Oklahoma announced Monday that it was following the college football trend and canceling its annual spring game.
Instead, OU said in a release it will host the first Crimson Combine, which OU deemed "a new spring tradition." The Crimson Combine will be a "new fan-centric football event" that will feature players and coaches participating in combine-style drills, skills challenges, on-field fan engagement activities, autograph and photo opportunities, and more.
The Crimson Combine will be at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on April 12, the same day the spring game was originally scheduled for. The Crimson Combine will also cost fans $10 to attend.
The canceling of the spring game erased Sooner Nation's first chance to witness OU's offense under new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle with top transfer John Mateer at quarterback. That and opportunities for younger players and new transfers to make an impression in front of a crowd.
Now, the new-look Sooners won't be unveiled until the season opener against Illinois State on Aug. 30.
Overall, Sooner Nation was disappointed with OU's decision to alter spring football as fans lost another tradition to the new age of college football. And it wasn't just fans who were frustrated with the news, even players who themselves participated in OU's annual spring game during their time as a Sooner were dumbfounded.
Former OU defensive tackle Gerald McCoy voiced his disapproval. McCoy played under Bob Stoops at OU from 2006 until he was a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2009. He then had a successful 11-year NFL career in which he made six Pro Bowls. Today, McCoy is an analyst for NFL Network.
So no spring game? Just a showcase? No opportunity for young guys to perform in front of fans? Guys who have improved to do it in front of the fans. What about the guys who may never see the field in a real game getting an opportunity in the spring game to get reps in front of a…
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) March 4, 2025
DeMarco Murray redshirted at OU. But he had an incredible spring game with ESPN Gameday broadcasting inside the stadium. Good point about young guys in a spring game environment and what that means for them. https://t.co/T7B0LqNSqi
— Carey Murdock (@CareyAMurdock) March 4, 2025
The rest of Sooner Nation also aired out their concerns.
I understand the reasoning behind this, but as Teddy said in The Oklahoma Breakdown, something like, give fans less but ask them for more is not a recipe for success. https://t.co/Yx2cKgXzlC
— Sooner Matt (@BoomerOkie45) March 4, 2025
The spring game is a thing of the past.
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) March 3, 2025
But taking away opportunities for fans to see their team is dumb. Open up a practice. Let them see one-on-one drills and a team period.
NFL teams open training camp for fans. If we’re going to an NFL model, colleges should do the same.
Not surprised by the decision by @OU_Football to cancel the spring game but certainly disappointed! The Spring game is always a chance for Sooner fans to watch new& young players and get excited about the upcoming season. Count me out on paying to go to a combine!!!
— Randy (@Randy4OU) March 4, 2025
I truly am Sooner Born & Bred.
— Khris Smith (@Khris__Smith) March 4, 2025
Former 20 year season ticket holder.
I've been an @OU_Football fan for 45+ years...and I've got strong opinions.
1. NO college kid is worth more $$ than NFL players.
2. The Portal is poison.
3. Canceling the Spring game
isn't how you keep fans! pic.twitter.com/KUyGd3fUkr
Gotta hide all the players from all the other coaches at…
— Ryan Chapman (@_RyanChapman) March 3, 2025
*checks notes*
… a blue blood where everyone else already identified and recruited every player on your roster
(This applies to everyone who scrapped the spring game, not just OU. College coaches gonna paranoid.)