The Spring Hurry-Up: Volume 1

NORMAN – Oklahoma spring football practice is in full swing, with four sessions in the books, as the Sooners prepare for the 2026 season and the spring game on April 18. The first edition of SoonerSports.com's spring Q&A series, "The Hurry-Up", features redshirt junior tight end Kade McIntyre, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Parker Livingstone and sophomore defensive back Courtland Guillory.

TE Kade McIntyre

What is one thing you are working to improve for next season?
"I think the biggest thing is staying healthy and keeping my body right. I think I've done really well learning the playbook and being detailed in what I'm doing. Obviously, I want to keep improving on that and make sure I master it, but mainly it's about staying healthy throughout the season."

What has been your favorite road/neutral stadium that you've visited in your time at OU?
"Even though I didn't suit up, I went to the Texas game last season and that was pretty awesome. That experience was amazing. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and if you're part of it, it's pretty special."

Which professional athlete that plays your position do you watch the most to try to emulate?
"The tight end I'm trying to model my game after is Brock Bowers. I'm not saying I'm there yet, but I'm trying to get there."

What is your favorite thing to do away from football/school?
"Mainly just chill with the guys and play some video games, but mostly I like hanging around my friends."

What is your favorite meal/dish?
"My favorite meal is any sort of surf and turf. I love sushi and steak."

Name something you do every single day, no matter what else happens?
"Take a shower. I definitely have to shower every single day."

Why did you choose your jersey number?
"A former coach actually picked it for me. He was No. 19 and wanted me to fill a big role, so that's how it all happened. I really like the number."

Do you have any hidden/secret talents?
"I'm very good at Rocket League, the video game."

What do you like most about head coach Brent Venables?
"It's the consistency of his intensity. He's not going to be hypocritical – he's going to be on everybody every day. His coaching style doesn't change, and he expects the most out of everybody all the time."

What do you like most about tight ends coach Jason Witten?
"As a coach, he's improved my mental game a lot. Even though he's only been here a short time, he's already elevated me mentally, especially with coverages and the run game."

WR Parker Livingstone

Why did you choose to come to OU?
"I mean, it's OU, right? All the wins, the tradition, the quarterbacks, all the great legacy players, and the coaches too. Coach Venables, Coach (Ben) Arbuckle, Coach (Emmett) Jones – all of them are great. It's a great team and a great culture. Everyone's bought in."

What is your favorite thing about Norman so far?
"A lot of my high school buddies go here, so getting time away from football and hanging out with friends I've grown up with, along with guys on the team around campus, has been great."

What is one thing you are working to improve for next season?
"I think separation off the line against press coverage. When you get to the SEC, you see a lot of man and one-on-one coverage. Creating separation and eliminating drops are two of the biggest things I'm working on right now."

Which professional athlete that plays your position do you watch the most to try to emulate?
"Alec Pierce. I love his game. He was elite at Cincinnati and just signed a huge contract with the Colts. I think we have the same build, and I try to model my game after him."

What is your favorite thing to do away from football/school?
"I like being in nature – hunting and fishing. I like going out with a couple of buddies or even by myself and just being out there with your thoughts and having deep conversations. That's my favorite thing."

What is your favorite pro sports team?
"I'm from Dallas, so I like all the Dallas teams. Right now, my top two are the Rangers and the Stars."

Name something you do every single day, no matter what else happens?
"Brush my teeth. Also, showing up at the facility. I think I've been at the facility every single day since I got to campus."

Why did you choose your jersey number?
"I grew up always wearing No. 3. My brother wore No. 2, and I didn't want to copy him. I wanted my own number. I always liked No. 3, so I stuck with it throughout high school. I didn't have it at my previous school, so I'm glad to be repping it here."

Do you have any hidden/secret talents?
"I play acoustic guitar a good amount. I only listen to country music, so I'll play country songs by different artists. I started playing my sophomore year of high school."

What do you like most about head coach Brent Venables?
"He preaches and talks a lot about culture and getting people to buy in. It's amazing what happens when you talk about it, preach about it, and live by it. I think he absolutely does all three. When all the coaches are emulating those values, the players buy in and you build one heck of a team. That's what we're doing right now."

What do you like most about wide receivers coach Emmett Jones?
"Coach Jones is hard on all of us, but you've got to know it's coming from love. He's trying to coach you, make you better, and help you perfect your craft so that when you get the opportunity to go to the next level, you're ready for it."

DB Courtland Guillory

What was your favorite memory from last season?
"My favorite memory was when we played against Michigan. Running out of the tunnel for that first night game and seeing the crowd, the atmosphere just felt so real. It was crazy because it felt like a movie."

What is one thing you are working to improve for next season?
"My overall leadership as a player. I feel like I can spark confidence in my teammates by being more vocal and encouraging the guys on and off the field."

What has been your favorite road/neutral stadium that you've visited in your time at OU?
"Tennessee, for sure. That game was unreal. It was a night game in a sold-out, blackout-themed Neyland Stadium. It was super fun."

Which professional athlete that plays your position do you watch the most to try to emulate?
"I'd say Patrick Surtain. He reminds me of myself in the way he plays the game, along with Will Johnson."

What is your favorite thing to do away from football/school?
"I'd say play video games. I'm a big gamer. I'm on Call of Duty with Jer'Michael Carter sometimes. I play NCAA Football and NBA 2K, too."

What is your favorite pro sports team?
"Houston Texans, because I'm from Houston, so that's my team."

What is your favorite meal/dish?
"It's gumbo for me. I like when my mom makes gumbo. It's amazing."

Name something you do every single day, no matter what else happens?
"Take a nap. I'm a big nap guy. Before practice, I have to take a nap. Otherwise, I know I'm going to feel sluggish."

Why did you choose your jersey number?
"The number 4 has a really significant meaning to me. My friend used to wear it as his childhood number. He passed away because of gun violence, and ever since then I've worn it for him."

What do you like most about head coach Brent Venables?
"I like that Coach Venables is a hard coach. Whether you're doing good or bad, he's always going to make you feel like you're not doing enough. I feel like you need a coach like that, someone who's going to push you to be great no matter what. He's going to get everything out of you, and that's a good thing."

What do you like most about defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan?
"Coach Morgan just got here not too long ago, but I feel like he's already done a great job of breaking down the different schemes we're using and the looks we need to present for the offense. I feel like he's stepped in really well."

For updates and more information on OU Football, follow the Sooners on Instagram and X (@OU_Football) and like Oklahoma Football on Facebook.

TE Kade McIntyre

WR Parker Livingstone

DB Courtland Guillory

Players Mentioned

Jer'Michael Carter

Courtland Guillory

Parker Livingstone

Kade McIntyre

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics