The Oklahoma Daily

B1

Back-to-School Edition 2010

Amanda Turner, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

What are the keys to Sooner success this season? Find out inside. Page 6B.

FILE PHOTO BY ELIZABETH NALEWAJK / THE DAILY

Indie rock duo The Helio Sequence performs at Opolis in June 2009. Opolis, 113 N. Crawford Ave., is the heart of Norman’s live music scene.

YOUR BEST WEEKEND IN NORMAN NICOLE HILL The Oklahoma Daily

OU is generally considered the heart of Norman. But there’s much more to town outside of campus borders.

Naturally, you’ll be busy during the week with classes, tests, papers and the like, but when the weekend hits, it’s the prime time for exploring all that Norman (and the surrounding area) has to offer. Here, we’ve outlined activities for a perfect weekend in Norman, for newbies to town. It’s not comprehensive, but it’s a good starting point for those looking to put their work-a-day blues behind them.

FRIDAY DOGGIE DAY OUT AT SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL SHELTER, 4500 24TH AVE. N.W. For those students missing their beloved pets back home, Second Chance Animal Shelter has the answer. If you need a little puppy love, start the weekend off early with the shelter’s Doggie Day Out program. Anyone over 18 can sign out one of the shelter dogs for a three-hour time period and take them to a dog park, a pet store or just for a ride in the car. Dogs get some social interaction and, in exchange, students gets their furry fix. Dogs are available Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DINNER AT BLU, 201 S. CRAWFORD AVE. Sometimes the frump and fast food of college life wears thin so ditch the sweatpants and indulge in a trendy dining experience at Blu. Though known for its wine lists and bar, Blu is a great place for even those not of drinking age. The menu is limited, but you won’t find food like it anywhere else in Norman. From the margherita pizza to the hummus and potstickers, the restaurant lives up to its “fine wine and food” boasts. Prices run on the moderate- to high-priced scale, but a notoriously attentive wait staff, an open-air balcony and a distinct possibility of being filled by sharing a meal make Blu a welcome break from the ho-hum routine.

FREE MOVIE AT THE UNION After splurging a bit on dinner, take in your evening entertainment for free. Throughout the year, the Union Programming Board plays free movies every Friday night in the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Meacham Auditorium. All you need is your student ID.

SATURDAY BREAKFAST AT OZZIE’S DINER, 1700 LEXINGTON ST. All-you-can-eat breakfast? Served until 1 p.m. on Saturdays? Yes and yes. Ozzie’s Diner is one of Norman’s hidden gems. Located at the Max Westheimer Airport, it’s off the beaten path, but worth every penny of that $5.49 you’ll pay for the right to fill your plate as many times as you possibly can.

HEYDAY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, 3201 MARKET PLACE

ASHLAN BARTA / THE DAILY

Erin Wilson, University College freshman, pets a cat at the Second Chance Animal Sanctuary on April 19. The animal shelter is looking for volunteers to help work with its animals awaiting adoption. Pet lovers also can “borrow” dogs for the day.

Monterrey), The Mont offers one of the most uniquelyNorman dining options. With its pew seating inside and one of the most robust menus in town, it’s certainly quirky. But for the optimum Mont experience, the best place to be is out on the patio in the glow of the ever-present light strands. So kick back, enjoy the ambiance and dig in to some of the best Mexican and American dishes around.

OPOLIS, 113 N. CRAWFORD AVE. Ain’t no party like a hipster party. Owned by two members of The Starlight Mints, Opolis is Norman’s premier indie music spot. Though modest in its outward appearance, the venue attracts big names like Deerpeople and The Non. There aren’t shows every Saturday, though The Wooden Birds will take the stage Aug. 21. But check www.starlightmints.com/opolis for a list of upcoming shows and opportunities to get your dance on.

LIONS PARK/FIREHOUSE ART CENTER, 444 S. FLOOD AVE. On a blustery Oklahoma day, Lions Park is the prime place to go fly a kite. Or if the weather’s calm (for once), enjoy the sunshine and read a book in the great outdoors. The perk to Lions Park is its next-door neighbor – Firehouse Art Center, which houses art for display and sale, as well as opportunities to make your own. At any rate, it’s a perfectly pleasing way to spend a day.

In short: Rest. Do your homework. Go to bed. Prepare for next weekend.

GRAY OWL COFFEE, 223 E. GRAY ST. Open to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday (and midnight every other day), Gray Owl is the perfect place to wind down the night. Enjoy a homemade treat (the croissants are a widespread favorite) and sip on your Earl Gray tea or latte. With fair trade and organic products as well as an open, low-key setup, Gray Owl Coffee is the prototype for college hangouts.

Now it’s time to burn off all those heaping helpings of bacon you just gorged on. Get physical at HeyDay with throwback activities like laser tag, mini golf and a cram-packed arcade. Specials and prices vary on what you’re looking for, but there’s something for just about everyone.

SUNDAY

LUNCH/DINNER AT THE MONT, 1300 CLASSEN BLVD.

Let’s face it – You’ve had a busy weekend. So make eating easy on yourself and mosey on over to Campus Corner’s Café Plaid for a brunch bite. Sip on shade-grown coffee, munch on some foccacia bread and reflect on the weekend that was.

A Norman staple since the 1920s (known then as The

Quiet and cozy, Café Plaid has a distinctly Sunday feel.

BRUNCH AT CAFÉ PLAID, 333 W. BOYD ST.

ELI HULL / THE DAILY

Customers at Gray Owl Coffee sit at the bar reading and surfing the Internet. Gray Owl Coffee, 223 E. Main Street, offers a good environment for studying with plenty of chairs, tables and several couches.

2B

Back-to-School Edition 2010

What (not) to pack for dorm room living Ditch childhood mementos, use space wisely when sharing cramped quarters MEGHAN PARTAIN The Oklahoma Daily

As students move cardboard dboard box after cardboard box into thee rooms that will become their new w homes, one fact becomes overwhelmwhelmingly apparent: The space ace is tiny, especially split between ween two people.

Kael Carter, letters sophphomore, experienced the he squeeze caused by a surpr isingly small space firsthand and wishes he had known exactly how tiny the rooms were before he packed up and moved.

“I brought a stereo system that I didn’t use se very much,” Carter said..

He added that most of the time he just used headphones es rather than the stereo system because itt was easier. Housing and Food Services also has h a rule l that h loud l d music i cannot be played after 10 p.m.

Although space in the residence halls is tight, all students agree that there are certain things that make dorm living bearable.

