John Shinn of the Norman Transcript: "One of the benefits of spring practice is shifting players to new positions. Stoops indicated he is trying Lane Johnson at the spot. Johnson started his career as a tight end before moving to defensive end midway through the 2010 season. The 6-foot-6, 267-pound junior could..." Injury Opportunity for Others to Step Up - Norman Transcript
John Shinn of the Norman Transcript: "One of the benefits of spring practice is shifting players to new positions. Stoops indicated he is trying Lane Johnson at the spot. Johnson started his career as a tight end before moving to defensive end midway through the 2010 season. The 6-foot-6, 267-pound junior could..." Injury Opportunity for Others to Step Up - Norman Transcript
Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World: "Coming from my high school, I wasn't used to the work ethic that they put in down here," Aladenoye said. "I got used to it real quick from messing with Schmitty (OU strength and conditioning coach Jerry Schmidt). It was hard. But I always say hard work never kills anybody. I just got..." Sooners Look to Fill Jarvis Jones' Void - Tulsa World
Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World: "Halfway through Oklahoma's 2010 season, Daniel Noble disappeared. The freshman defensive tackle was gaining steam. He contributed a couple of tackles to OU's victory over Texas. He entered the Sooners' next game against Iowa State late in the first quarter, ready to contribute more..." Daniel Noble Ready to Play After Concussion - Tulsa World
John Shinn of the Norman Transcript: "The Oklahoma defensive tackle, who showed so much promise as a true freshman, is regaining that form as he goes through spring practice. "I've been feeling great. I really got back to feeling how I should feel and ready to play football. Its a been a relief," he said. But four months..." DT Daniel Noble Back in Action - Norman Transcript
From the Northeast Georgian: "Having grown up in a state where college football is king, Franklin understands how passionately fans take the game. He says the folks in Oklahoma are cut from the same vein. "OU fans are crazy," said Franklin. "They are awesome. It's the whole football culture. It's the same out there as..." Franklin, Sooners Open Spring Drills - Northeast Georgian
From Sports Illustrated: "It's crazy," Wort said. "I have to pinch myself every day. That first game against Utah State, running out in front of 86,000 people ... for a kid from Crawley, that was a real eye-opener. The Sooner fans are crazy. They're fantastic. They're like a soccer crowd back home, very passionate. If we lose a game..." Tom Wort a Stranger in His Homeland - Sports Illustrated
Tom Dienhart of Yahoo Sports: "With his team seemingly a certainty to be ranked No. 1 in the preseason polls, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops still is doing something he never has done before. For the first time in his 13-season tenure as Sooners coach, Stoops will have co-offensive coordinators. The departure of..." Heupel. Norvell Excited About Shared Role - Yahoo Sports
Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops said Monday he is "very optimistic" about the potential for immediate impact from running back Brandon Williams, a five-star signee who enrolled in January so he could be part of the Sooners' spring drills. Williams, who rushed for..." OU Expects Big Things From Williams - Fort Worth Star-Telegram
SPRING GUIDE, ROSTER RELEASED
The OU Athletics Department released the official Spring Guide and an updated printable roster as spring football begins today: 2011 OU Football Spring Guide | Printable Roster (PDF)
STOOPS PRESS CONFERENCE
Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops previewed spring practice and fielded questions from the media to kick off spring practice:
SPRING GAME EXPERIENCE
Want the ultimate experience for OU's annual Spring Game? One lucky fan and a guest will have the opportunity to watch from the sidelines, receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the locker room, and meet Coach Stoops, the football staff and members of the team. 2011 Spring Game Auction Experience | OU Online Auction
John Hoover of the Tulsa World: "And so, on Monday, it begins for OU. Bob Stoops kicks things off with an afternoon press conference, and then the Sooners hit the field for the first of 15 practices. Things peak on April 16 with the Red/White Game. OU has questions to answer this spring. Some even have to do with football..." Sooners Have Questions to Answer in Spring - Tulsa World
From ESPN: "For most of his career Broyles has been one of the league's toughest covers. That didn't change in 2010, when his 131 receptions were 12 more than any other receiver in the country. That number is inflated by Oklahoma's use of the bubble screen, but why do you think the Sooners throw it so much? One..." Ryan Broyles Big 12's No. 3 Player in 2010 Season - ESPN
Dennis Dodd of CBS: "Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma: Thrown into the fire after the Sam Bradford injury, Jones has emerged as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the country. In the last two seasons, he has thrown 64 touchdown passes in 27 games. Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma: Broyles led the nation in catches (131)..." Dodd: Jones, Broyles Among Heisman Favorites - CBS Sports
Dave Curtis of the Sporting News: "The spring should be short on drama. The Sooners need new starting safeties. Backups will battle to fill Jeremy Beal's defensive end slot and to grab DeMarco Murray's touches at tailback. Even a significant change on the coaching staff (offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson left to become..." Oklahoma's Spring Should be Short on Drama - Sporting News
Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman: "Sooner athletic director Joe Castiglione said Monday that the school's non-conference football schedule is set in stone. The conference schedule, however, remains fluid. OU's non-conference schedule is Tulsa on Sept. 3; at Florida State on Sept. 17; and Ball State on Oct. 1. With the way..." Trotter: OU Has Non-Conference Games - The Oklahoman
Jake Trotter of the Oklahoman: "In a week, the Sooners open spring drills with the highest of expectations. OU is the favorite to open up as the preseason No. 1. As the team begins its quest for an eighth national championship, here are six storylines to keep an eye on in the spring. The pride of Owasso will be the player to watch..." Keep an Eye on Colvin at Strong Safety - The Oklahoman
Oklahoma football released an updated depth chart in advance of spring practice on Friday. See planned practice dates below. Updated Oklahoma Football Depth Chart
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.
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Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated: "For the most part, Bob Stoops' 2011 team looks loaded -- so much so that pundits are lauding it as the likely preseason No. 1. If there's a question, it's the secondary. OU was already set to replace both of its starting safeties, including All-Big 12 honoree Quinton Carter, and is now..." Mandel: Can Sooners Shore Up Secondary? - Sports Illustrated
Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News: "Surely the Oklahoma faithful aren't upset by the prospects of having a less eventful Draft viewing experience than the year before. After all, the Sooners will return arguably the best college football team in the land and the early favorites to win the 2012 BCS National Championship game..." Four Sooners Should be Drafted - Dallas Morning News
Olin Buchanon of Yahoo Sports: "Oklahoma has an all-conference quarterback, an All-America receiver, an experienced offensive line, one of the nation's top running back prospects and an all-conference linebacker leading its defense. It looks as if the Sooners have everything required to make a run at a national championship..." Sooners Ready to Make Run at Championship? - Yahoo Sports
For the second year, SoonerSports.com will provide fans live coverage of OU's Pro Day at the Everest Indoor Facility in Norman. Fans can watch a free, live webcast of the event beginning Tuesday (March 8) at 9 a.m. CT and receive immediate updates on
physical testing of Sooner prospects and results from position drills. Review: 2010 Pro Day Coverage | OU on Facebook | Twitter
John Hoover of the Tulsa World: "The winter was for building toughness. The summer is for camaraderie. Training camp is the final dress rehearsal. But it's spring practice where the Sooner coaching staff will begin to truly put the pieces together for a run at the national championship. They'll have a good idea after the..." Big Expectations Await Young OU Team - Tulsa World
Oklahoma Head Football Coach Bob Stoops said today that defensive back Marcus Trice plans to transfer to another school. "Marcus is looking for another opportunity and we'll do everything we can to help him find a good situation," Stoops said. "Marcus has worked hard here and will leave with our best wishes." Trice, from Mesquite, Texas, just completed his sophomore season. He saw action in all 14 games last season, mostly as a member of the special teams. He registered nine tackles and one forced fumble.
Guerin Emig of the Tulsa World: "Now that DeMarco Murray is off sprinting 4.4 40s at the NFL combine, Oklahoma needs to find a new go-to running back. Roy Finch you say? The crafty little scatback may set a Sooner record for ankle-breaking as he doubles his freshman-season workload. Brandon Williams maybe?" Brennan Clay Bears Watching This Spring - Tulsa World
The latest notes, features, multimedia and links on Sooner football throughout the year direct from the OU Athletics Department.
Dennis Dodd of CBS: "It is a state of only 3.5 million people. And, in an age where such things count, only 1.2 million television households. It isn't the only football power in a rural state. Far from it. But something had always sustained the program, whether it had been Bud Wilkinson's monopoly, Barry Switzer's swagger or..." Dodd: Stoops Helped Bring Glitz to Oklahoma - CBS Sports
From the Omaha World-Herald: "Stoops owns a national title and seven Big 12 championships in 12 seasons at OU, with a 129-31 record. Stoops and the Sooners turned back Nebraska in the Big 12 final last December. Stoops and Pelini are longtime friends who both attended Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio..." Bob Stoops Coming to Lincoln - Omaha World-Herald