Too early for speculation on how the 2017 depth chart will be impacted, but just for fun, here goes:
Marquise Brown (WR) and Marcelious Sutton (RB) play right away.
At least two of the four 4-star linebackers (Draper, Gumbs, Phillips, Murray) go into the 2017 LB corps. This is one of Stoops' best ever linebacking hauls.
The three WR's (Lamb, Rambo, Calcaterra) could contribute. Beyond Mead, Jones and Smallwood, the WR corps is inadequate. Miller and Green could be late bloomers. Obviously, Marquise Brown (JUCO) will be a huge addition.
Three 4-star defensive backs (Broiles, Tre Brown and Barnes) could very well be part of the DB corps, which is in serious need of quality depth.
DT McKinney may play depending on how Overton comes back from injury. If Overton is healthy and solid, McKinney may redshirt. That would give OU Gallimore, Romar and Overton the team's DT rotation.
The three 4-star offensive linemen (Ealy, Robinson and Hayes) could all redshirt if the current backups (Swenson, Julious, Swenson and Valentin) prove themselves as capable backups. My hunch is that at least one new OL, Tyreese Robinson, plays right away. My player to watch is Creed Humphery who could be in line to be OU's center in 2018. I think he may redshirt this year with Wren and Alvarez around.
Kicker Mundshau could be OU's hidden jewel and he could relieve Siebert of either punting or placekicking. Siebert seems to have regressed over last season so maybe he could be better served with one less kicking chore.
My concern is defensive end. Bledsoe is suspended until mid season and Ward and redshirt LB/DE Mark Jackson are listed as the only two DE's returning. Maybe DeBerry or McGinnis move over from linebacking.....or maybe one or two of the freshmen linebackers are converted.
With signing day a month away, I believe OU will close strong with a few surprises.
Marquise Brown (WR) and Marcelious Sutton (RB) play right away.
At least two of the four 4-star linebackers (Draper, Gumbs, Phillips, Murray) go into the 2017 LB corps. This is one of Stoops' best ever linebacking hauls.
The three WR's (Lamb, Rambo, Calcaterra) could contribute. Beyond Mead, Jones and Smallwood, the WR corps is inadequate. Miller and Green could be late bloomers. Obviously, Marquise Brown (JUCO) will be a huge addition.
Three 4-star defensive backs (Broiles, Tre Brown and Barnes) could very well be part of the DB corps, which is in serious need of quality depth.
DT McKinney may play depending on how Overton comes back from injury. If Overton is healthy and solid, McKinney may redshirt. That would give OU Gallimore, Romar and Overton the team's DT rotation.
The three 4-star offensive linemen (Ealy, Robinson and Hayes) could all redshirt if the current backups (Swenson, Julious, Swenson and Valentin) prove themselves as capable backups. My hunch is that at least one new OL, Tyreese Robinson, plays right away. My player to watch is Creed Humphery who could be in line to be OU's center in 2018. I think he may redshirt this year with Wren and Alvarez around.
Kicker Mundshau could be OU's hidden jewel and he could relieve Siebert of either punting or placekicking. Siebert seems to have regressed over last season so maybe he could be better served with one less kicking chore.
My concern is defensive end. Bledsoe is suspended until mid season and Ward and redshirt LB/DE Mark Jackson are listed as the only two DE's returning. Maybe DeBerry or McGinnis move over from linebacking.....or maybe one or two of the freshmen linebackers are converted.
With signing day a month away, I believe OU will close strong with a few surprises.