“It gets humid sometimes,” finance senior Ryan Boyce said. “So bring a fan or dehumidifier.”

Students should purchase a duster, trash bags and a trash can to keep their rooms clean, Boyce said.

Chemica Chemical and petroleum engineering sophom sophomore Bonnie Branstetter said stude students all bring things to entertain the themselves for the inevitable downti time that occurs when studying w won’t fill the hours.

But as important as that trophy from the first grade is to you now, bringing it with you to college is a bad choice.

“When you go into college, you’re going to [get] new things,” Branstetter said. “Start over when you get here.”

Carter, Boyce and Branstetter a agreed that the most important all par part of living in the dorms is getting to kno know your hall mates. a all singled out one item that They also all students absolutely could not make it through a seme semester without.

“Although it too took up a lot of room, my printer and computer were ab absolute necessities,” Branstetter said.

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Appreciate the fun, little moments college offers After being on campus this summer, it’s Forget those wide-open parking lots and good to see things getting back to normal. empty seats in the library. Let’s welcome Normal Norman. back endless amounts of flyers and sidewalks Actually, “normal Norman” isn’t exactly so with every inch covered in chalk, announc“normal.” ing new clubs and meeting times.

It’s been two-and-a-half long months It’s time for greek shirts, loud sidewalk since I’ve last seen a girl with preachers and mile-long a bow in her hair, fought for Don’t huddle up in some lines at the bursar’s office a parking spot or waited in a make a resurgence. It corner of the library every to long line at Crossroads. just feels right.

At the beginning of sum- Friday night, alone with There’s nothing like mer, it was nice ... for awhile.

Norman in the fall.

But the whole not-seeing- only your history book.

When 29,000 students many-students-on-campus gather in the small town deal gets old. of Norman, there’s never a I’m sure there’s a minority of students out dull moment. there who understand my pain. For the most As the semester kicks off, I expect to see of you, though, I’m sure you’re just glad to be plenty of half-dressed guys playing volleyball back. You’ve never known anything except a by the dorms, late-night parties at my apartbuzzing, heavily-populated South Oval. ment complex and about 5,000 bewildered

freshmen storming the bookstore.

For the incoming freshmen, I have a few tips to help you get through the first semester: Don’t take the little moments for granted, enjoy the down time and hold close to your friends.

This is a new journey we all have to go through. It’s hell sometimes, but when it’s not, it’s one of the sweetest experiences.

Right now, you’re starting out a new chapter in your life. And most likely, this chapter is going to be the most action-packed of the entire novel.

Looking back on my freshmen year, I wish I wouldn’t have been so caught up with making perfect grades. Don’t huddle up in some corner of the library every Friday night, alone with only your history book. Go out with your friends. Trust me, you’re not going to remember that test a week after you take it, but

you’re going to remember those moments you shared with your friends for years.

For those of you who are in the last years of your college life, let’s savor every moment as well.

A friend told me the other day that this is the time in your life when it starts getting weird: Friends graduate, move across the country and start new chapters without you.

Hold on to what you’ve got, start new adventures and take time to stop and explore campus (especially buildings you’ve never been in).

One last tip: Hang in there for the leaves to change colors. It’s a magical time at OU. All in all, thanks for coming back. If this is your first time, welcome. Either way, I’m just so glad Norman is getting back to normal again.

— Bryan Dugan is a journalism junior.

The Huston Huffman center is 150,000 sq. ft. of dedication to your health. From rock climbing to strength training we have a sport for you. Your student ID is the key to all the “Huff” has to offer.

GROUP FITNESS Mix up your workout routine. From Yoga to Boot Camp, you’ll find your perfect class! Sign-up on Aug 26 from 1-5 pm or Aug 27 from 7-11 am for only $35/semester+tax.

(All other times are $50/semester or $90+tax through May.)

INTRAMURAL SPORTS What’s your game? With Flag Football, Basketball, Horseshoes and much more, find your game at recservices.ou.edu.

MASSAGE THERAPY Relax with one of our three types of massage therapy: Sports, Swedish, or Deep Tissue. Only $45+tax for 60 minutes, $30+tax for 30 minutes. Stop by the Huston Huffman Front Desk for scheduling and more information.

T University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

The Accommodation based on disability can be made by calling Garry at A (405) 325-3053.

Back-to-School Edition 2010

3B

TYLER METCALFE/THE DAILY

A plethora of leather couches and padded chairs fill Beaird Lounge, an area where many students spend time studying or hanging out between class. The high number of seats and spacious, quiet environment make it an ideal spot to hit the books.

Best study spots around campus In a few weeks those pesky midterms are going to sneak up on you and you’ll want to be prepared. But first, you have to know where you’re going to settle in to study. Campus offers a wide variety of options to suit even the pickiest studier’s needs, so hold on to your hats as The Daily steps you through a list of some of the best places OU has to offer.

BEAIRD LOUNGE Located on the second floor of the Oklahoma Memorial Union, Beaird is often referred to as the “living room of the university.” This fairly large room feels cozy with rich rugs and comfy couches. Silent studiers beware: This is not a quiet location. A piano near the entrance beckons practiced players to exercise the keys, but not all those who give it a whirl are professionals. You’ll also hear a lot of amateur clunking, and hey, when you need a break from highlighting, you can take a turn, too. This location offers giant wooden tables for a group session, sofas for a small group, and plenty of chairs if it’s just you. If you want a lively atmosphere, Beaird is definitely the place to go. If all that reading makes you hungry, you also have the advantage of being just a floor away from the Union Food Court, Crossroads and Starbucks. Definitely don’t give it a shot if you are easily distracted, though.

BIZZELL MEMORIAL LIBRARY The Bizz may seem fairly straightforward, but don’t be fooled. This behemoth building offers multiple different study locations, but all with one common theme: “Shhh.” You’ve probably heard about the Great Reading Room with the individually carved figures lining the ceiling. This is a “uniquely OU” spot to settle in, and if you need zero distractions, this is for you. People even unzip their backpacks before they enter the room so this area stays silent.

TYLER METCALFE / THE DAILY

The lobby on the first floor of Wagner Hall provides students with various seating options and wireless internet access.

If you’re looking for something a little less intimidating but still mostly quiet, set up camp on one of the many comfortable couches scattered throughout the building.

You’ll have to find one that’s not being used for a midday nap, though..

