*** Okay, first up a few notes on the QB room, per a few sources. First, sophomore starter Jackson Arnold has become the "the leader of the team," per a source. The source went on to say, "He has a drive about him right now that has others in the program feeling very confident about where things are headed offensively."
That's not overly groundbreaking, but another sources also added, "He is good at everything (OU) does when it comes to off-season stuff. A lot of what has been done on the field has been more or less walkthroughs with the offense, but when you talk about winter workouts, [Jackson] Arnold has been not only good, but leading by example to continue to earn the respect of the team because it's his this year."
***
Another source noted that freshmen QB's Michael Hawkins and Brendan Zurbrugg have been putting in work. Not surprisingly, the source said that Hawkins has "a very live arm that is almost elite." As for Zurbrugg, the source said he has a strong arm and can do a lot, but is a bit behind Hawkins as far as development goes early on. One other thing the source noted on Hawkins was his feet. The source added, "If he can continue to work on his feet and platform, Hawkins could be ready earlier than expected if he can get the mental part of the offense and his game down -- and he will do that in time. He and Arnold are the future for sure."
*** Transfer QB Casey Thompson has been rehabbing his knee, but a source noted he was "far ahead of schedule" and "will be going through everything this spring outside of live contact at this rate."
The QB room has really taken to CT and he has been a big help in the film room, per multiple sources. Also, everyone expects him to be back to his old self come season, with it being near the one year mark that the injury took place and that is when things tend to get back on track after ACL tears.
***.
I know that some have worried about the OL and with all the newness that is 100% correct to do so. However, a player that continues to have everyone talking is offensive tackle Jacob Sexton. Obviously, the one year mark for Sexton's injury was right around the time of the bowl game, but a source told OUinsider that Sexton came back from their break even more ready roll, adding, "[Jake] Sexton has always been one of the stronger players on the team and a workout warrior type," the source noted. "He came back so fast because of that, but there is an edge to what he's doing right now in the winter workouts. He has become a leader that the staff was hoping for and that should play well throughout the off-season as the new guys cut their teeth and continue to earn the teams' trust."
***.
He has yet to workout and is brand new with the team, but a source told OUinsider that newly transferred OL Geirean Hatchett was "a must get for (OU)." The source also said, "His experience in big games will be so big for (OU) as (OU) goes through the SEC schedule. Having him and Sexton leading the way on the OL changes a lot for [Bill] Bedenbaugh. They brought in some good OL through the portal and recruiting, but those two will be the guys that most expect will be looked toward in 2024."
***
More talk of freshman DL Jayden Jackson as he continues to turn heads. I spoke to a source over the weekend that echoed a similar sentiment I quoted from another source. First, the previous source told OUinsider, "Getting JJ and [David] Stone in the same class was like when Todd Bates got Tyler Davis and Bryan Bresee, but they were in two different classes. That's what makes Jackson and Stone together such a big deal, and they should play early like the Clemson DT's did."
That's a strong statement that I was taken aback bit from, but if Stone and Jackson play a ton and produce as freshmen, I don't think OU fans will be too upset (sarcasm). Now they have to live up to the hype of being so ballyhooed out of high school.
A different source this past weekend added to that and said, "[Jayden] Jackson was so good during the bowl practices," the source noted. "He has the size and the ability to play and play now. He might have been one of the bigger gets in the class because (OU) needs someone to rotate with Da'Jon Terry and he could be the perfect fit for that if he continues to add size with his ability."
*** I will add more to the team stuff later, but I wanted to end with some times and talk of a few players on both sides of the ball so far:
***
First, Gentry Williams is rehabbing and doing really well. He is working to be ready for summer workouts after shoulder surgery. That said newcomer Dezjhon Malone has come in and really impressed several people within the program with his focus and work ethic. A source yesterday told OUinsider, "He is experienced and it shows with how he attacks everyday. That CB room has really good leaders with Washington, Williams and now Malone."
***
Everyone continues to talk up Jacobe Johnson at CB. A source told me the other, "He's so such a big corner, but the way he moves for his size makes him have the chance to be special," the source noted. "He's one of the fastest on the team and that's saying something with the speed (OU) has right now."
*** Speaking of speed, I am told WR Brenan Thompson ran "around or below a 4.4." and that sophomore safety Peyton Bowen ran a 4.4 flat. Also, Gavin Sawchuk is "still one of the fastest guys (OU) has and that should shock no one."
*** Two others that have impressed are safety Billy Bowman "who ran in the 4.4's." Another source said it was a 4.47, but when you run sub 4.5 it's all semantics at that point.
*** Lastly, Erik McCarty has been working diligently to make his return from ACL and hamstring issues last season. I am told he is not only back, but that he "blew people away with agility drill numbers." A few sources said he was running in the "4.1's when it comes to cone drills."
McCarty has also had praise with his work ethic and there are some that feel he could bust into the rotation this season at a loaded safety position.
