-- Start with OL because that is the biggest question mark for this 2025 version of the Sooners. However, on Saturday you had sources split on how it went. Some saying the the Sooners' offense won the day and others saying the Sooners' defense won the day. But as far as Thursday's scrimmage, it wasn't as split on how things went. On that day, sources seem to feel the offensive line had a good day.
"The OL looked good, man. Maybe it was me comparing to last year and the QB play making it look better. Maybe they are just that much better. I am holding my breath on the latter and that it's not just some smoke and mirrors, because I really do think they are doing some good things upfront," a source told OUInsider on how things went for the OL during Thursday's scrimmage. "They weren't winning every rep. Not even close to that. That just isn't gonna happen when you go against that defensive line. But it's a battle in the trenches more than it was last year."
-- Said this on the the podcast that Parker and I recorded on Sunday night, but we keep hearing similar quotes to what you read above. That said, we at OUInsider are in a wait and see mentality because we don't want you all to get your hopes up only to see the OL sputter when they play Michigan. That will be the true litmus test of where things are come week two.
-- Another source had more to day about the Sooners' offense, and yes, it was more good news if you're hoping for things to be better than last year.
"[Ben] Arbuckle's offense is fun to watch. They are competing more than last year. It looks like the biggest issues have been somewhat addressed," the source told OUInsider of their thoughts on the Sooners' offense after two scrimmages this spring. "With [John] Mateer at QB and his experience, it's just making others better. Even the young guys on the offensive line. They were forced to play last year and that experience made them better. You add [Derek] Simmons at the right tackle spot and freshmen like [Michael] Fasusi, and you have some depth and talent that might have been missing last year."
Same source went on about the OL and some good and not so good to that quote.
"[Jacob] Sexton looks good, too. If he can stay healthy, it looks like he might be that guy he was before the injuries the last few seasons, but it's scary at center. You can't lose [Troy] Everett. That could be devastating. If you do, you better hope Febechi [Nwaiwu] can play there. If he can't, it may be long season. So it's not all good, even with how the OL looks improved. They also have to stay improving. You don't win if they don't. It's that simple."
-- As far as another player that looked good on the OL Thursday, multiple sources noted that Eddy Pierre-Louis had a good day blocking. Something Sooners fans were wanting to see more of in the 2024 season. Looks like he could be one of the starting guards this year as things stand.
-- WR's looked good Thursday as well. One source said the WRs could have a big year if they can stay healthy. But this was the same thing we heard last year before the whole room went down to injury. Still, the source added that youthful depth is better and also the transfers stood out on Thursday.
"The portal guys made plays. Javonnie Gibson will be the number one. He had a TD in live full portion and a few situational as well. I think he will be the playmaker for the room. Maybe even more than what is expected with Deion Burks," a source said. "He has a great rapport with Mateer and [Michael] Hawkins. He also makes 50/50 balls more of a 70/30 ball because his hands are so strong. He has won far more than he's lost all spring when it comes to jump balls."
-- As noted in the Saturday scrimmage notes, the Isaiah Sategna hype machine has been talked about by EVERYONE when it comes to the Sooners' offense.
"He can flat fly and is Mateer's go-to when things are bogged down a bit or he needs a bail out."
Sategna made several catches to extend offenses drives on Thursday. He also made some plays that went for far more than they should have.
"So twitchy out of his breaks. Reminds me of how Mark Clayton would make guys miss in space. He's fun to watch. Will be interesting to see if he will be used like that once Burks comes back."
-- Speaking of WR Deion Burks, source told me, "He's not there yet. Has both ankles taped up. But he's getting closer. He will be needed during the season. If he can't stay healthy, that is gonna hurt the offense a lot. The WR room is deep, but not deep enough to miss him like they did last year."
-- Two more WR's that made plays on Thursday were freshman Manny Choice and sophomore Zion Kearney. Both had a few catches for first downs. Freshman Elijah Thomas also had a few catches, but he didn't have the day he had on Saturday (see the original notes on Sunday for more on that).
