Predict the Starters

[BUDDY G_rivals25215]

QB: Trevor Knight - I think the competition will be tight but I believe he'll be our game one starter. Doubt he'll make it through the entire season though.

RB: Samaje Perine - My powers of foresight are amazing right?

WR: Sterling Shepard - A lock.

WR: KJ Young - No a risky guess but the talent is their and his experience will help his progression.

WR: Jordan Smallwood - His physical presence will put him on the field.

WR: Jeffrey Mead - Think he'll fill a Gresham-eque role as a WR/TE combo.

LT: Alex Dalton - Fits the mold of undersized but athletic guy who can match up with speedy edge rushers.

LG: Orlando Brown - A mammoth inside similar to Savage and Shead...but bigger.

OC: Ty Darlington - No brainer.

RG: Kenyon Frison - A more athletic guy who should be bigger soon who can run and pass block equally.

RT: Derek Farniok - Experience a plus, but not a blindside protector.


Defense:

DE: Matt Dimon - Needs to be more explosive but he's a sound football player.

NT: Matt Romar - Did good in a back-up role. Won't dominate the time but will start.

DE: Charles Walker - When healthy he's shown potential. One of the few bright spots against Clemson.

OL: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo - An athlete with a motor. A bigger, stronger Striker. Ready for a breakout.

OL: Eric Striker - Asked to do to much last year. He disrupts things...let him disrupt.

IB: Frank Shannon - Pick up where he left off adding a consistent presence.

IB: Dominque Alexander - The tools are there. Must improve in pass coverage.

CB: Zack Sanchez - Elite when healthy.

CB: Jordan Thomas - Potential is there and should have big improvement in year 2.

SS: Steven Parker - The whole package.

FS: Hatari Byrd - Has the range to do what we're asking this position to do..which is to much.



Note: I think Ahmad Thomas will play regularly but I think one of last year's DBs will be replaced to open the season.

 

[Earle36]

Originally posted by bcsoonerfan:
QB: Trevor Knight - I think the competition will be tight but I believe he'll be our game one starter. Doubt he'll make it through the entire season though.

RB: Samaje Perine - My powers of foresight are amazing right?

WR: Sterling Shepard - A lock.

WR: KJ Young - No a risky guess but the talent is their and his experience will help his progression.

WR: Jordan Smallwood - His physical presence will put him on the field.

WR: Jeffrey Mead - Think he'll fill a Gresham-eque role as a WR/TE combo.

LT: Alex Dalton - Fits the mold of undersized but athletic guy who can match up with speedy edge rushers.

LG: Orlando Brown - A mammoth inside similar to Savage and Shead...but bigger.

OC: Ty Darlington - No brainer.

RG: Kenyon Frison - A more athletic guy who should be bigger soon who can run and pass block equally.

RT: Derek Farniok - Experience a plus, but not a blindside protector.


Defense:

DE: Matt Dimon - Needs to be more explosive but he's a sound football player.

NT: Matt Romar - Did good in a back-up role. Won't dominate the time but will start.

DE: Charles Walker - When healthy he's shown potential. One of the few bright spots against Clemson.

OL: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo - An athlete with a motor. A bigger, stronger Striker. Ready for a breakout.

OL: Eric Striker - Asked to do to much last year. He disrupts things...let him disrupt.

IB: Frank Shannon - Pick up where he left off adding a consistent presence.

IB: Dominque Alexander - The tools are there. Must improve in pass coverage.

CB: Zack Sanchez - Elite when healthy.

CB: Jordan Thomas - Potential is there and should have big improvement in year 2.

SS: Steven Parker - The whole package.

FS: Hatari Byrd - Has the range to do what we're asking this position to do..which is to much.



Note: I think Ahmad Thomas will play regularly but I think one of last year's DBs will be replaced to open the season.

QB: Trevor Knight - I think the competition will be tight but I believe
he'll be our game one starter. Doubt he'll make it through the entire
season though.

RB: Samaje Perine - Maybe, maybe not. Who knows as we have some great backs. I am positive Perine will get lots of carries, just not going to annoint any of them as the starter as Riley may use our backs differently than before.

WR: Sterling Shepard - A lock.

