All Sooners

Observations From Oklahoma's Second Open Spring Practice

Local media were permitted to view Oklahoma's fifth spring practice session Wednesday inside Everest Training Center.
Bryce McKinnis|
Andrel Anthony (5) runs drills during OU football practice in Norman, Okla., on Monday, Aug. 14,
Andrel Anthony (5) runs drills during OU football practice in Norman, Okla., on Monday, Aug. 14, | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY

NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma permitted media to observe 1:45 of OU's fifth spring practice session Wednesday inside Everest Training Center. Here's what the AllSooners team saw:

  • Offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett was not in a boot as he was Monday but was wearing training shoes rather than cleats. Hatchett transferred to Oklahoma from defending national runner-up Washington in January.
  • Receiver Gavin Freeman was once again practicing without shoulder pads or cleats but wore a helmet, practice jersey and pants.
  • Tight end Jake Roberts, wideout Nic Anderson and wideout Andrel Anthony were in shoulder pads but not cleats. 
  • Luke Elzinga was the first punter to take reps, Josh Plaster second and Ashton Logan third. 
  • Receiver Deion Burks returned most of the punts with wideout Jacob Jordan and defensive backs Eli and Peyton Bowen. It isn’t clear with Freeman’s injury whether he will be the expected starter upon his return.
  • Field goal charting: Liam Evans: 3/3 (26R, 47R, 40L). Tyler Keltner: 3/3 (39L, 30L, 46R)
  • QB Casey Thompson was fully padded but didn’t take any reps during routes on-air; was running along the sideline 
  • Freshman running back Xavier Robinson was in pads but left after stretching.
  • The line that got first-team reps: LT Michael Tarquin, LG Heath Ozaeta, C Troy Everett, RG Febechi Nwaiwu, RT Jake Taylor.
  • Everett later sustained an undisclosed injury.
  • QB Michael Hawkins Jr. took second-team reps.
  • Inside run notes: As a unit; the starting defense outperformed the starting offense. DT Markus Strong looked the best upfront; LB Kip Lewis made several plays from the second level.
  • 7-on-7 notes: Bauer Sharp was the first TE to take 7-on-7 reps. RB Javontae Barnes shared the backfield with QB Jackson Arnold. Arnold carved up the Sooners’ linebackers and Billy Bowman-less secondary.

This article originally published on March 27, 2024.

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Bryce McKinnis
BRYCE MCKINNIS

Bryce is a contributor for AllSooners and has been featured in several publications, including the Associated Press, the Tulsa World and the Norman Transcript. A Tishomingo native, Bryce’s sports writing career began at 17 years old when he filed his first story for the Daily Ardmoreite. As a student at the University of Central Oklahoma, he worked on several award-winning projects, including The Vista’s coverage of the 2021 UCO cheer hazing scandal. After graduating in 2021, Bryce took his first job covering University of Tulsa and Oral Roberts University sports for the Tulsa World before accepting a role as managing editor of VYPE Magazine in 2022. - UCO Mass Communications/Sports Feature (2019) - UCO Mass Communications/Investigative Reporting (2021) - UCO College of Liberal Arts/Academic presentation, presidential politics and ideology (2021) - OBEA/Multimedia reporting (2021) - Beat Writer, The Tulsa World (2021-2022) - Managing Editor, VYPE Magazine (2022-2023)

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