-- RB Xavier Robinson and RB Gavin Sawchuk took first-team reps. Robinson made several plays. He scored a TD in live session and in the inside run portion and situational. Sawchuk has added some good weight, per a few sources. One added, "Gavin [Sawchuk] has been more physical this spring. He's added some really good weight and that allowed him to make some good runs, even when the blocking wasn't the best. That is different than what we saw last year, and he looks more like and SEC back in size with his new weight."
-- Right now, I think X would be the guy to start if the season was to begin today. Just going off what sources have told Parker and I.
-- Didn't thrown much to the TE in team or full scrimmage mode. However, when they went situational, I am told Jaren Kanak caught some passes there. But mostly it was WR/RB making plays, I am told. I don't think any of that shocks you guys/gals at all.
-- Lastly on the offense, the QB's seem to be pushing one another.
"Mateer being (at OU) seems to be elevating Michael Hawkins, because Hawk looks good. Much more patient in the pocket. He isn't bailing on things too fast and is looking to extend plays and not just run right now," the source said of the QBs this spring. "Both make some mistakes trying to force things, but that's their personalities. They have strong arms and are gunslingers. But overall the QB play is ten times better than last year at this time in the spring."
-- As Josh Pate said on his podcast regarding the Sooners, you don't hear the stuff we did last year at this time with the offense as a whole, the OL or the QB's. We don't hear the mistakes being made on a regular basis like we did last year. We don't hear the OL just getting manhandled at times. We hear it's a battle and the offense has its moments. How you want to hear it in the spring.
However, I still caution a lot. It's one thing to look good in March. It's another to look good in September. Until that happens, I suggest you look at this season like most did going into the 2023 season. No one was buying into much. Sure, you want to hear the good stuff, but you also want to see it for yourself come fall. I think that is most Sooners fans mentality right now, but you all would have to tell me. Though, I can attest and say the 40-50 min of practice we have been able to see once a week, the team does look a bit different. Especially at QB. But I agree with the source saying the Michigan game will tell us all we want to know -- good or bad.
-- Defensively, still waiting on cheetah Kendel Dolby to get completely healthy. Until then, that position is a crapshoot with some talented guys rotating there like Sammy Omosigho, Taylor Heim, Reggie Powers, and Kendal Daniels. All in no particular order. They play the bigger guys in situations where they need bigger personnel. Powers and Dolby are more of the cover guys.
-- Taylor Heim continues to impress and make plays. His body type and frame has people excited over what he can be by the time he graduates. He has been a player that has struggled to find his footing, but added weight and time in the system has been a big help in his development.
-- We have heard about the DL this whole time -- particularly the DT's. That said, on Thursday it sounds like the two deep of R Mason Thomas, Marvin Jones Jr, PJ Adebawore and Danny Okoye made some plays that turned onlookers heads. Adebawore is having his best spring yet, and Okoye is a player that has some in the program talking quite big about him.
"I told you R Mason Thomas was the best player on the DL and when he got healthy he became that," a source reminded me. "Okoye is next. He is gonna be really, really good when he gets it all down and he's getting closer. Just an absolute freak off the edge."
Heard similar last year, but Okoye wasn't ready mentally. Seems that is where his biggest growth has been this spring and it may big enough to see him become a fixture in the DE rotation and a name that OU fans know each Saturday. His spring is definitely a good start.
-- Keep hearing good things on LB James Nesta. Something for Kendal Daniels, Kip Lewis and Kobie Mckinzie. The LBs made a few plays in the run game and I was told Kip Lewis made a few TFL's.
-- Safety Jaydan Hardy and Robert Spears-Jennings looked good at safety. And like Saturday, freshman Courtland Guillory with a PBU that turned some heads.
-- Lots to like on defense and that isn't too shocking. Need to get healthy at corner. WRs making some plays that most feel a healthy Peyton Bowen, Eli Bowen and Gentry Williams would not allow on the backend. Still, overall this spring the defense has people really excited about what they can become the fall. Definitely deeper than the offense at this point, and that leads to them beating the offense as the plays start to stack up in practices -- particularly in the trenches.
