2010 Statistics

QUARTERBACK  
Landry Jones is no longer living under the microscope of former hurler Sam Bradford, the guy he replaced. The massive numbers and success enjoyed by Jones in this quick-strike, typical Big 12 scoring attack has formed a new identity with Jones at the forefront. Last season he led the conference in passing yards and threw at least nine more TD passes than any other Big 12 signal caller. He set a school record with 405 completions (tops in the NCAA) and was No. 2 in total passing yards nationally. His assault on Bradford’s records is happening much faster than anyone could have believed. The most experience back up is Drew Allen, who saw action in five games last fall. Others in the mix include redshirt frosh Blake Bell, a nationally acclaimed prep star out of Wichita and early enrollee Kendal Thompson who is fresh out of high school. Currently no pecking order exists with the back ups. That race is wide open.

RUNNING BACK  
Gone is DeMarco Murray, the school record holder for touchdowns and all-purpose yards. Trying to replace his many talents will be a deep cast of unproven studs. Roy Finch emerged as the main back up last fall. Finch possesses the elusive speed needed for breaking the big play. Brennan Clay also played sparingly as did unproven veteran Jermie Calhoun, who is coming back from injury and doubtful for spring ball. Clay also doubles as a starting kick returner and is sure to garner his share of the snaps. In high school he was the first player in California history to gain 1,000 yards receiving and rushing in the same season. Clay’s all-purpose skills could equal those of the departed Murray before his time is done in Norman. A great deal of speculation is that incoming frosh Brandon Williams could flat out win the starting tailback spot. The nation's No. 3 ranked high school running back by Rivals.com and Scout.com has enrolled in time for spring workouts. Williams has been extremely impressive on campus thus far and could prove to be the nation's top rookie. The hype has already begun. Fullback Trey Millard was selected an All-Big 12 honoree in just his freshman campaign of 2010. He will sit out spring recovering from shoulder surgery but is expected to be ready in the fall.

RECEIVER  
Before going into detail about why Ryan Broyles can win the Heisman Trophy and why he is a major reason the Sooners are currently the nation's top ranked team, it's extremely important to note the cast surrounding him is second to none. This facet will only increase Broyle's star potential. Last fall young Kenny Stills stepped in and erased Broyle's freshman school records for receptions and receiving yards. Another frosh, speedy Trey Franks, hauled in 29 catches and is poised to snag many more in his second season. These three returning starters at the top of the depth chart are all less than 6'0 tall. When OU wishes to use a size advantage they will turn to the 6'4 Dejuan Miller who had just moved into the starting lineup last fall until a torn meniscus in his knee forced him to miss the final seven games. An extensive abundance of sophomores and redshirt freshmen make this group exceptionally deep. Getting back to Broyles...one of three finalists for the 2010 Biletnikoff Award, he has set OU records for receptions in a game, season and career; yards in a game, season and career and touchdown receptions in a season and career. Yep, pretty much every single major receiving record and he has another season to go. The fact he decided to skip the NFL and return for his final year may have been the one aspect that put the Sooners at the top of these preseason polls. Other talents are available to Coach Stoops, but Broyles takes the icing and the cake.

OFFENSIVE LINE / TIGHT END  
This bunch had some inconsistency issues last fall in addition to some lacking physical issues. Coaches have been the first to say as much. The good news is that four full-time starters and six with starting experience (81 career starts combined) anchor a group that looks quite different and if anything much more experienced. The only player departing is All-Big 12 selection Eric Mensik at right tackle. Jarvis Jones and Donald Stephenson have split starting assignments at left tackle. Look for Jones to step over to the right side to complete the lineup. The interior of the line from guard to guard is where the major improvements should derive. Ikard, Habern and Evans form a group of young but experienced blockers and the youthful depth behind them should provide for some interesting off-season competition. A cast of three different players will see time in the tight end rotation. BTW, they are all legit. James Hanna and Trent Ratterree shared most of the snaps last season. Ratterree will miss spring practice while returning from a shoulder injury. Look for Austin Haywood, who played extensively on special teams last season to take up more of a role. The in-state product Haywood has the star ability to become the future of this position.

DEFENSIVE LINE  
Replacing the talents of All-American defensive end Jeremy Beal, who ranked among the schools best in categories like career sacks and tackles for loss, will be no easy task. The opportunity for projected starters Frank Alexander and Ronnell Lewis to continue their late-season surge of 2010 is upon them. Alexander is the team's returning leader in sack production. Most of that came after he was able to recover from an early season ankle sprain. He recorded three sacks and six tackles-for-loss in the Big 12 Championship Game and Fiesta Bowl. Ronnell Lewis is a linebacker changed hybrid defensive end, a little undersized at 237 lbs but extremely athletic. This off-season will be crucial for guys like R.J. Washington and David King who are competing for time on the outside. Both carry highly rated prep accolades but have been passed by the past two seasons. Tackle is where the Sooners are likely to find their biggest improvements. Coaches have been hard with the criticism on this group in terms of being physical last fall. The phenomenal recruiting classes have been kind this group. Guys like Jamarkus McFarland, Stacy McGee (if he gets back from a marijuana possession charge) and Casey Walker have the ability to dominate. The Sooners will also welcome in another top flight recruiting class that was heavy with defensive linemen.

LINEBACKER  
These linebackers are stacked. Five different players drew starting duty last fall and all five are back including Travis Lewis, the team's leading tackler in each of his first three years of starting. The only NationalChamps.net All-American on the defensive side, Lewis has tied the school record for interceptions by a linebacker too. In the middle is a two-man combination of experience. Tom Wort excelled as a freshman last fall. When Austin Box returned from a preseason back injury he played a major role in the team's strong stretch run. The strong side features another pair who has seen their share of snaps. Tony Jefferson was the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year while Ibiloye is a converted safety. Both can play a nickel role that is ever so important in covering today's spread offenses. This unit has the most talent on the defensive side.

DEFENSIVE BACK  
The biggest question in Sooner Country...can this depleted secondary circle the wagons and give their potent offense more time with the ball? Already gone are both starting safeties and now top cornerback Jamell Fleming is out of school for at least the spring and summer due to academic improprieties. The only returning starter is cornerback Demontre Hurst, who excelled last year in his first season as a full-timer. Some shake-ups are bound to occur between now and August. Aaron Colvin has been moved to strong safety. If the experiment works out, at least OU can get it's best five defensive backs on the field at once. Former No. 1 in-state recruit Gabe Lynn is finally getting the chance to show what he can do at corner with the move of Colvin. At free safety, Javon Harris and Sam Proctor are the most familiar names. Both have made strong contributions the past two seasons. Like most positions on this team athletes are available for this secondary. While this will be the unit causing the most concern, if a team is only as good as it's weakest link, the Sooners are still in pretty good shape. But make no mistake; two or three of these depth chart spots are wide open.