www.SoonersBlog.com

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Watts and Washington donates to University: Former University of Oklahoma football players Joe Washington and J.C. Watts plan to donate $10,000 to a campus project aimed to bring sharper focus to OU's black history. Norris Williams, director of the Henderson Scholars Program, said about $100,000 will be needed for renovations, plaques, portraits, lighting and secure cases at the Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center. Washington, who works in OU's athletic department, and Watts, a former U.S. congressman, toured the center Thursday morning before announcing the donation. "I've got a check on behalf of Joe and me,” Watts said, "and with it we'd like to have the (center's) conference room named after Prentice Gautt.” (More at The Oklahoman)

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Stoops likes the schedule change: From the Tulsa World.. OU took playing in the Big 12 championship game into consideration when it agreed to play Texas Tech the week before the Nov. 29 Bedlam Series shootout at OSU. "Having been in that many Big 12 Championship games, we count that in our schedule," said Stoops about planning for 13 instead of the normal 12 regular-season games. "We feel it (open-date change) spaces the games out in a positive way." The Nov. 15 bye would come after a challenging seven-week run of games that includes four matchups against what should be Big 12 contenders in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska and Texas A&M. "It breaks up that stretch and gives you time to work on Texas Tech and Oklahoma State in the off week," Stoops said. "It gives you a chance to regroup, and then here comes the stretch run. "And when you get to that late in the year, I like the rhythm of playing every week." (Tulsa World)

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

OU's Wolfe and Walker run the 40; neither time in the top 10: OU cornerback Reggie Smith didn't run at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, likely due to the broken big toe that kept him out of the Fiesta Bowl. Smith will have a chance to show his speed in front of scouts during OU's pro day on March 11. Cornerback Marcus Walker and safety D.J. Wolfe, meanwhile, did run the 40-yard dash at the combine. Walker posted a 40-time of 4.59; Wolfe ran a 4.65. Neither time ranked in the top 10 for defensive backs. (The Oklahoman)

More: Sooners at the NFL Scouting Combine by the Numbers

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma-Texas Tech rescheduled for Nov. 22 from Nov. 15: The 2008 Oklahoma-Texas Tech football game has been re-scheduled for Nov. 22 as part of several games that were moved as part of the Big 12 Conference's television package. The contest was originally slated for Nov. 15. The Nov. 22 date was originally scheduled an on open date for the Sooners. That bye week will now shift to Nov. 15. OU has two open dates during the 2008 season. The other is Sept. 20. (SoonerSports PR)

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

LB Curtis Lofton runs 4.77 40-yard dash: Former Sooner linebacker Curtis Lofton needed a breakout performance at the NFL Scouting Combine to enter serious discussions about emerging as a first-round selection. Now it seems NFL franchises will have to overlook his combine performance for that to be possible Monday, Lofton ran a 4.77 40-yard dash time, which didn't rank inside the top 10 for inside linebackers (already as a whole being termed a "slow group”). Lofton was hoping to run somewhere in the 4.6 range. (The Oklahoman)

More: Sooners at the NFL Scouting Combine by the Numbers

More NFL Scouting Combine at NFL.com

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Sooners participate in limited NFL Scouting Combine: OU wide receiver Malcolm Kelly told reporters in Indianapolis on Friday that he is not going to run or lift at the NFL Scouting Combine because of the quad injury that kept him out of the Fiesta Bowl. Kelly said he originally thought his injury was just a thigh bruise, but it turned out to be a mild strain and that he hasn't been getting proper treatment for the injury. Kelly traveled to Indianapolis to meet with team officials, take the Wonderlic test and get a physical. Several NFL Draft analysts predict Kelly will be taken in the first round, though missing the combine could damage his stock. Kelly is expected to conduct a private workout for scouts in April. OU tight end Joe Jon Finley only participated in the bench press at the combine after injuring his hamstring in the East-West Shrine Game. Running back Allen Patrick isn't expected to participate in any of the speed drills after suffering a mild MCL strain during the East-West Shrine Game. (The Oklahoman)

Bryce Brown picks Miami over OU: That trend continued last week when Miami got a commitment from the top running back in the nation in Bryce Brown, following older brother Arthur Brown, a linebacker who signed with the Hurricanes earlier this month. OU, among other schools, had offered scholarships to both Browns. Miami signed one of the nation's top-5 recruiting classes in February and could repeat that feat again next year with Bryce Brown already on board. (The Oklahoman)

Bradford is efficient, needs to become a playmaker: The Oklahoman

Missing combine a plus for Kelly: The Oklahoman

OU Football Q&A: The Oklahoman

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

NCAA rules in Oklahoma's appeal case: University of Oklahoma President David Boren announced that he had been notified today by the NCAA that it had reversed the penalty vacating the wins of the 2005 season. The University will be able to count its eight victories during the 2005 season including the victory in the Holiday Bowl. "While we are pleased with the findings by the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee, we are most pleased for the 100 student athletes and coaches who played by the rules and worked their hearts out for a successful 2005 season," Boren said. The Appeals Committee upheld the University's contention that the 2005 victories should remain intact. On appeal, OU officials said that erasing the 2005 season from the record books was unfair to the more than 100 student-athletes and coaches who had abided by the rules. In reversing the penalty, the Appeals Committee specifically noted the immediate actions of the institution upon its discovery of the violations, the institution's "powerful self-imposed penalty" in permanently dismissing the two involved student athletes, and the institution's cooperation as significant factors in the ultimate detection of the violations. Additionally, the NCAA reversed a portion of the failure to monitor finding handed down earlier by the Committee on Infractions while sustaining the rest of the committee's finding on monitoring and compliance. "We are committed to continue to work to improve our process in an effort to become a model compliance program using best national practices," Boren said. (SoonerSports.com PR)

Appeals panel allows Oklahoma records to stand: NCAA Press Release

Past Post:
Oklahoma Begins Appeals Process to NCAA Ruling
NCAA Lays the Law Down to Oklahoma -- Sooners to Vacate Wins

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Franklin verbally commits to Oklahoma: Mansfield (Texas) defensive end Terry Franklin committed to Oklahoma on Thursday, giving the Sooners their second commitment for the 2009 class. Franklin, who started for Mansfield Summit High School as a sophomore, now attends Mansfield Legacy High School, which opened its doors in the fall. As a new school, Legacy's 2007 football schedule consisted of mostly junior high teams. The school switch kept Franklin off the radar of a lot of schools, but that didn't deter OU defensive ends coach Chris Wilson and the Sooner staff from offering him a scholarship. OU first learned about Franklin from Legacy head football coach Chris Melson, who played quarterback at Ada High School and for the Sooners in the early 1990s. (The Oklahoman)

Related: Sooners Receive First '09 Commitment

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Report: Oklahoma coordinators' pay increases by 18 percent: Defensive coordinator Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson both received 18 percent raises for 2008, according to their salary figures obtained by The Oklahoman through the Oklahoma Open Records Act. Venables -- who has coached at OU since 1999 -- will make $315,000 in 2008, up from the $265,000 he made in 2007. Wilson -- OU's offensive coordinator for the last two seasons -- will earn $260,000 in 2008, an increase from the $220,000 he made in 2007. Outside of Venables and Wilson, defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator Bobby Jack Wright -- who has been at OU since 1999 -- will earn the most at $225,000. After Venables and Wilson, quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel received the staff's biggest percentage raise. Heupel's 13.3 percent bump increases his yearly salary by $16,000 up to $136,000. (The Oklahoman)