-- We have viewing again on Tuesday, so more team stuff coming your way. So stay tuned!
"The OL looked good, man. Maybe it was me comparing to last year and the QB play making it look better. Maybe they are just that much better. I am holding my breath on the latter and that it's not just some smoke and mirrors, because I really do think they are doing some good things upfront," a source told OUInsider on how things went for the OL during Thursday's scrimmage. "They weren't winning every rep. Not even close to that. That just isn't gonna happen when you go against that defensive line. But it's a battle in the trenches more than it was last year."
-- Said this on the the podcast that Parker and I recorded on Sunday night, but we keep hearing similar quotes to what you read above. That said, we at OUInsider are in a wait and see mentality because we don't want you all to get your hopes up only to see the OL sputter when they play Michigan. That will be the true litmus test of where things are come week two.
-- Another source had more to day about the Sooners' offense, and yes, it was more good news if you're hoping for things to be better than last year.
"[Ben] Arbuckle's offense is fun to watch. They are competing more than last year. It looks like the biggest issues have been somewhat addressed," the source told OUInsider of their thoughts on the Sooners' offense after two scrimmages this spring. "With [John] Mateer at QB and his experience, it's just making others better. Even the young guys on the offensive line. They were forced to play last year and that experience made them better. You add [Derek] Simmons at the right tackle spot and freshmen like [Michael] Fasusi, and you have some depth and talent that might have been missing last year."
Same source went on about the OL and some good and not so good to that quote.
"[Jacob] Sexton looks good, too. If he can stay healthy, it looks like he might be that guy he was before the injuries the last few seasons, but it's scary at center. You can't lose [Troy] Everett. That could be devastating. If you do, you better hope Febechi [Nwaiwu] can play there. If he can't, it may be long season. So it's not all good, even with how the OL looks improved. They also have to stay improving. You don't win if they don't. It's that simple."
-- As far as another player that looked good on the OL Thursday, multiple sources noted that Eddy Pierre-Louis had a good day blocking. Something Sooners fans were wanting to see more of in the 2024 season. Looks like he could be one of the starting guards this year as things stand.
-- WR's looked good Thursday as well. One source said the WRs could have a big year if they can stay healthy. But this was the same thing we heard last year before the whole room went down to injury. Still, the source added that youthful depth is better and also the transfers stood out on Thursday.
"The portal guys made plays. Javonnie Gibson will be the number one. He had a TD in live full portion and a few situational as well. I think he will be the playmaker for the room. Maybe even more than what is expected with Deion Burks," a source said. "He has a great rapport with Mateer and [Michael] Hawkins. He also makes 50/50 balls more of a 70/30 ball because his hands are so strong. He has won far more than he's lost all spring when it comes to jump balls."
-- As noted in the Saturday scrimmage notes, the Isaiah Sategna hype machine has been talked about by EVERYONE when it comes to the Sooners' offense.
"He can flat fly and is Mateer's go-to when things are bogged down a bit or he needs a bail out."
Sategna made several catches to extend offenses drives on Thursday. He also made some plays that went for far more than they should have.
"So twitchy out of his breaks. Reminds me of how Mark Clayton would make guys miss in space. He's fun to watch. Will be interesting to see if he will be used like that once Burks comes back."
-- Speaking of WR Deion Burks, source told me, "He's not there yet. Has both ankles taped up. But he's getting closer. He will be needed during the season. If he can't stay healthy, that is gonna hurt the offense a lot. The WR room is deep, but not deep enough to miss him like they did last year."
-- Two more WR's that made plays on Thursday were freshman Manny Choice and sophomore Zion Kearney. Both had a few catches for first downs. Freshman Elijah Thomas also had a few catches, but he didn't have the day he had on Saturday (see the original notes on Sunday for more on that).
