Oklahoma

Developing, Keeping Current Freshmen Class is Critical for Oklahoma’s Future

Published

2 years ago

November 14, 2022

Developing, Keeping Current Freshmen Class is Critical for Oklahoma’s Future

NORMAN — Oklahoma’s stunning slide has raised loads of questions surrounding each the current and the long run. Making a bowl sport, momentum heading into subsequent season and holding the ship afloat recruiting-wise are actual issues the Sooners have to consider now.

Whereas the play on the sphere has been inconsistent at greatest this season, many eyes have turned to the recruiting path.

Brent Venables had a robust summer season of verbal commitments, and nonetheless ranks inside the highest 10, per 247 Sports activities, regardless of a slower tempo these days and a few latest decommitments. The Sooners’ disappointing 2022 season may definitely affect how the recruiting class shapes up.

That’s why it’s much more necessary that the coaches proceed to take a position and develop the present class of freshmen. In line with social media, the 2022 class is dedicated to seeing the turnaround come to fruition.

Shedding can take a toll on athletes, particularly when watching on the sidelines. For the present class of freshmen, this might very properly be essentially the most discombobulated an Oklahoma group has appeared on the soccer area of their lifetime.

Scroll to Proceed

Because the season has progressed and the losses have mounted, Oklahoma’s freshman class has earned rotational taking part in time on each side of the ball.

Jaren Kanak, Robert Spears-Jennings, Gavin Freeman, Javontae Barnes, Gracen Halton, Gentry Williams and R Mason Thomas are all gamers receiving valuables snaps and talked about by the teaching workers as candidates for enchancment all through the season. Retaining the gifted children in Norman, purchased in and able to set the tone for the long run is vital in what Venables is constructing.

“However our guys’ stage of dedication, stage of perception has not wavered,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof mentioned Monday when requested in regards to the youthful gamers. “And that claims lots about who we’ve got in our locker room, and the idea that they’ve in coach Venables and the workers. So definitely all of us want the outcomes would have been higher, however at this level transferring ahead, it is about focusing to enhance so we are able to make these outcomes higher. And that is the place our guys are targeted. And, you understand, I like the perspective. I like our locker room.”

As extra alternatives come up, Oklahoma’s gifted underclassmen may stand out much more. Whereas it’s exhausting to have a voice within the locker room as a freshman, veterans on the group nonetheless discover stable play on the sphere. The final two video games of the season, and probably a bowl sport look, will probably be an opportunity for the first-year gamers to determine themselves as constructing blocks in Venables’ system transferring ahead.

“As a result of it is a freshman, you understand, generally your voice isn’t — you do not have that voice with the upperclassmen, the blokes which were right here a very long time,” Roof mentioned. “However definitely I’ve seen that and I am happy with these guys. And, once more, excited in regards to the future, however enthusiastic about this week and this chance for our soccer group this week.”

Source link

Click to comment

Oklahoma

Oklahoma 111-65 Omaha (Dec 22, 2024) Game Recap – ESPN

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma 111-65 Omaha (Dec 22, 2024) Game Recap – ESPN

NORMAN, Okla. — — Raegan Beers matched a career high with 28 points, and No. 10 Oklahoma rolled past Omaha 111-65 on Sunday.

Beers, a 6-foot-4 center, made 11 of 13 field goals and grabbed nine rebounds to help Oklahoma win its fifth straight since an overtime loss to Duke.

Skylar Vann had 12 points, eight rebounds and eight assists and Kiersten Johnson added 12 points for the Sooners (11-1). Oklahoma scored at least 100 points for the third time this season after entering the day ranked fourth nationally with 90.7 points per game.

Ja Harvey scored 21 points and Cora Olsen added 15 for Omaha. The Mavericks (8-5) had won seven straight since a 79-77 loss to Wisconsin, but gave up a season-high point total against the Sooners.

Oklahoma led 52-34 at halftime, with Beers producing 15 points and six rebounds.

The Sooners exploded in the third quarter, outscoring the Mavericks 35-25 to take an 87-59 lead. It matched the most points Oklahoma has scored in a quarter this season. The Sooners made 14 field goals and five 3-pointers in the period.

Takeaways

Omaha: Aside from Harvey, none of the Mavericks could get going. Harvey made 8 of 14 field goals while the rest of the team made 15 of 52.

Oklahoma: The Sooners continued to bully opponents in the paint and beat them with pace. They outrebounded the Mavericks 57-33 and forced 20 turnovers.

Key moment

Oklahoma set the tone from the beginning by scoring the game’s first eight points. The Sooners led 26-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Key stat

Omaha made just 2 of 21 3-pointers while Oklahoma made 13 of 35.

Up next

Omaha hosts North Dakota on Jan. 2. Oklahoma hosts New Mexico State on Dec. 29.

——

Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

Source link

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooners add another transfer portal quarterback

Published

17 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma Sooners add another transfer portal quarterback

The Oklahoma Sooners made a splash via the transfer portal when they added former Washington State quarterback and the top player in this year’s portal class, John Mateer. But the Sooners weren’t done at quarterback, adding Western Carolina signal caller Cole Gonzales.

Gonzales started 22 games in three seasons with the Catamounts, completing 63.5% of his passes for 6,445 yards, 49 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. On non-sack rushing attempts, Gonzales averaged 5.4 yards per carry and ran for 701 yards and three touchdowns.

In 2023, he was the 2023 Southern Conference Player of the Year and was a two-time first-team All-Conference selection. Last year, he completed 66.1% of his throws for 2,547 yards, 26 touchdowns and threw just six interceptions in 11 games. That year, Gonzales threw for five touchdown passes three times and six games with more than 250 yards passing.

In 2024, he completed 61.7% of his passes for 2,545 yards and 12 touchdowns and threw seven interceptions this season. Gonzales was really efficient in the deep passing game, with a 45.5% completion percentage on throws greater than 20 yards down the field. That was good for sixth in the FCS among quarterbacks with at least 44 pass attempts on deep throws.

In the 2024 season opener against N.C. State, Gonzales threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns, completing 62.9% of his passes. He also carried the ball six times for 78 yards, according to Pro Football Focus, who removes sacks from rushing totals.

Against Furman, in week eight of the 2024 season, Gonzales threw for 620 yards and five touchdowns.

In Gonzales, the Sooners add more quarterback depth to the roster to go along with Mateer, Michael Hawkins Jr., and 2025 signee Jett Niu. He’ll have one year of eligibility remaining in 2024.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

Source link