Oklahoma DEs Beal and English on mid-season Hendricks Award watch list: Oklahoma defensive ends Jeremy Beal and Auston English are two of forty players on the mid-season watch list for the Hendricks Award. The award is presented yearly to the best defensive end in college football. In three games, Beal has nine tackles (five for losses) and three sacks. He has also forced a pair of fumbles. English has five tackles (two for loss) and one sack. (KTUL)

Labels: Auston English, Defense Line, Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Reynolds and Lewis among LBs named to Butkus award watch list: Oklahoma's Ryan Reynolds and Travis Lewis were among 35 players nominated for the 2009 Butkus Award preseason watch list Friday. The Butkus Award goes to college football's top linebacker. (Tulsa World)

2009 Butkus Award pre-season watch list
Pat Angerer, Iowa
Navorro Bowman, Penn State
Bruce Carter, North Carolina
Jamar Chaney, Mississippi
Justin Cole, San Jose State
Kavell Conner, Clemson
Rennie Curran, Georgia
Ryan D'Imperio, Rutgers
A.J. Edds, Iowa
Obi Ezeh, Michigan
Chris Galippo, USC
Darryl Gamble, Georgia
Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
Nate Irving, North Carolina State
Micah Johnson, Kentucky
Greg Jones, Michigan State
Sean Lee, Penn State
Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
Rolando McClain, Alabama
Mike McLaughlin, Boston College
Rod Muckelroy, Texas
Eric Norwood, South Carolina
Joe Pawelek, Baylor
Ryan Reynolds, Oklahoma
Perry Riley, LSU
Daryl Sharpton, Miami (Fla.)
Malcolm Smith, USC
Sean Spence, Miami (Fla.)
Brandon Spikes, Florida
Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina
Daryl Washington, TCU
Dekoda Watson, Florida State
Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
Kion Wilson, South Florida
Martez Wilson, Illinois

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Ryan Reynolds, Travis Lewis, Watch List

OU Quarterback Sam Bradford on another pre-season watch list: Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson are among seven quarterbacks in the Big 12 named to the watch list for the Manning Award, given annually to college football's best quarterback. (The Oklahoman) Note: Ten semifinalists for the Manning Award will be announced Nov. 30. The 2009 Manning Award winner will be presented Jan. 14, 2010. The Manning Award is the only award that takes bowl game performances into consideration.

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Sam Bradford, Watch List

Sooner defenders named to Nagurski Watch List: Oklahoma's Jeremy Beal and Gerald McCoy are on the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award. The honor is presented annually to college football's top defensive player. It is selected by the Football Writers Association of America and presented by the Charlotte (NC) Touchdown Club. Beal, a junior defensive end from Carrollton, Texas, started all 14 games for OU last season when he logged 61 tackles, including 15.5 for loss and 8.5 sacks. McCoy, a senior defensive tackle from Oklahoma City, also started 14 games last season with 30 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. (SoonerSports PR)

Labels: Gerald McCoy, Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Bradford, Brown, Gresham and Murray named to Maxwell watch list: Four Oklahoma players are on the preseason watch list for the 73rd Maxwell Award. Maxwell Football Club President Ron Jaworski made the announcement today. There are a total of 55 players on the list. The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the top player in college football. Quarterback Sam Bradford, running back Chris Brown, tight end Jermaine Gresham and running back DeMarco Murray are all on the list. Bradford won the Heisman Trophy last season, while Gresham was a first-team All-American. Brown and Murray both eclipsed 1,000 yards for the season with 1,220 and 1,002 respectively. The Maxwell Award has been presented to the outstanding collegiate football player in America since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell. The Maxwell Football Club, founded in 1935, is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is the oldest football club in the United States. Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced on November 4th and three finalists for each award will be announced November 23rd. The winner of the 2009 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show which will be held on December 10, 2009. (SoonerSports PR)

Labels: Chris Brown, DeMarco Murray, Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma Sooners, Sam Bradford, Watch List

Oklahoma kicker up for top award: Oklahoma kicker Jimmy Stevens has been named to the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Award. The honor is presented annually to the top placekicker in college football. This will be the 18th season for the award. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission sponsors the Lou Groza Award. In 2008, Stevens, a sophomore from Oklahoma City, was an All-Big 12 Academic first teammember. He converted 8-of-11 field goals and 92-of-97 extra points, while setting OU program records for most extra points made and attempted. He tallied a total of 116 points on the season, ranking No. 2 at OU for the most ever kicking points in a season. He converted two field goals, the longest a 30-yarder, in the Big 12 Championship against Missouri and booted season-long field goal of 42 yards against Texas A&M. (SoonerSports PR)

