OU Looking for Potential, Depth as Two-A-Days Wear On

Aug. 13, 2001

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B. Stoops

J. Hayes

M. Stoops

N. Hybl

M. Mangino

J. Brown

NORMAN, Okla. - The Oklahoma football squad went back to work on Monday, practicing twice after Sunday brought a day off. Head coach Bob Stoops was again encouraged by the workouts and feels his team is improving and developing extremely valuable depth.

"We're getting things done and making progress," said Stoops. "We're continuing to iron out mistakes and develop our depth at a lot of positions. As you go through the season, you need those guys and there's definitely a lot of learning going on."

Three players have been moved to the offensive line as the coaching staff feels they might be best served as blockers. Jammal Brown had been on the defensive line but was moved to the offensive side of the ball Monday. Chris Bush had been in the mix at the H-back position and freshman Brett Rayl began his Sooner career at defensive end, but both are now learning the intricacies of interior linemen.

"We're looking at Jammal on offense," said Stoops, "and we'll see how he looks and go from there. He's worked really hard and gotten himself into shape so we're just trying to find the best spot for him. We can always move him back, so Jammal feels good about it."

Stoops was adamant, however, that the moves were made because the staff saw potential in the changes, not as any type of reaction.

"We feel, after watching and evaluating some of the guys," said Stoops, "that moving might be best for them as well as help the team in the future. We had enough depth on the line before this, we'll just see how it (the position switches) goes."

The squad resumes two-a-day practices Tuesday with workouts set for 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the OU Intramural Fields. The Sooners will hold a scrimmage on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium and fans are welcome to watch the team go through its paces. The Sooners begin their national title defense Aug. 25 when North Carolina visits Norman for the Hispanic College Fund Football Classic.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

OU Looking for Potential, Depth as Two-A-Days Wear On

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