lighthearted and relaxed for most of last Monday at Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas. Okoronkwo flashed his broad smile and had fun with the questions. But when Okoronkwo was asked about Jordan Thomas' omission from the Jim Thorpe Award watch list, the smile faded a bit and a serious mood set in. The reporter didn't even finish the question about Thomas being left off before Okoronkwo nodded his head in understanding and launched into his defense. “Because he's not a bad guy,” Okoronkwo...
Texas College Blog | Dallas Morning News Jul 22, 2017
Reviewing Oklahoma's 2015 recruiting class: NFL WR, possible breakout RB and more
*Editor's note: This article was originally published May 19, 2017.Although Oklahoma's 2015 recruiting class has been on campus for just two seasons, it has already yielded serious starting talent -- including the program's first Biletnikoff winner.Let's take a look back at how the Sooners did on the recruiting trail in 2015.No. of signees: 28Oklahoma signed 28 players in 2015, good enough for the No. 14 class nationally and second-best in the Big 12, according to 247Sports. For comparison, Texas signed two more prospects to the No. 10 class in the country.Number of players still with the...
Texas College Blog | Dallas Morning News Jul 21, 2017
Oklahoma class of 2014 recruiting review: Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine headline all-star haul
Editor's note: This story was originally published on May 17, 2017.After a somewhat disappointing class the year before, Oklahoma rebounded on the recruiting trail in 2014, grabbing RB Samaje Perine -- who would become the program's all-time leading rusher -- and five-star Joe Mixon.But the 2014 class contained almost as many busts as stars, unfortunately for the Sooners. Let's take a look back at Bob Stoops' 16th recruiting class, which finished No. 1 in the Big 12 and No. 14 nationally, according to 247Sports.No. of signees: 27The Sooners signed 27 players in 2014, four more than the year...
Oklahoman Jul 20, 2017
Lincoln Riley discusses Baker Mayfield, head coach job at ESPN 'Car Wash'
By Brooke Pryor Staff Writer bpryor@oklahoman.comA couple days after going through the first round of OU's preseason media blitz in Frisco, Texas, new head coach Lincoln Riley hopped on a private jet to Bristol, Connecticut for ESPN's "Car Wash" with Big 12 head coaches. In the course of a day, Riley appeared on four live programs and taped other segments that aired on Thursday and will air on Friday. Here's a look at Riley's best quotes from each live appearance. Mike & Mike Show, on his head-coaching style “As a head coach, I'm pretty hands on.Read more on NewsOK.com
Oklahoman Jul 20, 2017
Sooners to honor athletics success with Night of Champions in Oklahoma City
Ryan AberNew Oklahoma football coach Lincoln Riley will be among the coaches to take part in the "Night of Champions" celebration Aug.Read more on NewsOK.com
Oklahoman Jul 18, 2017
By the Numbers: Baker Mayfield's big-game improvement obvious
Jenni CarlsonFRISCO, Texas -- The first day at Big 12 Media Days was dominated by the crimson and cream. Oklahoma was the big name Monday at the Ford Center at The Star, and we produced tons of content about the Sooners.Read more on NewsOK.com
Texas College Blog | Dallas Morning News Jul 17, 2017
Bob Stoops 2.0? How Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley is approaching replacing a legend
FRISCO -- Lincoln Riley knew he would face the inevitable comparisons replacing Bob Stoops as Oklahoma's football coach.Not even Riley could imagine the comparisons would extend to his tone and cadence in his first press conference Monday at Big 12 media days at The Star. Some people thought Riley's inflection was remarkably similar to Stoops', at least as much as a 33-year-old from Muleshoe can sound like a 56-year-old from Youngstown, Ohio.Riley even got a question about it, which served as a nice transition to just how much of Stoops will -- and should -- be part of his coaching DNA."That...
Oklahoman Jul 17, 2017
BIG-GAME BAKER: Why Mayfield wants to be even better for OU this season
By Jenni CarlsonFRISCO, TEXAS — Baker Mayfield wants nothing more than to want nothing more. Yes, he has accomplished a ton in his time as Oklahoma's quarterback.Read more on NewsOK.com
Oklahoman Jul 17, 2017
OU football journal: Lincoln Riley says Will Sunderland unlikely to return
By Ryan Aber Staff Writer raber@oklahoman.comFRISCO, TEXAS — Suspended cornerback Will Sunderland is unlikely to be back with the Sooners, barring unforeseen circumstances, coach Lincoln Riley said Monday at Big 12 Media Days at the Ford Center at The Star. “I would go as far to say if he's not exonerated, then he won't be back,” Riley said. In June, Sunderland was charged with second-degree burglary in Cleveland County and misdemeanor concealing stolen property in Oklahoma County. Sunderland is alleged to have taken two video game systems from the dorm room of two freshman baseball...
Oklahoman Jul 17, 2017
Sooners kicker Austin Seibert not enrolled at OU
Brooke PryorJunior kicker Austin Seibert has not been enrolled at Oklahoma this summer, an OU spokesman confirmed to The Oklahoman. Because he hasn't been enrolled at OU, he hasn't been able to work out with the team. Seibert, who was listed on the Ray Guy Award watch list last week, has handled the majority of place kicking and punting duties for the past two seasons. Seibert is expected to be enrolled in the fall semester, restoring his eligibility, according to a team spokesman. Siebert has played in 26 games in his career, making 29 of 39 field goals.Read more on NewsOK.com
