Three Things to Watch For During Oklahoma's Spring Game Saturday
Oklahoma fans will get their first look at the 2022 team this Saturday at the annual spring game. There are many storylines to follow from the new-look offense, to the rejuvenated defense and the new signal caller.
As the countdown is on for the first action of Oklahoma football in months, here are three things to look forward to this weekend:
Young Playmakers
On Saturday, the Sooners will have young talent on display all over the field. Many of the youngsters on the offensive side will be shining in front of OU fans for the first time in their careers.
Out of the backfield, Jovantae Barnes is a guy to keep an eye on. The coaching staff has spoken very highly of him throughout the spring media interviews. With Kennedy Brooks headed to the NFL, there are snaps to be earned. Barnes could be a prime candidate for early playing time.
The backfield isn’t the only position group with explosive young talent, though. Sooner fans should keep an eye on the wide receivers, too, led by highly touted recruits Jayden Gibson and Nic Anderson. Both are big-bodied receivers, as quarterback Dillon Gabriel noted how impressive their catch radius is. It will be interesting to see the initial chemistry between the veteran quarterback and his young receivers.
Breakout Players
While the Sooners have plenty of incoming freshmen talent, they also have guys that have been waiting in the wings ready to break out.
On the offensive end, look for Marcus Major and Jalil Farooq to make the leap this season, starting in the spring game Saturday.
Major has been behind the likes of Brooks and Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson for the past few seasons and finally has a path to carries. Farooq came on toward the end of last year, including the Alamo Bowl, and should build off of that success.
Kani Walker and Jordan Kelley are two guys who could benefit from expanded roles on the defensive decide of the ball.
Walker, who transferred from Louisville, didn’t see the field as often as he’d hoped last season. He should be able to push for immediate playing time in a secondary that needed bodies down the stretch.
Kelley has been mentioned numerous times by the coaching staff as a player who has stood out this far into the spring. On a defensive line that has to replace a good amount of NFL talent, Kelley finally has a chance to break out.
Up-Tempo Offense
A topic of discussion throughout the media sessions has been new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s fast-paced offense.
With the Sooners shifting to more of a traditional up-tempo offense, fans will get the first look at that on Saturday. The players have had a full winter of conditioning under new strength coach Jerry Schmidt and it seems to have helped a handful of guys already.
While Lincoln Riley had prolific offenses, they weren’t always up-tempo. The adjustment to the offensive pace will surely be a storyline to follow.
The spring game is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. Baker Mayfield’s statue dedication is set for halftime of the game.
