OU Football Preview magazine 2017

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PREVIEW17

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FOOTBALL OU DAILY

PREVIEW17

TA B L E O F C ON TEN T S 4-5 • game previews & schedule 6-7 • riley’s new energy

8 OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW SECTION 9 • offensive overview

10 • mayfield & lincoln’s bond 12 • running back battle 14 • offensive line 15 DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW SECTION 18 • defensive overview/

mcneill’s new impact

20 • sooner safeties

22 • caleb kelly’s rise

...

Above photo by: Megan Ross/Sooner Yearbook Cover photo by: Siandhara Bonnet/The Daily

E D I T O R I A L STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DESIGNER

PRINT EDITOR

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abbie sears

abbie sears

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kelli stacy george stoia VISUAL EDITOR siandhara bonnet abby bitterman

emily mcpherson

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becca sterkel OU Daily’s football preview magazine is a publication of University of Oklahoma Student Media. Nick Jungman, director of student media, authorized printing of 10,000 copies

by University Printing Services at no cost to the taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma.

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OHIO STATE PREVIEW

BY KELLI STACY • @ASTACYKELLI

T

he Sooners are headed to Columbus, Ohio, the second week of the season to face off against Ohio State in a battle of two of the most storied programs in college football.

The Buckeyes beat the Sooners 45-24 last year in Norman. This year the Sooners look to avenge that loss and knock off a preseason top-three team in Ohio State.

Oklahoma is currently the Big 12 favorite and is ranked in the top 10 of ESPN’s preseason power rankings and the Amway Coaches Poll. The Sooners lost a legendary head coach in Bob Stoops, who decided to retire in June, but new head coach Lincoln Riley is familiar with the program and returns a strong

roster.

The Sooners are returning many key players — most importantly redshirt senior quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield will be protected by arguably one of the best offensive lines in the country this season, led by junior Orlando Brown. With a strong offensive line, Mayfield should have plenty of time in the pocket.

The problem for the Sooners is that Ohio State is returning their starting defensive line.

The passing game could work for Oklahoma, as Ohio State lost both starting corners to the NFL Draft. However, OU lost star receiver Dede Westbrook to the draft, as well. The Sooners will need receivers like senior Jeffery

Mead and Kentucky transfer Jeff Badet to step up, as well as young receivers like freshman CeeDee Lamb.

As far as the running game is concerned, Oklahoma lost Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon to the draft. While the running back battle is still in full swing, redshirt sophomore Rodney Anderson is the likely frontrunner.

Anderson has missed the past two seasons with injuries, but looks to be ready for the season. Sophomore running back Abdul Adams has also showed a lot of promise in fall camp, and the two should see considerable playing time.

The Sooners may have more trouble on the defensive side of

the ball. Though OU is returning many of their starters and looks to have a much better season defensively, Ohio State is also returning much of their offense.

The Buckeyes are returning quarterback J.T. Barrett, running back Mike Weber and four of five starting offensive linemen.

The Buckeyes’ weakest position on the offense appears to be at wide receiver, where they’re returning just one starter. OU struggled last year defensively, but with more experience this year, the team looks to be a lot stronger.

The showdown in Columbus seems to be a lot more evenly matched this year, making for what is predicted to be a closer, more interesting game.

SEASON SCHEDULE

4

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OCT. 14

TEXAS PREVIEW

BY GEORGE STOIA • @GEORGESTOIA

E

ach year, there is always one game that is circled on Oklahoma’s schedule—Texas. The Red River Showdown is one of the college football’s most storied rivalries, but this year it will have a new look to it.

For the first time since 1947, both teams will have new head coaches on the sidelines, which could play a major factor in the outcome of the game. For Oklahoma, Lincoln Riley will lead the way, while Tom Herman will be at the helm for Texas. Both coaches are former successful offensive coordinators, which could lead to a shootout in Dallas.

