The view from Norman, OK

[LuthierJr]

Ok since I'm the resident OU homer, and I get to watch all their games, and have seen all the players for years now I tend to give my opinion on the OU guys coming out.

Most years I love a few guys (I'm biased of course). I really wanted DeMarco Murray. I wanted Curtis Lofton. Jamell Fleming was a binky. Wanted Ryan Broyles, and Jermaine Greshem. I normally have a good idea of who is going to be decent on the Sooners (lets not mention my Reggie Smith love, or my Malcom Kelly drivel).

There is but ONE player I really think is going to be good this year from the Sooners. I mentioned him years ago when he first started with the Sooners, and he has only gotten better. This year we probably won't spend a high pick on a saftey, but if we do... I really like Tony Jefferson.

Oklahoma's defense this year has been pedestrian (that's being nice). They couldn't rush the passer much. They couldn't consistently stop the run as the D linemen got blown back. They had decent DB play, and a big reason for that was Mr. Jefferson.

Positives: He is a great tackler in both run and pass support. He is decently fast (mid 4.5). Takes good angles, and is always around the ball. Good in both run and pass coverage. Can play FS, or SS. Good character. No history of injuries in college (had a couple in highschool, but played through them). Was a Stud OLB and RB in highschool. Very strong for his size (5'-10" 212lbs)

Room for improvement: He plays both safety positions so much it's hard to get a bead on his weak spots. While he almost never gets beat or misses a tackle in the run game I've seen WR's get behind him a couple times this year. Although I'm not sure if it was his assignment or if he was simply trying to pursue. Either way I feel like he could improve in pass coverage (although he has played CB a lot and done well). Not from an athletic standpoint but from a scheme or coaching/understanding one.

I'm guessing he will go early-mid second round. I doubt we will draft another safety there, but if we do I'd like to see Jefferson.


As for the rest of the Sooners. On Offense we have a few good receivers who should make good depth at the next level. Really good College players but I don't see it in the NFL. Guys like Kenny Stills, Jazz Reynolds, Justin Brown. Of the receivers I actually like Justin Brown the best. He was a transfer from Penn State, and is a great return man, good speed and great size (6-3 210lbs). He has really good hands and could make a nice #3 WR signing for someone. Probably my third favorite Sooner coming out.

O-linemen has a couple decent players who may get drafted late, but none I would care to have.

D-Linemen they have a couple guys as well, but none that can get reliable pressure against a good blocker. Pass.

CB's Demontre Hurst is a solid player. He will be drafted probably around round 4-ish. He is a good player, but not spectacular although he has the physical tools to be great. Maybe coaching would make him a sleeper pick. Probably my second favorite pick on the Sooners.

QB: Someone is going to be disappointed if they draft Landry Jones. He just doesn't have IT. He can make the throws, is decently mobile, but his decision making is iffy, and he shrinks in big moments not rises (that's what she said).

LB's: Meh.

RB's: Nope.

So in total... guys to watch from OU in my estimation:

1: Tony Jefferson
2: Demontre Hurst
3: Justin Brown

 

[Avenger]

Tom Wort went to my high school, I had cases with his little brother

 

[LuthierJr]

Tom Wort went to my high school, I had cases with his little brother

Love Wort as a college player. He is a tough dude. Don't see him projecting much to NFL, but love him as a sooner.

I think he is a Junior?

 

[kennyb]

what do you think of lane johnson?

 

[manxman2601]

BB has never drafted someone out of Oklahoma and I wonder whether that's coincidence or an issue with the program.

Last year, I had a private army of Oklahoma binkies: Ronnell Lewis, Jamell Fleming, Ryan Broyles and to a lesser extent Frank Alexander.

 

[mayoclinic]

BB has never drafted someone out of Oklahoma and I wonder whether that's coincidence or an issue with the program.

Last year, I had a private army of Oklahoma binkies: Ronnell Lewis, Jamell Fleming, Ryan Broyles and to a lesser extent Frank Alexander.