And finally, group study rooms can be reserved for two hours for groups between two to six people. You can reserve in person or by calling 325-3341, but they ask for a seven-day advance notice. The advantage of studying at Bizzell is the resources available: You’re in a location that houses more 5 million books.

Plus, if you forget your textbook, the library has a collection of many required books that you can check out for two hours at a time.

There is also a computer area, and Bizzell offers laptops for three-hour check out.

TOWERS: 12TH FLOOR STUDY LOUNGES Not up for a long walk? Never fear, the Towers are here. Just a short trip up the elevator can land you in No. 3 of our study spots.

The 12th floors of Couch and Walker Tower are home to 24-hour study lounges. You can check in at the first room, and check out dryerase markers for the boards located in each room. As you walk down the hall, you have your pick of an entire hall of converted rooms that each offer a table with chairs, a dry erase board, and a few armchairs. And if you’ve been drinking a lot of fluids and need a quick trip to the powder room, the bathrooms between each room are still intact.

This location has seen many all-nighters, and it’s a great spot to work on a group project or to pound out a paper. You can be as talkative or as quiet as you want to be. I wouldn’t recommend running screaming down the halls, though. The study lounge doors close, but they’re not soundproof. Keep it respectful.

Note: The 12th floors of Adams Tower are composed half of rooms and half of a lounge that you can use to study. But remember, people are sleeping just a few feet over, so keep the volume to a reasonable level if you’re there past 10 p.m.

HONORS COLLEGE COURTYARD While we’re on the subject of residence halls, the Honors College courtyard is a peaceful location to set up camp. This beautiful garden is almost hidden near the doors of the college, and it has benches and wooden tables for you to claim. The walls of the college will keep that Oklahoma wind at bay, and on nice nights, this is a wonderful spot to study.

The area stays fairly quiet, but not everyone that hangs out there is studying, so you may have to move if other groups get too loud for your taste. The Honors College library is just a few steps inside, but you do have to be an Honor’s College student in order to take advantage of that resource. The courtyard, however, is open to anyone.

CAMPUS CORNER

TYLER METCALFE / THE DAILY

The Great Reading Room at Bizzell Memorial Library offers plenty of seating and desk space.

Home to some of the best shopping and dining that Norman has to offer, Campus Corner also provides several locations to get your study on. A fan favorite, Café Plaid has an outdoor patio where many students choose to hit the books. The locale sells salads, soups, sandwiches and spuds, as well as a yummy cookie selection. There are also indoor booths and tables if you’re not interested in fighting the elements (and the mosquitoes). Café Plaid is located directly across from the North

Oval. Its popular Brown Bag Combo, which includes half a sandwich, a small salad or cup of soup and a cookie, costs about $7.

Campus Corner also offers a Starbucks that has seats and tables for studiers, which might be an advantage over the union Starbucks.

The union Starbucks, however, accepts meal points. Bottom line — if you’re a snack-hungry studier, Campus Corner is a great place for you.

SOUTH OVAL With trees and benches aplenty, this grassy and well-traversed section of campus is a great place to lay down a blanket and pull out your books between classes. This spot offers the advantage of being right at the heart of campus, so it’s a nice halfway point between your art class at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and your general education course in Dale Hall. If you don’t want to share your space with a few stray ants, though, the outdoors might not be the best place for you.

However, beware that you are subject to the elements, and yes, that Oklahoma wind really does come sweeping down the plains.

Mathematics and anthropology fifth-year senior Nathan Crain said he rarely studies outside for that very reason.

“The wind always blows my book pages shut,” he said.

YOUR DORM ROOM Last but certainly not least, take advantage of convenience and settle down in your own room. Not only do you have everything you could possibly need, you can also stay up until 2 a.m. studying, and then skip the 20-minute walk back to your room, and just go straight to bed. However, you and your roommate may need to work out a system in order to ensure that he or she isn’t blasting All-American Rejects while you’re trying to understand physics.

Remember, as you go through the year, you will carve out your own favorite study locations, and your specific major might offer its own places for you to discover. Meteorology grad student Daniel Hartsock said he likes to study at the National Weather Center, but frequents the library to get a change of pace and take a break from the NWC. Did we leave your favorite spot off our list?

Send an email to dailyonline@ou.edu and let us know. We’ll post some readers’ favorites on our website at www.oudaily.com.

Tiffany Haendel is a visual communications junior.

4B

Back-to-School Edition 2010

NORMAN OFFERS SHARE OF INTERNATIONAL FLAIR KATHERINE BORGERDING The Oklahoma Daily

1984. The restaurant serves European and French foods, including some amazing desserts. La Baguette has two Norman locations, one on Main Street which has a more café-style setting, and the west side locations offers a sit-down restaurant and bar.

The Main Street location specializes in European pastries and breads and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. But its cakes are the most popular, particularly its chocolate mousse cake. La Baguette representative Regina Khouri said that the European flavor of the food is what makes it original.

Sick of pizza and hamburgers and want to try a different cuisine while you are starting the new school year? Stop by these local favorites for some international cuisine.

THE INTERNATIONAL PANTRY 1618 West Lindsey St. The shop, which specializes in gourmet and ethnic food, has been in business since 1978. Coffees, teas, chocolate, olives and cheeses are among some of the imported and ethnic food for sale. However, the store said its biggest sellers are its coffees and teas. International Pantry also has a large supply of cookware and kitchenware, and offers cooking classes twice a week. The cooking classes start at 6:30 p.m. and the cost is $45. To sign up for the store’s newsletter or shop online, go to intlpantry.com.

THE GREEK HOUSE

T.E.A. CAFÉ ON THE CORNER 788 Asp Ave.

ELI HULL / THE DAILY

Angelo Dimas, founder and owner of The Greek House on Jenkins Avenue, carries food to customers on a Thursday night. The Greek House has been in business for more than 30 years.

768 Jenkins Ave. The restaurant was founded by Greek immigrant Angelo Dimas and his family in 1979, and serves gyros as a plate or a sandwich. The owner’s son, Bill Dimas, said

that when his family came to Oklahoma, the easiest thing was to start a restaurant.

Regulars and students have been enjoying the authentic Greek food from a Greek family ever since.

LA BAGUETTE 924 West Main St. & 1130 Rambling Oaks Founded by the Jazzar and Khouri families, La Baguette has been in Norman since

After being a long-time hit with students and offering various types of Asian entrées, T.E.A. Café opened a second location on Campus Corner in late March 2009. As a break-away from typical Chinese buffets, this modern-chic menubased restaurant touts its bubble tea and wide variety of traditional ethnic dishes.