Oklahoma returns eight

starters on offense led by quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The Sooners also return their entire offensive line, tight end Mark Andrews and fullback Dimitri Flowers. Despite losing the majority of their production in Samaje Perine, Joe Mixon and Dede Westbrook, OU hopes to continue being an offensive juggernaut.

On the other side, Texas will try to slow down the Sooners potent offense with a young and talented defense. Led by linebacker Malik Jefferson, the Longhorns will showcase a physical defense. Defensive l i n e m a n B re c k y n Ha g e r and Malcolm Roach will be some of the best talent the Oklahoma offensive line faces

all season. If OU can slow down Texas’ pass rush, they should have no problem scoring on the young Longhorn defense.

Offensively, Texas returns players in key positions including sophomore quarterback Shane Buechele.

However, the Longhorns did lose their leading rusher D’Onta Foreman who became their bread and butter late in the 2016 season. Texas does pose a threat at wide receiver though, returning Devin Duvernay who averaged 20.6 yards per catch.

The Sooners will try to slow down the Texas offense with a veteran defensive core, with eight returning

starters including six seniors. Linebackers Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Caleb Kelly will not only be a major threat to Buechele, but all quarterbacks as two of the top pass rushers in the Big 12. In the secondary, safety Steven Parker hope to create turnovers off the pressure their linebackers will make. If Oklahoma’s front seven can get Buechele, the Loghorns may be in for a long day.

Last year’s Red River Rivalry featured a crazy shootout with the Sooners finding themselves on top 45-40. This season may not be much different, but everyone knows anything can happen on the second Saturday in October.

@KANSAS STATE

TEXAS TECH

@OKLAHOMA STATE

TEXAS CHRISTIAN

@KANSAS

WEST VIRGINIA

OCT. 21

OCT. 28

NOV. 4

OCT. 14

OCT. 18

OCT. 25 5

ENERGY

RILEY BRINGS NEW ERA TO STORIED PROGRAM

FOOTBALL OU DAILY

PREVIEW17

STORY BY GEORGE STOIA • @GEORGESTOIA

F

ourteen days after Oklahoma found itself on the wrong side of a 40-6 thrashing from Clemson to end the 2014 season, Bob Stoops announced he had found a spark he felt could re-energize his program. That spark was a young, fiery offensive coordinator from East Carolina University: Lincoln Riley.

“Lincoln brings a fresh perspective to our program that I believe will help us maximize our potential offensively,” Stoops said that day in January 2015.

Little did Sooner fans know with that hire, a new era of Oklahoma football had been born — an era that would include everything from louder music and eye emojis to a championship-themed T-shirt.

Now, when OU runs onto Owen Field on Sept. 2 against UTEP just 965 days after Riley’s introduction as offensive coordinator, he’ll bring that fresh perspective to bear as heir to the crown of the Sooners’ next great head coach.

“He brings a ton of swagger, ton of energy, ton of juice,” junior left tackle Orlando Brown said. “Everything he’s preaching is great.”

...

With a relentless mentality, Riley studied hours of film and broke down the Sooners’ offense, eventually restoring it as one of the most prolific scoring machines in the country. In just two years, Riley became one of the most sought-after coordinators in college football. He was gushing with potential, but no one could predict what would come next for the young, talented coach from West Texas.

Then came June 7, when Stoops shocked the college football world with his decision to step away from the sidelines, leaving the key to the palace on the prairie to Riley.

Starting his coaching career as a student assistant at Texas

Tech, Riley was able to learn from one of the most unique coaching personalities ever: Mike Leach. Known for his riskit-all coaching mentality and quirky identity, Leach — now the head coach at Washington State — may be the most interesting man in all of college football. Along with Leach, Riley was also given the opportunity to work under Ruffin McNeill, one of the most well-liked coaches in college football, at ECU. Under Leach and McNeill’s tutelage, Riley gained loads of knowledge many coaches may not come to learn until later in their careers, fueling Riley’s quick climb through the coaching ranks, putting him on Stoops’ radar after the 2014 loss to Clemson.