Labels: Jimmy Stevens, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Trio of Sooners on Bednarik List: Oklahoma's Jeremy Beal, Travis Lewis and Gerald McCoy are on the watch list for the 15th Chuck Bednarik Award. Maxwell Football Club President, Ron Jaworski made the announcement today. Beal, a junior from Carrollton, Texas, started all 14 games at defensive end last season and was a firs-team All-Big 12 player by the Associated Press. He finished with 61 tackles, including 15.5 for loss with 8.5 sacks and three fumbles caused. Lewis, a sophomore linebacker from San Antonio, Texas, was Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2008 when he notched 144 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He broke Brian Bosworth's freshman tackle record, which stood at 133. McCoy, a junior from Oklahoma City, was a first-team All-American last season by The Sporting News. He had 30 tackles from his defensive tackle position along with 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented since 1995 and is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, a former University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Eagle great. Mr. The only previous Oklahoma winner was LB Teddy Lehman, who claimed the honor in 2003.(SoonerSports PR)

Labels: Gerald McCoy, Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma Sooners, Travis Lewis, Watch List

Ryan Broyles named to Biletnikoff Award watch list: As the preseason watch lists continue to emerge, so do the names of many local stars. Oklahoma States Dez Bryant and OU's Ryan Broyles have been named to the watch list for the 2009 Biletnikoff Award which honors college football's top receiver. Broyles accumulated a record 678 yards last year, the most ever by an OU Freshman Receiver. (KSBI.com)

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Ryan Broyles, Watch List

Gerald McCoy and Trent Williams among those on Outlaw Award watch list: Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and offensive tackle Trent Williams are on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is presented annually to the top lineman in college football. McCoy was named a first team All-American after last season by The Sporting news. He started all 14 games and finished the campaign with 30 tackles, 11 for loss, 6.5 sacks and one pass interception. A junior from Oklahoma City, McCoy has started all 27 games of his college career. Williams, a senior from Longview, Texas, was first team All-Big 12 last year by the conference's coaches. He started all 14 games last season, 13 at right tackle and one at left tackle, the position he will play this season. In 2008, he logged 131 knockdowns and saw action for 943 snaps. The Outland Trophy, presented annually since 1946, is the third-oldest award in major college football. (SoonerSports PR)

Labels: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma Sooners, Trent Williams, Watch List

Dominique Franks named to Jim Thorpe Award watch list: Oklahoma's Dominique Franks and Oklahoma State's Perrish Cox are among 31 players listed on the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top college defensive back. Franks is a junior cornerback from Union High School. He scored two touchdowns last season, one on a fumble return and one on an interception return. (Tulsa World) Note: Three Sooners have previously won the Thorpe Award ('87 Ricky Dixon, '01 Roy Williams and '03 Derrick Strait).

Related:
Previous OU Jim Thorpe Award Winners

Labels: Dominique Franks, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Pair of Sooners named to Hendricks Award watch list: Oklahoma's Jeremy Beal and Auston English are two of the 15 players who have been named to the preseason watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, which is presented annually to college football's top defensive end. The Ted Hendricks Foundation, which sponsors the award, made the announcement. Beal started all 14 games last season logging 61 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and three fumbles caused. The Carrollton, Texas, junior also broke up four passes. English, a senior from Canadian, Texas, played in 11 games last season with nine starts. He sustained a sprained knee in the 10th game (Nebraska) of the season and saw a reduction in playing time. He still finished with 33 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He also recovered one fumble and broke up one pass. The Hendricks Award, now in its eighth year, is named in honor of college football's first three-time, first-team All-American. After a college career at Miami (Fla.), Hendricks's professional career spanned 15 years and 215 consecutive games. (SoonerSports PR)

Labels: Auston English, Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Bradford, Gresham on Walter Camp watch list: Two Sooners were named on the Walter Camp Award preseason watch list on Friday. OU quarterback Sam Bradford and tight end Jermaine Gresham are among those named to the list. Last year's winner Colt McCoy of Texas is also on the list. The Camp award goes to college football's top overall player and is voted on annually by the 119 FBS head coaches. The last Sooner rewarded the Walter Camp Award was Josh Heupel in 2000, overall four Sooners have won the prestigious award.

