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Oklahoma TE Brayden Willis Embracing His New Role On and Off the Field

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Oklahoma TE Brayden Willis Embracing His New Role On and Off the Field


Brayden Willis is embracing a brand new position for his final season in Norman.

The tremendous senior is the brand new clear-cut chief within the tight ends room, each on and off the sector.

With 36 profession receptions, 484 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns to his identify, Willis is the one tight finish with vital expertise taking part in on Owen Area.

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However whereas Willis is making ready to be the go-to goal out of the tight finish room, he’s stepping up his sport as a frontrunner for the whole offense.

Willis has battled by means of place battles, accidents and now a serious teaching change in Norman, expertise that the Arlington, TX, native believes has helped him discover his voice.

“It helps me as a frontrunner,” Willis stated final Thursday after OU’s observe. “Each time I get to undergo adversity or one thing alongside that traces, it simply helps me as a frontrunner, helps me grow to be a greater particular person. And it helps me assist my teammates which are youthful and have not been by means of it.”

Nonetheless, as Willis and his teammates adjusted to a brand new offense this offseason, questions remained about simply how a lot incoming offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby deliberate to make the most of Oklahoma’s tight ends.

Final 12 months at Ole Miss, tight ends have been nearly non-existent within the Rebels’ passing sport although Lebby’s offense ran greater than sufficient performs to unfold the wealth.

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On the eve of fall camp, Lebby quelled any of these fears with a succinct reply about his plans for Willis.

Brayden Willis
Brayden Willis - TCU TD

“Brayden goes to be very, very concerned,” he stated. “… We’re going to play in all these completely different packages the place we’re getting completely different guys concerned. I believe it’s vital to search out methods to get our greatest guys on the sector.

“So long as we’re doing that and placing guys in place to have success, we’re going to have an opportunity to roll like we wish to.”

It might be no shock to see Willis prime his earlier career-high of 15 receptions this season, however that side of the sport isn’t what tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley is fearful about.

Over the course of the summer time, Finley was targeted on giving Willis and teammate Brandon Parker the entire instruments vital to assist carry alongside the children within the room.

“I couldn’t present up and Brayden Willis can be a heck of a soccer participant for us this 12 months,” Finley stated earlier in August. “Now it’s — I discuss to those guys on a regular basis. What’s the distinction between (Michael) Jordan and Allen Iverson or Jordan and nice basketball gamers that haven’t received championships?

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“The management… That man knew easy methods to carry his teammates together with him and put together these guys for championship moments which you can’t put together for until you try this every single day in observe. And in order that’s my problem to him and Daniel Parker is like, ‘hey man you’ve gotta lead. That is y’all’s soccer crew.’”

Finley isn’t fearful about Willis’ focus or drive to enhance, both.

Embracing the truth of getting into his ultimate 12 months with the Sooners, Finley stated Willis is laser-focused on doing every little thing he can to make it to the following degree. A lot so, that Finley stated he’s needed to remind Willis to decelerate and soak within the expertise of this season at instances.

“He’s introduced it each single day since I’ve been right here,” Finley stated. “Even final 12 months. We had three guys that have been gonna play after which that man, I imply he catches 10,000 balls each single summer time. That’s lots of balls to catch on the jugs machine, you already know what I imply?

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“It simply type of sneakers you the dedication that he has. That’s how locked in he’s. It’s exhausting to joke with him proper now as a result of he’s so locked in. I’m making an attempt to get him to calm down slightly bit like, ‘hey man you bought to take pleasure in these items too.’ However he’s obtained that look in his eye of willpower and I’ve simply been pleased with how he’s main the soccer crew.”

Switch quarterback Dillon Gabriel has additionally felt the influence of Willis.

The Hawaiian signal-caller stated he’s been impressed by Willis’ demeanor since he arrived at Oklahoma, and that it’s simple to see why so lots of Willis’ teammates on the offense look as much as the veteran tight finish.

“He is a fierce competitor,” Gabriel stated. “He is only a stud in each space of his life. Very calm. Additionally, when he speaks, everybody listens. You bought to have a man like that. It takes multiple man, for positive, and having a man like Brayden who has put within the time and work and energy yearly, simply seeing his progress in solely this 12 months, I can solely think about how far he is come.”