Stoops would eventually hire the vibrant offensive coordinator, and his presence was felt almost immediately at Oklahoma.

In week two of his first season, Riley’s high-octane offense led by quarterback Baker Mayfield came roaring back from a two-touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter against Tennessee — a win that would eventually help OU reach the College Football Playoff. It was no coincidence that Riley and Mayfield would begin a close relationship after that game, as the two have been known to have the same fiery personality.

“It’s developed through time,” Riley said. “I felt with the way he responded at Tennessee his sophomore year — when we didn’t play well for whatever it was, three and a half quarters — I knew there was some good there.”

Mayfield had become the Robin to Riley’s Batman, but their success didn’t stop there.

In their second season together, the Sooners finished second in the country in total offense, and Mayfield would be one of two Heisman finalists Riley produced, alongside wide receiver Dede Westbrook.

Schools began to become

interested in Riley when he won the 2015 Broyles award, an award given to the nation’s top college football assistant.

With reports of him “killing” the Houston interview and rumors of major schools targeting him, the fate of OU’s bright offensive coordinator was uncertain. But when Mayfield decided to stick around for one more year, he made sure Batman stuck around too, making Riley promise to stay one last year.

Oklahoma then proceeded to lock Riley up for the long term, with a three-year extension worth $1.3 million, which made him the fifth highest-paid assistant coach in college football.

In hindsight, it only made sense that OU would go with Riley when Stoops decided to hang it up.

“Lincoln brings a fresh perspective to our program that I believe will help us maximize our potential offensively.”

BOB STOOPS, FORMER HEAD COACH

“Coach Riley is the perfect man for the job,” Mayfield said when Riley first became head coach. “I mean, he’s such a great coach and he really — they say he relates to players on a different level, and that’s true.”

Oklahoma players and coaches have repeatedly said there haven’t been any major differences between Stoops and Riley, but they have raved about Riley’s ability to connect with players off the field — even if that’s just playing Kendrick Lamar and Drake a little louder at practice.

“We have the music going a lot more just to wake us up and get our blood pumping,” safety Steven Parker said. “We’re always competing against each

other in everything we do, which we did with Bob also, but it’s just a little different. It seems like everybody wants to buy in, and the young guys have bought in.”

Riley has also shown he can relate to future players, adding to an already top-10 recruiting class by earning three verbal commitments at the annual “ChampU BBQ.” He’s also become a fan favorite on Twitter by tweeting eye emojis each time a new recruit is on the verge of announcing his commitment.

These are just small examples of how Riley’s charismatic personality has flourished on and off the field in his first 86 days as OU’s head coach.

“He’s doing a great job as a head coach,” McNeill said.

“Really proud of him — I’m proud when I see him talk in front of that team.”

...

But despite his new role and responsibilities, Riley’s character hasn’t changed.

“He’s just stayed true to himself. He is who he is,” Riley’s wife, Caitlin, said. “He’s the smartest person I know, but he’s very humble and hardworking. He’s genuine — you won’t find anybody more genuine.”

From his up-tempo offense to eye emojis, Riley has brought a fresh perspective to Oklahoma’s program. The 33-year-old head coach — who has two daughters, Sloane and Stella, both under the age of five — is known for relating to players. To Riley, that’s the most important part of his new job — it’s about the relationships he will build, not the games he will win.

“We’re around these guys — especially this time of year — more than our own families,” Riley said. “I don’t know how you couldn’t have relationships with them. If we’re going to do all this stuff, we might as well enjoy each other, get to know each other and have some fun.”

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OU FOOTBALL DAILY

PREVIEW17

OFFENSIVE O V E R V I E W

SOONERS LOOK TO CONTINUE DOMINANCE ON OFFENSE RILEY AND MAYFIELD SHARE SPECIAL BOND

ABDUL ADAMS’ SIGHTS SET ON STARTING SPOT

OFFENSIVE LINE SHOWCASES DEPTH, VERSATILITY

OFFENSIVE O V E R V I E W

NEW PLAYERS, RETURNING STARTERS MAKE FOR PROMISING OFFENSE

O

BY ABBY BITTERMAN • @ABBY_BITTERMAN

klahoma’s high powered offense doesn’t show signs of slowing down this season despite new faces at some key positions.

