Sooner OL for 2015

[pfka_ms]

I know you're loaded at RB, a lot of talent coming back at WR, and I think Mayfield should do well at QB especially in the new system. Who is replacing Thompson, Shead, Williams, Savage and Evans next year. Three of those guys are probably going to be drafted. So yeah, that's a lot of talent. Who do you think the starting five are across the front next year?

 

[CTOkie]

I cannot see how that question can be answered until at least mid-April.....other than to say Darlington should start at center and Kasitati at a guard position.
Lots of warm bodies. Lots of raw potential. But who knows ?

 

[CTOkie]

I also feel that the offensive line is much more of a concern than who starts at quarterback. It's the OL that has to spring Perine, Ford, Mixon and Ross loose and give the QB time to throw. If that happens, any one of the four QBs can succeed.

 

[JConXtsy]

My guess:

LT - Derek Farniok, Kenyon Frison
LG - Jamal Danley, Jonathon Alvarez
C - Ty Darlington, Alex Dalton
RG - Nila Kasitati, Dru Samia
RT - Josiah St John, Orlando Brown / Joseph Paul

So, the only newcomer to the offensive line would be Jamal Danley. He was ranked as the #1 JuCo guard.

This list also assumes none of the freshmen are ready, but Dru is thrown in at guard because that's where we're the thinnest. Either that, or one of our more senior tackles moves to guard, but I'm not confident in that - most of our tackles are too tall/lean for the guard position.

Ty Darlington - 25 games with 14 starts
Derek Farniok - 17 games + 10 more on special teams
Josian St John - 8 games - JuCo #6 player
Jamal Danley - JuCo #1 guard
Nila Kasitati - 29 games with 13 starts

I don't think our starting squad should have much of a drop-off from 2014. It's the second squad that's going to be a bit scary. Hopefully Alex Dalton comes along fast, and also that Ty Darlington stays in the game often with the newcomers to provide direction for them. Talent should be high, but cohesiveness will be OJT.

 

[Drewcristo78]

We better hope Frison starts or its gonna be a long year.

 

[JConXtsy]

Originally posted by Drewcristo78:

We better hope Frison starts or its gonna be a long year.

Farniok has shown some excellent skills in limited play. He has shown that he can be a road grader. He's had his bonehead moves as well, but hopefully that's just a matter of regular play time to iron those out.

Frison was a big time get last year though, so there's no reason that he shouldn't have the talent to work himself into a starting spot if the older guys slip.

I'm still under the impression that Stoops goes by seniority first regardless of his cliche that he plays the best.

 

[pfka_ms]

How many of the juco kids are already on campus?

 

[JConXtsy]

Originally posted by pfka_ms:
How many of the juco kids are already on campus?

I believe Danley is already on campus. He signed in December. I found one thing that says he enrolled "2/4/2015", but I don't know what that means.

Stoops is quoted as saying he's someone he expects to contribute immediately. Whether or not that's a starter, I don't know. Alvarez was only in the LaTech game last year. I don't know if that's because it was the only safe win on the schedule, or because he got in there and stunk so he didn't get anymore time.

St John will be entering his 3rd year on campus at OU. He was only a 1-year JuCo, redshirted at OU in 2013, and played in 2014.

 

[washingtonsooner]

I thought St. John was penciled in at LT and Frison at RT. WS

 

[Jaaa]

Originally posted by JConXtsy:

Originally posted by Drewcristo78:

We better hope Frison starts or its gonna be a long year.

Farniok has shown some excellent skills in limited play. He has shown that he can be a road grader. He's had his bonehead moves as well, but hopefully that's just a matter of regular play time to iron those out.

Frison was a big time get last year though, so there's no reason that he shouldn't have the talent to work himself into a starting spot if the older guys slip.

I'm still under the impression that Stoops goes by seniority first regardless of his cliche that he plays the best.

Farniok got abused in Stillwater in '13 which caused OU to move Bronson Irwin to RT for the Sugar Bowl. Believe it was his only start at OT in his career at OU..

Farniok has played on special teams and in limited mop-up duty. Not sure what excellent skills you have seen.

Two of the four of St John/Danley/Frison/Brown will be the starters at OT week one, imho.

 

[SoonerMikee05]

One good thing about Lincoln's offense and the air raid offense in general, is there are lots of short one read pass plays where the QB gets the ball out of his hands quickly, thus taking pressure off the OL to hold their blocks for extended time. And the passing game sets up the running game, so run blocks will come easier. At least that's the theory. Do I sound like an expert? No not really, just stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night.