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Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesJohn Williams granted NCAA hardship waiver: Update a previous post, Oklahoma defensive end John Williams has received a hardship waiver from the NCAA and has been granted a sixth season of athletics eligibility. The 6-5, 249-pound Williams started three games of the 2007 season, but suffered a torn left Achilles tendon in the fourth game at Tulsa and missed the remainder of the campaign. "We're excited to have John back for another season," said OU Head Coach Bob Stoops. "We've felt for some time that John is an excellent player. He was off to a great start before the injury. I know he's looking forward to making a strong contribution for us next season." Williams, who has battled knee surgery and Achilles surgery, said he's looking forward to playing a full season. "The latter part of my career here is going to be my most successful," he said. "Everything is a process. This is what I'm living right now. I've got no choice but to move ahead." The NCAA's decision to grant him another year of eligibility was a stress reliever for Williams. "I'm very relieved, very thankful and grateful," he said. "I really want a chance to finish what I started." The Houston native is continuing rehabilitation efforts. (SoonerSports PR)OSU Official: No single-game Bedlam tickets to be sold: In order to witness the 2008 Bedlam football game -- Oklahoma at Oklahoma State on Nov. 29 -- Cowboy fans must purchase a $419 season ticket. No single-game Bedlam tickets will be made available. "Our decision to eliminate single-game tickets for Bedlam is based upon our desire to grow our season-ticket sales," OSU athletic director Mike Holder explained. "I just hope our fan base responds to this as a call to buy more season tickets." On a per-game average, the price of an OSU season ticket basically remains the same. (Tulsa World)Williams granted sixth year of eligibility: The OklahomanLabels: Bedlam, John Williams, NCAA, Oklahoma Sooners, OSU, Tickets
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesFormer Oklahoma Coach Mark Mangino undergoes tests: Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino released a statement Monday evening indicating he underwent medical testing for undisclosed reasons. "I underwent some tests over the past couple of days at Lawrence Memorial Hospital," Mangino said in the statement. "These are tests that I had put off until after the season. The tests have been completed, I'm fine and I'll be back in the office and recruiting starting (today)." Mangino, 51, has been coach of the Jayhawks since 2002. (LJWorld.com) Mark Mangino previously served as Oklahoma's offensive line coach in 1999, before being promoted to offense coordinator in 2000. Labels: Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesJ. Jones to commit on ESPNU on National Signing Day? From the ESPN media release: ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network, will headline ESPN’s robust multimedia coverage of National Signing Day with a seven-hour special, ESPNU Recruiting Insider: National Signing Day Special presented by 76, Wednesday, Feb. 6, from noon to 7 p.m. ET. The show will be highlighted by exclusive live player announcements, in-depth analysis, news and highlights of top recruits and collegiate programs from around the country. Several players ranked by The ESPN 150, a nationwide ranking of top prep football prospects compiled by ESPN Scouts Inc., are expected to announce their decision live, including #2 Julio Jones (Foley High School, Ala.), #4 Terrell Pryor (Jeannette High School, Pa.), #9 Darrell Scott (St. Bonaventure High School, Calif.) and #28 Brandon Harris (Booker T. Washington, Fla.). Guest interviews also include: Clemson recruit #1 Daquan Bowers (Bamberg-Ehrardt High School, S.C.), University of Florida recruit #37 Omar Hunter (Buford High School, Ga.), University of Southern California recruits #68 Khaled Holmes (Mater Dei High School, Calif.) and junior quarterback Matt Barkley (Mater Dei High School, Calif.), LSU head coach Les Miles, Miami (Fla.) head coach Randy Shannon, University of Georgia head coach Mark Richt, Clemson University head coach Tommy Bowden, University of Texas head coach Mack Brown and Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis. ESPN.com will stream the entire seven-hour ESPNU Recruiting Insider: National Signing Day. (ESPNU PR)
Jones, Lester remain mum on choice: The OklahomanLabels: Julio Jones, Oklahoma Sooners, Recruiting