2009 Walter Camp Award preseason watch list:
Jahvid Best, RB, Jr., California
Arrelious Benn, WR, Jr., Illinois
Eric Berry, DB, Jr., Tennessee
Sam Bradford, QB, Jr., Oklahoma
LaGarrette Blount, RB, Sr., Oregon
Dez Bryant, WR, Jr., Oklahoma State
Daryll Clark, QB, Sr., Penn State
Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Jr., Georgia Tech
Mardy Gilyard, WR, Sr., Cincinnati
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Sr., Oklahoma
Max Hall, QB, Sr., Brigham Young
Tim Hiller, QB, Sr., Western Michigan
Jerry Hughes, DE, Sr., TCU
Kendall Hunter, RB, Jr., Oklahoma State
Taylor Mays, DB, Sr., USC
Colt McCoy, QB, Sr., Texas
Kellen Moore, QB, So., Boise State
Todd Reesing, QB, Sr., Kansas
Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, So., Oregon State
George Selvie, DE, Sr., South Florida
Jordan Shipley, WR, Sr., Texas
Rusty Smith, QB, Sr., Florida Atlantic
Jevan Snead, QB, Jr., Mississippi
Brandon Spikes, LB, Sr., Florida
Golden Tate, WR, Jr., Notre Dame
Tim Tebow, QB, Sr., Florida
Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Sr., Missouri

Related:
Previous OU Walter Camp Award Winners

Labels: Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma Sooners, Sam Bradford, Watch List

Brown, Murray on Doak Walker Award Watch List: Oklahoma's Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray are both on the watch list announced today for the Doak Walker Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top running back. The Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum made the announcement. The two OU players were part of an NCAA statistical first last season when they became the only pair of 1,000-yard rushers to share a backfield with a 4,000-yard passer, Sam Bradford. Brown led the Sooners in rushing with 1,220 yards on 217 attempts with 20 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 15 passes for 109 yards and one TD. Murray had been OU's top ground gainer until sustaining a hamstring injury on the opening kickoff of the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship Game. Still, he finished the season with 1,038 rushing yards on 179 carries with 14 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 31 passes for 395 yards and another 4 TD. Murray's duties extended to retuning kicks, too. He logged 28 attempts for 774 yards (27.6/return). The Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select the semifinalists on November 11, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast votes to determine the finalists, who will be announced on November 23. The committee will cast a second vote beginning on November 30 to determine the recipient. (SoonerSports.com)

State trio Doak Walker Award preseason candidates: NewsOK.com

Labels: Chris Brown, DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

OU's Sam Bradford highlights O'Brien Watch List: Oklahoma's Sam Bradford will get the chance to defend his Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award title. And Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson is one of the quarterbacks he'll have to fend off. Both in-state stars were named to the Davey O’Brien watch list released Monday afternoon. The Davey O'Brien annually is awarded to the top quarterback in college football. In all, 33 quarterbacks were placed on the watch list, which included six from the Big 12: Bradford, Robinson, Robert Griffin (Baylor), Colt McCoy (Texas) Taylor Potts (Texas Tech) and Todd Reesing (Kansas). (The Oklahoman)

Which Sooners will make watch lists: The Oklahoman

Texas-OU reaching the boiling point: Rockwall County Herald Banner

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Sam Bradford, Watch List

Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham on Mackey Watch List: Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham is on the 2009 John Mackey Award watch list released Wednesday by the Nassau County Sports Commission. Given annually to the best collegiate tight end, the award recipient is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee and the 2009 John Mackey winner will be announced on December 10, 2009. A first-team All-American last season by The Sporting News, Gresham hauled in 66 passes for 950 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Sooners in 2008. The TD total was the most ever in one season by an OU player. Gresham, a Mackey finalist last season, has 26 career touchdown receptions, just five off the school record held by Mark Clayton. (SoonerSports PR)

Related:
OU Football Awards History

Labels: Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Gerald McCoy named to Lott Watch List: Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy has been named to the 2009 Lott Trophy Watch List. The Watch List is made up of 42 of the nation's top defensive players who have had the biggest IMPACT on their teams on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. McCoy is a 6-4, 300-pound junior defensive tackle from Oklahoma City. He was an All-American last season when he had 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for losses. McCoy is a member of the AFCA Good Works Team, President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and one of the Sooner captains. Named after Hall of Famer Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football's Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its sixth year, The Lott Trophy is the only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. (SoonerSports PR)

Labels: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Two Sooners on Lombardi Award watch list: Oklahoma linemen Gerald McCoy (DT) and Trent Williams (OT) were named to the Lombardi Award's preliminary 2009 watch list. The pair of Sooners are joined by six other Big 12 stars, including Brandon Carter (Texas Tech), Sergio Kindle (Texas), Russell Okung (Oklahoma State), Joe Pawelek (Baylor), Adam Ulatoski (Texas), and Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri).

