The Sooners return a number of key players, including quarterback Baker Mayfield and tight end/H-back Mark Andrews, but lose a tremendous amount of production at the running back and wide receiver positions.
In this week’s No Huddle Breakdown we take a closer look at who will step up for the Sooners, as well as the established impact players to watch closely.
2016 Oklahoma Tendency Report
| Down |
% Run |
% Pass | Most Common |
| 1st | 68% | 32% | |
| 2nd | 53% | 47% | 24% Pass to Right (12.4 Yards per Play) |
| 3rd | 60% | 40% | 27% Pass to Right (10.1 Yards per Play) |
| Yards To Gain | % Run | % Pass | Most Common |
| 1-3 Yards | 74% | 26% | 28.8% Middle |
| 4-6 Yards | 48% | 52% | 25% Pass to Right |
| 7 + | 56% | 44% | 21% Run to Right |
Personnel
1 RB 0 TE: 55% Pass/ 45% Run
1 RB 1 TE: 38% Pass/ 62% Run
2 RB 0 TE: 28% Pass/ 72% Run
Oklahoma Impact Players
Offense
Jeff Badet
#2 (WR) Senior
6’0” 180
A graduate transfer from Kentucky, Badet is an undersized wide receiver with big play ability. He has very good quickness and agility as he will be used on jet sweeps and bubble screens out of the slot. Has surprising ability to haul in contested catches despite his size and does a great job of catching with his hands away from his body. Uses his athleticism and agility well after the catch to pick up additional yards.
Last Week: 4 receptions 91 yards
Abdul Adams
#23 (RB) Sophomore
5’10” 205
A compact runner with good burst through the line and solid speed. He has improved his agility since last season as he looks much more comfortable in the backfield. He lacks lateral agility and quickness and struggles to pick up additional yardage after contact. He will not factor into the passing game as his coaching staff eluded to him being unable to “catch a cold.”
Last Week: 7 rushes 53 yards
Defense
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
#31 (OLB) Redshirt Senior
6’1” 242
A redshirt senior coming off of a productive 2016 campaign where he compiled 9 sacks and garnered Second Team All- Big 12 accolades. Has played in 32 games with 12 starts. An OLB/Jack LB that possesses tremendous athletic ability and speed off the edge. Will align as a stand-up rusher most plays but will drop into coverage on occasion. Displays rare upfield burst when lined up as an edge rusher and has good cornering ability and bend when running the arc around the tackle. Utilizes good hand placement when engaging at point of attack and shows a good pass rush plan as he is able to use a repertoire of moves to be effective. His speed and aggressiveness are used against him as he struggles to maintain containment as a force player. Lacks awareness when dropping into zone coverage and has committed a fair share of ill-advised penalties and late hits. Will be a handful for Isaiah Prince and Branden Bowen, but look for the Buckeyes to use his upfield burst to their advantage to create throwing lanes. Can be neutralized with an effective inside running game and misdirection.
Last Week: 4 Tackles, 2 TFL, 1 Sack
Jordan Thomas
#7 (CB) Senior
6’0” 186
Has started 28 of 38 career games and registered 16 PBU and 2 INT enroute to being named to the First Team All-Big 12 in 2016. A big CB at 6’0” 186, Jordan possesses excellent speed in the Sooners secondary. Can play in press-man or zone coverages effectively and uses his speed to be effective within his zone. Shows good ability in coverage, using his long arms to be disruptive and making a play on the ball. Has good play strength as he is able to hold his position when battling WR for leverage and can use his speed to bait opposing QB into dangerous throws. Is effective in run support as he is a solid tackler and shows the ability to shed blocks to flow to the action and make a play. Will watch the QB while dropping into coverage and often plays undisciplined by falling for fakes and double moves. Struggled tracking the deep ball in the past but has shown improvements since late in 2016 in his ball skills.
Last Week: 3 Tackles
Other Notables
Baker Mayfield (QB) – A playmaker with his legs and a risk taker with his arm. Very athletic and has a strong arm, will throw deep often and is accurate on the run. Mayfield was featured in last season’s No Huddle Breakdown.
Orlando Brown (LT) – Brown is a behemoth of a man and dominant in run blocking, but leaves a lot to be desired when forced to block in space as he lacks the mobility to be effective. A full report can be found here:
Steven Parker (S) – Big hitter roaming the secondary. Flies downhill in run support and has good instincts and ability to read and react to screens.
Mark Andrews (TE/H/Y) – Listed as a tight end but rarely lines up “in-line”, mainly split wide or in the slot. Big time receiving threat with great hands and an uncanny ability to make the first defender miss for a guy his size.
Emmanuel Beal (WLB) Reynoldsburg, OH – An undersized inside linebacker who wins on effort. Has a nose for the football, was the 2nd leading tackler last season for the Sooners.