We lose Step and Neal....so that leaves a pretty big void to fill. Are there some hot shot receivers ready to step in next year?
WR Crew for next year...
- Thread starter KCtornado
- Start date
I'd still like to see another receiver step up consistently like we had 2 years ago going into the Alabama game. I realize I'm getting a little ahead of myself here but if OU does indeed play Bama in the first playoff game, they will obviously try to clamp down on our run game with their good DL. That means our receivers, sans Shepard for the most part, will need to eliminate the drops and catch everything thrown at them. We were able to get away with some drops against OSU et al but that won't work in the playoffs imo.
I think Quick was brought in to replace Shep, but he's got a ways to go yet IMO. Todd will be around and I think Westbrook will shine. Don't forget Andrews, while he's listed as a TE, he occasionally will line up wide.
IMO, the plucking of a 5 star WR is needed and it's amazing that one hasn't been reeled in yet.
IMO, the plucking of a 5 star WR is needed and it's amazing that one hasn't been reeled in yet.
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
Hang in there man...got a feeling we'll land at least 2 five stars for the class as things are now.
If one is a WR, so much the better.
This team has a really high upside right now...like 2003-2004 upside, recruiting wise.
Westbrook will be the top guy in the slot, and will fill Shep's role, being outside part of the time. He's getting better. Andrews will have an expanded role. I think last year's class will produce at least one top player.
I think that out of Todd, Smallwood (finally), Green and maybe Mead, Miller and Humphrey they'll find a servicable receiver group finish out. And maybe another new guy on campus, either juco or top high school guy. What receiver, headed to college by this summer, wouldn't want to come play that position in an offense where Baker is returning as quarterback?
All of the returning guys will have experience in this offense like nobody did heading into last spring. I'd think that if we find two guard replacements, that the offense next season could be spectacular. Again.
I think that out of Todd, Smallwood (finally), Green and maybe Mead, Miller and Humphrey they'll find a servicable receiver group finish out. And maybe another new guy on campus, either juco or top high school guy. What receiver, headed to college by this summer, wouldn't want to come play that position in an offense where Baker is returning as quarterback?
All of the returning guys will have experience in this offense like nobody did heading into last spring. I'd think that if we find two guard replacements, that the offense next season could be spectacular. Again.
Westbrook seems the natural choice to be #1. Mead and Baxter next in line, then Quick? AD, Dahu, Humphrey as young guys. Bennett and Smallwood factor in?
Guessing Mead, Baxter, Westbrook and Andrews are in your 4 WR set. I also think Mixon and Flowers could see more passes next year.
Guessing Mead, Baxter, Westbrook and Andrews are in your 4 WR set. I also think Mixon and Flowers could see more passes next year.
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
Yep, that's another not so secret weapon, that is both our NFL caliber RBs have soft, sure hands, and you're right, Flowers could figure into the grand scheme even more next year.
I think it's safe to say, this team is loaded next year. Wowza!
I am not a big Mead fan. He seems to drop about one in four. But he is usually a terrific blocker, which is why I think they've given him more reps than some of the other young guys. If I were one of the pups, I'd be foamin' at the mouth to be in this offense next season. We'll have as good a running game as there is in college football, most likely. Which makes for a lot of open spaces in the secondary.
I omitted Baxter in my post. I think you're right about him. I'd also love to see Quick live up to his billing. For whatever reason, he started off in the doghouse this year and never really made the big step to positive frequent contributor.
I have heard so many positive things about Smallwood. But he's just never been healthy. Sometimes, an injury is career altering. I just hope it's only career delaying.
Don't forget this guy. I saw one recruiting service that ranked him the #1 JUCO W.O..........
http://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma/football/recruiting/player-Ryan-Parker-179200
http://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma/football/recruiting/player-Ryan-Parker-179200
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
Damn, lanky, really fast, relatively tall to the average DB...sign him up.
In the very first highlight, his time from one 40 to the other 40 was about .7. That cat can fly. Now I saw him returning punts like a champion, but none of the punts were the kind of punts that require being really good at it. They were all bouncing or low line drives. It's a whole different task when a quality punter kicks one that turns over twice and really good athletes who have a nasty streak want to come knock your head off. But if he has that knack, he could be a special player.
His speed is really impressive.
His speed is really impressive.
Shepard is a Mount Rushmore talent and to match his level of skill for incoming players for next season is not likely. However, OU is still targeting 6 or so WR prospects including Tyrie Cleveland from the Houston area. I think the position of WR is critical for OU, even with the number of bodies already on the roster to play the position. Westbrook is solid, but beyond him there is no proven big game performer coming back next year. My bet is that OU's current on-field success will attract at least one more immediate impact receiver besides Ryan Parker. It will tell a lot of how the coaches feel about the current WR corps by what the final February class looks like.....right now, Mead, Green, Quick, Smallwood, Todd and Baxter have not shown much at all.....and Mayfield must have solid receivers to compliment the running backs behind him.
Wow....kids a man among boys. Fast, good hands it appears. Route running needs work, but against the competition...
He's GOT to learn to block to get on the field for us....but would be an amazing "get" for us...no doubt.
Agree that Westbrook is the "heir apparent" to Shep. Baxter has gotten some quality time down the stretch. Quick...we'll see. Agree with Plaino that Andrews will have a BIG role and my brother suggested it may be at WR vs TE. would be interesting.
I read on another site that Westbrook may be a one and done. He apparently told Stoops that when he signed. Take it for what it's worth......
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
Yep, stupid high schools, they always defer to the prima donna over the 'team' player.
Learn to block and assist other team mates when YOU don't get the ball.
The elite schools will beat a path to your door.