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesDE Williams to apply for medical redshirt after two season-ending injuries: Update a previous story, Oklahoma defensive end John Williams will be applying for a medical redshirt to the NCAA with hopes of returning for a sixth season, according to the Oklahoma sports information department. Williams suffered a torn Achilles tendon against Tulsa this past year, causing him to miss the entire season. The 6-foot-5, 256-pound Williams started alongside Auston English at defensive end for the first four games before the injury. (The Oklahoman)Labels: John Williams, NCAA, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes
Julio Jones remains quiet; He may not visit Texas Tech: From SI.com: SoonerScoop (subscription required) published a brief interview Monday about [Julio] Jones' visit to Oklahoma with Foley teammate Robert Lester. "I don't know why [Jones] has been so quiet," Foley coach Todd Watson said Monday, "other than he's a quiet person." Jones declines most interviews, and his trusted advisors provide information on a need-to-know basis. For example, Watson disputed a since-retracted report in the Gainesville (Fla.) Sun today that Jones was sent home early from Florida because he was recruiting for Oklahoma. The report, which caused a minor meltdown among Alabama fans, was wrong. Jones wasn't sent home early, and he wasn't pitching the Sooners. (SI.com) In addition, today the Press Register reports, Jones said Friday that he has narrowed his choices to five: Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma and Texas Tech. He went to Oklahoma for a visit this weekend and said he wasn't sure whether he would take a final trip to Texas Tech as planned on Feb. 2. (Press Register)Jones and Lester talk about OU visit: SoonerScoop.comLabels: Julio Jones, Oklahoma Sooners, Recruiting
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesBurton Scott's Norman visit canceled: Five-star athlete Burton Scott (Prichard, Ala.) was scheduled to be in Norman this weekend for an official visit. But after junior-college linebacker J.R. Bryant committed to the Sooners on Friday, the OU coaches decided to not bring in Scott after all. According to Rivals.com, one of the Sooner coaches called Scott's high school coach on Friday and told him they had cancelled Scott's visit. "They told me that they just received a commitment from a kid that has basically pushed their class close to full,” Vigor High School coach Kerry Stephenson told Rivals. (The Oklahoman)More recruits visit Norman: Lamar Harris, a four-star defensive back/athlete from Gilmer, Texas, has committed to Texas A&M but is also scheduled to visit OU, according to Rivals.com. Zaviar Gooden, a three-star defensive back from Pflugerville, Texas, is in Norman this weekend, according to Scout.com. He visited Missouri last week (he reports high interest in the Tigers) and Oklahoma State on Jan. 11. Kendall Wright, a football-basketball standout from Pittsburg, Texas, canceled a visit last week and was scheduled to be in Norman this week. (Tulsa World)Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Recruiting
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NewsJ.R. Bryant commits to Oklahoma: Throughout his recruiting, J.R. Bryant did something most college students only practice in the classroom. He took notes. The four-star linebacker from Garden City Community College (Kan.) brought a notebook on every visit. At each stop, Bryant jotted down pros and cons -- such as which coaches he liked and disliked and which roster needed him the most. Which stadium felt like home. Thursday night, the 6-foot-3, 228-pounder pulled out the notebook and looked over his work, weighing each plus and minus among his favorite schools -- OU, OSU and Texas Tech. Friday, he picked the Sooners. "My mom told me I should take notes wherever I went," said Bryant, who hails from Jessup, Ga. "(Schools) are going to show you their best, but you have to look and think about everything. "I looked at Oklahoma, and I thought, ‘Why not play for the best?' They had a lot of pros." Bryant locked up his college decision, and Oklahoma locked up its top recruiting target from the junior college ranks. A big outside linebacker with sub-4.5 speed, Bryant is the No. 34 overall juco recruit, according to Rivals.com. (The Oklahoman)Q&A: Answering OU fans' questions: The OklahomanSooners snare another JUCO piece as JR Bryant commits: ESPN.comLabels: Oklahoma Sooners, Recruiting
