Brent Venables happy with energy, effort on opening day of fall practice

Oklahoma football held its first fall preseason practice under head coach Brent Venables on Friday and the passionate new head coach was pleased to see the momentum carry over from spring practice and the summer

The Sooners hit the practice fields east of Gaylord Family–Oklahoma Memorial Stadum for a couple of hours on Friday morning

It was the first time that the entire team had been back on the field together since April 23, when over 75,000 fans packed the Palace on the Prairie to view the new-look Sooners in the annual Red-White spring game.

“It was good to get back out here, get your feet up under you and be back with the team,” said Eric Gray in a statement issued by the OU athletic department. Gray expected to man the No. 1 running back position heading into the 2022 season.

Gray’s increased contributions both running and catching the ball will be a key element in the new up-tempo offensive scheme being installed by offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby.

All eyes on fall camp will also be looking for personnel and scheme adjustments on the defensive side of the ball, which has been a major problem area for the Sooners in recent seasons.

Returning linebacker DaShaun White said the pace and energy at Friday’s opening practice session was electric with guys flying around and attacking.

“You could tell our guys had done a lot of work in the offseason, both in the film room and in the weight room,” Venables said.

OU opens the season four weeks from today at home, hosting UTEP. The game is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.