I know there's a lot of chaos surrounding Nwaneri's announcement today, but the 2023 football team did take the field today, and I've got a few notes. Maybe this can be a brief but much-needed break from the inevitable craziness coming this afternoon.
I've gotta rush back for media availability in a few minutes, but here were my primary observations from Monday's practice:
1. Daylon Smothers was an active participant in RB drills
There had been some confusion last week regarding the freshman running back's status with the team. Yes, Smothers was involved in the scrimmage on Saturday, but this is to confirm we have proof that Smothers is still a very active member of the team and he was on the practice field today.
Also of note — Gavin Sawchuk was indeed on the practice field today, but he was not participating in RB drills during the position group part of practice. Instead, he was off to the side and going through light sprinting/jogging exercises.
Sawchuk didn't appear 100 percent to me, but the fact he's on the practice field is always a good sign.
Also as an aside, Marcus Major continues to run first in RB drills. Jovantae Barnes ran second today. I still fully expect Barnes and Sawchuk to see a lot of the work at RB, but every time I watch practice I become more and more convinced that Major will absolutely see the field if he's healthy.
2. Clarity on the offensive line?
I hung around the offensive line during position group drills, and it was the most interesting part of practice.
At one point, Bill Bedenbaugh asked for the guards and tackles to go with him for drills. He split the drill up into two sides — a right guard and right tackle on one side, and a left guard and tackle on the other. For the first rep on each side, here's how it shook out: Tyler Guyton and McKade Mettauer on the right, Walter Rouse and Savion Byrd on the left.
There continues to be growing proof that not only will Byrd have a significant role, he could end up being the Week 1 starter at left guard.
Also of note — it appeared Troy Everett was next in line behind Rouse and Byrd during drills, and the three of them went through some drills together.
We've still got some time to go, but we're starting to have a good idea regarding the starting offensive linemen.
3. Quick note on kickoff returns
After opening stretches, the Sooners immediately went into kickoff drills. It was LV Bunkley-Shelton and Billy Bowman taking the first reps at kickoff returner. Chapman McKown and Trey Brown also saw reps at returner.
4. The WR group looks really, really good
The more I watch practice, the more I'm convinced the wide receivers will be a definitive area of strength on offense this season.
As @Brandon Drumm reported on Saturday, Nic Anderson stole the show during the scrimmage. For anyone who watched Parker and I's recent Quick Slants video about Fall Camp Buzz, you know that Parker and I are both high on Anderson. Today, Anderson looked to be clearly at the top of the pecking order at wide receiver. Andrel Anthony and Jaquaize Pettaway look really, really good, too.
I apologize for the shorter-than-usual notes, they opened up practice nearly 30 minutes later than initially scheduled and I've gotta head back for interviews. But these were my main observations today.
I've gotta rush back for media availability in a few minutes, but here were my primary observations from Monday's practice:
1. Daylon Smothers was an active participant in RB drills
There had been some confusion last week regarding the freshman running back's status with the team. Yes, Smothers was involved in the scrimmage on Saturday, but this is to confirm we have proof that Smothers is still a very active member of the team and he was on the practice field today.
Also of note — Gavin Sawchuk was indeed on the practice field today, but he was not participating in RB drills during the position group part of practice. Instead, he was off to the side and going through light sprinting/jogging exercises.
Sawchuk didn't appear 100 percent to me, but the fact he's on the practice field is always a good sign.
Also as an aside, Marcus Major continues to run first in RB drills. Jovantae Barnes ran second today. I still fully expect Barnes and Sawchuk to see a lot of the work at RB, but every time I watch practice I become more and more convinced that Major will absolutely see the field if he's healthy.
2. Clarity on the offensive line?
I hung around the offensive line during position group drills, and it was the most interesting part of practice.
At one point, Bill Bedenbaugh asked for the guards and tackles to go with him for drills. He split the drill up into two sides — a right guard and right tackle on one side, and a left guard and tackle on the other. For the first rep on each side, here's how it shook out: Tyler Guyton and McKade Mettauer on the right, Walter Rouse and Savion Byrd on the left.
There continues to be growing proof that not only will Byrd have a significant role, he could end up being the Week 1 starter at left guard.
Also of note — it appeared Troy Everett was next in line behind Rouse and Byrd during drills, and the three of them went through some drills together.
We've still got some time to go, but we're starting to have a good idea regarding the starting offensive linemen.
3. Quick note on kickoff returns
After opening stretches, the Sooners immediately went into kickoff drills. It was LV Bunkley-Shelton and Billy Bowman taking the first reps at kickoff returner. Chapman McKown and Trey Brown also saw reps at returner.
4. The WR group looks really, really good
The more I watch practice, the more I'm convinced the wide receivers will be a definitive area of strength on offense this season.
As @Brandon Drumm reported on Saturday, Nic Anderson stole the show during the scrimmage. For anyone who watched Parker and I's recent Quick Slants video about Fall Camp Buzz, you know that Parker and I are both high on Anderson. Today, Anderson looked to be clearly at the top of the pecking order at wide receiver. Andrel Anthony and Jaquaize Pettaway look really, really good, too.
I apologize for the shorter-than-usual notes, they opened up practice nearly 30 minutes later than initially scheduled and I've gotta head back for interviews. But these were my main observations today.