At its convenient location, students, faculty and visitors will find themselves lost in a world of aroma with smells of fried rice and freshly made slushes and frappes.

Freshmen, a few tips to survive that tricky first week of college JUSTIN GOFF The Oklahoma Daily

It’s finally here, the day you move down to Norman to start your college career. You have just about everything you could possibly need. Your room is set up just the way you want it, your parents are finally gone and you’re officially on your own, sort of. But even with all the stories and advice from your family and friends, you realize that you still have absolutely no idea what to expect in your first week on campus. But never fear, here are just a few tips to help you make it through your first week as a Sooner.

The first and most important thing is to make friends early.

Nothing is worse than being lonely. Luckily for you, there are a thousand other freshmen looking to do the same thing, so seek them out. Class is the easiest way to meet people.

Whether it’s the guy sitting next to you or the girl in the front row, you automatically have something in common with these people, so it will work to your advantage when trying to start conversation. Another way is through campus involvement, which I mention later. It’s the same general concept, but in a much more informal and laid back setting. There are a ton of opportunities to get involved on campus, so take your pick and let the friendfest begin.

No one wants to be those stragglers who show up to their As a college student, you’ll realize how much free time you first class late because they couldn’t find the room. Take an have. Most classes only meet two to three times a week with afternoon to find out where your classes are and try to find the exception of introductory-level foreign language classes. the best routes to each one. Most of the time, you’ll only have Time management is a big part of making sure you have a about 10 minutes to get from one class good freshman year, and it’s important to the next. Trust me, there’s noth- No one wants to be those to set these habits early. Set time aside to ing worse than having to walk from study, party, go to the gym, etc. This will Gaylord Hall to Catlett Hall, but it is stragglers who show up to their prove very helpful later.

Food is good, but free food is better. definitely doable if you take the fastest first class late because they Many student groups will have free food way possible.

Next, decide whether you want to couldn’t find the room. Take at their events and meetings. Even if you participate in rush. Many students an afternoon to find out where aren’t a member of a group, that doesn’t have had some contact with rush mean you can’t stop by for a free Subway chairs and have been to summer rush your classes are and try to find platter or a few Cane’s chicken fingers. Who events, but that doesn’t mean you can’t the best routes to each one. can resist the allure? Keeping on the subgo through. Rush typically starts on the ject of food, it’s also a good idea to scope out the local fare. Norman has some amazsecond week of school, so you have ing restaurants that are really affordable for some time to decide. Even if you don’t join a fraternity or sorority, it is a great way to meet people that students. (See page 3C for a guide to restaurants within walkcould possibly get you involved in other student groups. The ing distance from the dorms.) main point if this tip is involvement. No matter what else you So that’s it. Just about everything you need to know to surdo in college, it’s important to get involved early. It’s a great vive your first week in Norman. So go out, make some friends, study hard and party even harder. way to make friends and start building your résumé.

Back-to-School Edition 2010

5B

Campus organizations offer fun, networking opportunities SPENCER POPP The Oklahoma Daily

With more than 400 student-run clubs and organizations to join, the OU offers students opportunities to participate and enrich their college experiences through networking in student life.

Connecting with other college students with similar interests, promoting education and awareness about a specific topic, as well as exposing oneself to new experiences are reasons why some students want to join groups.

“It’s good to get involved in organizations in general,” said Steven Yung, president of Christians on Campus. “They are a good way to connect with people who share the

same interests as you, especially if you’re with a small baja vehicle.” not in a fraternity or sorority.”

There are organizations for whichever His organization, which consists of a major a student is planning on pursuing, group of 30 to 40 students, usually has sev- such as engineering, journalism, political eral meetings each week at different loca- science, psychology and many others. tions so members can be as involved as they Campus Activities Council, one of the would like. largest student organizaAnother organization, tions, helps plan events on WHAT DO YOU NEED TO Sooner Off-Road, offers campus throughout the START YOUR OWN CLUB? year, like Howdy Week. It is students an opportunity to compete in a national composed of up to 23 coun• 10 enrolled student members building contest, so to cil-members and more than • Staff adviser who is employed say. The organization’s 300 committee members. full time at OU stated mission is “to For those who speak for• Completed application packet professionally engage eign languages or those inin the Baja Society of terested in learning them, Automotive Engineering there are the Spanish, competition to design, build, and compete Portuguese, Arabic, French and Japanese

clubs, among others. Guest speakers and cultural nights help to engage and expose students to people and places not found in Oklahoma.

If none of the current 423 student organizations sparks an interest, it is possible to start your own.

Registered organizations receive benefits from OU including free or discounted reservations of university facilities, the ability to publicize on campus, an assigned mailbox in the Conoco Wing of the union, sponsorship opportunities from university departments, a website and e-mail address, according to the Student Life website.

For more information about campus organizations, including contact information, visit studentlife.ou.edu.

FROM AMATEUR RADIO TO ZOOLOGY: A COMPLETE LIST OF OU CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS 1 Community of Gamers 2:8 House A Poets, Entertainers, Artists, and Creative-Thinkers Expressive Community (P.E.A.C.E.) Adaptive Sports Club Advocates for Sexual Assault Awareness Aerospace Booster Club African Christian Fellowship African Forum for Progress African Students Association Alpha Eta Rho (International Professional Aviation Fraternity) Alpha Kappa Delta - Beta Chapter Alpha Lambda Delta Alpha Phi Omega, Delta Beta Chapter Alpha Psi Omega Alpha Sigma Kappa- Women in Technical Studies Amateur Radio Club (Alpha Sigma Delta Radio Fraternity) AME Graduate Student Community American Association of Petroleum Geologists American Cancer Society Relay for Life American Civil Liberties Union American Constitutional Society American Indian Law Review American Indian Science and Engineering Society American Indian Student Association American Indian Student Fellowship American Institute of Architecture Students American Institute of Chemical Engineers American Society of Civil Engineers American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Amnesty International Animal Volunteers Alliance Anthropology Graduate Student Association Antioch Community Church of Norman, Inc. Arab Student Association Arashi Taiko Architectural Engineering Institute Architecture Urbanite Army ROTC Cadets Arnold Air Society Art History Association Asian American Student Association Asian Pacific American Law Student Association ASME Human Powered Vehicle Association for Computing Machinery Association for Computing Machinery - Women’s Chapter Association Friends of Venezuela Association of Adult, Higher Education, and Development (AHEAD) Association of Disabled Students Association of Fundraising Professionals Sooner Collegiate Chapter Association of Geography Graduate Students Association of Primate Ecology Students Baccano (Italian Club) Backpacks for Burundi Bahai Association Baptist Student Union Beta Alpha Psi Black Graduate Student Association Black Law Students Association Black Student Association Board of Advocates Boheme Student Theatre Troupe Bolivian International Student Association Brothers Under Christ (Beta Upsilon Chi) Buddhist Association Cake Day Campus Activities Council Campus Crusade for Christ Caribbean Student Association Catholic Student Association Center for Inquiry - On Campus (CFI) Chemical Engineering Graduate Students Chess Club Chi Alpha Campus Ministries Christ on Campus Christian Legal Society Christian Science Organization Christians on Campus Chronic Illness Awareness Association Circle K International Classical Archaeology Society Club Dodgeball Team College Journey College Life @ Wildwood College of Arts and Science Leadership Scholars Program College Republicans Colleges Against Cancer

