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Oklahoma

Crimson Countdown: No. 27 Preston Mickens

Bob Przybyloby: Bob Przybylo08/03/25BPrzybylo
Jay Valai
Jay Valai. (Photo by: Josh McCuistion - SoonerScoop/On3)

The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2025 Oklahoma football season. Everybody wants to forget about 2024 and move forward.

Head coach Brent Venables and staff have attempted to do that. New face calling the offense (Ben Arbuckle). Venables calling the defense, it’s now or never for this regime at OU in the SEC. No beating around the bush.

Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.

Crimson Countdown: No. 27 Preston Mickens

2024 stats: Redshirted, did not play

2025 outlook:

We will be honest here. If Mickens takes any meaningful snaps at cornerback, then the injury bug has absolutely ravaged the spot.

Mickens knows his value for OU in 2025. He’s going to be there to provide quality practice reps against the fellow cornerbacks.

And then when scout team becomes more important during the season, Mickens will have his role there. Everybody has to do their part.

He doesn’t have bad size, so Mickens will give people things to look at and work against. Nothing wrong with that type of contribution in 2025.

2025 cornerback outlook

Stay healthy, period. OK, that’s simplifying things too much, but it has been an issue. Whether it’s something known like what has gone with Gentry Williams. Or just the lingering issue with Eli Bowen ever since spring. OU didn’t get aggressive in the transfer portal to land an experienced cornerback. So that puts a lot of pressure on some younger guys to grow up quickly. There are a lot of options for guys to come in and make their mark. A big season as well for cornerbacks coach Jay Valai to show he can get his guys playing at an elite level.

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