Redshirt senior Baker Mayfield will play his final season as the Sooners’ quarterback this year, and he’ll do it behind one of the nation’s best offensive lines.

Mayfield — a two-time Heisman nominee — has thrown 88 touchdowns and recorded just under 10,000 passing yards in his career.

His ability to avoid tackles and make plays under pressure has helped lead Oklahoma to back-to-back Big 12 Championships.

The offensive line in front of Mayfield will also be important. Co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh has built arguably one of the best O-lines in college football, returning every starter.

Redshirt junior Orlando Brown and the rest

of the linemen will play a critical role in the Sooner offense this season.

The return of redshirt junior Mark Andrews and the addition of freshman Grant Calcaterra make tight end another strong position for the Sooners.

The Sooners have more than a few new players to watch this year. Kentucky-transfer Jeff Badet will look to make an impact for Oklahoma at wide receiver. Badet made 82 receptions for 1,385 yards at Kentucky. He’s just one in a list of options for Mayfield to throw to this year. Senior Jeffery Mead is another receiver to watch, as he’s stepping into more of a leadership role this season.

Oklahoma will also rely on new faces in the backfield. Junior college transfer Marcelias Sutton, freshman Trey Sermon and redshirt sophomore Rodney Anderson are all running backs with the potential to

make a lot of carries for the Sooners, as well as sophomore Abdul Adams.

As early enrollees, Sutton and Sermon showed their potential at the spring game in April. Anderson, who has been hurt the majority of the last two seasons, also participated in the spring game but couldn’t be tackled. All three have potential to help the Sooners run game now that Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon have moved on to the NFL. With Lincoln Riley taking over as head coach, Bedenbaugh and inside receivers coach Cale Gundy will now share the title of offensive coordinator. Riley, however, will still call the plays.

In recent years, the Sooners’ offense has propelled the team to consecutive Big 12 titles, a spot in the College Football Playoff and a Sugar Bowl victory. Look for that offense to continue this season.

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RILEY & MAYFIELD’S BOND

I

n 2014, Lincoln Riley and Baker Mayfield stepped onto OU’s campus — the biggest steps in their careers thus far — in eerily similar situations. Both former walk-ons at Texas Tech, both with something to prove, it seemed fate had brought them together.

Three years later, the duo has ascended to the top of one of the best college football programs in the nation, and they’ve done it together. They’ve moved through the ranks side by side, and now their close bond may be the key to a national title.

With Riley taking the helm after legendary coach Bob Stoops’ surprise retirement in June, the program’s focus has been on building relationships to foster a closer team.

The prime example of the type of relationship Riley wants to build with his players is that of the one he shares with Mayfield. It’s a bond that’s been built on mutual trust and consistency.

“He hasn’t changed at all,” Mayfield said of Riley. “I think that’s the best thing about him.

No matter where he’s at, he’s always that same person.”

Mayfield and Riley’s bond was solidified with the Sooners’ game against Tennessee in 2015. It was the first time Mayfield was seen for the escape artist he is — his personality coming alive on the

10

BY KELLI STACY • @ASTACYKELLI

field — making Tennessee’s defense miss left and right as he led OU to a comeback victory.

“For me my job is to play off of them,” Riley said of quarterbacks.

“Sometimes you’ve got a guy that’s kind of off the cuff like Bake is, (and) I have to be the calming influence.”

Mayfield’s personality attracts a lot of attention. He’s known for risky plays and trash talk on the field and fiery speeches in the locker room.

“He kind of comes across as a wild gunslinger — all over the place,” Riley said. “Those are the plays everybody sees, but they don’t pay attention to the fact he doesn’t turn the ball over much, makes pretty good decisions and plays actually a little more steady than maybe his personality would suggest.”