Link: The Rotary Lombardi Club News

Know This: Three former Sooners have won the Lombardi Award -- Tommie Harris, Tony Casillas and Lee Roy Selmon. (OU Football Awards)

Articles of Interest:

Sooners honored at State Capitol: SoonerSports.com

Spring practice starts here: Tulsa World

Box cited by Norman police: Norman Transcript

Oklahoma looking to replace lost talent: Star-Telegram

Labels: Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma Sooners, Trent Williams, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

DeMarco Murray on Doak Walker award watch list: DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma's top returning rusher, has been named to the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award. The honor is presented annually to the top running back in college football. Murray, a sophomore from Las Vegas, Nev., ran for 764 yards last season despite missing three games and drawing only one start. He also scored 15 touchdowns, including 13 on the ground, to tie Adrian Peterson's freshman record at OU. Murray showed a flare for the big play with a 92-yard touchdown run against Utah State and a pair of kickoff returns for touchdowns. The Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select the semifinalists on November 10, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast votes to determine the finalists, who will be announced on November 24.(SoonerSports PR)

OU's season opener SOLD-OUT: The University of Oklahoma announced today that tickets for Saturday’s season-opening football game with Tennessee-Chattanooga have been sold. However, OU athletics ticket office personnel say they expect a few returns and exchanges on the day of the game. (The Oklahoman)

Labels: DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma Sooners, Tickets, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes'

Cooper named to Rimington Watch List: Oklahoma's Jon Cooper has been named to the preseason watch list for the Rimington Award, which is presented annually to the top center in college football. Cooper has been a mainstay in the Sooner offensive line since he broke in as a starter in 2005. He has played in 34 games at OU with 29 starts. A native of Fort Collins, Colo., Cooper is a 6-2, 285-pound senior. In all, there are 43 players on the watch List. The PAC-10 checks in with the most candidates, with seven players being named. The Big-12 is represented by six players. The SEC and Big East Conference have five players each on the Watch List. (SoonerSports PR)

OU defense suffers penalty plagued practice: Several defensive players came into the interview room Thursday pouring in sweat after a sloppy practice resulted in extra running for the defense. "We're nowhere close to being good enough," said defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. "We had way too many mistakes today." Bob Stoops called a coaches' meeting immediately after practice, meaning none of the defensive coaches were available for comment. According to McCoy, the defense was plagued by "penalties," "lack of intensity" and "mental errors." (The Oklahoman)

Preseason Practice nearing end: SoonerSports.com

Fans vote Top 10 plays of 2000s: SoonerSports.com

Focus on family keeps Sooner assistants at home: The Oklahoman

No Bedlam ticket rush in Norman: The Oklahoman

OU football notebook: The Oklahoman

Sooner defense is struggling as of late: Tulsa World

Gerald 'The Real' McCoy: Tulsa World

Experience not a problem on D-line: Norman Transcript

No slump for Sam: Muskogee Phoenix

The Sporting News previews Oklahoma: The Sporting News

Labels: Defense, Jon Cooper, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Sam Bradford named to Walter Camp watch list: Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford has been named to the preseason watch list for the Walter Camp Award, which is presented annually to the top player in college football. Bradford already had been named to watch lists for the watch lists for the Maxwell (top player) and O'Brien (top quarterback) awards. Last season, as a redshirt freshman, Bradford set an NCAA freshman record with 36 touchdown passes. He tossed just eight interceptions. Bradford is trying to become the fifth OU player to win the Camp Award. The most recent do so was Bradford's position coach, Josh Heupel, who received the honor in 2000. The watch list will be narrowed to 15 semi-finalists in early November. (SoonerSports PR)

English anxious about return: It had been so long since Auston English hit somebody, the junior defensive end found himself getting antsy Sunday night. "I was real anxious," English said. "Last night, I went to bed kind of feeling like I was getting ready for a game because it's been a while since I've taken snaps like that. "You want to get out there and not lose a step." English, joining full contact drills for the first time this preseason, at least looked comfortable Monday morning when the Sooners began their final week of preseason work. (The Oklahoman)

Update on kicker competition: Jimmy Stevens continues to lead in the race to replace kicker Garrett Hartley, but he is being pushed by Tulsans Tress Way and Matthew Moreland. "Jimmy Stevens was good on everything," Stoops said. "His deepest (field goal) was 50. He only had one shot at it and made it. He missed one at 53, but he made everything else from 50 on in. The other guys each missed one. Tress Way made one at 53. Matt Moreland missed one at 53. I'm really pleased with those guys." (Tulsa World)

Greatest wins of the 2000s -- No. 1: SoonerSports.com

Rain forces Sooners back inside: SoonerSports.com

Healthy Tennell gains confidence: Tulsa World

Blue-collar roots, values define Stoops: The Oklahoman

Stoops -- The early headlines: The Oklahoman

Casillas shares memories: The Oklahoman

Special delivery: Norman Transcript

Sooners get a boost from English's return: Norman Transcript

Stoops secure in OU's rich football history: ESPN.com

Labels: Jimmy Stevens, Oklahoma Sooners, Sam Bradford, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Josh Jarboe likely to remain with team: Stoops indicated Thursday he won't remove Jarboe from the squad. "Kick a guy off the team for what he says?" Stoops said. The whole Internet culture frustrates Stoops. "We're starting to talk about everything kids say and do," Stoops said. "Now we're in people's homes, in their private spaces." (The Oklahoman) Related: Josh Jarboe is back! This time freestyling!!

