Players to watch this spring...

[coeSooner81]

Ever since CT went straight baseball, the question about who the backup will be has been asked a lot. automatically putting Kendall as the backup as a true freshman. I think we can still redshirt him and have Connor McGinnis as the backup. Hes been in the system for a year and at 6'4 200lbs and can run, shouldnt be a problem playing him next year. Watch his hs hudl tape reminds me of Bradford with his deep ball.

 

[BillyRay]

Austin Kendall would be #1 to watch for me. I'm worried about Baker and his concussions at the end of the season. So Kendall has a huge learning curve ahead of him till the season so he is ready in case something happens to Baker. I'm curious to see who else may get reps at QB in the spring just in case. Dalton Wood maybe in case of an emergency??

I also want to see how the incoming JUCO LBs look. OU is doing a complete rebuild of it's LB unit. Doucet and Beal will be important to shore up the young guys OU has stepping up in those spots.

And last the WR unit. Shepard being gone is a huge loss. Westbrook I think will be huge stepping up. But he needs help. Curious if some kids already on the roster will be the ones stepping up, or if some of the incoming freshman will get here and really step up and contribute big. Though I don't think any WRs that just signed in the 2016 class will be here for spring right??

 

[CTOkie]

McGinnis is much more of an unknown quality than Kendall is and he's really a "project" player at this time when compared to Kendall. McGinnis has been at OU a year longer and may have a head start on learning the system, knowing his teammates, etc., but Kendall looks to have the edge based on having superior abilities.
Whoever backs up Mayfield will have to show some high end ability, not only for the 2016 season, but more so to beat out Kyler Murray in 2017, which I don't see happening.
As for the 2016 season, I believe it will more important than at any other time in OU history to keep the starting QB from getting hurt. Whatever talent there is behind Mayfield cannot be considered a viable safety net....at this time.