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University of Oklahoma Athletics
2004 Season Preview: Offensive Line
July 22, 2004 | Football
Offensive Line
Players with starting experience at the position: Jammal Brown, Chris Bush, Vince Carter, Kelvin Chaisson, Davin Joseph, Chris Messner, Wes Sims
Vince Carter was a finalist for last season's Rimington Award, the honor bestowed on the best center in the college game. He is the likely bet at center, although Chris Bush, the most versatile lineman in the group, will make a push.
Jammal Brown, the behemoth at right tackle, was dominating last season. Look for him to be mentioned prominently for some of college football's top honors. Brown's counterpart on the left side, Wes Sims, has been a starter since day one at OU. Those looking to work their way into the rotation are Chris Messner, who started the opener last season on the left side, and promising redshirt freshman Akim Millington.
The guards, both juniors, are the only non-seniors slated for starting duty. Kelvin Chaisson and Davin Joseph both claimed starting roles late in the 2002 campaign. They're solid players who may make the most progress this season after getting one full season under their respective belts.
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Quarterbacks Stories don't come much better than that of Jason White. Two reconstructive knee surgeries and a Heisman Trophy all in the span of three years is the stuff of legend. And now a curtain call? |
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Running Backs Two years ago, Kejuan Jones was OU's short-yardage back. Last season, while sharing time with Renaldo Works, he evolved into a more typical role. Works' graduation leaves Jones... |
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Receivers Speed, elusiveness, strength ... they all reside at Oklahoma's receiver position. In fact, the only commodity that may be in better supply is experience. The Sooner receiving corps will be a strength... |
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Tight Ends This coaching staff has produced three players who are now tight ends on NFL rosters. Their appreciation for the position is well-documented. The productivity dropped somewhat last year as... |
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Offensive Line All five starters return. Three of the five have been starters for three seasons and all five have been starters for all or part of two seasons. The group owns 133 combined starting assignments... |
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Defensive Line Dusty Dvoracek is not the biggest defensive tackle in college football, but few are better at getting from point A to point B. And point B is usually in the opposing backfield. Dvoracek is a playmaker... |
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Defensive Ends The unvarnished truth is that the defensive end position will likely be one of the strongest on the team. Dan Cody and Jonathan Jackson have played in a combined 70 games at Oklahoma... |
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Linebackers If there is such a thing as a blessing in disguise, the blessing's name is Lance Mitchell. OU's physically imposing middle linebacker went down with a torn ACL in the third game of the 2003 season... |
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Secondary It took a mighty big spotlight to capture Oklahoma's secondary last season. Cornerback Derrick Strait was nailing down the Nagurski and Thorpe Awards, while former All-American Brandon Everage... |
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Special Teams With the exception of holder Matt McCoy, anyone who handled the ball on Oklahoma's special teams last season is back. Replacements for McCoy's job will be auditioned. Otherwise, it's the same cast... |
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