...

You might say Mayfield and Riley have opposite personalities, but that isn’t the case. The 33-year-old head coach exudes youthfulness and energy — swagger, even. His level isn’t on that of Mayfield’s, but it doesn’t have to be.

Mayfield is a vocal leader with an overflowing amount of leadership and energy — the first player running down the field to congratulate a teammate after a

good play. This allows Riley to remain slightly less vocal, confident his quarterback will keep morale high. The team has already bought into his style of coaching — similar enough to Stoops’ for comfort, but fresh enough that players notice and appreciate the difference.

“His confidence and ability to relate to players in this era of football that we’re in is critical, and I think he’s going to bring a young, enthusiastic style to our team,” defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said.

With Riley encouraging a new intensity and energy among the team and Mayfield determined to reach the College Football Playoff and bring home the trophy in his final season, the Sooners look to have an unstoppable duo leading the championship charge.

This season’s outlook could be a lot more bleak if it weren’t for the tight bond between coach and quarterback.

...

Riley and Mayfield’s relationship, as well as OU’s fate, reached a pivotal point last fall.

Mayfield was in the middle of yet another Heisman campaign, leading the Sooners back from a 1-2 start to dominating performance after dominating performance in Big 12 play. Rumors

began circulating that Mayfield might leave for the NFL Draft along with star running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon close to the same time the head coaching job at Houston became available. Riley’s name was thrown in the mix, as he was coaching the Sooners’ offense to another record-breaking season.

Determined to retain Riley, Mayfield made the decision to announce he wouldn’t be entering the draft. He would remain in Norman, making a statement he hoped Riley wouldn’t ignore: He was determined to leave OU with a national title.

“I’m coming back,” Mayfield said after leading the Sooners to a Big 12 title. “I’ll be here for another year for the opportunity of a three-peat and the ultimate goal of winning a national title.”

Riley then dispelled the rumors, received a raise and a threeyear extension and calmed the fears of Sooner nation. A month later he was named head coach.

The duo has one more chance — one last season — to complete the journey they started together. Win or lose, the bond they’ve formed is one that will last.

“That’s the most special thing,” Mayfield said. “You can build a relationship with him, and you know it’s going to endure through all phases of life.”

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RUNNING BACK BATTLE W

ith the season right around the corner, one area of uncertainty for the Sooners has been the running back position — but Oklahoma has been known to produce great backs, and they feel this year won’t be any different.

Losing almost their entire rushing production to the NFL Draft in Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine, the Sooners have a hole to fill at the tailback position. One name that continues to pop up as a candidate to replace Mixon and Perine is sophomore Abdul Adams.

“Abdul has progressed the most out of all of them,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said.

“He’s very explosive and quick.

The one thing I’ll say about all those guys is it takes more than just one guy to bring them down.”

14

STORY BY GEORGE STOIA • @GEORGESTOIA

Adams saw minimal play- Boulware said. “All areas — as ing time a year ago, rushing the a receiver, as a runner, just in ball 53 times for only 283 yards. every single aspect of his game, Despite only being a soph- has improved. He’s probably omore, Adams has the most our most improved player on on- field exour football perience of “You’ve got to get team from his any other runused to the speed first year to his ning back the second.” of the game, but at Sooners have.

But Adams the end of the day, isn’t the only Coaches and players have player who it’s just football.” raved about could fill the ABDUL ADAMS, Adams’ prorunning back SOPHOMORE RUNNING BACK void. Redshirt gression from his freshman sophomore year, which has been all about Rodney Anderson is also “staying consistent,” Adams hoping to see the field for the said, and developing off-the- Sooners after suffering seafield relationships with the of- son-ending injuries in his first fensive line and Mayfield. two seasons. Oklahoma also “You’ve got a guy like Abdul has some new faces in the who’s really, really accelerat- backfield with freshmen Trey ed his development the last Sermon and Kennedy Brooks, year,” running backs coach Jay along with junior college

transfer Marcelias Sutton.