Gresham on Mackey watch list: Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham is among those on the preseason watch list for the 2008 John Mackey Award. The honor is presented annually by the Nassau County Sports Commission to the top tight end in college football. The 6-6, 261-pound Gresham, who also is on the watch list for the Maxwell Award as college football's top overall player, was an honorable mention All-American last year by Sports Illustrated after hauling in 37 receptions for 518 yards and 11 touchdowns. The TD figure was the second-highest in school history. A junior from Ardmore, Okla., Gresham ranks No. 11 all-time at Oklahoma with 12 touchdown grabs. (SoonerSports PR)

Bid on ultimate OU fan experience: SoonerSports.com

Vikings have Gardnhire to thank for AD: Tulsa World

Notebook: The Oklahoman

OU frosh receiver causes controversy: Norman Transcript

Sooners begin season 4th in Coaches Poll: USA Today

Labels: Jermaine Gresham, Josh Jarboe, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Sooners at Big 12 Media Day
Representing OU will be Head Coach Bob Stoops; OL Jon Cooper, DB Nic Harris, WR Manual Johnson

No television coverage mentioned, video available at Big12sports.com

English on Hendricks watch list: Oklahoma defensive end Auston English continues to receive preseason recognition. The week after being chosen the Big 12's preseason defensive player of the year, English has been named to the watch list for the Ted Hendricks award. The honor is presented annually to the top defensive end in college football. (Tulsa World)

A former OU quarterback gives back: Tulsa World Sports Extra

Big 12 defenses make stopping The Spread a priority: The Oklahoman

Labels: Auston English, Big XII, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Sam Bradford named to Davey O'Brien Award watch list: Oklahoma's Sam Bradford is one of just 31 Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks named to the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List that was announced today. The award honors the top quarterback in college football. Bradford, who will be a sophomore in the 2008 campaign, led the nation in passing efficiency last season as a redshirt freshman. He fired 36 touchdown passes, an NCAA record for freshmen, against just eight interceptions. On the season, the Oklahoma City native completed 237-of-341 passes for 3,121 yards. Watch List candidates were selected by a subset of the National Selection Committee and approved by the Davey O'Brien Executive Committee. Semifinalists will be announced October 27; finalists November 24. This prestigious award focuses on accomplishments both on and off the field. The Selection Committee is asked to evaluate all candidates on their quarterback skills and athletic ability, academics, reputation as a team player, character, leadership and sportsmanship. (SoonerSports PR)

OU releases scoreboard renderings: SoonerSports.com

Stoops to speak at breakfast focusing on diabetes program: The Oklahoman

Media pick Sooners' English for Big 12 honor: The Oklahoman

Sooner is named preseason defensive player of the year: Tulsa World

White enjoys new role as mentor: Tulsa World

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Sam Bradford, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Harris named to Thorpe Award Watch List: Oklahoma safety Nic Harris has been named to the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented annually to the top defensive back in college football. The award is based in Oklahoma City. Earlier, Harris, a senior from Alexandria, La., was named to the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award (with four other sooners), which is designated for college football's top defensive player. Harris was a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season after recording 74 tackles and two interceptions. He also tied for second on the team with 9.5 tackles for loss. The Jim Thorpe Award "watch list" is determined by analysis of the pre-season All-America teams listed in at least six pre-season annual magazines. Four points are awarded for First Team, three points for second team, two points for third and one point for fourth teams and honorable mentions. This procedure determines approximately 40 players on the pre-season watch list. (SoonerSports PR)

"The Boz" aids in rescue of accident victim: A former NFL football star from Los Angeles helped rescue a woman who ended up trapped in a ditch after rolling her mini-SUV over the weekend.Brian Bosworth, known as "the Boz" from his linebacking days with the Seattle Seahawks in the 1980s, said he was on his way to the Winnipeg airport Saturday when he came across the accident scene on the Trans-Canada Highway near Falcon Lake in eastern Manitoba."I happened to tail in on the backside and there were ambulances and a fire truck. It looked like she rolled at least two or three times because the car ended up facing the opposite direction of oncoming traffic, upside down in the ditch," Bosworth said. He was asked to take a piece of equipment down to the paramedics and once he got down to the victim, he said it was clear they needed more manpower. Driver and passenger were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Bosworth was fishing in the area with his son. (Winnipeg Free Press)