WR: KJ Young - No a risky guess but the talent is their and his experience will help his progression.

WR: Jordan Smallwood - His physical presence will put him on the field.

WR: Jeffrey Mead - Think he'll fill a Gresham-eque role as a WR/TE combo.

LT: Alex Dalton - Or maybe Frison or Brown
LG: Nila will start at one of the Guard slots.
OC: Ty Darlington - No brainer.

RG: Have no idea who the other guard might be. My guess is that one of the OT prospects might wind up here. - Frison is also a tackle
RT: Derek Farniok - Dont think so. He just isn't up to it. I think Frison or Brown will be here.

Defense:

DE: Charles Tapper: I actually like Tapper here. He is better at DE. I like Dimon, but don't think he will beat out tapper

NT: Matt Romar - I wouldn't count out Wade just yet.

DE: Charles Walker - or maybe Dimon

OL: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo - An athlete with a motor. A bigger, stronger Striker. Ready for a breakout.

OL: Eric Striker - Asked to do to much last year. He disrupts things...let him disrupt.

IB: Frank Shannon - Pick up where he left off adding a consistent presence.

IB: Dominque Alexander - The tools are there. Must improve in pass coverage.

I don't think we are going to put four LBers on the field. We need guys that can cover. One or two of the LBers you have are not going to get lots of PT. We will be forced to put another DB [nickle back] out there on many occasions against conference offenses.

CB: Zack Sanchez - Elite when healthy.

CB: Jordan Thomas - I will go for Thomas as I don't see anyone out there. We are going to need lots of help from the true fish or a RSCB.


SS: Steven Parker - The whole package.

FS: I'm not sold on Bird or Thomas. I'm hoping that one of the new recruits will show up big time.

 

[BUDDY G_rivals25215]

I totally brain farted on Tapper and Kasitati.

 

[Earle36]

Originally posted by bcsoonerfan:
I totally brain farted on Tapper and Kasitati.

I blew it on Knight as well. Riley needs a guy who can read defenses and make accurate throws. Just don't think that is Knigh. Baker or one of the others has a good shot or so I think.

And, BC you blew it on the tackles as well.

Dalton was recruited as a Center and we need Dalton to get lots of work to backup Darlington. If you remember Nila was Darlington's backup. Moving Nila to cover for a hurt Darlington just weakens the guard spot.

On the Tackles we should be ok. We have St John, Daimler, Brown, Frison and Farniok all competing for a starting job. Out of these five we should be good. Don't know where the other starting guard and backups will come from.

 

[maize_N_brew]

Originally posted by roygbell:

Originally posted by bcsoonerfan:
I totally brain farted on Tapper and Kasitati.

I blew it on Knight as well. Riley needs a guy who can read defenses and make accurate throws. Just don't think that is Knigh. Baker or one of the others has a good shot or so I think.

And, BC you blew it on the tackles as well.

Dalton was recruited as a Center and we need Dalton to get lots of work to backup Darlington. If you remember Nila was Darlington's backup. Moving Nila to cover for a hurt Darlington just weakens the guard spot.

On the Tackles we should be ok. We have St John, Daimler, Brown, Frison and Farniok all competing for a starting job. Out of these five we should be good. Don't know where the other starting guard and backups will come from.

I will step out there and say that Baker will be the first game starter. He understands for the most part the offense that is currently being re-installed....rest of the team?...don't know. Just want someone/something on defense to not suck!

 

[Rob Lewis_rivals]

I'll wait until mid-April because there are few set positions beyond those of Shepard, Perine, Kasitati, Darlington, Sanchez, Shannon, Striker, Tapper, Alexander and Evans.

 

[Earle36]

Originally posted by CTOkie:
I'll wait until mid-April because there are few set positions beyond those of Shepard, Perine, Kasitati, Darlington, Sanchez, Shannon, Striker, Tapper, Alexander and Evans.

CT, you really think you will ever see Shannon, Striker, Alexander and Evans in the game at the same time?

I just don't see it. Where is the pass coverage going to come from?

We need cover guys more than we need anything else.