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesBob Stoops stops by Butte College: Bob Stoops, the University of Oklahoma's vaunted head football coach, visited the Butte College campus this morning [Thursday]. On Sunday, Stoops received a verbal commitment from standout Butte free safety David Sims, who is expected to start for the Sooners when they begin their Big 12 Conference title defense in the fall. Assistant coaches from some of the nation's top programs routinely visit Butte to recruit Roadrunners players, but appearances from head coaches like Stoops, who have a limitless schedule of offseason obligations, are much more rare. (Enterprise Record)Tough luck did not stop this commit: The OklahomanFormer Sooner in the business of changing lives: The OklahomanA look at OU's three early entrants into the NFL: The DailyLabels: Bob Stoops, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesRecruits Jones, Scott and Lester to visit Norman: Three of the nation's top football recruits, all from Alabama, are scheduled to visit Norman this weekend, according to SoonerScoop.com. That includes five-star receiver Julio Jones (Foley, Ala.), five-star athlete Burton Scott (Prichard, Ala.) and four-star defensive back Robert Lester (Foley, Ala.), the latter two having already verbally committed to the Crimson Tide. Jones is considered to be the top wide receiver prospect in the country. Scott, the No. 28-ranked player in the nation according to Rivals.com, could play either slot receiver or cornerback in college. Lester, high school teammates with Jones, will probably play safety. (The Oklahoman)Small-town Good is big-time prize on offensive line: The OklahomanFast facts about Stephen Good: The OklahomanSooners Add A Pair of Juco's: Crimson and Cream MachineLabels: Oklahoma Sooners, Recruiting
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesAllen Patrick injured at East-West Shrine game: Former OU running back Allen Patrick was injured during the East-West Shrine Game on Saturday night in Houston. Patrick left the game in the first quarter with an apparent knee sprain, though the injury didn't appear to be too serious. The injury came as disappointing news for Patrick who had impressed scouts during the workouts leading up to the game with his ability to find running lanes. Patrick is expected to be drafted between the fourth and sixth rounds. OU tight end Joe Jon Finley also missed time with an apparent hamstring injury. (The Oklahoman)
Sims commits to Oklahoma; to start at free safety: David Sims enjoyed the breakfast in front of the Pacific Ocean amid a lavish beach setting lined up by San Diego State. He appreciated the camaraderie of the small town atmosphere in Pullman, Wash., specifically how it was so similar to Chico, during his recent visit to Washington State. But Sims' trip to Norman, Okla., over the weekend actually led to the standout Butte College free safety giving his verbal commitment to Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops and the Sooners on Sunday afternoon. The decision ended a two-month long process that began with Mississippi, Kansas State and San Diego State emerging as frontrunners, before an avalanche of other major programs came calling with the Feb. 6 signing day deadline looming on the horizon. "I think my list looks pretty good right now considering I just gave Oklahoma a commitment," Sims said on his cell phone Sunday while boarding a plane back to Northern California.. "It looks like I'm going to start at free safety, return kickoffs and also punts next year," Sims said about his role in Oklahoma's 2008 plans. "They told me they definitely want me on special teams, too." (Chico Enterprise Record) More on OU Football Recruiting.
Another JUCO recruit commits to OU: Sunday, the Sooners got instant help with commitments from junior-college linebacker Mike Balogun (Scranton, Pa.) according to SoonerScoop.com. (The Oklahoman)Stoops latest in long line of coaches to endure slump: The OklahomanRecent additions give group needed class: The OklahomanLabels: Allen Patrick, Injury, Oklahoma Sooners, Recruiting
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesDefensive prospects to visit OU Campus: With Reggie Smith's early departure to the NFL and the graduation of Marcus Walker and D.J. Wolfe, the Sooners will need immediate help in the secondary. That help could be on an official visit this weekend. According to Scout.com, David Sims, a 5-11, 205-pound four-star defensive back who played at Butte College in Oroville, Calif., and reportedly runs a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, indicates a high interest in OU. Victor Johnson, a 6-1, 175-pound safety from Waco, Texas, and Lamar Harris, a 6-0, 170-pound cornerback from Gilmer, Texas, are also visiting. (Tulsa World)OU's prize catch -- a back with backing: The Oklahoman
Region gets wise to state's hot recruits: Tulsa WorldLabels: Oklahoma Sooners, Recruiting