Good point. Patchick brought this up last spring. I thought Ronnell Lewis might be a great fit, and the Pats did have him in for a visit. I'm guessing it's more than a coincidence, and more likely a vote of no confidence in Bob Stoops' fundamentals, but its just a guess.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

what do you think of lane johnson?

I absolutely liked him going into the season, but needs to see more of this year's tape in order to see where he has improved.

 

[LuthierJr]

RE: Lane Johnson

Solid. Easily OU's best lineman, but I'll be honest and say my view of the entire O-Line is jaded so maybe I'm not giving him a fair shake. They could not run block against good competition (and it's not like the Big 12 is packed with stout Defenses), and while they improved down the stretch their pass blocking was only marginally better against competent opponents.

Now for the positives for Mr. Johnson. He is smart. He was a QB in high school, and then a TE starting out in college and when he transferred to OU he moved to RT. He has good size at 6ft 6in and just over 300 pounds. He obviously has the ability to pick up new positions so I dare say he is coach-able. From all accounts he is a good kid, works hard and keeps quiet.

I read where he is ranked highly for RT's, but I personally don't see it. I see him more as a mid round guy who would be good depth and perhaps work his way into the starting lineup.

 

[LuthierJr]

BB has never drafted someone out of Oklahoma and I wonder whether that's coincidence or an issue with the program.

Last year, I had a private army of Oklahoma binkies: Ronnell Lewis, Jamell Fleming, Ryan Broyles and to a lesser extent Frank Alexander.

That's a good observation. I think it's an OU thing, and perhaps a conference thing to a lesser degree. The Big 12 is known for high powered up-tempo spread and west coast offenses. Conversely they are also known, for the most part, as having soft Defenses. I think OU's recently departed Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables, was a hell of a LB'er coach. They brought back Mike Stoops, Bob's brother, and he is a better D coach all around, but not as good with the Linebackers. I'll be interested to see if he continues the trend and develops some LB's out at Clemson where he is now.

 

[kennyb]

Kenny stills might come out this year. He'd be good for the pats I think. Good route runner...thoughts?

 

[LuthierJr]

Kenny stills might come out this year. He'd be good for the pats I think. Good route runner...thoughts?

Kenny Stills is a nice player if not a bit disappointing this year. Most of Sooner land was expecting more out of him this year. He is not super fast, although fast enough. He does not have great size, but not bad (6-1 190lbs). He is a good route runner, and has good hands. He is the guy who is good at almost everything but not GREAT at any one thing. He did get hit with a DUI, but other than that he has been no problems. After his Junior year we thought we had a superstar in the making, and then this year he went backwards and had a nice, but not spectacular year. That probably has a lot to do with our offensive line not being able to keep pressure off Landry Jones. I'm hoping Stills comes back for his senior year.

I still think Justin Brown is the best receiver on the Sooners, or at least the one with the most NFL potential. He is a bit raw, but he has great size (6-4), not elite, but good speed, and great hands. Can go up and get balls and he is an awesome return man too. He would be a project though, but he has the potential to be a starting #2 WR perhaps, although right out of the blocks he could be a #3. Unless he picks up steam, which I find unlikely, I think he will get drafted in the late rounds 6/7 or perhaps a free agent target to bring into camp and see if he could be developed.

 

[LuthierJr]

Ok since I was asked and I gave a half-hearted answer based on overall impression of the O-Line for the Sooners I went back and watched 7 games I still had on the DVR and watched Lane Johnson.

I have changed my mind about him. Or probably should say I've developed an opinion. The guy is pretty damned good. I would temper this with the cavet that we play in the big 12. Not a powerhouse of defensive players, but there are some good pass rushers.

I think Johnson is better against the run than the pass. He blew guys off the line and kept pushing them back. That wont happen as much in Pros just because of the strength and technique discrepancy but his motor is great and he plays strong. Against the pass he did a great job against both the bull rush and outside speed. Better against the straight rush, but when fast DE's were going for the edge he would get there and keep pushing them out and back creating a nice pocket. I only saw him get fooled by stunts a couple times. Most times he would immediately pick up his new target and engage them.