Adams and Anderson have been helping the younger guys adjust to their new system.

“We’re all talking to each other, we’re all helping each o t h e r o u t ,” A d a m s s a i d .

“They’re all looking good.

You’ve got to get used to the speed of the game, but at the end of the day, it’s just football.”

With Anderson, Adams and a solid group of freshmen, Oklahoma will have multiple options when the first game rolls around in September.

“They all add a different element,” Mayfield said. “They’re all very talented, so it’s exciting to see the different things they do well. It’s a deep running back room, so I think the competition in that room is unlike any other we have on this team right now. It’s exciting to see.”

O LINE

O

STORY BY GEORGE STOIA • @GEORGESTOIA

klahoma’s offensive line may be the best in recent program history, returning seven players with starting experience.

D e e m e d a s o n e o f t h e b e st O-lines in the country, the Sooners are poised for a big seas o n . How e ve r, o f f e n s i ve l i n e coach Bill Bedenbaugh wants his team to tune out the noise.

“You can’t listen to what other people are saying,” Bedenbaugh said. “ The y sit out there and hear all this talk about how good they’re going to be — well, come out here and don’t perform and see what they say.”

But the players aren’t letting the hype get to them.

“We’re not worried about what anyone has to say about us, how we perform individually and as a unit,” junior left guard Ben Powers said. “We know day-to-day how we’re performing.”

“

Powers, a junior college transfer, battled for a starting position last season and ended up starting 10 games after redshirt sophomore Cody Ford’s injury.

This season, Powers, Ford, senior Jonathan Alvarez and junior Dru Samia are all fighting each other for playing time, which they believe is like iron sharpening iron.

“Definitely with the competition it helps,” Powers said. “It helps motivate you to come out and practice the best you can every day. It pushes you to practice your best and your hardest every single day.”

Even redshirt junior left tackle Orlando Brown, whose starting spot is all but locked up, has been paying close attention to the battle up front.

“It’s been tough,” Brown said.

“Obviously who Coach picks to play, that’s on him. But man, it’s

been a grind. And I think everybody up front has been working. Everyone’s getting better.

Everybody wants it.”

Brown has been OU’s starting left tackle since he first arrived in Norman and is known as one of the best offensive linemen in the country. His counterpart, redshirt sophomore right tackle Bobby Evans, is probably the Sooners’ most athletic lineman.

With those two leading the way on the edges, and the depth in the middle, Oklahoma has a case for the most talented line in the country. But the Sooners are just taking it day-by-day.

“Ever y day’s been a gr ind,” B r o w n s a i d . “ E v e r y d a y i t ’s been a rise or has been steady.

Everybody’s improving every day, and that’s really what we’ve just been focusing on offensively.”

I THINK EVERYBODY UP FRONT HAS BEEN WORKING. EVERYONE’S GETTING BETTER. EVERYBODY WANTS IT. ORLANDO BROWN, JUNIOR LEFT TACKLE

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OU FOOTBALL DAILY

PREVIEW17

DEFENSIVE O V E R V I E W

OKLAHOMA CONFIDENT IN NEW DEFENSIVE STRATEGY RUFFIN MCNEILL BRINGS NEW ENERGY TO TEAM

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DEFENSIVE O V E R V I E W

STRONG RETURNING PLAYERS GIVE CONFIDENCE FOR NEW DEFENSIVE STRATEGY

T

BY ABBY BITTERMAN • @ABBY_BITTERMAN

he Sooners are looking to improve their defense this season with returning players and a new plan.

Defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Mike Stoops’s defense has a lot of talent coming back in key positions this season.

Senior safety Steven Parker and redshirt senior defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will be the leaders for Oklahoma on the defensive side of the ball. Both were injured in the spring but are healthy now. Parker has played in every game for the Sooners since he was a freshman, making him a valuable part of the defense, and Okoronkwo has filled in a role left open by Eric Striker’s graduation in 2015, making nine sacks last season alone.