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesDeMarcus Granger pre-trial hearing set for March 3rd: A warrant out for Oklahoma sophomore defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger was quashed Friday by a Tempe Municipal Court judge after Granger's attorney filed the motion by fax, according to acting deputy Jeanette Wiesenhofer of the Tempe (Ariz.) Municipal Court criminal division. A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for March 3 when Granger or his attorney, Jess Lorona of Phoenix, will meet with a Tempe prosecutor or plea to the court. A warrant in the amount of $1,000 was issued for Granger last week after he failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment in Tempe. (The Oklahoman) Labels: Arrested, DeMarcus Granger, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesFormer UCLA Offensive Coordinator Norvell hired: Jay Norvell has joined Oklahoma's football staff as co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach. OU head coach Bob Stoops made the announcement today. Technically it's the second tour of duty for Norvell with Oklahoma. He had been announced in a similar position prior to the 2002 season, but then opted to join the staff of the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. Norvell left the Oakland Raiders in February of 2004 for a three-year stint at Nebraska. In 2007, he was the offensive coordinator at UCLA. "Jay has a varied and impressive background of coaching both college and professional football and we are excited that he is coming to Oklahoma," Stoops said. "He brings with him expertise in both coaching and recruiting and we feel there are significant contributions that he can make to our program." Norvell said that the positives of the Oklahoma program are overwhelming. "I'm so excited to work with Bob and the staff there," he said. "I have so much respect for that program. The talent of the team, the quality of the staff and the tremendous support all mean so much to me. I've worked at a lot of schools and I know that this is a special situation. "I've known Bob for a long time and he is tops. Several of the assistant coaches are good friends to so there are just so many positive aspects to this move." The new Sooner assistant said his background should benefit the OU program. (SoonerSports PR) Labels: Coaching, Jay Norvell, Offense
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesNorvell to join Oklahoma coaching staff: Oklahoma has found its new wide receivers, according to comments to the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal-Star. Jay Norvell, who had been offensive coordinator at Nebraska from 2004-06 and spent last season in the same position at UCLA, indicated he had accepted the position in a text message. "I had some other pretty good opportunities," Norvell's message said. "It was just too appealing to be at Oklahoma with all of the talent it has returning. It's a hell of a group. There were some other coordinator positions I looked at, but there wasn't the right combination of talent and (institutional) support." OU officials couldn't confirm the report. (Norman Transcript)Report -- Norvell to OU: Tulsa WorldGranger arrest warrant still unresolved: Tulsa WorldNorvell likely back with Sooners: The OklahomanLabels: Coaching, Jay Norvell, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesSmith to forgo senior season: Oklahoma junior cornerback Reggie Smith has joined teammates Malcolm Kelly and Curtis Lofton in deciding to enter his name in the NFL Draft. OU head coach Bob Stoops confirmed that decision today. "Reggie was a good player for us and we wish him the best," Stoops said. Smith, who missed the Fiesta Bowl with a toe injury, started 13 games in 2007. He ranked No. 4 on the team with 78 tackles. He logged three interceptions and one fumble recovery, which he returned 61 yards for a touchdown against Miami. He was a first team All-Big 12 selection by the league coaches and the Associated Press. The Edmond, Okla., native played in 39 games at OU with 36 starts. He finished with 165 career tackles and eight interceptions. (SoonerSports PR) Teammates and underclassmen Curtis Lofton and Malcolm Kelly have already announced NFL Draft intentions. Labels: NFL Draft, Oklahoma Sooners, Reggie Smith
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesOklahoma-Ohio State Series; Oklahoma Finalizes '08 Schedule: Perennial college football powerhouses Oklahoma and Ohio State will begin a two-game series in 2016. That announcement came today when OU also announced the completion of its 2008 schedule. Tennessee-Chattanooga is the opponent for the final open date that was remaining on the slate for the upcoming season. The Ohio State games will rekindle a series that has been dormant since 1983 when the Buckeyes notched a 24-14 win in Norman. In the previous matchups both Oklahoma and Ohio State brought top-10 rankings into the game. The first game of the new series will take place Sept. 17, 2016 in Norman. It will be followed by a Sept. 16, 2017 game at Columbus. (SoonerSports PR)OU quiet about published report: Citing unnamed sources, The Sporting News on Monday reported that Jay Norvell will be named co-offensive coordinator / passing game coordinator at Oklahoma. But Kenny Mossman, OU's athletic media relations director, said he has spoken numerous times with head coach Bob Stoops about wide receivers coach Kevin Sumlin's replacement, and Stoops hasn't told him that a hiring is imminent. "I saw that report, and I've heard about that report, but I cannot corroborate that report," Mossman said. (Tulsa World)Lofton enters NFL Draft: Tulsa WorldRecruit ready to decide: Tulsa WorldLofton leaving early: Norman Transcript Lofton latest to leave Oklahoma for NFL: Norman TranscriptSooners' Lofton to enter NFL Draft: The OklahomanDefections could hurt OU, Texas title hopes: The OklahomanLabels: Future Schedule, Oklahoma Sooners, Report, Schedule