Collegiate Entrepreneurs Collegiate National Association for Music Education Colombian Student Association Communication Graduate Student Association Competitive Speech Team / American Forensic Association Computer Science Graduate Student Association Constitutional Studies Student Association Construction Students Association Counseling Student Association Criminology/Sociology Club Darwin Student Society Dean’s Leadership Council (College of Engineering) Dean’s Student Advisory Committee (College of Education) Delta Epsilon Psi Fraternity, Inc. Delta Sigma Pi- Beta Epsilon Chapter E-Moms and Dads Eden on Campus Educational Psychology Graduate Organization Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Student Society Energy Management Student Association Energy Resources Law Student Association Engineers Without Borders Engineers’ Club Environmental Law Society Environmental Science Student Association Epic Asian Christian Fellowship Episcopal Student Association Eta Kappa Nu, Beta Xi Chapter Eta Sigma Phi European Student Organization Facilitating African Rehabilitation Filipino American Student Association Finance Student Association First Year Engineers (E-1) Freedom by Design French and Francophone Student Association French Club Gamma Beta Fraternity Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society Gamma Delta Pi Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Friends (GLBTF) Geography Club German Club Global Haiti Initiative Global Zero Golden Key International Honour Society Graduate Association in Political Science Graduate Business Association Graduate Music Student Association Graduate Social Work Association Graduate Students for a Better Tomorrow Graphic Design Association Green Week Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter Health and Exercise Science Student Association Health Law Society Health, Hope & Well-being Hebrew Club Herodotus Historical Society Hillel Jewish Student Organization Hindu Student Council Hispanic American Law Student Association Hispanic American Student Association History Graduate Student Association History of Science Association Hong Kong Student Association Honors Student Association Housing Center Student Association Human Factors and Ergonomics Society India Student Association Indonesian Student Association Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Institute of Industrial Engineers Intellectual Property Society Intelligent Design and Evolution Awareness Club (IDEA) Interfraternity Council Interior Design Student Association International Advisory Committee International Affairs Society International Business Association InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Iranian Student Association J. Reuben Clark Law Society (Norman, Oklahoma Student Chapter) Japanese Animation & Manga Society Japanese Club Japanese Student Association JC Penney Leadership Program

Jugglers Association Kanakuk, KAA, and Friends Kappa Phi KGE Modern Language Honor Society Korean Student Association Lambda Delta Psi Sorority Latin Dance Club Latter-day Saint Student Association Lebanese Student Association Lifegroups Linguistics Club Lutheran Student Fellowship Magazine Interest Group Malaysian Student Association Management Information Systems Student Association March of Dimes Collegiate Council - Norman Mathematics Graduate Students Association Medical Ethics and Issues Discussion Panel Men’s Rugby Men’s Soccer Club Military Law Society Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) Model United Nations of the Southwest Muslims Students Association National Association of Black Accountants National Association of Black Journalists National Association of Hispanic Journalists National Organization for Women National Pan Hellenic Council National Society of Black Engineers National Society of Collegiate Scholars National Society of Leadership and Success Native American Journalists Association Native American Law Student Association Native American Women and Others for Multicultural Preservation Nepali Student Association Nonprofit Leadership Student Association Obviously Unrehearsed Improvisational Comedy (O.U. Improv!)

Oklahoma Academic Team Oklahoma American Society of Microbiologists Oklahoma Botanical Society Oklahoma College Broadcasters Oklahoma Crew Oklahoma Cycling Club Oklahoma Educational Studies Association Oklahoma Energy Club Oklahoma Equestrian Club Oklahoma Health and Fitness Group Oklahoma Hockey Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature Oklahoma International Law Society Oklahoma Journal of Law and Technology Oklahoma Justice Mission Oklahoma Karate-do Shito-ryu Genbu-Kai Oklahoma Law Class of 2011 Oklahoma Law Class of 2012 Oklahoma Law Review

Oklahoma Library and Information Studies Student Association Oklahoma Men’s Lacrosse Oklahoma Private Equity Club Oklahoma Rubik’s Cube Club Oklahoma Sailing Club Oklahoma Student Chapter of ASPRS Oklahoma Students Bocce Ball League of Excellence Oklahoma Students for Microfinance Oklahoma Trumpet Studio Oklahoma Undergraduate India Society Oklahoma Weather Lab Oklahoma Women’s Lacrosse Organization for the Advancement of Women in Law Organization of Black Design Students Association Orthodox Christian Fellowship Our Earth OUTV/The Wire Programmers Group Pan American Student Association Panhellenic Association Pegaso People for Animal Welfare and Safety Peruvian Student Association Phi Alpha Delta Phi Alpha Theta, Zeta Theta Chapter Phi Beta Lambda Phi Delta Alpha Sorority Phi Delta Phi Phi Lambda Upsilon Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity- Gamma Phi Chapter Philosophical Society Pi Tau Sigma, Honorary Mechanical Engineering Society Pick and Hammer Club Policy Debate Political Science Club Pre-Dental Club Pre-Law Club Pre-Medical Professions Club Pre-Nursing Club Pre-Optometry Club Pre-Pharmacy Association Pre-Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy Club Pre-Physician Assistant Club Pre-Veterinary Club Print Club Pro-Life Ambassadors Professional Writing Student Association (PWSA) Project Sunshine Psychology Club Psychology Graduate Student Association Public Relations Students Society of America (PRSSA) Pursuit College Ministry RCCG On Campus REACH Ministries Reformed University Fellowship Religious Studies Club Renaissance Project Robotics Club Rosebuds Russian Club Russian Speaking Student Association Saudi Student Association School of Meteorology Student Affairs Committee School of Music Chapter of Music Teachers National Association Second Amendment Club Second Wind