Sophomores Parnell Motley and Jordan

Parker both have potential to be effective at cornerback this season. Both played last season, and Motley had an especially strong spring game. The cornerback position will be anchored by senior Jordan Thomas. A new face, freshman Justin Broiles, will also look to get some time in at corner this season.

Senior linebacker Emmanuel Beal and sophomore linebacker Caleb Kelly are two more returners expected to make a difference for Oklahoma this season. Redshirt freshman Jon-Michael Terry is also looking to make an impact at the linebacker position.

With strong returners, Oklahoma was confident enough to make a change in its defensive strategy.

In the spring, Oklahoma decided to transition to a four-man front. The change

came after the Sooners finished 82nd in total defense last season, giving up an average of 432 yards and 28.8 points per game. The change will put two defensive linemen and two defensive ends up front.

The new defense also means there will be one less linebacker on the field, but it will give the D-line more of a chance to make plays. Okoronkwo will be important for the line, along with redshirt senior Matt Romar and redshirt sophomore Neville Gallimore.

A solid backfield will help Oklahoma with the changes on the line, so the number of returning corners, linebackers and defensive backs will be useful.

The new defense was debuted at the spring game, and it will be something to watch when the Sooners open their season on Sept. 2.

NEW ASSISTANT HEAD COACH MAKING WAVES AT FALL CAMP

BY KELLI STACY • @ASTACYKELLI

Ruffin McNeill, new OU assistant head coach and defensive tackles coach, is making his presence felt at Oklahoma.

After only a few days of fall camp, McNeill was already garnering praise from Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley for his work with the defensive line and his attention to detail.

“We’ve really been happy with being able to split up the defensive line,” Riley said. “We think it’s just been more individual attention with Ruffin with the inside guys and Calvin (Thibodeaux) with the outside guys. Those guys are just getting a ton of work and a ton of coaching.”

When Riley was named head coach on June 7 after long-time coach Bob Stoops announced his retirement, hiring McNeill was one of his first acts. Riley and McNeill share a long history starting at Texas Tech, then East Carolina and now Oklahoma.

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Riley’s decision was partly based on his comfort level with McNeill. “(He’s) just another guy on the staff that I can go run things by — a guy that knows me well and that can pull me off to the side, too,” Riley said.

What McNeill brings to the table is more than just a familiar

face for Riley, though. He brings the same energy that Riley has been fostering in the team since being named head coach.

“He’s great,” Riley said. “He brings so much enthusiasm and passion. I think other people really feed off him. He’s a guy that kind of energizes you.”

As for fitting in with a coaching

staff that’s already been together for a while, McNeill hasn’t had any problems, according to defensive coordinator Mike Stoops.

“Shoot, if you can’t get along with Ruffin, there’s something wrong with you,” Stoops said.

“He’s about as easy a guy to get along with as there is. He’s a talented coach and a great person.

He makes us better.”

McNeill said that Oklahoma is different than any other school he’s coached at. The leadership from nearly every position on the team is what’s made that difference.

“It’s tradition. Seeing how they conduct themselves,” McNeill said. “(To) see leaders like Baker, and those guys step in front­— (I’m) glad to see that. Coach Riley has the practice organized to a T like I knew he would. Coaches are coaching hard. We’re at the beginning, but we still have a lot of growing to do.”

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O

klahoma’s secondary will feature a mix of new and old faces this fall, with a variety of players trying to fill open spots at free safety and nickelback.

Due to Ahmad Thomas graduating and Will Sunderland’s recent arrest, the Sooners have a hole to fill in their secondary. The free safety position has been up for grabs this fall camp, and veteran Will Johnson has his eyes on it.

“Will’s a very smart, instinctual player,” defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. “He’s very comfortable and very smart. Will can play nickel, strong safety, free safety. He can play a lot of different positions.”