Related: Stoops Set to Earn $5.7 Million in '08.. At Least

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Bob Stoops to earn $2.7 million salary; $3 million bonus in 2008; plus performance bonuses: Bob Stoops is about to become a $6 million coach. Stoops, 47, is scheduled to receive a one-time $3 million benefit on Dec. 31 this year for coaching at OU 10 seasons, according to his contract obtained by The Oklahoman through the Oklahoma Open Records Act. That $3 million benefit, combined with more than $2.77 million he'll receive in guaranteed compensation, along with additional income he could gain from various performance bonuses, means that Stoops could earn more than $6 million in 2008. Sooner athletic director Joe Castiglione admits that figure could invite criticism of OU having misplaced priorities. "People may question why we do certain things," Castiglione said. "But we can measure his impact, not just with success on the field, but the way our team generates interest and excitement because of the leadership of the head coach. He positively affects so many elements of the athletic program, campus community and the state -- you could talk about it from the infusion of excitement to the economic impact." "Bob Stoops is worth every penny and always has been and always will be." (More at The Oklahoman)

Let's not forget the other perks: In addition, Stoops is also provided with
*35 hours annually of private airplane use
*2 automobiles with insurance
*20 football tickets
*Membership and monthly dues at a Norman-area golf course

Also: Back in 2007, Bob Stoops earned a humbling $3.5 million salary. Which at the time was 36 times that of a professor's salary at OU.

Past Post:
Oklahoma's Bob Stoops Highest Paid Coach

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Adrian Peterson's Vikings #28 sixth best selling jersey: Top 20 Best Selling NFL Jerseys from April 1-Feb. 8, on NFLShop.com. (Darren Rovell/CNBC.com)

1. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
3. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
4. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
5. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
6. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
7. Eli Manning, New York Giants
8. Randy Moss, New England Patriots
9. Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears
10. Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
Note: In 1998 Randy Moss became the only NFL Rookie to have the league's most popular jersey.

Peterson No. 6 in jersey sales: The Oklahoman

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Former OU QB Thompson's conviction overturned: [Charles] Thompson, who was arrested at the height of his college football career at OU for dealing cocaine, recently won the battle to clear his name in a public intoxication case when the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals unanimously reversed his conviction and threw out a $69 fine, citing a lack of evidence. "A lot of people thought it was a small matter in terms of a fine, but it was a big matter in terms of my reputation,” Thompson said. "I never should have been arrested.” At trial in January 2007, five witnesses testified there was no alcohol in the room and that Thompson had not been drinking. But a city judge believed the officers and found Thompson guilty. He was fined $69. Thompson appealed the case, saying he wanted to clear his name. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals unanimously reversed the city court's decision. An opinion written by Judge David B. Lewis said the evidence in the case did not support a conviction because the city failed to prove Thompson was drunk in a public place. Thompson said he feels vindicated by the decision. Oklahoma City officials declined to comment. Thompson thanked his attorney, Mike Johnson, who said he waived legal fees to challenge the case because Thompson is a friend. (The Oklahoman)

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Bowers still on team: Sooner reserve safety Brett Bowers is not listed on the team's official online roster. OU sports information Kenny Mossman confirmed that the omission is no mistake, but that Bowers remains on the team. Mossman said coach Bob Stoops might clarify at the first day of spring practice as to why Bowers is not listed on the roster. Bowers will be a senior next season. (The Oklahoman)

OU Pro Day March 11: OU will have its pro testing day the morning of March 11 in the Everest Indoor Training Center. The event will be open to the media but closed to the public. (The Oklahoman)

Continue Reading →

The Sooners entered the 1956 season with a 30 game win streak.. It's September 29, Bud Wilkinson's Sooners host the Tarheels.