He's not. The thread mentioned a family situation...blah, blah. I just thought i would mention it. If it comes true, I can come back and crow about it................LOL........JJ...
Honestly not a knock on the kid, not too many blocks make a highlight video for a WR. More of a statement of fact with our coaches. Wanna get on the field? Block your butt off!
Ahhhhhhh....you sneak! So, YOU paid attention to the instructional on using the board history function too! Watching someone get embarrassed CAN be a good source of education.
Seriously, Hope that's not the case for Westbrook, but family trumps football in my book.
Something that I keep forgetting is that Gundy is now the Director of Recruiting and also the Coach for Inside WRs. IMO, he's been about the best recruiting coach that Bob has ever had. I do think he'll come through with some mega-talent this year. Time will tell, but I think he does.
If he goes, I can't imagine he'd be drafted. But if he had that mindset, he also might not have gone to class like he should have. My guess is that he might make a pretty good player in Arena League.
Just a thought.....while there is some justifiable concern over Lincoln Riley's future at OU (with the rumors surrounding South Carolina.....and maybe elsewhere), my opinion is that Cale Gundy is OU's most important assistant and that he is perhaps the next head coach at OU.....and that opinion is above and beyond just Cale's recruiting ability and his developing good/great running backs.
That being said, I think OU will be able to reload its coaching staff when necessary and I think the current energy level within the Oklahoma program will spawn the hiring of capable coaches...now, more than ever.
This was in response to WNAS's post below:
That being said, I think OU will be able to reload its coaching staff when necessary and I think the current energy level within the Oklahoma program will spawn the hiring of capable coaches...now, more than ever.
This was in response to WNAS's post below:
Ya no kidding...Westbrook has had a pretty nice year, but nothing that has him shooting up the NFL draft list. Maybe he is thinking he can blow them away at the combine?? Him coming back next year and maybe being the showcase WR for this offense would set the chance to rise his stock pretty dramatically I would think.
I think Westbrook will be the go-to guy. I think Andrews will make great strides and he is a matchup nightmare - how many CBs can cover a 6-6 guy? How many safeties can stay with a WR like him? I think a couple of other guys would step up, but if there is an outstanding JUCO receiver out there, we will go get him!
Jones and Cleveland are 4 Stars and Willies is a Juco 3 Star. Those are the top three we are looking at. Jones would be a slot (Shep's role), the other 2 are wide-outs. I think a combo of Dede, Andrews and someone else could be formidable, but none will take the place of Shep.
I think its more of a family situation. Taking financial care of his kid. Short sighted but I've not walked in his shoes.
Andrews will stay outside with the emergence of Ryan Spangler at TE, we'll be even better!
If we had to go without Neal and Shepard tomorrow...
1. Westbrook is the clear #1
2. Quick in the slot as the #2 (not much of an impact this year, but he has kept his head in the game and seems enthusiastic)
3. Mead and Baxter have both dropped way too many balls - I'd split them out wide and just have them run fly routes to tire out DBs.
4. Split Andrews out at the other slot in 4 WR sets.
Honestly, we should go with a 2 back set of Perine/Mixon and a WR corps of Westbrook/Quick/Andrews and even Flowers at H-back. Everyone else is a liability right now. That's still 6 solid weapons...without anyone in the class of 2016.
1. Westbrook is the clear #1
2. Quick in the slot as the #2 (not much of an impact this year, but he has kept his head in the game and seems enthusiastic)
3. Mead and Baxter have both dropped way too many balls - I'd split them out wide and just have them run fly routes to tire out DBs.
4. Split Andrews out at the other slot in 4 WR sets.
Honestly, we should go with a 2 back set of Perine/Mixon and a WR corps of Westbrook/Quick/Andrews and even Flowers at H-back. Everyone else is a liability right now. That's still 6 solid weapons...without anyone in the class of 2016.
Who is the USC commit rumored to possible skip to for OU?
OU has had 6 WR drafted since 2010 and probably 2 more this year. I believe OU is the top producer of NFL WRs during that time...With Riley's Air Raid why would you consider going anywhere else.
OU has had 6 WR drafted since 2010 and probably 2 more this year. I believe OU is the top producer of NFL WRs during that time...With Riley's Air Raid why would you consider going anywhere else.
So goes Mayfield, so goes Oklahoma.....which means that by August (preseason) drills, there will be at least two more high level receivers in the 2016 class for Mayfield to throw to.
The offense now employed mandates having solid receivers as well as having quality depth at the receiver position. The coaches will stock the position well....in a hurry.
The offense now employed mandates having solid receivers as well as having quality depth at the receiver position. The coaches will stock the position well....in a hurry.
I don't see any current OU receiver that is even close to being on the same level as Shepard. It will be a huge loss and probably a weakness next season.
I sorta agree, and sorta don't. Shep is a great receiver, and there is no question that without him we aren't in the playoffs. But, this offense isn't supposed to rely on one guy. If Andrews and the backs are utilized more as receivers, that should offset any loss in production by the wideouts, IMO.
To a certain extent, Baker knowing that Shep was out there kept other guys from getting the ball anyway. With him gone, Baker will now have to spread the ball more and someone, or two or three guys, will step up to the challenge!
At least Baker will have all year to try and gel with a receiver or two. Unlike Landry when Broyles went down and he couldn't hit the side of a barn.
Aside from Westbrook, I see the receiving corps in need of an overhaul in 2016.
A talent like Shepard is hard to find even though OU has had studs like Clayton, Malcolm Kelly (when healthy), Broyles, Iglesius, Bradley and Saunders throughout the Stoops era.
Hopefully a juco or a transfer or a 4-5 star recruit can be had in February to keep the tradition of topflight receivers going.
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