Bosworth gives aid in rescue: The Oklahoman

Sooners beef up '09 class: Tulsa World

Labels: Nic Harris, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

English, Granger, Harris, McCoy and Reynolds named to Bednarik Award Watch List: Five Oklahoma Sooners are on the 2008 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List. The honor is presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to college football's outstanding defensive player. The five OU players on the list are DE Auston English, DT DeMarcus Granger, S Nic Harris, DT Gerald McCoy and LB Ryan Reynolds. English was a consensus All-Big 12 pick last season and an honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated. He ranked No. 15 nationally with 9.5 sacks, which he accumulated in just 11 games. The junior also led OU in tackles for loss with 13. Granger was a starter in 11 games and was second-team All-Big 12. He had 35 tackles, including 8.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. McCoy was the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and a Sporting News Freshman All-American after racking up 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery. Reynolds worked at outside linebacker last season when he registered 60 tackles and one interception. This season, the junior moves to the middle linebacker position. (SoonerSports PR)

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Bradford, Murray, Iglesias, Gresham named on Maxwell watch list: Four members of Oklahoma's football team are on the watch list for the 2008 Maxwell Award. The honor is presented annually to the top player in college football. The Sooners on the list include QB Sam Bradford, TE Jermaine Gresham, WR Juaquin Iglesias and RB Demarco Murray. Bradford led the nation in passing efficiency last season as a freshman. Gresham caught 11 touchdown passes in 2007, to tie for the second-highest figure in school history. Iglesias was OU's top receiver last season in catches and yards with 68 for 907, respectively. He also returned 29 kickoffs for an average of 28.5 yards, a figure that ranked No. 16 nationally. Murray missed Oklahoma's last three games due to a kneecap injury, but was electrifying when he was on the field. He rushed 127 times for 764 yards and 13 touchdowns. Like Iglesias, he was one of the top kick returners in the country with 15 for a 29.3-yard average that ranked No. 7 among Football Bowl Subdivision programs.(SoonerSports PR)

Labels: Maxwell Award, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Granger, Harris, English named to Nagurski watch list: Oklahoma football players Auston English, DeMarcus Granger and Nic Harris are among 88 players selected for the preseason Bronko Nagurski watch list for defensive player of the year. English, a junior defensive end from Canadian, Texas, led the Big 12 in quarterback sacks last season despite missing three games with a fractured ankle. Granger, a junior defensive tackle from Dallas, had 35 tackles last season, his first as a starter, and had 3.5 quarterback sacks in 13 games before a shoplifting arrest two days before the Fiesta Bowl got him suspended for the game. Harris, a senior safety from Alexandria, La., was All-Big 12 last season, when he had 74 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He is recovering from offseason knee surgery and missed all of spring practice. The Sooners have had two previous Nagurski winners: Roy Williams in 2001 and Derrick Strait in 2003. (Tulsa World)

OU football notebook: The Oklahoman

KU lured Mangino from Sooners, but it took some work: Tulsa World Blog

Keith Nichol's Plan Sounded Good at the Time: AOL Fanhouse

Big Twelve South: Spring Updates: College Football Fantasy Insider

Labels: Auston English, DeMarcus Granger, Nic Harris, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Loadholt, Granger, and Robinson on Outland watch list: Three Oklahoma linemen are on the preseason watch list for the 2008 Outland Trophy. The award is presented annually by the Football Writers Association of America. Sooner offensive linemen Phil Loadholt and Duke Robinson along with defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger are on the list. Robinson, OU's left guard, was a consensus All-American last season when he started 13 of the team's 14 games. He saw action in 663 plays with 97 knockdown blocks and a season grade of 85%. Loadholt, the left tackle is the tallest football starter in OU history at 6-8. He was an honorable mention All-American last season by Sports Illustrated. He was on the field for 740 snaps with 104 knockdowns. His season grade was 79%. Granger was a second-team All-Big 12 pick in 2007. He played in 13 games with 11 starts. For the season, he registered 35 tackles, including 8.5 for losses and 3.5 sacks. (SoonerSports PR)

Labels: Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Nic Harris on Lott Watch List: Oklahoma's Nic Harris is among 42 of the nation's top collegiate defensive players who have been named to the 2008 Lott Trophy Watch List, which was announced Friday. Harris is a 6-3, 232-pound senior defensive back, who was on the Lott Watch List a year ago. He recorded 74 tackles, including 9.5 for losses and had a pair of interceptions last season. There are seven repeat nominees for the award, including James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, a finalist last year. The other players nominated for a second straight year are Harris, Jonathan Casillas of Wisconsin, Brian Cushing of USC, Maurice Crum Jr. of Notre Dame, Darryl Richard of Georgia Tech and Zack Follett of Cal. Thirty-five different schools are represented on the Watch List. (SoonerSports PR)