The Headlines from then:
Oklahoma Eleven Routs North Carolina and Extends Winning Streak to 31;
Oklahoma lived up to its reputation as the nation's No. 1 football team today, taking advantage of a 35-mile-per hour wind to defeat North Carolina, 36-0. - New York Times

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Brandon Caleb granted medical hardship: Oklahoma receiver Brandon Caleb had received a hardship waiver and has had his sophomore season restored. He will be a soph for the 2008 season. The Atlanta, Ga., native played in the 2007 opener against North Texas and logged one tackle while playing on special teams. He played in 10 games as a freshman in 2006 and most of that action also was on special teams. Caleb incurred the injury on his right knee, but has full clearance to participate in spring drills. The hardship waiver was handed down by the Big 12 Conference. (SoonerSports PR)

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Big 12 Football Championship tickets on sale Friday: Tickets for the 2008 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship Game on Saturday, December 6, at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, go on sale Friday, February 15, at 10 a.m. (Central). Tickets can be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at (800) 676-5488 or (816) 931-3330 in Kansas City, via the internet at www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Arrowhead Stadium ticket office. Tickets will not be sold through the Big 12 Conference office. Tickets are priced at $85, $75, $65 and $55 each based upon location, plus applicable convenience and handling fee charges. Each participating university is allotted approximately 8,500 tickets, which will become available upon qualification for the championship and distributed by the respective participants' ticket office. (Big 12 Press Release)

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Georgia, Oklahoma atop ESPN preseason top 25: From ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
1. Georgia Bulldogs
2. Oklahoma Sooners
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
4. USC Trojans
5. Missouri Tigers
6. Texas Longhorns
7. Florida Gators
8. LSU Tigers
9. Clemson Tigers
10. Arizona State Sun Devils

OU has big shoes to fill at kicker: The Oklahoman

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Adrian Peterson earns MVP honors: From NFL.com.. Sure, Adrian Peterson is a rookie. Sure, the Pro Bowl was a new experience for him. Sure, he might not have been all that familiar with the game's somewhat casual tempo. But Peterson operates at only one speed: Full. That was the reason that he ran for 1,341 yards for the Minnesota Vikings, becoming the first rookie to lead the NFC in that category since Barry Sanders in 1989. That was the reason he established the league's single-game rushing record with 296 yards against San Diego. And that was the speed at which Peterson functioned Sunday in rushing for 129 yards (second-most in Pro Bowl history) and two touchdowns in the NFC's 42-30 victory over the AFC. The performance earned him MVP honors and high praise from his fellow Pro Bowlers. (NFL.com)

Adrian Peterson Pro Bowl highlights: NFL.com

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

UT's Rick Barnes stayed in the Stoops Suite: From Tulsa World Sports blog.. The Longhorns spent Tuesday night at Sooner Legends Inn & Suites in Norman, where Barnes bunked in the Bob Stoops Suite. The pictures and memorabilia were everywhere, prompting this quip from the Texas hoops coach: "We were pretty intimate." (Tulsa World)

Q&A with Jameel Owens: The Oklahoman

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

OLB Ronnie Lewis verbally commits to OU: The Sooners received their first commitment of the 2009 class in Dewar High School outside linebacker Ronnell Lewis. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Lewis starred on both sides of the ball last season as a junior for Class B Dewar, which has been playing 8-man football for the last four years. On offense, Lewis rushed for more than 2,300 yards and scored 40 touchdowns; on defense, he had more than 100 tackles and also intercepted 11 passes. Lewis helped lead Dewar into the Class B state championship where the Dragons suffered their only loss of the season to perennial powerhouse Morrison. For his efforts, Lewis earned honorable-mention All-State honors by The Oklahoman. (The Oklahoman)

Sooners reloading with plenty of Texas imports: Star-Telegram

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

OU Spring Football Info: OU opens spring drills on March 5. The Sooners also practice March 7, March 10 and March 12 before taking off for spring break. The Red / White Game is scheduled for April 12. A handful of Sooners recovering from various injuries won't be participating this spring, coach Bob Stoops said. They include running back Chris Brown (minor knee surgery), defensive end Auston English (minor shoulder surgery), wide receiver Adron Tennell (ACL surgery) and running back DeMarco Murray (patellar tendon surgery). (Tulsa World)