Semper Fi Society Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, Alpha Iota Chapter Sigma Alpha Lambda Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. Sigma Nu Alpha Gamma/Society of Native American Gentlemen Sigma Phi Lambda, Mu Chapter (Sisters for the Lord) Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society (Alpha Theta Psi Chapter) Single Parents on Campus Society for Human Resource Management Society of Asian Professional Engineers Society of Chinese Students and Scholars Society of Christian Apologists and Philosophers Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Society of Iranian Youth Society of Petroleum Engineers Society of Physics Students Society of Portuguese Speakers Society of Professional Journalists Society of Vietnamese Students Society of Women Engineers Soka Students Association Sooner Aviation Club Sooner Badminton Club Sooner Ballroom Dance Club Sooner Bass Anglers Sooner Communication Conference Sooner Dance Company Sooner Off-Road Sooner Racing Team Sooner Scuba Sooner Servants Sooner Tennis Club Sooners for Campus Progress Sooners for Israel Sooners for Ocean Security Sooners for Peace in Palestine Sooners Slam!

Spacechangers Spanish Club Sri Lankan Student Association STAND: a student anti-genocide coalition Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society Student Alumni Association Student Association for Public Administration Student Association of Bangladesh Student Association of Graduates in English Studies Student Athlete Advisory Committee Student Bar Association Student Belly Dance Club Student Business Association Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society Student Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (SCASLA) Student Council for Exceptional Children Student Film Production Club Student Martial Arts Association Student Mobilization Student Oklahoma Education Association Student Organization for Fair Trade Student Planning Association Student Society of Human Relations Student Veterans Association Student’s Chapter of the National

Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Students for a Democratic Society Students for Apostolic Light and Truth (SALT) Students for Ecclesia Students for Legacy Left Students for Sensible Drug Policy Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Students for the Prevention of Drug Abuse Students of African-American Brotherhood Students of Oklahoma Longboarding Everywhere Students of University Lutheran Students Today Leaders Forever Sub30 Taiwanese Student Association Tau Beta Pi Association (Engineering Honor Society) Tau Beta Sigma- Delta Chapter Thai Student Association The Arabic Club The Big Event The Capelables The Council of Fire Debate Society The Economics Society of Oklahoma The English Club The Essence of Oklahoma Dance Team The Federalist Society The Impact Movement The Other Film Club The Red Clay Faction The Red Cross Society The Redliners The Society for Many Purposes The Society of Exploration Geophysics The Sooner Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives The Student Theatre Initiative The United World Think Tank Tierra Tinta Turkic Cultures Student Association Turkish Student Association Ultimate Frisbee Club Undergraduate Anthropological Society Undergraduate Social Work Association Union Programming Board United Students University Gospel Choir University Investing UOSA Executive Branch UOSA General Counsel UOSA Graduate Student Senate UOSA Undergraduate Student Congress Vietnamese Student Association Visual Art Student Association Wakeboard Team Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts Deans Student Advisory Council Wesley Foundation Wilberforce Initiative Club Windmill WLT Book Club Women of Power Women’s Rugby Club Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Womens and Gender Studies Student Association Young Democrats Young Life Youth for Western Civilization Zoological Society

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Back-to-School Edition 2010

Ricky Ly, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

FILE PHOTO BY MERRILL JONES / THE DAILY

OU fans raise their fingers during the kickoff for the football game against Baylor on Oct. 10 in the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

COLUMN: FOOTBALL PREVIEW

FIVE GAMES THE SOONERS MUST WIN Old rivalries begin anew this fall

TEXAS

RJ YOUNG The Oklahoma Daily

Like most things in life — and as Nick Hornsby has taught us — top-five lists seem to be the best way to sort the best from the rest. You can pretty much separate cars, girlfriends, boyfriends and even baseball players by invoking the use of a top-five list.

Behold the Sooners’ top-five football games this season.

In order to be Big 12 conference champions and have a shot at winning the national title, the Sooners will have to win all of these games while establishing a double-digit mark in the win column.

FLORIDA STATE

OU head coach Bob Stoops has proven to be adamant about testing the mettle of his teams in early September.

This season won’t be any different, as the Sooners take on the Florida State Seminoles on Sept. 11 in the second game of the season. After an 8-6 regular season in which the Seminoles finished in a non-BCS bowl, Florida State will look to start the season off with a marquee win over OU. The Seminoles will be under the watchful eye of their previous head coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fischer, after closing the book on the 33-year reign of college football coaching legend Bobby Bowden in December.

Quarterback Christian Ponder will test a young secondary which will miss the shutdown talent of former cornerback Dominique Franks.

CINCINNATI

Two weeks later, the Sooners will travel to Ohio to battle the Big East champions and BCS bowl representative Cincinnati Bearcats. The Bearcats will be looking to reclaim their place atop their conference again after losing their starting quarterback Tony Pike, their most prolific wide receiver in 2009, Mardy Gilyard, and head coach Brian Kelly.

The Bearcats will go as far as sophomore quarterback Zach Collaros will take them in 2010. Collaros was given the reins to the Bearcat offense last season after Pike was sidelined with an injured arm. Collaros proved he can make plays both with his arms and his legs and this dual threat could give the Sooners’ front seven a headache, especially in man coverage where one man will be largely responsible for spying Collaros.

OU will act as the Bearcats’ first big test this season and will be looking to let the rest of the nation know OU is indeed still one of the top teams in the country. The Sooners will have to adapt to the drastic change in environment after playing at home for their first three games of the season.

2010 SOONER FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Sept. 4

Utah State

Norman

Sept. 11

Florida State

Norman

Sept. 18

Air Force

Norman

Sept. 25

Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio

Oct. 2

Texas

Dallas

Oct. 16

Iowa State

Norman

Oct. 23

Missouri

Columbia, Mo.