The life of a Sooner defensive end: Norman Transcript

OU says it isn't backed into a corner: Tulsa World

Blue-chip back Johnson has shot at encore: The Oklahoman

Sooner D-Line Should Dominate: Crimson and Crime Machine

Labels: Nic Harris, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Duke Robinson and Auston English on Lombardi Award watch list: Oklahoma's Duke Robinson and Auston English are on the watch list for the 2008 Rotary Lombardi Award. They are among 54 players named to the preliminary list. Robinson, OU's left guard, was a consensus All-American last year, for a Sooners offense that ranked No. 1 nationally in passing efficiency, No. 5 in scoring, No. 5 in sacks allowed, No. 19 in total yards and No. 30 in rushing. One finalist and three semi-finalists from last year's Rotary Lombardi Award voting are among 54 players selected to the 2008 preliminary watch list released today. The 6-5, 330-pound senior graded at 85% last season. He was on the field for 663 plays with 97 knockdowns. English, a junior defense end, was No. 15 in the nation last season with .86 sacks per game. He had a total of 15 despite missing four games due to injury. English also had a team-high 13 tackles for loss. His 1.18 tackles for loss per game led the Big 12. Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen and those defensive players who line up within five yards of the football. The candidates earned a place on the preliminary watch list by earning All-American honors or by being named to their respective all-conference first team as selected by the conference's head coaches. (SoonerSports PR)

Former OU winners of the Lombardi Award:
1975 Lee Roy Selmon
1985 Tony Casillas
2003 Tommie Harris

Related: See other OU Award winners

Labels: Auston English, Duke Robinson, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Duke Robinson named Lombardi award semifinalist: Oklahoma left guard Duke Robinson has been named a semifinalist for the 38th Rotary Lombardi Award presented by Wachovia. The list of 12 was announced today. The recognition dinner for the winner has been set for Dec. 5 at the Americas Hotel in downtown Houston. Robinson, a native of Atlanta, is working on a string of 21 consecutive starting assignments for the Sooners. The 6-5, 352-pound junior is grading at 80% for the season and averaging 10 knockdowns per game. His high game for knockdowns was 13 against Miami. The 200 7 Sooners rank No. 1 nationally in passing efficiency, No. 4 in scoring offense, No. 14 in total offense, No. 21 in rushing offense and No. 35 in passing. Perhaps most impressive from the offensive line's standpoint is the fact that OU is No. 6 in sacks allowed at just 0.71 per game. The other semifinalists include LB Xavier Adibi from Virginia Tech, OT Sam Baker of USC, DE Calais Campbell of Miami, LB Dan Connor of Penn State, DT Glenn Dorsey of LSU, LB James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, LB J Leman of Illinois, DE Chris Long of Virginia, OL Jake Long of Michigan, C Alex Mack of California and DE George Selvie of South Florida. (SoonerSportsPR)

Robinson named CollegeFootballNews.com first team midseason All-American: The midseason All-American honors keep coming for the Sooners. OU offensive guard Duke Robinson was named a first-team All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com. Cornerback Reggie Smith made the second team. (NewsOK.com)

Austin English named to watch list: The Ted Hendricks Award, which annually honors the top defensive end in college football, has added Oklahoma's Auston English to its watch list for the 2007 season. English, who redshirted last season after playing one year at OU, has made a big splash in his sophomore season. He currently ranks No. 9 nationally with 1.1 sacks per game and No. 11 in tackles for loss at 1.1. The Canadian, Texas, product was particularly impressive in his last two outings, both of which came against ranked opponents. He had two sacks against No. 19 Texas, then notched a career-high nine tackles and 1.5 sacks versus No. 11 Missouri. (SoonerSports PR)

Iglesias trying to overcome fumbles: The Oklahoman

OU Football Notepad: Norman Transcript

OU's Brown clings to second chance: Tulsa World

OU Notebook: English class: Tulsa World

Sooner quarterback looks good to Meyer: Des Moines Register

OU recruit Jones continuing to improve: ESPN.com

Labels: All-American, Austin English, Duke Robinson, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Cohen named to Ray Guy watch list: Oklahoma punter Michael Cohen has been added to the watch list for the Ray Guy Award. Presented annually by the Greater Augusta (Ga.) Sports Council to the nation's top collegiate punter. Cohen currently ranks No. 13 nationally with a punting average of 44.3 yards per kick. Six of his punts have exceeded 50 yards and he has at least one 50-yard boot in three straight games. Five of Cohen's 24 kicks were downed inside the 20 yard-line, only one went for a touchback and seven were fair caught by opponents. The Ray Guy Award began in 2000. It has never been won by an Oklahoma player, although Jeff Ferguson was a finalist in 2001. (SoonerSportsPR)

Stoops old memories: (Bob) Stoops is glad to see the Cleveland Indians closing in on the World Series. He said he was a big Tribe fan growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, but not as big a fan as his late father, Ron Stoops. "I remember my dad about breaking the TV all those years they were horrible," he said. (Tulsa World)