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Ibiloye like the hairstyle: Free safety Joseph Ibiloye got everyone's attention at South Garland's signing ceremony just by removing his baseball cap. Ibiloye had the "OU" logo sheared into his hair on the back of his head. "I wasn't going to do it," said Ibiloye, who signed with Oklahoma, "but I was talking to my barber and just threw my hat down and said, 'Let's do it.'" Ibiloye's teammates ribbed him about having to shave the logo off before school started, since attention-getting hairstyles are against school policy. (Dallas Morning News)

Coaches on the theatrics at signing ceremonies: Muskogee's Stacy McGee and Jameel Owens announced together, with McGee picking up an OU cap and placing it on his head, leaving Owens to pick up an OSU cap, only to pull an OU cap from inside the Cowboy cap. "Some of these kids, you want to slap 'em once they sign,” Barry Switzer said on Jones' radio show Wednesday. It all gets silly, which made Guthrie's Kye Staley a throwback Wednesday when he simply walked into his ceremony wearing an OSU cap. "I wouldn't say it bothers me,” Bob Stoops said of theatrics at recruiting announcements. "It's not my kid, not my young man. But you kind of set yourself up in those situations.” (The Oklahoman)

Where OU Ranks Nationally

Scout.com: #13

ESPN/Scouts Inc.: #8
It added teammates ESPN 150 WR Jameel Owens (Muskogee, Okla.) and Stacy McGee (Muskogee, Okla.) down the stretch to an already impressive class. Right now we believe RB Jermie Calhoun (Van, Texas) is special and will join an already outstanding stable of Sooners running backs and contribute quickly. However, DE R.J. Washington (Keller, Texas/Fossil Ridge) is right on his heels as the premier player in this class.

Rivals.com: #5
The Sooners did their usual sterling job, cleaning up in-state and going into Texas for some top players. They also signed top-ranked players from Georgia, New Jersey and New Mexico.

Tom Lemming, CSTV: #5
Texas players are key to recruiting, and the Sooners secured them very early and kept them: R.J. Washington, arguably the best pass rusher, RBs Jermie Calhoun and Justin Johnston, and OLs Ben Habern and Stephen Good.

SuperPrep: #6
Texas routinely supplies the Sooners with some of their finest talent. This year Bob Stoops raided the Lone Star state for five-star RBs Jermie Calhoun and Justin Johnson as well as highly regarded DE R.J. Washington and OLs Stephen Good and Ben Habern.

Oklahoma, Texas post top-10 classes: ESPN.com

Landry Jones Ready to Work: SoonerSports.com

The deals are sealed: Muskogee Phoenix

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Getting who they wanted: Norman Transcript

Talented Texas sign with Sooners: Tulsa World

OU Recruiting Breakdown: Tulsa World

Jones says no to OU: The Oklahoman

Sooners sign another stellar class: The Oklahoman

Nerves don't stop Owens from signing with OU: The Oklahoman

Oklahoma 2008 recruiting class: Dallas Morning News

Stars would sooner go north than be in Texas: Star-Telegram

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Class of 2008 Oklahoma Football commitments.