 

[Rob Lewis_rivals]

Originally posted by roygbell:

Originally posted by CTOkie:
I'll wait until mid-April because there are few set positions beyond those of Shepard, Perine, Kasitati, Darlington, Sanchez, Shannon, Striker, Tapper, Alexander and Evans.

CT, you really think you will ever see Shannon, Striker, Alexander and Evans in the game at the same time?

I just don't see it. Where is the pass coverage going to come from?

We need cover guys more than we need anything else.

The 2014 depth chart lists Striker, Grissom, Evans and Alexander as starting linebackers. Shannon was unavailable, so I guessed he would replace Grissom in 2015, with the other three hanging on to their positions.

 

[Earle36]

Originally posted by CTOkie:

Originally posted by roygbell:

Originally posted by CTOkie:
I'll wait until mid-April because there are few set positions beyond those of Shepard, Perine, Kasitati, Darlington, Sanchez, Shannon, Striker, Tapper, Alexander and Evans.

CT, you really think you will ever see Shannon, Striker, Alexander and Evans in the game at the same time?

I just don't see it. Where is the pass coverage going to come from?

We need cover guys more than we need anything else.

The 2014 depth chart lists Striker, Grissom, Evans and Alexander as starting linebackers. Shannon was unavailable, so I guessed he would replace Grissom in 2015, with the other three hanging on to their positions.

I'm thinking we need cover guys and none of the above are good cover guys. I don't think we can afford four LBers on the field.

 

[NoleGa_rivals170091]

Originally posted by roygbell:

Originally posted by CTOkie:

Originally posted by roygbell:

Originally posted by CTOkie:
I'll wait until mid-April because there are few set positions beyond those of Shepard, Perine, Kasitati, Darlington, Sanchez, Shannon, Striker, Tapper, Alexander and Evans.

CT, you really think you will ever see Shannon, Striker, Alexander and Evans in the game at the same time?

I just don't see it. Where is the pass coverage going to come from?

We need cover guys more than we need anything else.

The 2014 depth chart lists Striker, Grissom, Evans and Alexander as starting linebackers. Shannon was unavailable, so I guessed he would replace Grissom in 2015, with the other three hanging on to their positions.

I'm thinking we need cover guys and none of the above are good cover guys. I don't think we can afford four LBers on the field.

Not to derail anything but can LB's knock the snot out of receivers in the first 5 yards without getting ejected anymore ? If legal, why not put the wrath of our last Championship defense on the field this year ?

 

[Rob Lewis_rivals]

Originally posted by roygbell:

Originally posted by CTOkie:

Originally posted by roygbell:

Originally posted by CTOkie:
I'll wait until mid-April because there are few set positions beyond those of Shepard, Perine, Kasitati, Darlington, Sanchez, Shannon, Striker, Tapper, Alexander and Evans.

CT, you really think you will ever see Shannon, Striker, Alexander and Evans in the game at the same time?

I just don't see it. Where is the pass coverage going to come from?

We need cover guys more than we need anything else.

The 2014 depth chart lists Striker, Grissom, Evans and Alexander as starting linebackers. Shannon was unavailable, so I guessed he would replace Grissom in 2015, with the other three hanging on to their positions.

I'm thinking we need cover guys and none of the above are good cover guys. I don't think we can afford four LBers on the field.

Good point, Roy. Like I said before, determining the depth chart prior to spring ball and/or September is anyone's guess given how this team is in such a state of transition....both in terms of coaching and personnel.
The talent level is in place to win 9-10 games, but competing for a final four playoff spot for 2015 looks like a long shot.

 

[John Otterstedt]

Originally posted by roygbell:
On the Tackles we should be ok. We have St John, Daimler, Brown, Frison and Farniok all competing for a starting job. Out of these five we should be good. Don't know where the other starting guard and backups will come from.

Jamal Danley is a JuCo recruit that will probably play guard. He was the #1 JuCo guard this year, so he can probably push for starting time or definitely be a significant contributor. Stoops has already said that he expect Danley to contribute, and I believe Danley is already on campus and will be training with the team this Spring.

https://twitter.com/OU_Football/status/562979837011591172

"Gundy projects Jamal Danley at guard, says he's "extremely athletic.""


Cody Ford could possibly push for significant time as a freshman as well. He already has the size and strength to play.

 

[Raysor]

I have no idea who will start in the OLine and anybody here on that top is just guessing besides Darlington and Kasitati. And I think there is a chance that one of those guys won't start. We were not very good inside last year, and those two guys were the least good of the performers. We'll see. I'd love to see Danley come in and start, because I'm not impressed with the guard roster.But over the years, there have been a lot of Juco AA's who weren't contributors.

Same thing at safety. We weren't very good back there last year. Three really good freshmen arriving. I thought Parker was not as good as advertised. But it's a tough place for a true freshman. So much mental stuff. '

I think that on offense, Mayfield will win the starting job if he's healthy and it won't be close. In fact, I think he might be a national story next season. The thing about OUr quarterbacks. I think they are going to get hit a lot. This oline scares me.

The best three receivers will be Shep, Westbrook and Quick. I think they are going to use a lot of two back stuff with Mixon and Perine-Ford. And Mixon will end up in the slot more than a little. Neal when it's not Mixon. And don't count out Flowers.

On defense, I think that Wade will be a big factor or be gone. I don't think we know all of the reasons he watched last season. I think Tapper and Romar will play, but Romar's injury will slow him down. I think we'll play more 4-3 next year than expected with Striker going back and forth between DE and OLB. And then I think Alexander ends up on the outside. I loved him there before being forced inside. Then Evans and Shannon play inside. And Bond will play some, somewhere. Maybe even alternating with Striker. Eric is not a quality nickel back. He makes a lot of plays. But he also gets taken advantage of.

 

[Earle36]

Originally posted by Plainosooner:
I have no idea who will start in the OLine and anybody here on that top is just guessing besides Darlington and Kasitati. And I think there is a chance that one of those guys won't start. We were not very good inside last year, and those two guys were the least good of the performers. We'll see. I'd love to see Danley come in and start, because I'm not impressed with the guard roster.But over the years, there have been a lot of Juco AA's who weren't contributors.

Same thing at safety. We weren't very good back there last year. Three really good freshmen arriving. I thought Parker was not as good as advertised. But it's a tough place for a true freshman. So much mental stuff. '

I think that on offense, Mayfield will win the starting job if he's healthy and it won't be close. In fact, I think he might be a national story next season. The thing about OUr quarterbacks. I think they are going to get hit a lot. This oline scares me.

The best three receivers will be Shep, Westbrook and Quick. I think they are going to use a lot of two back stuff with Mixon and Perine-Ford. And Mixon will end up in the slot more than a little. Neal when it's not Mixon. And don't count out Flowers.

On defense, I think that Wade will be a big factor or be gone. I don't think we know all of the reasons he watched last season. I think Tapper and Romar will play, but Romar's injury will slow him down. I think we'll play more 4-3 next year than expected with Striker going back and forth between DE and OLB. And then I think Alexander ends up on the outside. I loved him there before being forced inside. Then Evans and Shannon play inside. And Bond will play some, somewhere. Maybe even alternating with Striker. Eric is not a quality nickel back. He makes a lot of plays. But he also gets taken advantage of.

Thanks, but we all know it is a guessing game.

 

[Raysor]

Well it is a guessing game and it isn't.

It's one thing to look at the quarterbacks, whom most of us have seen, except for Hansen.

It's a totally different thing to evaluate Olinemen whom we've never seen take a snap. It's not even an educated guess. It would be like somebody showing me a picture of five different scoopers and asking me to pick which one is RoyBell. Except for choosing the one with strabismus, how would I choose?

 

[John Otterstedt]

Originally posted by Plainosooner:

But over the years, there have been a lot of Juco AA's who weren't contributors.

The best three receivers will be Shep, Westbrook and Quick.

I guess Westbrook is a JuCo you can endorse.

Stoops, himself, has stated that he expects both Westbrook and Danley to contribute.

 

[Raysor]

I've seen his videos and very nice things are being said about him in off season workouts. Watching performance in juco games is considerably more reliable than the unevenness of high school tape. He's also a junior who has been playing the last two years.

