Five Oklahoma football story lines as 2017 training camp commences
By Chip Rouse
Baker Mayfield is back, but where will the rest of the offense come from?
The Sooners have big shoes to fill at running back and at wide receiver, with the departures of Oklahoma’s version last season of the Four Horsemen (QB Baker Mayfield, RBs Samaje Perine amd Joe Mixon and Dede Westbrook). With Mayfield and the entire starting offensive line back for another season, though, the foundation is there for a reload at the skill positions charged with running with the football and receiving it on throws from the quarterback.
The Sooners don’t lack for talent at either running back or at the wide receiver position. It’s just that the players who will be called up to step up and stand out at those spots in the coming season have not been given the same opportunity at the duly departed.
Look for Rodney Anderson, who has been in the program for three seasons but is only a redshirt sophomore because of two season-ending injuries) and sophomore Abdul Adams to see plenty of action at running back. Also, newcomers Marcelias Sutton, a junior-college transfer, and freshmen Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks will compete for playing time behind the AA’s.
On the receiving end, graduate-transfer Jeff Badet, the No. 2 receiver at Kentucky last season, Mark Andrews and Jeffery Meade are expected to be prime targets for Mayfield in the 2017 season.
Look for Mayfield to spread the wealth a little more in attacking defenses through the air in 2017. Newcomers Marquise Brown, another top prospect out of the JUCO ranks and freshmen CeeDee Lamb and Charleston Rambo (perhaps the best name for a college football player in 2017) could also factor into the receiver-by-committee approach this season.
Bottom line: The combination of a two-time Heisman finalist at quarterback and one of the best offensive lines in college football is all it takes to make everyone else on the offensive side of the ball better.