Justin Johnson	RB	6-1	210	Gilmer, Texas	Gilmer HS
Landry Jones	QB	6-4	210	Artesia, N.M.	Artesia HS
Britt Mitchell	OL	6-6	320	Roscoe, Texas	Roscoe HS
Daniel Franklin	LB	6-3	220	Mount Airy, Ga.	Habersham Central HS
Dejuan Miller	WR	6-5	200	Metuchen, N.J.	Metuchen HS
James Hanna	TE	6-4	215	Flower Mound, Texas	Flower Mound HS
David King	DE	6-4	240	Houston, Texas	Strake Jesuit Prep
J.R. Bryant	LB	6-3	230	Jesup, Ga.	Garden City CC (Kan.) (JUCO)
Josh Jarboe	WR	6-3	195	Decatur, Ga.	Cedar Grove HS
Mike Balogun	LB	6-2	250	Upper Marlboro, Md.	Lackawanna CC (Pa.) (JUCO)
Tress Way	K	6-1	190	Tulsa, Okla.	Union HS
Joseph Ibiloye	LB	6-4	205	Garland, Texas	South Garland HS
Stephen Good	OL	6-5	305	Paris, Texas	Paris HS
Lamar Harris	DB	6-2	180	Gilmer, Texas	Gilmer HS
R.J. Washington	DE	6-4	242	Fort Worth, Texas	Keller Fossil Ridge HS
Stacy McGee	DL	6-4	260	Muskogee, Okla.	Muskogee HS
Jameel Owens	WR	6-3	200	Muskogee, Okla.	Muskogee HS
Jermie Calhoun	RB	6-0	210	Ben Wheeler, Texas	Van HS
Casey Walker	DL	6-3	285	Garland, Texas	Garland HS
Ben Habern	OL	6-4	275	Argyle, Texas	Liberty Christian HS
David Sims	DB	5-11	198	Gainesville, Fla.	Butte College (Calif.) (JUCO)

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Jones opts for Alabama: Julio Jones, the nation's top-ranked wide receiver prospect in the class of 2008, has committed to Alabama on National Signing Day Wednesday. Jones, the No. 2 player in the nation according to ESPN.com, made his committment on ESPNU at 12:30pm EST. The Foley (AL) native will stay in-state, becoming the highest-touted player in the Nick Saban regime with the Crimson Tide. "Alabama just felt like home," said Jones. "It's where I felt most comfortable." (TransworldNews)

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Julio Jones to announce decision on ESPNU: All eyes will be on Foley, Ala., today, to see if Alabama can cap off a celebrated football recruiting season with a national signing day commitment from the consensus top player in the state.Foley High School wide receiver Julio Jones, rated a Top 5 national prospect by the various recruiting services, will make his final college choice at 12:30 p.m. (ET) today in a news conference to be broadcast live on ESPNU.The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Jones has been mostly silent on his destination, but has publicly narrowed his choices to Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma and Texas Tech.Tom Luginbill, national director of recruiting for ESPN Scouts Inc., said late last week that the race for Jones has been all but narrowed to two programs."It's down to Oklahoma and Alabama, in my opinion," Luginbill said on ESPNews. "He's got to make a choice -- does he stay in state... or does he go to Oklahoma, where I think it's more of a ready-made offense right now? It's going to come down to those two. I think he'll stick with Alabama."(Ledger-Enquirer)

Union kicker is eager to compete: Tulsa World

Break down of OU Signing Day: Tulsa World

In recruiting, teams nationwide want a taste of Texas: Dallas Morning News

OU is believing in receiving today: The Oklahoman

OU's class at a glance: The Oklahoman

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Report: Harris commits to Oklahoma: It's been widely considered that Gilmer, Texas, defensive back Lamar Harris would join high school teammate Justin Johnson at Oklahoma. However, his camp has been mostly mum about it until Tuesday when Gilmer coach Jeff Traylor told Sooners Illustrated that Lamar Harris will be a Sooner. (SoonersIllustrated.com) Subscription required

Johnson Ready to Run for OU: SoonerSports.com

Sooners, Cowboys tap into Texas talent: Tulsa World

OU coaches' ratings high: The Oklahoman

Rivals5: Top stories in Texas: Yahoo! Sports

Freshman seeks work, can start immediately: Star-Telegram

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Julio Jones at 'Bama hoops game: Julio Jones, the wide receiver from Foley, Ala., who's ranked by some services as the No. 1 player in the nation, reportedly took an official visit to Alabama this weekend for the Crimson Tide's basketball game against LSU. During a second-half timeout, Tide fans reportedly began chanting Jones' first name as he sat with Foley teammate Robert Lester and previous verbal commitment Burton Scott. (Tulsa World)