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesCurtis Lofton to enter NFL Draft: Oklahoma linebacker Curtis Lofton has decided to enter his name in the National Football League Draft. He becomes the second Sooner junior this year to do so. Junior receiver Malcolm Kelly made a similar announcement last Thursday. "Curtis made a lot of big plays during his time here," said OU head coach Bob Stoops. "We wish him all the best in the NFL." Lofton said he reached the decision Sunday. "I'll definitely miss my coaches and teammates," he said. "I came in with my class three years ago and those guys are like brothers to me. And I'll miss playing in front of those 85,000 fans." Lofton said the atmosphere at Oklahoma readied him for the next step. (SoonerSports PR)Norvell likely choice to replace Sumlin: The OklahomanNichol not going anywhere: The Oklahoman
OU's Lofton will enter NFL Draft: Tulsa WorldLabels: Curtis Lofton, NFL Draft, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesNichol intends to remain at OU: Former Lowell High School quarterback Keith Nichol is staying at Oklahoma. Yes, he and his family understand that the returning quarterback, Sam Bradford, is also a freshman. But Nichol, who has three years of eligibility left, is staying in Sooner-land. "Keith loves OU, he loves the coaches, the players, the facilities; he even loves the weather," father Gary Nichol said. "He is flourishing, and he is happy and proud to be a part of Oklahoma football." (The Grand Rapids Press)Time will tell whether 2008 recruits are one of the great classes in OU history: The OklahomanStoops' OU success creates a monster: Tulsa WorldOU's five-star recruit gave up trouble for football: Tulsa WorldRecruiting Notebook -- Decision time: Tulsa WorldLabels: Keith Nichol, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesSelmon receives '75 Outland Trophy: Sooner great Lee Roy Selmon finally picked up his Outland Trophy 32 years after winning the award. Selmon joined 2007 recipient, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, at an awards dinner in Omaha, Neb., on Thursday evening. The Outland award, presented each season to the nation's best collegiate interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America, didn't present an actual trophy until the 1980s, so a past recipient is brought back each year to receive his own hardware. "When you think of Outland, you think of guys from Nebraska and Oklahoma -- big-time football players -- guys with great character who basically come out and just beat the tar out of you,'' Dorsey said. (SoonerSports PR)Wolfe to play in Senior Bowl: Oklahoma safety D.J. Wolfe has been selected to play in this year's Under Armour Senior Bowl. The game will be played Jan. 26 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The contest will kick off at 3 p.m., and be televised on the NFL Network, Cox digital cable 252. (Tulsa World)OU's Kelly to turn pro: Tulsa World Kelly going pro: Norman TranscriptMalcolm not in the middle for Sooners: The OklahomanThough it's no magic bullet, Plus One is a shot at the BCS: Ft. Worth Star-TelegramWhat's hot (and not) from bowl season: ESPN.comLabels: DJ Wolfe, Former Sooner
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and NotesKelly to enter NFL Draft: Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly has decided to bypass his senior year of college eligibility to enter the National Football League Draft. OU head coach Bob Stoops confirmed Kelly's decision Thursday afternoon. "We're excited for Malcolm and his family," Stoops said. "He was an oustanding player in our program and we appreciate all of his efforts. We look forward to watching him in the NFL. He is well-suited to professional football in many ways and we are sure that the attributes that made him such a success for us will serve him equally well on that level." Last season, Kelly, a Longview, Texas native, was the Sooners' second-leading receiver in catches, yards and touchdowns with 49 grabs for 821 yards and nine TD. Among the OU regulars, he was tops with 16.8 yards per reception. "I | |
