INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:
University of Oklahoma Sports Information Department

STRENGTHS: This area has to start with tight end Trent Smith. He led the nation in receptions for tight ends with 61 snags, which landed him among the three finalists for the Mackey Award. Smith combines typical tight end qualities, with a wide receiver's ability to get open. He is by far a unanimous Preseason First team All American. At running back Quentin Griffin has drawn approximately 90 percent of the playing time over the last two seasons in OU's one-back offense. A slippery runner and one of the nation's best pass-catching backs, he returns for his senior season. It remains to be seen how the alignment and playing time will be affected by changes among the offensive coaching staff. To be sure, there are others ready to join the fray, even though none can come close to Griffin's level of experience. He led Big 12 running backs with 16 rushing TDs in 2000, the most by an OU back since Billy Sims in 1979. Griffin also holds the school record for receptions in consecutive games with 26. The streak is ongoing and covers every game of his career, which also places him in the Sooner record book for career receptions (88) and receiving yards by a back (776). Add to the offensive mix the depth and quality of the receiving unit. Even the casual observer may not need a roster card. Of the five players who drew starting assignments last season, four return. Mark Clayton set an OU freshman record with 45 receptions last season, Curtis Fagan continued his steady play while emerging as the team's sure-handed punt returner, Antwone Savage added to his niche' as the deep threat and Andre Woolfolk further established himself as perhaps the country's best two-way
player. Only Josh Norman was lost to graduation.

CONCERNS: One could not necessarily deduce that the quarterback spot was a major concern. The only concern may have stemmed from last season as a replacement for Heisman runner-up Josh Heupel hit a few stumbling blocks while Nate Hybl and Jason White alternated duties. The offense certainly had its difficulties. Nate Hybl started 11 of the 13 games last season and was the most experienced signal-caller in spring camp. Jason White notched two starting assignments last season and was playing well before suffering a season-ending knee injury at Nebraska. White's rehabilitation lasted through the spring. The full-blown competition for the starting job probably won't be joined again until August, at least between those two players. Now you can throw a wrench into the mix as redshirt freshman Brent Rawls has been making a strong push for the job. The word out of spring in Norman says Brent Rawls looked to be separating himself from Nate Hybl more and more by the day. This three-man battle should get quite interesting to say the least. The offensive line may be the biggest concern if you could put your finger on one, which is no easy task. The left side of the line has a vacancy sign as two of OU's best starters, Romero and Duncan, have departed. Replacing that duo, which also started for the 2000 national championship squad, is no small chore. The kicking duties are wide open. Both punter and kicker need new starters, which could play a big role if the low scoring affairs of last season come into play again.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:
University of Oklahoma Sports Information Department

STRENGTHS: At one time last season, three Sooners were on the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List. Williams eventually won the honor, but it was ironic that some of his stiffest early season competition came from within the Sooner locker room. Williams, who bypassed his senior season to enter the NFL Draft, is the only one of three not back for this season. All three players who drew starting assignments at cornerback last season return in 2002. Derrick Strait has developed into one of the country's top cover men. Just a junior, he already has played in 26 games. One of the best-known two-way players is Andre Woolfolk, who split time at corner and receiver before missing the last three games of the regular season with an injury. He returned for the bowl game and is healthy for the upcoming campaign. At free safety, Oklahoma returns Brandon Everage, who can be a tone-setter for the defense. The front line is led by Tommie Harris. Never mind that he was a true freshman. Thirteen starting assignments later, media and opponents alike were running short of adjectives to describe the OU tackle. One of the most interesting stories on last year's team was that of Jimmy Wilkerson. A linebacker through the preseason drills, he moved to end after the season opener. Instantly he became one of the best in the nation at the position. With three of four starters back on the DL, the Sooner defense will be tougher then a Texas tornado (no pun intended).

CONCERNS: Calmus and Brandon Moore are gone, so the starting linebacker corps will feature two new faces. Both of which may belong to players who were not in Sooner uniforms last season. Oklahoma's lone returning starter at the position is Teddy Lehman. A sprinter on his high school track team, Lehman's speed easily exceeds that normally found at linebacker. Opposing offenses tried to stay away from Calmus last season, and in doing so unwittingly built Lehman's resume' and experience. Although some feel there is talent ready to step in, heading into spring not many of those same people could have told you who it would be. Other than missing a few key people inside, there really are not too many holes. Look for the defense to come up big again in 2002.