-- RB Xavier Robinson and RB Gavin Sawchuk took first-team reps. Robinson made several plays. He scored a TD in live session and in the inside run portion and situational. Sawchuk has added some good weight, per a few sources. One added, "Gavin [Sawchuk] has been more physical this spring. He's added some really good weight and that allowed him to make some good runs, even when the blocking wasn't the best. That is different than what we saw last year, and he looks more like and SEC back in size with his new weight."
-- Right now, I think X would be the guy to start if the season was to begin today. Just going off what sources have told Parker and I.
-- Didn't thrown much to the TE in team or full scrimmage mode. However, when they went situational, I am told Jaren Kanak caught some passes there. But mostly it was WR/RB making plays, I am told. I don't think any of that shocks you guys/gals at all.
-- Lastly on the offense, the QB's seem to be pushing one another.
"Mateer being (at OU) seems to be elevating Michael Hawkins, because Hawk looks good. Much more patient in the pocket. He isn't bailing on things too fast and is looking to extend plays and not just run right now," the source said of the QBs this spring. "Both make some mistakes trying to force things, but that's their personalities. They have strong arms and are gunslingers. But overall the QB play is ten times better than last year at this time in the spring."
-- As Josh Pate said on his podcast regarding the Sooners, you don't hear the stuff we did last year at this time with the offense as a whole, the OL or the QB's. We don't hear the mistakes being made on a regular basis like we did last year. We don't hear the OL just getting manhandled at times. We hear it's a battle and the offense has its moments. How you want to hear it in the spring.
However, I still caution a lot. It's one thing to look good in March. It's another to look good in September. Until that happens, I suggest you look at this season like most did going into the 2023 season. No one was buying into much. Sure, you want to hear the good stuff, but you also want to see it for yourself come fall. I think that is most Sooners fans mentality right now, but you all would have to tell me. Though, I can attest and say the 40-50 min of practice we have been able to see once a week, the team does look a bit different. Especially at QB. But I agree with the source saying the Michigan game will tell us all we want to know -- good or bad.
-- Defensively, still waiting on cheetah Kendel Dolby to get completely healthy. Until then, that position is a crapshoot with some talented guys rotating there like Sammy Omosigho, Taylor Heim, Reggie Powers, and Kendal Daniels. All in no particular order. They play the bigger guys in situations where they need bigger personnel. Powers and Dolby are more of the cover guys.
-- Taylor Heim continues to impress and make plays. His body type and frame has people excited over what he can be by the time he graduates. He has been a player that has struggled to find his footing, but added weight and time in the system has been a big help in his development.
-- We have heard about the DL this whole time -- particularly the DT's. That said, on Thursday it sounds like the two deep of R Mason Thomas, Marvin Jones Jr, PJ Adebawore and Danny Okoye made some plays that turned onlookers heads. Adebawore is having his best spring yet, and Okoye is a player that has some in the program talking quite big about him.
"I told you R Mason Thomas was the best player on the DL and when he got healthy he became that," a source reminded me. "Okoye is next. He is gonna be really, really good when he gets it all down and he's getting closer. Just an absolute freak off the edge."
Heard similar last year, but Okoye wasn't ready mentally. Seems that is where his biggest growth has been this spring and it may big enough to see him become a fixture in the DE rotation and a name that OU fans know each Saturday. His spring is definitely a good start.
-- Keep hearing good things on LB James Nesta. Something for Kendal Daniels, Kip Lewis and Kobie Mckinzie. The LBs made a few plays in the run game and I was told Kip Lewis made a few TFL's.
-- Safety Jaydan Hardy and Robert Spears-Jennings looked good at safety. And like Saturday, freshman Courtland Guillory with a PBU that turned some heads.
-- Lots to like on defense and that isn't too shocking. Need to get healthy at corner. WRs making some plays that most feel a healthy Peyton Bowen, Eli Bowen and Gentry Williams would not allow on the backend. Still, overall this spring the defense has people really excited about what they can become the fall. Definitely deeper than the offense at this point, and that leads to them beating the offense as the plays start to stack up in practices -- particularly in the trenches.
-- We have viewing again on Tuesday, so more team stuff coming your way. So stay tuned!
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