Stormin in Norman
Fansided

Oklahoma football: The state of the program

By Christopher Dukes

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 25: Head Coach Lincoln Riley of Oklahoma Sooners during warm ups before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated West Virginia 59-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 25: Head Coach Lincoln Riley of Oklahoma Sooners during warm ups before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated West Virginia 59-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 8
Next
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Kennedy Brooks #26 of the Oklahoma Sooners breaks away from the defense of Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Kennedy Brooks #26 of the Oklahoma Sooners breaks away from the defense of Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Whoever wins the job will have plenty of help. The backfield will be shared with Kennedy Brooks and Trey Sermon, along with budding star T.J. Pledger, who should see his touches increase in his second season in Norman. At H-back Jeramiah Hall almost took the starting job as a freshman before Meier eventually won out. Hall has a more dynamic skill set than Meier did and could turn the position more into what Demitri Flowers did there two years ago.

The receivers are an embarrassment of wealth. Lamb is back and could be the most physically-gifted receiver in the country entering his redshirt junior year. Mykel Jones, Nick Basquine and Jaqualyn Crawford are ready to contribute in the slot and Charleston Rambo might be ready to take his turn in the spotlight after a monster game against Alabama in the Orange Bowl. This, of course, doesn’t even take into account the wealth of talent coming in the 2019 recruiting class at the receiver position (don’t worry, we’ll get there).

The offensive line could be a question mark, but those familiar with Bedenbaugh and the recruiting classes the Sooners have been stockpiling know that Oklahoma football should be fine up front for years to come.

Creed Humphrey got better and better last year and will be the lynchpin this season at center while four new starters are broken in. Adrian Ealy, Marquis Hays, Logan Roberson, Tyrese Robinson, Darrell Simpson Erik Swenson, Brey Walker and David Swaby all weigh in over 300 pounds and all look to be physically ready to push for playing time. The real question will be who plays where going forward and how the group gels together.

Home/Oklahoma Sooners