So it's not as reliable as watching him in Sooner games. But it is something. Most of us know nothing about OLine guys at all, even if we've seen them play a little. But of the three I've seen, and remember, none of it was very good. Kind of like the old joke from Jess Neely more than 50 years ago, when he was returning most of his squad from a one win season.

Having experience isn't nearly so valuable, when the experienced guys weren't very good. I'm really hopeful about several inside players offensively. But none of us know anything about most of the guys being projected to start. Knowing a little is different than knowing nothing.

I know a little Westbrook. And what's going on in the ofsf season as far as receivers, has a little more impact than with the big guy. Especially smallish guys like Westbrook can be awesome when only quickness matters. But getting open is pretty much the same process in pads or not. Apparently, he can.

 

[FSuMan5030_rivals22075]

According to Bob's spring press conference he loves him some Kenyon Frison. Gotta think that kid is going to get a long look at one of the OT positions this spring.

New offense with a practically brand new Oline (not including the 2 returning guys Plaino doesn't think highly of) may mean some ugly offense the first few weeks of the season.

That trip to Knoxville may be down right interesting.

 

[John Otterstedt]

Originally posted by Jaaa:

According to Bob's spring press conference he loves him some Kenyon Frison. Gotta think that kid is going to get a long look at one of the OT positions this spring.

Frison was a big time recruit, so if he's also developing quickly, he could be a special tackle.
Personally, I think Kasitati is a lock. Darlington is the only of the two that I could throw stones at, but that was kind of expected last year, wasn't it? He should be better this year.

I'm not as low on Farniok as most are. I think he can be a machine. His boneheaded plays of the past looked more like inexperience than lack of talent. If he's a starter and making most of the snaps, I'd expect him to be more consistent.

 

[blueconnundrum]

Originally posted by Plainosooner:
I have no idea who will start in the OLine and anybody here on that top is just guessing besides Darlington and Kasitati. And I think there is a chance that one of those guys won't start. We were not very good inside last year, and those two guys were the least good of the performers. We'll see. I'd love to see Danley come in and start, because I'm not impressed with the guard roster.But over the years, there have been a lot of Juco AA's who weren't contributors.

Same thing at safety. We weren't very good back there last year. Three really good freshmen arriving. I thought Parker was not as good as advertised. But it's a tough place for a true freshman. So much mental stuff. '

I think that on offense, Mayfield will win the starting job if he's healthy and it won't be close. In fact, I think he might be a national story next season. The thing about OUr quarterbacks. I think they are going to get hit a lot. This oline scares me.

The best three receivers will be Shep, Westbrook and Quick. I think they are going to use a lot of two back stuff with Mixon and Perine-Ford. And Mixon will end up in the slot more than a little. Neal when it's not Mixon. And don't count out Flowers.

On defense, I think that Wade will be a big factor or be gone. I don't think we know all of the reasons he watched last season. I think Tapper and Romar will play, but Romar's injury will slow him down. I think we'll play more 4-3 next year than expected with Striker going back and forth between DE and OLB. And then I think Alexander ends up on the outside. I loved him there before being forced inside. Then Evans and Shannon play inside. And Bond will play some, somewhere. Maybe even alternating with Striker. Eric is not a quality nickel back. He makes a lot of plays. But he also gets taken advantage of.

I think Durron > Quick

 

[John Otterstedt]

Originally posted by rush4life:
I think Durron > Quick

Durron was a junior right? The progress from junior to senior is much less than the progress from true freshman to sophomore. If Quick develops this off-season, he should be much better than Durron.

 

[blueconnundrum]

Originally posted by JConXtsy:

Originally posted by rush4life:
I think Durron > Quick

Durron was a junior right? The progress from junior to senior is much less than the progress from true freshman to sophomore. If Quick develops this off-season, he should be much better than Durron.

Progress is a player by player basis. Durron didn't have a bad year with inconsistent qb play and an inept play caller. He will benefit from this offense and OC.

This post was edited on 3/6 10:08 AM by rush4life

 

[micotrav]

I only change the following:

QB Mayfield. Trevor benefited so much from Jalen Saunders and a healthy Shep.
RB Mixon..maybe not starting but once he does he not coming off.
WR Westbrook..maybe All Big Twelve
WR Todd...will become a go to guy.
LB Bolton..the next Calmus