Sooners offense and Bradford recognized by NCAA: Each year the NCAA sends out certificates to recognize statistical champions for the sport of football. For all its success and probably due to its balance, Oklahoma has been something of a rare recipient. That changed this year when Sam Bradford finished as the nation's leader in passing efficiency and OU's team topped the nation in the same category. Bradford finished with an efficiency of 176.5 to outdistance Florida quarterback and Heisman winner Tim Tebow, who finished at 172.5. As a team, Oklahoma finished at 170.6 with Florida second at 170.1. Oklahoma had not won an individual statistical championship since 1979 when running back Billy Sims led the nation in scoring with 138 points. (SoonerSports.com)

Seven Former Sooners invited to NFL Combine: Over the weekend, the NFL Combine released its invite list, which includes receiver Malcolm Kelly, linebacker Curtis Lofton, cornerback Reggie Smith, running back Allen Patrick, cornerback Marcus Walker, tight end Joe Jon Finley and safety D.J. Wolfe. The combine will take place Feb. 20-26 in Indianapolis. (The Oklahoman)The NFL combine will be televised on NFL Network.

Junior day at OU: It's the last weekend senior prospects can make campus visits before Wednesday's signing day, but with several dozen juniors on campus for OU's official "Junior Day," there are no official visits scheduled for this weekend. Among those in Norman: Bryce Brown, a running back from Wichita, Kan., who might project as the No. 1 back in the country next year; David Oku, the 5-foot-8, 176-pound running back from Midwest City Carl Albert (widely considered the top back in the state next season), wide receiver Greg Timmons of Aldine, Texas, who's widely considered one of the top wideout prospects in Texas, and Thomas Ashcraft of Cedar Hill, Texas, who may rank as the top offensive lineman in Texas. (Tulsa World)

OU needs help at several positions: The Oklahoman

Jones' signing to be broadcast on Web: The Oklahoman

Sooner recruit learns a lesson: Tulsa World

Stoops insists Sooners are OK: Tulsa World

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and Wes Welker to be honored at Headliner Banquet: Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops and New England receiver Wes Welker will be honored by The March of Dimes at the 32nd annual Sports Headliner Banquet, at 7 p.m. March 12 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Welker, an Oklahoma native who played football at Heritage Hall High School and Texas Tech, is this year's Sports Headliner. He is a wide receiver for the New England Patriots. Welker set a franchise record in the 2007 regular season with 112 receptions, which also tied for the NFL lead. Stoops is this year's Headliner Special. This year's OU team won the Big 12 championship and played in the Fiesta Bowl. The March 12 event at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City will begin with a special reception for sponsors at 6 p.m. followed by the awards dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are still available. Please contact the March of Dimes at (405) 943-1025 or MarchofDimes.com/Oklahoma for more information. (The Oklahoman) In addition, Sam Bradford and former Oklahoma runningback Adrian Peterson will be given honoree awards.

Continue Reading →

Can you guess this former Sooner? If not, your not alone. Supposedly it's a slimmed down, Moe (Lawrence) Dampeer, the former defensive tackle that suddenly vanished from the team after the '04 season. According to thelostogle.com, Dampeer is off to Hollywood and the next American Idol round. I'm skeptical, though, It's kinda hard to imagine its Dampeer. (Below: Moe in '03, weighing 300lbs)


Stay tuned for more on this...

On the trail … Moe Dampeer on American Idol: NewsOK.com Blog

Continue Reading →

Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes

Adrian Peterson named Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was chosen as the 2007 Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year, the NFL announced Thursday in Phoenix. The former Oklahoma star won the award in fan voting on the NFL's Web site. Nearly 440,000 fans voted from Jan. 3-28, topping last year's record of 363,500 voters. Peterson was one of five finalists for the award. The other finalists were wide receiver Dwayne Bowe of the Kansas City Chiefs; running back Marshawn Lynch of the Buffalo Bills; offensive tackle Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns and linebacker Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers. (The Oklahoman)

A reality check good for recruit: The Oklahoman

Continue Reading →