Best Sooner Newcomer in 2015
Apr 11, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) avoids Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Kane Snowden (59) during the spring football game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Red wins 20-7 over White. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Right off the bat, several names come quickly to mind as lead candidates for the honor of best newcomer: the first-year player on this season’s Sooner squad whose play and presence has the greatest impact on Oklahoma’s performance in 2015.
As a starting quarterback in his first season at Oklahoma, Baker Mayfield is in an excellent position to walk away with top-billing in this category, That is, if the junior from Austin, Texas, is able to successfully handle and overcome the extremely high expectations that Sooner fans have for him.
There is also quite a bit of preseason hype and excitement around running back Joe Mixon, who was a member of the Sooners’ 2014 recruiting class but, because of a year-long suspension, will see his first game action in the 2015 season opener. Mixon was the No. 1 player at his position and the No. 8 player overall in the 2014 national recruiting class.
Last season’s Best Newcomer award was literally and figuratively a runaway by Samaje Perine. Perine also was a member of the 2014 Sooner recruiting class. As exceptional as Perine was a year ago, Mixon was actually rated higher as a running back prospect than Perine.
While I believe Mayfield and Mixon will prove to be strong contributors to the OU offense in the 2015 season, I’m predicting that junior-college transfer Dede Westbrook will have the greater impact and produce more big plays with games on the line than any of the Sooner newcomers this season.
Westbrook comes to OU as one of top JUCO receivers nationally last season, and I look to him to benefit from the heavy defensive coverage that will be directed toward Sterling Shepard. Westbrook has excellent speed and is a serious breakaway threat in open space.
Westbrook couldn’t be walking into a better situation, and I’m looking for him not only to be a big surprise to Sooner fans but also to opposing defenses that might not take him as seriously as they should. He will represent the solid No. 2 receiver Oklahoma did not have a year ago.
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