Notebook: February, 2011

March, 2011

Monday, February 28

From the Orlando Sentinel: "Oklahoma is coming off of a 12-2 season that featured his seventh Big 12 Championship and a Fiesta Bowl victory. Stoops sat down with me to talk about a variety of things including his successful 2010 season, expectations for this season, the new Big 12, and a Sept. 17 matchup against Florida State..."

Q&A With OU Head Coach Bob Stoops - Orlando Sentinel

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

McCoy Still Feels Oklahoma's Love - Tulsa World

Gerald McCoy Happy to be Home - Norman Transcript

Big 12 Offensive Players Performances at Combine - ESPN

Is Oklahoma's Run Blocking a Concern? - ESPN

Fast Time for Murray, Help for Bradford? - Tulsa World

Fleming's Exit Caps Sobering Week for OU - Yahoo Sports

Another Kicker on Way, Murray Turns Heads - The Oklahoman

If McCoy Didn't Like Shipp Then, He Does Now - Tulsa World

DeMarco Murray Among Risers at NFL Combine - ESPN

Friday, February 25

Coach Stoops announced today that cornerback Jamell Fleming is not enrolled at OU in the spring semester due to a personal matter. As a result, Fleming, who completed his junior season in 2010 when he led the Sooners with five interceptions, also will not participate in the team's spring drills. "We're hopeful that Jamell can work through the things he's facing and resume his college career," Stoops said.

BRAGGING RIGHTS
Al Jerkins of KJRH Tulsa: "A few years back, many OU fans were bragging about the fact it is not too often one school could produce two overall number 1 draft choices in two different sports in the same year. Not only did OU do it, but they also did it with flying colors. Sam Bradford and Blake Griffin - not a bad combo..."

Jerkins: Bragging Rights Deserved for OU - KJRH Tulsa

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

It's Make or Break for DeMarco Murray - Tulsa World

How OU, Big 12 Rank in Stopping Explosive Offenses - ESPN

Raise Makes Stoops Third Highest-Paid - Sporting News

Texas Rebuilding Behind Closed Doors - Associated Press

Impact of New Texas Offensive Coordinator - Sporting News

DeMarco Murray Could Help Giants' Return - Giants Gab

Thursday, February 24

The latest notes, features, multimedia and links on Sooner football throughout the year direct from the OU Athletics Department.

FOUR SOONERS AT NFL COMBINE
The 2011 NFL Combine is underway in Indianapolis. Four Sooners are slated to participate and you can watch them live on the NFL Network: DeMarco Murray and the RBs are up on Sunday, Feb. 27. Jeremy Beal, Adrian Taylor and the DL/LBs go on Monday, Feb. 28. Finally, Quinton Carter and the DBs work on Tuesday, March 1.

NFL Combine | Printable Combine TV Schedule (PDF)

SOONERS HONORED AT CAPITOL
From KJRH Tulsa: "This team and coaching staff accomplished something truly special this past season," said Sparks, D-Norman. "In addition to winning another Big 12 championship and rising to the occasion in a BCS bowl game, the team helped their program reach a number of important milestones. They have represented..."

Sooners Recognized by State Senate - KJRH Tulsa

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Jeremy Beal One of Five "Physical Freaks" - FS Southwest

Last Three Years: OU Has Most Explosive Offense - ESPN

OU Honored by Senate for 2011 Season - The Oklahoman

Ranking the Big 12's Best Players: DeMarco Murray - ESPN

Murray Has Excellent Resources to Turn To - Buffalo Bills

Big 12 vs. the Other BCS Conferences - ESPN

Carter Among Five Safeties to Watch - National Football Post

Is Mack Brown Trying to Channel Bear Bryant? - ESPN

Brown, Texas Set to Begin Spring Cleaning - Yahoo Sports

Wednesday, February 23

Dave Sittler of the Tulsa World: "I think (Broyles) really has a chance to improve his stock by going back," Kiper said. "With Landry Jones back there (OU), I think Broyles could have a huge season." Jones will be a redshirt junior next season in what basically will be his third consecutive year as OU's starting quarterback..."

Sittler: Broyles, Lewis at OU, Not NFL Combine - Tulsa World

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Video: Kiper, McShay List Defensive Draft Risks - ESPN

Four Sooners Set for 2011 NFL Combine - The Oklahoman

Talking 2011, New QBs, Big 12's Surprise Team - ESPN

Tuesday, February 22

David Ubben of ESPN: "There wasn't much doubt at the end of the season: Oklahoma was the most complete team in the conference. When it played well, it had the capability to beat anyone in the country. The Sooners were able to run it, throw it, stop the run and stop the pass well enough for a seventh Big 12 title..."

Best/Worst Case Rewind for Oklahoma - ESPN

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Oklahoma to Honor Gerald McCoy - The Oklahoman

McCoy Could Have Say in Bucs' Draft: Q Carter - ESPN

Roy Finch Must Prove He Can Stay Healthy - The Oklahoman

Gerald McCoy to Return to Norman - The OU Daily

Rams Set Sights on Keeping Clayton - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

It's Fourth Down for Josh Jarboe - Tulsa World

UT Network Has Other Schools Scrambling - The Oklahoman

Tuberville's New Contract Angers Tech Faculty - Sporting News

Cuban Forms Company for Football Playoff - USA Today

Monday, February 21

From the Carlsbad Current-Argus: "Joining the team in between freshman classes left him feeling like an outsider. Adjusting to college life on top of his football schedule left Jones scrambling to master time management. As for his role with the Sooners, Bradford not only remained the starter but went on to win the Heisman..."

Jones Finds God With Turbulent Rise - Carlsbad Current-Argus

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Tramel: Big 12 Lacks Quality Football Games - The Oklahoman

OU's Landry Jones Biggest Heartbreaker for Big East - ESPN

TV Presence Might Play Factor in Game Dates - The Oklahoman

NFL Draft: DeMarco Murray or Kendall Hunter? - Tulsa World

UT-A&M to Join Bedlam in December? - The Oklahoman

Which Perennial Power Will Recover in 2011? - Yahoo Sports

Tramel: Tip of the Cap to Emory Bellard - The Oklahoman

Good Luck Keeping Track of Duplicate Numbers - The Oklahoman

Friday, February 18

David Ubben of ESPN: "Landry Jones will effectively be a third-year starter for the Sooners next season, and a strong contender for All-Big 12 honors and possibly the Heisman. It's his offense for sure in 2011. But heading into the spring, which starts as early as Friday at Texas Tech, here's how the Big 12's teams rank in terms..."

Oklahoma's Offense in Jones' Hands for Third Year - ESPN

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Tramel: Was Brown Asleep at the Wheel? - The Oklahoman

What Went Wrong? UT Football - Austin American-Statesman

Thursday, February 17

Olin Buchanon of Yahoo Sports: "There's no question he returned for a run at the national title. He was on the roster the last time the Sooners had a shot at the national title. That was in 2008, when he was a redshirt freshman and OU fell to Florida 24-14 in the national championship game. Broyles had four catches for 26 yards..."

Staying in School Nothing New for Broyles - Yahoo Sports

BIG 12 BLOG ON OKLAHOMA
David Ubben of the Big 12 blog on ESPN hands out his grade for the Sooners' 2010 season in a video released this afternoon.

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Tramel: Stoops Likes Life in Norman - The Oklahoman

Audio: Stoops Talks OU Football With Ivan Maisel - ESPN

OU Signee Thompson Adjusting to College- The Oklahoman

New Big 12 Offers Challenges, Opportunity - ESPN

OU Pushes Back Start of Spring Football - Tulsa World

Better RB: OU's Murray or OSU's Hunter? - The Oklahoman

Wednesday, February 16

Ivan Maisel of ESPN hosts Coach Stoops to discuss spring football and the upcoming 2011 season in his latest podcast. Listen here.

OU REVISES SPRING PRACTICE DATES
The OU Athletics Department released an update to the spring practice schedule for football on Wednesday (see dates below). Oklahoma's spring game is slated for Saturday, April 16 at 2 p.m. (time subject to change, tickets available here). SoonerSports.com will provide exclusive coverage of spring football direct from the Bud Wilkinson Practice Facility in Norman beginning March 21.

Review: 2010 Spring Football Central | 2009 | 2008

From ESPN: "Coach Bob Stoops hasn't been shy about saying his 2010 recruiting class was his best ever, but it could look even better after this spring. Two of his best emerging recruits, Justin McCay and Geneo Grissom, didn't even play in 2010, and could start to make an impact. The same goes for Corey Nelson, who..."

OU's 2010 Freshman Class Could Shine in Spring - ESPN

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Bradford, Chef Visit School for Health Rally - The Oklahoman

Sooners' 2011 Class Not Ranked High Enough? - Tulsa World

Jones, Broyles Among Top One-Man Shows - ESPN

Florida State Fans Criticize 2011 Schedule - Orlando Sentinel

McDaniels Can Help Sam Bradford Develop - NFL News

Tuesday, February 15

Six newcomers including OU's three early enrollees from the 2011 signing class received jersey numbers on Tuesday. In addition, 11 current players changed jersey numbers prior to spring practice. OU's online roster has been updated to reflect the latest information.

Newcomer Numbers:
Cayden Cochran - 7
Kendal Thompson - 11
Brandon Williams - 23
Brandon Wegher - 28
Londell Taylor - 48
Marquis Anderson - 77

Number Changes:
Demontre Hurst - 19 to 6
Ben Sherrard - 11 to 6
Ryan Caro - 19 to 9
John Sosanya - 14 to 43
Justin McCay - 18 to 19
Jermie Calhoun - 23 to 34
Corey Nelson - 25 to 7
Aaron Franklin - 40 to 25
David Welchert - 37 to 36
David Driskill - 62 to 49
Torrea Peterson - 96 to 94

STEELE: OU WILL TOP PRESEASON POLL
From Phil Steele: "This year OU will be ranked No. 1 in the pre-season by nearly everyone as they return 15 starters on off/def including QB Jones, WR Broyles and LB Lewis. Their schedule sets up nicely with a bye before their road trip to Florida St (a team they dominated LY 47-17). In Big 12 play naturally there is..."

Key Returning Starters, Favorable Schedule - PhilSteele.com

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Stoops Disappointed If OU Doesn't Win It All? - Tulsa World

Will Big 12 Put Bedlam in December? - The Oklahoman

Sooners at No. 1, Set to Play Five in Top 25 - Yahoo Sports

Phil Steele: Oklahoma Will Open at No. 1 - CBS Sports

Monday, February 14

Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman: "The Sooners technically return four starters on the offensive line. But in truth, after center Ben Habern and left guard Gabe Ikard, the other three spots are up for grabs. Tackles Donald Stephenson and Jarvis Jones and guard Tyler Evans figure to fill out the starting lineup. But they'll be pressed..."

Eight Redshirt Freshmen Could Make Impact - The Oklahoman

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Steele Predicts OU No. 1 Again in AP - Tulsa World

Collected Wisdom of OU's Eddie Hinton - The Oklahoman

Marcus Dupree at Peace With His Life - Tulsa World

Once Again, ACC is Florida State's Oyster - Yahoo Sports

Friday, February 11

From the Sporting News: "Count Oklahoma's Travis Lewis among those who are convinced Oklahoma enters the spring with college football's top program. Lewis, a fifth-year senior linebacker, said his team has the tools to win the Sooners' first national championship since the 2001 Orange Bowl. He said he's..."

Lewis: Oklahoma Deserves to be No. 1 - Sporting News

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Bradford Talks About Buzz Cut, Important Stuff - Tulsa World

Landry Jones Dives Into Twitter - The Oklahoman

Using Football to Get Basketball Crowd - Tulsa World

College Football to Take Pages From NFL? - ESPN

OSU Calls on Old Friend to Keep Offense Alive - Yahoo Sports

Q&A: Dan Beede on the Big 12's Future - ESPN

Thursday, February 10

The OU Athletics Department completed several notable updates to the football exhibits at the Switzer Center on Thursday in Norman.