Oct. 30

Colorado

Norman

Nov. 6

Texas A&M

College Station, Texas

Nov. 13

Texas Tech

Norman

Nov. 20

Baylor

Waco, Texas

Nov. 27

Oklahoma State

Stillwater

Dec. 4

Big 12 Championship* Arlington, Texas

*If OU wins Big 12 South Division

scoring offense for possession and field position. This could to be a wrinkle the Sooners haven’t seen in some time p Bad blood always has been a large g part p of this famous prove since the rest of college football and most m of the Big 12 rivalry, but the stakes are raised this year after Texas’ proteams have converted to the sprea spread formation sets, posed move to the Pac-10 10 and its attempt to lord over the predicated on brevity between whisremaining 10 memberss of the Big 12. After last year’s tles and an a quick aerial 13-16 loss to their Red River rival, the Sooners offense assault. assa will have to prove that thee drubbing the Longhorns’ deNo N doubt, the fense put on them was a farcical fluke.

Red Re Raiders have The Sooners will look ok forward to breaking in spent this past quarterback Garrett Gilbert, ilbert, who will start in spring implementing McCoy’s stead this season. son. Gilbert saw spoTuberville’s scheme and Tubervi radic time at QB last season ason while completing adjusting adjustin to new posi45 percent of his pass attempts tempts for 310 yards. tions and concepts but by c His quarterback ratingg was an abysmal the time they line lin up against the 82.79 in 2009, and Gilbert bert crumpled Sooners, they will be nine games into like a Coke can under the he pressure of their schedule. Tuberville and his staff Tuber the 2010 national championship mpionship MERRILL JONES would be remiss if they th did not save a game. In the Citi BCS National /THE DAILY play or two in their bag of tricks for their Championship game hee completJunior runfirst trip to Norman. ed 15 of 40 pass attempts pts for 186 ning back yards, threw all four of his career DeMarco OKLAHOMA STATE interceptions and the only two Murray runs the In the latest chapte chapter of the Bedlam touchdowns on his résumé. umé. ball past Baylor’s rivalry, the Sooners d demolished the Fortunes changed d for defense on Oct. Oklahoma State Cowboys C 27-0 in fter the worst in 2009 after 10 in Norman.

November at Oklah Oklahoma Memorial the Sooners’ loss to the Stadium. hey Longhorns; in 2010 they Out to prove they th can still play n. will be out for retribution. with the Soone Sooners, the Cowboys will install 26-year-old 26sophoTEXAS TECH more Brand Brandon Weeden at Amid the inner controversy troversy of an outwardly in much starting quarterback quarte dysfunctional Big 12, the he Sooners will look to that Florida State the same way th sew this game up along with the Big 12 South used Chris Weinke from fro 1998 to 2000. division, heading into their final conferprospect Weeden, a former minor league baseball b ence game with the Oklahoma State from Oklahoma City, was used only for ssporadic mop-up Cowboys. duty in 2009 as Zac Robinson’s somewhat able a back up. Last The Sooners will sett out to year, he completed 62 percent of his passes for 248 yards and avenge the worst loss in its long, against four touchdowns, including a decent performance perfo illustrious history at thee hands the Colorado Buffaloes, in which he passed for 168 yards and of the Red Raiders. The he 13-41 two touchdowns. loss put the Sooners’ record cord at 6-5 Reports have shown that Weeden has matured since after the November debacle. bacle. It was December, but the Sooners will have an eye on the Cowboy’s a game in which the Texas exas Tech ofrunning b backs, 190-pound Kendal k especially ll 5-foot-8, f fense racked up 549 yards of total offense, including 388 yards passing. Former Texas Tech head Hunter. Hunter will be coming off of a down season in which coach Mike Leach and his pass-happy playbook played keep he only carried the ball 89 times for 382 yards, a 4.3 yards per away from the Sooners by holding the ball for 37 minutes in carry average.

With a brand new signal caller under center, look for Lubbock, Texas.

The Red Raiders more than likely will adapt to their new Gundy to use his running game more this season and try head coach, Tommy Tuberville, and his smashmouth style to wear down the frontline of the Sooners at Boone Pickens of play, forsaking Mike Leach’s shotgun spread and high- Stadium.

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Back-to-School Edition 2010

7B

LUKE ATKINSON / THE DAILY

Sophomore Olivia Staff (13) and junior Kelsey Craft (16) follow the ball during OU’s 0-1 loss to USC on Sept. 20 in Norman. OU finished the 2009 season with seven wins, 10 losses and two ties.

Sooner soccer team aims to make playoffs TOBI NEIDY The Oklahoma Daily

OU’s soccer team is reloading its roster with experienced talent and sets out to avenge last season’s disappointing absence from the postseason.

Leading-scorer Whitney Palmer returns to the field as one of the most anticipated players to watch this season as the senior forward prepares to place her name at the top of several more OU record lists.

The Sooners also added to the 2010 roster two players with U.S. national team experience in midfielder/forward Zoe Dickson and defender Carrie Whigham.

The team has five current members with national team experience after Maryland transfer Caitlin Mooney, 2009’s Gatorade Oklahoma Player of the Year, joined the team in January.

A LOOK BACK AT 2009 The team started the 2009 season with one of the program’s best starts, winning a five-game stance at home. OU outscored its opponents 12-1 during the stretch, including four shutout wins over Arkansas, Missouri State, Sam Houston State and Oral Roberts. The Tulsa Golden Hurricane was the only team to score on OU during the stretch.

During the team’s first road trip on the season, the Sooners tied with Middle Tennessee State before dropping the next two games to Vanderbilt 3-1 and LSU 4-0. The Sooners bounced back to defeat Lamar at home before falling to USC 1-0 and Red River rival Texas 2-1.

The biggest win came in the following game against Texas A&M. The then-No. 13 Aggies couldn’t overcome a goal in the 61st minute by junior Kelsey Kraft, securing the

Sooners the 3-2 win.

“It‘s a huge win for our program,” Nelson said following the game.

“Our team came out and beat a very, very good Texas A&M team.”

The Sooner win was the program’s first victory in 15 all-time meetings against the Aggies, while also snapping an 11-game losing streak against ranked teams. With a 6-4-1 record at this point in the season, the Sooners were looking to participate in the postseason at the Big 12 Championship.

But OU went 1-6-1 in the final eight games to end the season, finishing 7-10-2 overall and 2-7-1 in Big 12 Conference action. The seven wins more than doubled the win total from the 2008 season (3-15-1).

“We had a lot of young players receiving invaluable minutes,” Nelson said. “I feel very confident about the future and what it holds.”

SOONERS TO WATCH Whitney Palmer, forward A four-game scoring streak, OU’s second career hat trick, two-time Big 12 2009 Offensive Player of the Week and first team All-Big 12 are just a handful of the highlights around Palmer’s junior season.

The current senior forward out of Plano, Texas, finished the 2009 season with 15 goals, a single-season best for OU, landing her on the nation’s top-10 list in the No. 8 spot.