Johnson is entering his fifth year with the Sooners, playing a total of 18 games, starting in six of those games. In the time he’s played, Johnson has typically played nickelback, but with the recent vacancy at free safety, he’s been trying to adjust to the new role.

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“The biggest thing about free safety is the angle of tackling,” Johnson said. “Normally I’m on the side of the ball, so I’m normally tracking one side of the runner. I’d say that’s the main thing.”

If Johnson were to move to free safety, this could open up the nickel position an area defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks is confident will be easy to fill.

“I feel really good because Steven Parker is a hell of a nickel,” Cooks said. “We can always move him to nickel. He makes plays there. Will Johnson has played there, Chanse (Sylvie) has played there, of course, last year and this year, so we feel good about that.”

Along with Johnson, junior Kahlil Haughton is also attempting to change positions, but from free safety to strong safety. Senior Steven Parker has all but locked up the strong safety spot, but if he were to play some nickelback, Haughton

would be the next man up at strong safety.

Stoops said Haughton has made improvement over the summer, but wants to see him make more plays and be less cautious.

“It’s just not being timid. It’s really just going out there playing the way I usually play,” Haughton said.

“So just going out there and being confident, being able to make the plays on the ball. That’s what I’m really trying to work on right now at camp.”

R i g h t b e h i n d Jo h n s o n a n d Haughton are plenty of young and talented safeties in Sylvie and freshman Robert Barnes. Both Barnes and Sylvie have been the talk of fall camp, and the veterans have started to take notice.

“This probably our best young class that I’ve seen since I got here,” Johnson said. “Every young guy shows a lot of flashes. I like the class as a whole.”

IT’S JUST NOT BEING TIMID. IT’S REALLY JUST GOING OUT THERE AND PLAYING THE WAY I USUALLY PLAY. KAHLIL HAUGHTON, JUNIOR FREE SAFETY

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KELLY’S

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fter an impressive freshman season, sophomore linebacker Caleb Kelly is looking to have an even better year with more responsibility and leadership on his shoulders.

Kelly only started in six games last year, but his value has since skyrocketed. He recorded 36 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup his freshman season.

Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said he wants to keep Kelly on the field as often as possible, using him at both the Sam and Will positions.

“Caleb’s improved tremendously from a year ago,” Stoops said. “He’s a totally different player. He’s more explosive, he’s stronger, he’s 10 pounds heavier. We’re trying to get him on the field and keep him on the field.”

While other linebackers will rotate in and out depending on the package, Kelly will remain in at all times.

“Caleb just has more diversity to his game now,” Stoops said. “He’s playing a lot of different positions. When we run our big package and we’ve got a lot of different players on the field, he plays one position, but when we go to nickel, he plays another position, so he’s just expanded his game.”

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STORY BY KELLI STACY • @ASTACYKELLI

Despite only being a sophomore, Kelly has been put in a leadership role on defense, which is something he’s comfortable with. Surprised at his quick rise to leadership, Kelly said he wasn’t expecting it, but he’s prepared for it.

As a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Kelly has experience with speaking to large groups of people, which helps him, he said. He can be vocal at times, but he prefers to lead through actions.

“As being one of the younger leaders, I’m more of a lead-by-example guy,” Kelly said. “In the weight room in the offseason, I’m one of the guys who speaks out a lot, who’s trying to come in first all the time and do my best.”

With experience at two of the linebacker positions, Kelly’s confident in his knowledge of the defense and his ability to lead the linebackers.

“I’m not afraid to just go out and move people around when they’re in the wrong place,” Kelly said.

Kelly’s abilities haven’t gone unnoticed by his teammates, either. Senior linebacker Emmanuel Beal said Kelly’s had an impressive fall, playing a little of every linebacker position they use.

“He can do it all,” Beal said. “He’s a do-it-all player.”

“HE’S MORE EXPLOSIVE, HE’S STRONGER, HE’S 10 POUNDS HEAVIER. WE’RE TRYING TO GET HIM ON THE FIELD AND KEEP HIM ON THE FIELD.” MIKE STOOPS, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

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