I wonder how strong he really is. That may be a bit overrated because he plays strong. Plays with great leverage and discipline. I also wonder how he would fare against really speed rushers in the NFL. Although Solder had similar questions and that has worked out well.

I'm not sure where he is projected but I think the guy can absolutely play in the NFL.

PS: Man did we get smoked by Manziel. That kid can play. The Aggies were clearly the better team.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Ok since I was asked and I gave a half-hearted answer based on overall impression of the O-Line for the Sooners I went back and watched 7 games I still had on the DVR and watched Lane Johnson.

I have changed my mind about him. Or probably should say I've developed an opinion. The guy is pretty damned good. I would temper this with the cavet that we play in the big 12. Not a powerhouse of defensive players, but there are some good pass rushers.

I think Johnson is better against the run than the pass. He blew guys off the line and kept pushing them back. That wont happen as much in Pros just because of the strength and technique discrepancy but his motor is great and he plays strong. Against the pass he did a great job against both the bull rush and outside speed. Better against the straight rush, but when fast DE's were going for the edge he would get there and keep pushing them out and back creating a nice pocket. I only saw him get fooled by stunts a couple times. Most times he would immediately pick up his new target and engage them.

I wonder how strong he really is. That may be a bit overrated because he plays strong. Plays with great leverage and discipline. I also wonder how he would fare against really speed rushers in the NFL. Although Solder had similar questions and that has worked out well.

I'm not sure where he is projected but I think the guy can absolutely play in the NFL.

PS: Man did we get smoked by Manziel. That kid can play. The Aggies were clearly the better team.

No disgrace in losing to Manziel, after all he did beat Alabama earlier this year.

I think Johnson needs some technique work, especially with anchoring and sinking his hips as well as a lot of weight room work. But I like the mobility and the knee bending, although when he gets tired, he starts to waist bend, which is a no-no.

He came off the ball a little high, I would prefer to see a flat back, ie: Mankins. On pass plays, once he gets his hands on the defender he does a fairly decent job of controlling him.

In my opinion, he is not in the top four of Jokiel, Mathews, Lewan or Fisher, but he is close. Whoever drafts him needs to season him a little and get him in a pro weight room.

 

[mayoclinic]

No disgrace in losing to Manziel, after all he did beat Alabama earlier this year.

I think Johnson needs some technique work, especially with anchoring and sinking his hips as well as a lot of weight room work. But I like the mobility and the knee bending, although when he gets tired, he starts to waist bend, which is a no-no.

He came off the ball a little high, I would prefer to see a flat back, ie: Mankins. On pass plays, once he gets his hands on the defender he does a fairly decent job of controlling him.

In my opinion, he is not in the top four of Jokiel, Mathews, Lewan or Fisher, but he is close. Whoever drafts him needs to season him a little and get him in a pro weight room.

I think you're right that Johnson needs a bit of strength work, but his upside is enormous. Possibly higher than Fisher's. I think late 1st/early 2nd isn't an unreasonable projection for him. I've seen some projections of him as a possible top 20 pick, and I think that's a stretch at this point in his development.

 

[manxman2601]

Was going to post this in his own thread but it's closed.

Tom Wort declared for the draft today. Another Brit to route for.

 

[Avenger]

Was going to post this in his own thread but it's closed.

Tom Wort declared for the draft today. Another Brit to route for.

Went to my High School, his brother was in my class

 

[LuthierJr]

Was going to post this in his own thread but it's closed.

Tom Wort declared for the draft today. Another Brit to route for.

I saw that. I don't like it actually. He should have stayed. He is a solid college player. He doesn't particularly have the size or strength to be a force in the NFL imo. Perhaps he can catch on in special teams and create a role for himself down the line, but I have a hard time seeing it. Good guy, hard worker, and has great instincts. I wish him the best of luck!