Sooners named to CBS All-American list: Receiver Malcolm Kelly and defensive end Auston English have been named Halfway All-Americans by CBSSports.com. Kelly is tied for fourth in the country in TD receptions with eight. English leads the Big 12 in sacks with 7.5. (NewsOK.com)

Hendricks Award taking English: SoonerSports.com

Stoops, Sooners focused on Cyclones: SoonerSports.com

Wacky season gives OU a shot, but others must fall: The Oklahoman

Sooners want to get things going on the ground: Norman Transcript

OU's Brown clings to second chance: Tulsa World

Oklahoma's Granger excited about line: Dallas Morning News

Oklahoma's No. 4 ranking all ISU needs to know: Des Moines Register

Lofton's tackling prowess puts him in elite company for No. 4 Oklahoma: AP/Yahoo! Sports

Labels: All-American, Austin English, Bob Stoops, Malcolm Kelly, Michael Cohen, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Hartley on Groza Watch List: Oklahoma kicker Garrett Hartley, one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award last year, is on the preseason watch list for that same honor in 2007. Hartley, a senior from Southlake, Texas, made 19-of-20 field goals last season along with 49-of-50 extra points. His 2006 field goal percentage set an OU record and led the nation among kickers with more than 10 attempts. Hartley ranks No. 8 at OU in career kick scoring with 200 points, while his 34 field goal rank No. 6. With 98 career point after touchdown kicks, he ranks No. 9 on the all-time Sooner list. Two former winners of the award, Arthur Carmody of the University of Louisville and Alexis Serna of Oregon State University, are on the list too. The watch list is comprised of the top 30 preliminary candidates for the 16th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl. The top three finalists will be honored during the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Banquet on Tuesday, December 4, 2007. (SoonerSports PR)

Tuesday Football Post-Practice Video: SoonerSports

OU Quotes on North Texas Game: SoonerSports

Labels: Garrett Hartley, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Robinson added to Lombardi Award watch list: Oklahoma offensive lineman Duke Robinson and Tulsa linebacker Nelson Coleman are being added to the watch list for the Lombardi Award. An initial list of 43 offensive and defensive lineman and linebackers were first announced in March. Robinson and Coleman are among 60 players being added to the list. (AP/KOTV)

Players represented from the Big 12 on Lombardi Watch List.
Iowa State
Alvin Bowen
Kansas
James McClinton
Missouri
Martin Rucker
Nebraska
Bo Ruud
Matt Slauson

Texas
Tony Hills
Derek Lokey
Frank Okam
Texas A&M
Kirk Elder
Chris Harrington
Cody Wallace
Oklahoma
Duke Robinson

More Information at Rotary Lombardi Award website.

Labels: Offense Line, Oklahoma Sooners, Watch List

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Smith and Harris on Thorpe watch list: Oklahoma cornerback Reggie Smith and safety Nic Harris are both on the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award. The list was derived through a point system based on preseason All-America teams listed in various football publications. The Thorpe Award, based in Oklahoma City, is presented annually to the nation's best college defensive back. It is named after Jim Thorpe, considered by many to be history's greatest all-around athlete. Oklahoma players have won the Thorpe Award three times. Rickey Dixon won it in 1987 before Roy Williams claimed it in 2001 and Derrick Strait in 2003. Harris, a junior from Alexandria, La., saw action in 13 games last season with eight starts. He accumulated 68 tackles to go with a team-high four interceptions. Smith, a junior from Edmond, Okla., spent last season at safety before moving to corner in the spring. In 2006, he was a first-tam All-Big 12 selection by the Associated Press after notching 40 tackles. He also interception three passes, which he returned for 94 yards and one touchdown. The watch list is narrowed to 10 semi-finalists the first Monday in November and then to three finalists the Monday before Thanksgiving. The winner is announced on ESPN's College Football Awards Show, nationally telecast on December 6. The official presentation of the award will be in Oklahoma City on February 12. (SoonerSports PR)

Eldridge on Mackey watch list: Oklahoma's Brody Eldridge has been named to the preseason watch list for the Mackey Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate tight end. A total of 31 players are on the initial list for consideration for the award, which is presented by the Nassau (NY) County Sports Commission. An Oklahoma player has never won the award, although Trent Smith was one of three finalists in 2002. Eldridge, a sophomore from La Cygne, Kan., played in 14 games last season with seven starting assignments. Often referred to by Sooner coaches as one of the team's best blockers, Eldridge caught three passes for 18 yards. The Mackey Award will be presented in mid-December. It is named for former Colts great John Mackey. (SoonerSports PR)

Texas coach Brown sees a balanced Big 12: The Oklahoman

Labels: Brody Eldridge, Nic Harris, Oklahoma Sooners, Reggie Smith, Watch List