Untitled Article

2012 Preseason Practice | OU Football Notebook | Sooner History & Tradition

Dominique Ready to Dominate

No Sooner may have been more excited to put full pads on than senior running back Dominique Whaley. When Oklahoma did so for the first time Tuesday, that's when Whaley knew.

"You really don't know until you get the pads on," Whaley said. "After I made the first cut, that's when I realized, 'Hey, I'm there. I'm ready.'"

Whaley played seven games in 2011, starting four, before an ankle injury against Kansas State sidelined him for the remainder of the season. But almost a week through camp, it looks as if Whaley may be able to pick up where he left off.

"I feel pretty good," Whaley said. "I'm out there looking the same that I did before the injury. I'm making the same amount of cuts, I have my speed, everything."

Before his injury, Whaley rushed 113 times for 627 yards (5.5 ypc) and nine touchdowns, while catching 15 passes for 153 yards. He was a spark in the OU offense to say the least, something that his teammates are looking forward to seeing again.

"He's always going to run hard no matter what," junior offensive lineman Gabe Ikard said. "He looks great. He looks like he's really recovering well. That was a nasty break. He's a hardworking guy. I know he'll put his pads on guys like he always does. He's a tough runner. It'll be fun to watch him run again."

Moose on the Loose

Recruited as a blocking tight end, Brannon "Moose" Green is ready to run into pursuing defenders this fall. In a way, that's where his nickname originated from.

"I was about two years old and my grandpa started calling me that," Green said. "I used to run into his leg but I was kind of timid around people kind of like a big moose. It just kind of caught on."

The junior tight end hopes to run into the end zone as well. When he does, fans will have to become accustomed to chanting "Mooooose," as his teammates have.

"They pretty much all call me Moose now," Green said. "It's weird when I hear Brannon."

Green was an All-Jayhawk Conference second team selection in 2011 after catching 15 passes for 213 yards in eight games for Fort Scott Community College.

"I like catching the ball," Green said. "Of course, what tight end doesn't? But I know that I have to block to help my team out and I'm going to do whatever it takes to help them out."

Regardless of his role, "Moose" can't wait for Sept. 1.

"It's going to be a surreal feeling," Green said. "I'm ready to put the helmet and shoulder pads on and play for the Sooners. It's my dream."

Sr. RB Dominique Whaley
"(Wednesday's two-a-days) went great. A lot of us are feeling it today, but we got a lot of good work in. There were a lot of dead legs (and) a little bit of soreness, but that's what those cold tubs are for."

Junior OL Gabe Ikard
"Ty (Darlington) is ready to play in my opinion. He's strong enough. He's got great strength in the weight room. Obviously he had really good coaching in high school. His dad was his coach, so he's a coach's kid. He already knows the whole playbook. He watched film with us, studied everything during the summer. He's ahead of the curve by a lot. He's ahead of the curve strength-wise. There's no hesitation when it comes to throwing him in there, in my opinion. He's smart. He's tough. He can play. He's one of those guys I fully expect to give us some depth whether it is center, guard or wherever you stick him. I know he's going to do it right and learn his job well."

Junior TE Brannon Green
"I'd say (two-a-days are) about 90 percent mental. You have a quick turnaround. You finish that second two-a-day and you're like, 'I have practice tomorrow morning.' A lot of it is mental, just getting out there, leaving and grinding through it."

PRACTICE 8 COVERAGE
Oklahoma bounced back from a two-a-day to practice Thursday morning. Here's what happened:

Kittle Works Tackles, TEs

DBs on Footwork, Angles

LBs Breaking Through

Norvell Drills Coordination

Practice 8 Gallery (72 Pics)

23 DAYS TO KICKOFF!

Billy Sims (1979) and Steve Owens (1969) share the single-season OU record with 23 rushing TDs in a season, with Owens winning the Heisman that season.

MIC'D UP FEATURES
In case you missed it, SoonerVision has produced three features this week with a mic on an individual player throughout practice. Check out the latest with FB Trey Millard:

Junior FB Trey Millard (8/8)

Junior LB Tom Wort (8/7)

Junior OL Gabe Ikard (8/6)

FOLLOWING THE SOONERS
Want the latest on Oklahoma football as fast as you can get it? SoonerSports.com has you covered 24/7. To catch up on the 2012 preseason, check out the links below and follow us on Twitter.

Preseason Practice Central

Sooner Football Notebook

Twitter: @SoonerSportsCom

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors