Oklahoma Running Backs Room Remains Thin and Other Observations From Tuesday's Practice

NORMAN — Owen Heinecke got Oklahoma off to a raucous start to practice Tuesday morning, kicking off the Sooners move to practicing in full pads at the OU Rugby Field with a speech that can't really be quoted.

The first 30 or so minutes of Tuesday's practice was open to the media, and as the assembled group of reporters walked to the parking lot, Michigan's "Hail to the Victors" blared over the speakers surrounding the field, followed by a large burst of crowd noise.

The Sooners travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., to take on the Wolverines on Sept. 12.

Here are some observations from the open periods of practice:

Tory Blaylock Back Dressed Out

After heading off the field with the injured players in last week's open practice, sophomore running back Tory Blaylock remained on the field and dressed out Tuesday.

Blaylock was not a full participant, though, spending plenty of the drills running half speed or off to the side.

Much of the time, freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. was there with Blaylock, signifying that he might be banged up as well.

Sooners Down a Pair of OL

Oklahoma's offensive line has been plenty banged up in recent years.

Hopefully their absence was primarily precautionary but tackle Michael Fasusi and guard Heath Ozaeta headed toward the injured players tent when practice began.

With Fasusi out, Ryan Fodje slid over to left tackle while freshman Noah Best was working with the first-team group at right guard during early drills at least.

Several other players were out or wearing yellow "no contact" jerseys , including Kristan Moore, CJ Nickson, LeBron Bauer, Preston Mickens, Derrick Johnson II, Trystan Haynes and Dakoda Fields.

Michael Boganowski Held up as Example

Oklahoma wide receivers coach Emmett Jones repeatedly brought up safety Michael Boganowski any time his players showed sloppy execution on a drill.

"Boganowski will clean you up," Jones intoned over and over.

It's another sign of the reputation Boganowski is developing inside the team as one of its top defensive weapons.

Trell Harris Working his way Back in

Virginia transfer Trell Harris, who has been banged up recently, was muych more active in drills than he was last week.

Harris, though, showed some rust after battling through injuries over the offseason. He had several drops, but also showed plenty of explosiveness and agility, standing out amongst the position group.

Among the younger receivers, Jayden Petit and Jahsier Rogers stood out, flashing strong bursts and speed. Petit, though, was among the targets of Jones' warnings.

Texas transfer Parker Livingston was among the more consistent players at the spot.

Miguel Chavis Pays Plenty of Attention to Wein, Adebawore

For an extended stretch during position drills, defensive ends Taylor Wein and Adepoju Adebawore worked together.

The duo spent plenty of time discussing technique during the drills as they worked to sharpen each other.

Defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis focused much of his attention on the pair, as Adebawore is expected to take a bigger role in the group this year after the departures of R Mason Thomas and Marvin Jones Jr. from last year's defensive end rotation.

Jason Witting Settling in

There was no easing into things for new tight ends coach Jason Witten.

Witten got after Rocky Beers for cutting a route short, lighting into the Colorado State transfer.

After Beers and Jack Van Dorselaer had back-to-back drops, Witten responded by saying, "We're dragging."

Last week, tight end Hayden Hansen, a Florida transfer, called Witten one of the most intense peope he'd ever met.

Late in the viewing period, sophomore tight end Trynae Washington made a nice catch while extending on a pass from John Mateer.

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