Palmer’s All-Big 12 first team recognition last season was the first time since 2005 that a Sooner has received the honor.

Palmer finished the 2009 season scoring eight goals in the last 10 games, bringing her career totals to 29 goals and 61 points.

Dria Hampton, forward The Piedmont freshman started every game and led the team in assists in 2009. She scored 10 goals, the eighth time a freshman has scored double-digits points for the Sooners.

She also ranked second for OU with 52 shots taken.

Kelsey Devonshire, goalkeeper The returning keeper started all 19 games and led the Big 12 in saves while allowing 34 goals on the 2009 season. The sophomore from North Richland Hills, Texas, collected six shutouts as a freshman, ranking third on OU’s single season list. Devonshire was also the first goal keeper to record a shutout in her debut game in the program’s history.

8B

Back-to-School Edition 2010

PHOTO PROVIDED

Freshman quarterback Blake Bell threw for 2,752 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2009 for his high school in Wichita, Kan.

COLUMN: FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Ranking the top-10 freshman recruits JUSTIN GOFF The Oklahoma Daily

The Sooners signed 29 freshmen for the 2010-2011 season and, as usual, OU has one of the top recruiting classes in the country, next to the University of Florida.

Let’s take a look at the top-10 recruits from this year’s class.

1. BLAKE BELL, NO. 10 QUARTERBACK WICHITA, KAN. (BISHOP CARROLL HS) Bell has the potential to be another great OU quarterback, but for now he will be watching and learning from current starter Landry Jones. Ranked a five-star recruit by Scout.com and a four-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals.com, the Kansan threw for 2,752 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 839 yards in 2009. Bell is big; at 6-feet-6inches and 225 pounds, he might be perceived as just a pocket passer with a big arm, but think again. Bell is extremely agile and can be a threat with both his arms and his legs.

2. BRONSON IRWIN, NO. 29 OFFENSIVE LINE MUSTANG (MUSTANG HS) Irwin is quite the lineman. At 6-feet-6inches and 305 pounds, he will be sure to put some defensive ends on their backs.

He has good, quick feet and strong hands, but won’t see much playing time until the current offensive line is gone. The Sooner front five have really stepped it up and have provided an excellent wall for Jones to line up behind. It definitely took them some time to gel, and it may be awhile before Irwin has the chance to show what he’s got.

3. TONY JEFFERSON, NO. 1 RUNNING BACK CHULA VISTA, CALIF. (EASTLAKE HS) Jefferson racked up the yards in high school last season, with 1,995 yards on 223 carries. He definitely has the chops to be an elite running back in the next year or two. He may even see some playing time behind senior back Demarco Murray who decided to stay for his senior season. His snaps may be limited, but I definitely see Jefferson having an immediate impact on the Sooners’ running game.

4. SHELDON MCCLAIN, NO. 88 WIDE RECEIVER CIBOLO, TEXAS (BYRON M. STEELE HS) Despite sitting out the entire 2009 season, McClain still was able to grab the attention of the OU receiving staff with his numbers from 2008. He snagged 26 catches for 488 yards and three touchdowns, was named All-Region by Prepstar and was a three-star recruit by Rivals.com as well as Scout.com. He definitely will be welcomed by the receiving corps, which in my opinion has been a little shallow. I am interested to see how he adjusts to the speed of the college game.

5. QUENTIN HAYES, NO. 29 DEFENSIVE BACK LANCASTER, TEXAS (LANCASTER HS) Judging by his highlight videos, Hayes has a lot of speed and power, which is what the Sooner secondary is known for. I have always thought our secondary needed to be a little faster and a lot more aggressive.

Our guys make big hits, but it always seems to be brought to them, they never take it on.

Hayes looks like the kind of guy that can

bring a spark to our secondary and maybe help turn us into the big scary secondary unit we ought to be.

6. JULIAN WILSON, NO. 2 DEFENSIVE BACK/WIDE RECEIVER MOORE (SOUTHMOORE HS) Wilson was a beast on either side of the ball. He caught 36 passes for 485 yards and three TDs on offense, and racked up 45 tackles on defense. He also participated in track and field, and has been timed in a 10.6-100 and a 21.9-200 meters in track. Look for Wilson to make a decision on which side of the ball he will play very soon, if he hasn’t been told already. Either way, this kid is going to wreck shop in the future.

7. GENEO GRISSOM, NO. 85 DEFENSIVE LINE HUTCHINSON, KAN. (HUTCHINSON HS) Look for Grissom to make an impact very early. I feel that based on his size alone, he will see some action this season.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end has the speed and the hands to slice through opposing offensive linemen with ease. He reminds me of Jason Taylor, defensive end for the Miami Dolphins. He is just nasty in the trenches and throws opponents to the side like rag dolls. Dan Cody would be proud and see a man after his own heart in Grissom.

8. DANIEL NOBLE, NO. 93 DEFENSIVE LINE FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS (MARCUS HS) Noble is an absolute monster, his highlight is clip after clip of him just pummeling opposing RBs and QBs. It was like poetry in motion. His swim moves and spins looked so effortless. He will be a welcome addition to the defensive rotation. The Sooner defensive line has always been known as a wrecking crew, and with a guy like Noble coming in, expect teams to continue to fear Noble and the rest of his brothers on the defensive line, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

9. AUSTIN HAYWOOD, NO. 89 TIGHT END MOORE (SOUTHMOORE HS) Haywood is, in my opinion, the next Jermaine Gresham. He isn’t quite as tall, but has the attitude and speed to fill the hole Gresham left at the tight end spot.

Haywood has a knack for making big plays as well as big hits. I guess offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson was so spoiled at having such a talented receiver and blocker at tight end, he had to find himself a copy. I think he did a good job spotting Haywood just up the road in Moore. I’m not sure if he will see much time this season, but give Haywood some time to refine his talents and he will for sure be just as good or even better than Gresham was.

10. TYRUS THOMPSON, NO. 71 OFFENSIVE LINE PFLUGERVILLE, TEXAS (PFLUGERVILLE HS) Thompson is big strong and fast. Just what OU’s offensive line will need in the future. As with any of the incoming freshman linemen, he will have to wait for his time.

Patience is a virtue; he may not see action until his sophomore of junior year with all the talent and time it takes for an O-line to meld together and truly be a singular unit.

I think Thompson will do just fine in OU’s system if he can play it cool and wait for his chance to shine.