Oklahoma football: Top spring football storylines

Old faces in new places

We already mentioned Michael Thompson moving from defense to offense, but with Alex Grinch and his staff taking the reigns of the defense it seems likely that several players may end up in new positions, possibly including Kenneth Murray, Caleb Kelly, Brendan Radley-Hiles, Ronnie Perkins, Tre Norwood and a few others.

Expect to see some corners move back to safety, especially with the absence of both Robert Barnes and Jordan Parker for spring football. Both saw significant playing time at the safety position last year and their absence leaves Oklahoma short on depth at the back two positions.

Really other than Neville Gallimore, who looks to be suited best for the nose position, everyone else on this defense could move from their position last year, whether that be from the left to right side, linebacker to defensive back or middle to outside linebacker. Expect the depth chart to stay fluid on defense as Alex Grinch and company tinker with the talent available on the roster.

New receivers fight for playing time

The Sooners signed one of the highest-rated receiver classes in the modern era of college football with five-stars Theo Wease, Trejan Bridges and Jadon Haselwood all already enrolled and participating in spring drills. Where do these newer players fit in with an experienced receiver corps ahead of them though?

Ceedee Lamb seems to have one of the spots on lockdown as he will likely be a preseason All American and Charleston Rambo came on in a big way down the stretch filling in for Marquis Brown. The Sooners will likely use a tight end in a lot of sets with Grant Calcaterra and Lee Morris (and maybe some of Austin Stogner) owning those duties, so that leaves the slot position, which will see competition from the likes of Meykel Jones, Drake Stoops, Nick Basquine and Jaqualyn Crawford all trying to get on the field as much as possible.

Add in the return of A.D. Miller and the talented true freshman trio is going to have to fight like crazy to get a chance to get reps with the first team through the spring. It should sharpen everyone on the roster as competition heats up, but it will be important for those on the short end of the rotation to avoid getting frustrated as there is only one football and a mess of talent on the outside.