New Football Artifacts Added to Switzer Center

BRADFORD IN NORMAN
Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World: "Coaching changes and labor strife being what they are, the most reliable thing Bradford has going now is determination. He showed it last year before overcoming all of the physical issues that followed him out of OU. Sounds like he's locked back in a year later. "I remember the..."

Bradford Prepared for Next NFL Challenge - Tulsa World

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Bradford Still Making It Look Easy - Norman Transcript

Carlson: Bradford a Little Frustrated - The Oklahoman

Stoops Makes Good Move - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Rating Recruiters A Lot Like Rating Players - Tulsa World

What If Mack's Big Changes Don't Work? - Yahoo Sports

OU, A&M Waiting for Indy Texas? - Dallas Morning News

Mapping Out the 2011 Football Talent - Yahoo Sports

Wednesday, February 9

From FS Southwest: "Not only do the Sooners boast a ton of experience, but they also figure to have a very impressive two-deep roster, with blue-chip talent running deep at nearly every position. It starts with the momentum built from a strong 2010 finish. The Sooners rolled down the stretch, winning five straight..."

Sooners Have All Pieces to Make Run at No. 1 - FS Southwest

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Strengthening D-Line Important for Sooners - Yahoo Sports

Bradford's Rookie Season Silenced Skeptics - Tulsa World

Oklahoma Sounds Content Attaching Itself to Texas - ESPN

Sooners BCS Bowl Winners, Third Downs - Sporting News

Tuesday, February 8

David Ubben of ESPN: "Of course, we're still months away from preseason polls, and spring practice hasn't even begun, so there are plenty of variables between now and then, but a game that already looked enormous could become the biggest nonconference game of the season if the polls shake out just right. Oklahoma..."

No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 2 Florida State? - ESPN

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Stoops Will Proudly Return to Youngstown - Tulsa World

Sooners Making Habit of Raiding Kansas - The Oklahoman

Former Sooner Brandon Shelby Hired by Indiana - Tulsa World

A&M to Make Run at Oklahoma's Crown - Yahoo Sports

OU SIGNING CLASS WALLPAPER
Bring the 17 newest members of the Oklahoma football program to your screen with free wallpaper from OU's 2011 Signing Day. Wallpaper is available in the eight most popular screen resolutions. Complete instructions on updating your wallpaper are also available:

Free Wallpaper from SoonerSports.com | Signing Day Central

Monday, February 7

Oklahoma will send four Sooners to the NFL Scouting Combine to be held in Indianapolis beginning February 23. Three players who participated in Senior Bowl practices, Jeremy Beal, Quinton Carter and DeMarco Murray, plus defensive tackle Adrian Taylor will go through the rigorous testing at Lucas Oil Stadium prior to..."

Four Sooners Invited to NFL Combine - ESPN

Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman: "An OU network inside Oklahoma would have its payoff. But Oklahoma has limited TV sets. And the Sooners have the state's eyeballs on them already. Which is why maximizing the channel's full potential hinges on whether OU can somehow get the channel up and running on cable..."

OU's Outlook Sunny Thanks to TV Progress - The Oklahoman

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Emig: Brown on Quest to Find "Inner Stoops"? - Tulsa World

Bob Stoops to be in Town for Events - Youngstown Vindicator

Schlabach: Oklahoma Team to Beat for 2011 - ESPN

Grading Big 12's Signing Classes - Austin American-Statesman

Ranking the Big 12 Recruiting Classes - Kansas City Star

No More "Nice Mack" at Texas - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Bob Stoops Speaks on Three Signees - Tulsa World

Sportsmanship, Safety Focus of Rules Committee - USA Today

Bradford Honored to Join NFL's Rookie List - Tulsa World

Friday, February 4

Top draft choice, top rookie. St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford won The Associated Press 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award Friday. The first overall selection in last year's draft, Bradford guided the Rams from the embarrassment of a 1-15 record to a 7-9 mark. In the weak NFC West, that was good...

Bradford Named 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Rich Get Richer as OU Brings in Strong Class - FS Southwest

Latest OU Linemen Will Try to Follow Heupel - Tulsa World

Stoops Schedules Walk-On Tryout - The Oklahoman

Brandon Williams Headlines OU's Class - Yahoo Sports

OU Class Powered by Metoyer, Williams - Sports Illustrated

Collected Wisdom: OU DE John Goodman - The Oklahoman

Thursday, February 3

National Signing Day came and went on Wednesday and, for the fourth year, Sooner fans experienced the excitement live from the Switzer Center. SoonerSports.com provided official signing day coverage with live announcements, live Signing Day webcast, signee video highlights from the film utilized by the OU coaching staff, photos and more throughout the day.

OU National Signing Day Coverage From SoonerSports.com

ANALYSIS OF SIGNING CLASS
John Hoover of the Tulsa World: "While the bulk of this class will be aimed at building for the future - the Sooners this fall need to replace just three starters on offense and three on defense - there are a handful of players who could contribute right away. OU's needs are few - running back, safety, defensive end, defensive..."

OU's Class All About Quality, Not Quantity - Tulsa World

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

OU's 2011 Signing Class Not Deep, But Loaded - ESPN

Farniok: OU Scores State's Biggest prize - Argus Leader

Sooners Reel In Quality Class - Norman Transcript

Analysis of Oklahoma's 2011 Signing Class - Tulsa World

Sooners Steal Two Signees, Lose One - The Oklahoman

Circle's Jordan Phillips Signs With Sooners - El Dorado Times

Notes: Lewis, Noble, Finch, No Attrition - The Oklahoman

OU Endures No Drama on Signing Day - Tulsa World

Ice, Snow Unable to Slow Sooner Signees - ESPN

Inside Oklahoma's 2011 Signing Class - Dallas Morning News

OU Might be Tempted to Move Hughes - The Oklahoman

Kneubuhl Makes Late Switch to OU - Dallas Morning News

Dismuke on OU Signing: "Dream Come True"- The Oklahoman

OU's Young Roster Keeps Signing Class Small - FS Southwest

Coming Soon: Sooners Sign New Class - Norman Transcript

"Freshman" Question Shouldn't Get Chilly Response - Tulsa World

Brandon Williams Shines Bright in Class - The Oklahoman

Sooners Wrap Up 2011 Class Early - Tulsa World

Chat Recap With OU Signee Dylan Dismuke - The Oklahoman

Tuesday, February 1

Oklahoma's football team has scheduled a walk-on tryout for Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the Everest Indoor Center. The check-in time is 4:15 p.m. Pre-registration and pre-tryout forms are available at BobStoops.com/walk-on-tryouts. Those forms must be completed in advance of the tryout. Registration will close on Monday, February 7 at 6 p.m. To be eligible, candidates must be enrolled as full-time students (minimum of 12 undergraduate hours) at OU for the spring 2011 season and meet eligibility standards.

OKLAHOMA'S 2006 CLASS
From Yahoo Sports: "In terms of exporting high-end talent to the next level, this is arguably the most productive class ever assembled: Three Sooners who arrived in Norman in 2006 (Sam Bradford, Gerald McCoy and Trent Williams) went in the first four picks of the same NFL draft four years later, and impossible..."

OU's 2006 Recruiting Class Most Productive - Yahoo Sports

OU FOOTBALL HEADLINES

Bradford Returns to Oklahoma to Talk Health - The Oklahoman

Redshirt Grissom Backing Up Lewis, Alexander? - Yahoo Sports

Hinton: Going to OU Was Best Decision - The Oklahoman

Rams QB Sam Bradford Gets Back to His Roots - ESPN

Adrian Peterson Sets Career Pro Bowl Record - Daily Norseman

Bucs' McCoy Begins Post-Surgery Workouts - Sporting News

Longhorns Had Their Targets Set on Weis? - NBC Sports

Brown Blames Arrogance for Texas - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Mack Brown Plans to Stick Around a While - ESPN

Brown Proclaims He's "Back in the Game" - Associated Press

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