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Oklahoma football: Can ‘Bookie’ break out in 2019?

By Christopher Dukes

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 10: Defensive back Brendan Radley-Hiles #44 of the Oklahoma Sooners gestures to the crowd before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 10: Defensive back Brendan Radley-Hiles #44 of the Oklahoma Sooners gestures to the crowd before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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Brendan Radley-Hiles was thrust into the spotlight early in his college career, but with full season of experience under his belt he may be ready to live up to his massive potential.

Oklahoma football fans’ expectations for Brendan Radley-Hiles, nicknamed ‘Bookie’, were always a bit unfair. Rated a five-star defensive back prospect, many of the Sooner faithful were ready to declare him the next Roy Williams before he ever played a down in the Crimson and Cream.

Radley-Hiles certainly flashed some of his massive upside as a freshman with 39 tackles, three for loss and a pass defended, but nagging injuries and raw inexperience hampered his first year as a Sooner and after a poor performance against West Virginia he found himself on the bench.

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While some were ready to write off Radley-Hiles following some freshman year struggles, he still possesses the same five-star talent that had the likes of Clemson and Alabama coming after him back in high school and with new coaches and a new scheme he looks like he might be ready to take a step toward becoming a star in the Alex Grinch Speed D system.

He looked the part in the Sooners’ spring game in April when he registered three tackles and recorded a sack. With another year to put on some muscle and adjust to the phsyicality of the college game, Radley-Hiles is now inching closer to 200 pounds with his 5-foot-9 frame and appears to have done so without losing any of his trademark speed.

Grinch’s scheme will be more aggressive and as long as he can hold off Tre Norwood and Justin Broiles for the starting spot, he should get plenty of opportunities to show what he can do and put last year’s disappointments in the rear view mirror.

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