(3/28) Sooner week 2 practice, Rufus on Watch List, shuffle in positions, and more.

Oklahoma Sooner Football

Sooners back to practice week 2: The Oklahoma football team opened its second week of spring ball on Monday afternoon at the Bud Wilkinson practice fields adjacent to Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The workout in full pads lasted a little more than two hours. The Sooners returned to work for the first time after conducting the initial scrimmage of the spring on Saturday at the stadium. "It was really a good practice," said OU head coach Bob Stoops, who also commented on several individuals. He talked briefly about Brody Eldridge, who has moved from defensive end to tight end. "He has dropped a few balls, but he has good hands and can make those catches," Stoops said. (More at SoonerSports.com)

Pleasant held out: Sophomore linebacker Demarrio Pleasant did not participate in Saturday's scrimmage and was held out of Monday's workout, too. Stoops said Pleasant missed the workouts due academic issues and practice will have to wait until he gets the issues resolved. "He had a class issue over the weekend and he's working toward straightening that out right now," Stoops said. However, the spring is a critical time for Pleasant.He was Clint Ingram's backup at strongside linebacker last season and could have used the spring to solidify himself as a starter for next season. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said every day Pleasant misses is going to hurt. (Norman Transcript)

Injury creates opportunity: The shoulder injury that sidelined starting linebacker Zach Latimer has created opportunity for sophomore Curtis Lofton. Lofton, who played sparingly as a true freshman last fall, has joined the first defense, seeing his practice snaps increase significantly. "It's unfortunate that Zach's out, but it's a great opportunity for me," Lofton said. "I'm trying to learn, and there's so much more to it than I thought there was." (NewsOK.com)

Rufus named to Lott Watch List: Linebacker Rufus Alexander of Oklahoma is one of the 42 top defensive players in the nation who have been named to the 2006 Lott Trophy Watch List, it was announced today. Alexander is a returning All-Big 12 performer who led the Sooners in tackles last season with 102. The 6-1, 231-pound senior from Baton Rouge, La., had six double-digit tackles games last season, including a career-high 13 stops at Nebraska. In 25 career games and 22 starting assignments, he has 178 total tackles. Twenty-four of those have been for loss, including seven sacks. He has four career fumble recoveries and one interception. (Sooner Sports Release)

Q&A -- Marcus Walker: The Oklahoman

Q&A -- Calvin Thibodeaux: The Oklahoman

OU's Halzle confident of playing time: The Oklahoman

OU Notebook: The Oklahoman

Spring practice continues: Oklahoma Daily