*** More notes as we accrue enough to pass along, but I hope this satisfies you all for now!!!
That's not overly groundbreaking, but another sources also added, "He is good at everything (OU) does when it comes to off-season stuff. A lot of what has been done on the field has been more or less walkthroughs with the offense, but when you talk about winter workouts, [Jackson] Arnold has been not only good, but leading by example to continue to earn the respect of the team because it's his this year."
***
Another source noted that freshmen QB's Michael Hawkins and Brendan Zurbrugg have been putting in work. Not surprisingly, the source said that Hawkins has "a very live arm that is almost elite." As for Zurbrugg, the source said he has a strong arm and can do a lot, but is a bit behind Hawkins as far as development goes early on. One other thing the source noted on Hawkins was his feet. The source added, "If he can continue to work on his feet and platform, Hawkins could be ready earlier than expected if he can get the mental part of the offense and his game down -- and he will do that in time. He and Arnold are the future for sure."
*** Transfer QB Casey Thompson has been rehabbing his knee, but a source noted he was "far ahead of schedule" and "will be going through everything this spring outside of live contact at this rate."
The QB room has really taken to CT and he has been a big help in the film room, per multiple sources. Also, everyone expects him to be back to his old self come season, with it being near the one year mark that the injury took place and that is when things tend to get back on track after ACL tears.
***.
I know that some have worried about the OL and with all the newness that is 100% correct to do so. However, a player that continues to have everyone talking is offensive tackle Jacob Sexton. Obviously, the one year mark for Sexton's injury was right around the time of the bowl game, but a source told OUinsider that Sexton came back from their break even more ready roll, adding, "[Jake] Sexton has always been one of the stronger players on the team and a workout warrior type," the source noted. "He came back so fast because of that, but there is an edge to what he's doing right now in the winter workouts. He has become a leader that the staff was hoping for and that should play well throughout the off-season as the new guys cut their teeth and continue to earn the teams' trust."
***.
He has yet to workout and is brand new with the team, but a source told OUinsider that newly transferred OL Geirean Hatchett was "a must get for (OU)." The source also said, "His experience in big games will be so big for (OU) as (OU) goes through the SEC schedule. Having him and Sexton leading the way on the OL changes a lot for [Bill] Bedenbaugh. They brought in some good OL through the portal and recruiting, but those two will be the guys that most expect will be looked toward in 2024."
***
More talk of freshman DL Jayden Jackson as he continues to turn heads. I spoke to a source over the weekend that echoed a similar sentiment I quoted from another source. First, the previous source told OUinsider, "Getting JJ and [David] Stone in the same class was like when Todd Bates got Tyler Davis and Bryan Bresee, but they were in two different classes. That's what makes Jackson and Stone together such a big deal, and they should play early like the Clemson DT's did."
That's a strong statement that I was taken aback bit from, but if Stone and Jackson play a ton and produce as freshmen, I don't think OU fans will be too upset (sarcasm). Now they have to live up to the hype of being so ballyhooed out of high school.
A different source this past weekend added to that and said, "[Jayden] Jackson was so good during the bowl practices," the source noted. "He has the size and the ability to play and play now. He might have been one of the bigger gets in the class because (OU) needs someone to rotate with Da'Jon Terry and he could be the perfect fit for that if he continues to add size with his ability."
*** I will add more to the team stuff later, but I wanted to end with some times and talk of a few players on both sides of the ball so far:
***
First, Gentry Williams is rehabbing and doing really well. He is working to be ready for summer workouts after shoulder surgery. That said newcomer Dezjhon Malone has come in and really impressed several people within the program with his focus and work ethic. A source yesterday told OUinsider, "He is experienced and it shows with how he attacks everyday. That CB room has really good leaders with Washington, Williams and now Malone."
***
Everyone continues to talk up Jacobe Johnson at CB. A source told me the other, "He's so such a big corner, but the way he moves for his size makes him have the chance to be special," the source noted. "He's one of the fastest on the team and that's saying something with the speed (OU) has right now."
*** Speaking of speed, I am told WR Brenan Thompson ran "around or below a 4.4." and that sophomore safety Peyton Bowen ran a 4.4 flat. Also, Gavin Sawchuk is "still one of the fastest guys (OU) has and that should shock no one."
*** Two others that have impressed are safety Billy Bowman "who ran in the 4.4's." Another source said it was a 4.47, but when you run sub 4.5 it's all semantics at that point.
*** Lastly, Erik McCarty has been working diligently to make his return from ACL and hamstring issues last season. I am told he is not only back, but that he "blew people away with agility drill numbers." A few sources said he was running in the "4.1's when it comes to cone drills."
McCarty has also had praise with his work ethic and there are some that feel he could bust into the rotation this season at a loaded safety position.
*** More notes as we accrue enough to pass along, but I hope this satisfies you all for now!!!
