Spring Preview: The Quarterbacks

March 4, 2003

Norman, Okla. - Here is an overview of the team as a whole, the offense and the quarterback position as Oklahoma continues to look toward the beginning of spring practice. The Sooners begin their drills March 10 at 4:10 p.m.

Over the last couple years, Oklahoma has proved itself pretty good at the art of re-tooling.

Despite the departures of several notables, including national award winners Rocky Calmus, Josh Heupel and Roy Williams, the Sooners have consistently remained one of the top five teams in the nation. Although it never happens by chance, success does beget success.

In 2003, particularly on offense, OU looks to again reach into its deep talent pool to fill key positions. The defense and special teams are almost carbon copies of last year's squad. The offense, which said good-bye to its top passer, top rusher and top receiver, will look different, at least from a personnel standpoint.

Ironically, many of the names that may now be cast in more substantial roles are at least somewhat familiar.

Jason White may be the best-known four-game starter in college football. Knee injuries have sidelined him each of the last two years, but he is the only OU quarterback with previous starting experience. He will have to compete for the job, but he does give the coaches an option if previous playing time becomes a determining factor.

Running back Kejuan Jones, a backup last season, who saw most of his action in short-yardage situations, still managed 613 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is far from green. The same can be said of Renaldo Works.

In the area of pass-catching, it's rare when one school graduates its top four career receivers in one year (only two were wideouts), but that is precisely what occurred at Oklahoma. Still, the Sooners return players who spent last season combining for 95 receptions and 13 touchdowns. Moreover, behind returning starters Mark Clayton and Will Peoples, the young talent at receiver is thought to be among the best on the team.

On defense, nine starters return, including Lombardi and Bednarik finalist Tommie Harris at tackle, Butkus finalist Teddy Lehman at linebacker, Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year Lance Mitchell at linebacker and Thorpe semifinalists Brandon Everage and Derrick Strait in the secondary. The Sooner defense, perhaps more than any of its peers, combines quality with experience. It could be a special year for that unit.

The special teams feature game-breaking return specialist Antonio Perkins and returning performers at placekicker and punter in Trey DiCarlo and Blake Ferguson, respectively.

* Offense

The 2002 season established a scary fact for Oklahoma opponents ... the Sooners are a two-headed monster on offense.

OU threw for 2,828 yards and ran for 2,668 last year. Both are impressive numbers made even more so by the fact that they're separated by just 160 yards. In the previous three seasons, Oklahoma had gained at least 1,500 yards more through the air than it had on the ground.

The balanced scheme will have a few new names at the controls, but there also are a number of key returnees.

* Quarterback

Players with starting experience at the position: Jason White.

Nate Hybl was 20-3 as Oklahoma's starter and he guided the Sooners to a pair of Jan. 1 bowl victories. Replacing him will not be easy. In fact, OU offensive coordinator Chuck Long already has said that a final decision may not come until August.

Four returnees, each with distinctive qualities, head the list of those who vie for the spot.

Jason White has been an Oklahoma starter in each of the last two seasons. In 2001, he won the job at mid-season. Last year, he emerged from a preseason competition. Each time, he went down in his second start with a torn ACL, one in each knee.

White will go through spring drills, but like last year, will not participate in the scrimmages or any contact drills.

Brent Rawls is a sophomore who still has not logged any game time at Oklahoma. Last season, he battled a season-long series of ailments, which began with a thumb injury in August. The Louisianan's strength is his throwing arm. It remains to be seen if he has the other components needed for the position.

Paul Thompson moved up to second team when White went out last season. He played sparingly, but impressed with raw talent and a quick release

The other returning candidate redshirted last season, but not in obscurity. Noah Allen raised eyebrows with his work on the scout team. He displayed resourcefulness and the ability to move an offense down the field.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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