Brent Venables has revamped the tradition in Norman lower than 9 months after being on the job.

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He’s tried to instill a player-led mentality and better ranges of accountability for the Sooners, and Willis is shaping as much as be the embodiment of OU’s new course in 2022.

“There is no grey space. It’s reduce and dry,” Willis stated. “For those who’re gonna do the flawed factor and you already know it’s flawed, there isn’t any getting round that. You are caught. You understand? So far as, like I stated, there isn’t any grey space.

“For those who’re doing the precise factor, you already know it is the precise factor. You are doing the flawed factor, you already know, it is the flawed factor. There is no, ‘I assumed.’ We’re all held to a sure commonplace. Greatest is the usual right here, and you already know, it is simply, that is what it’s.”


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What time, TV channel is the Oklahoma Sooners vs Auburn football on today? Free live stream, spread, game odds

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What time, TV channel is the Oklahoma Sooners vs Auburn football on today? Free live stream, spread, game odds


The No. 21 ranked Oklahoma Sooners face the Auburn Tigers with a true freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. being named the starter after an impressive second half in a loss to Tennessee last week. This game kicks off at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 28 with a live broadcast on ABC, and streaming live on ESPN Plus.

WATCH: Auburn vs. Oklahoma football live for FREE with Fubo (free trial), or stream this game and more on the cheap with one month of ESPN+ (costs $10.99/month, cancel anytime).

The betting odds for this game have moved all over the place, originally opening with the Sooners as the favorites. However, most sportsbooks now have Auburn as slight favorites over Oklahoma in this matchup.

What TV channel is the Oklahoma vs. Auburn game on?

When: Kickoff takes place at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) on Saturday, September 28.

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Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium | Auburn, AL

TV Channel: ABC, and streaming on ESPN Plus

How to watch live stream online: If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial). If you are out of free trials, the cheapest and best way to watch this game and more football this month is by signing up for one month of ESPN+ (costs $10.99/month, cancel anytime).

If you already have a cable or satellite subscription already, you can watch the game on Watch ESPN or the ESPN app by signing in with your provider information.

You can find out more about which channel ABC is on in your area by using the channel finders here: Comcast Xfinity, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice.

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Oklahoma vs. Auburn spread, betting odds

Point Spread: OU: +1 | AUB: -1

Moneyline: OU: -105 | AUB: -115

Over/Under: 44.5



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LB Dasan McCullough Joins List of 11 Oklahoma Players Unavailable against Auburn

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LB Dasan McCullough Joins List of 11 Oklahoma Players Unavailable against Auburn


The list of unavailable players for the Sooners just keeps growing. 

Oklahoma linebacker Dasan McCullough will not be available for OU’s game against Auburn at 2:30 pm. Saturday, according to the most recent SEC availability report that was released Friday night. McCullough also missed last week’s game against Tennessee after being listed as doubtful most of last week. He was listed as questionable this week until Friday. 

McCullough joined a list of 10 other Sooners that will be unavailable for Week 5. The only other OU player included on the availability report was offensive lineman Jake Taylor, who was listed as probable. Unless he’s considered a game-time decision, Taylor’s status will be known when the final availability report is released 90 minutes before OU and Auburn kicks off. 

The bright side of this week’s report is that it looks like Geirean Hatchett, who is out for the season, will be the only offensive lineman the Sooners will not have available.

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Those unavailable include five of OU’s top receivers in Jayden Gibson, Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony and Deion Burks. Gibson has already been ruled out for the season, while Farooq is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after breaking his foot in the Sooners’ season opener against Temple. Anderson made his first appearance of the season last week but was injured during the opening drive. 

Burks was the newest receiver added to OU’s injured reserve on Thursday after also suffering an injury against Tennessee. Burks is the Sooners’ leading receiver with 26 receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns. The next leading pass catcher is tight end Bauer Sharp with 14 catches and 116 yards. 

So many injuries to OU receivers even influenced Brent Venables to switch cornerback Jacobe Johnson to wide receiver. And the Sooners are enduring all these injuries at receiver as freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. is set to make his first career start Saturday.

Freshman running back Taylor Tatum and defensive back Kendel Dolby were also injured last week. Tatum was ruled out on Thursday, while Dolby, who plays the cheetah position, will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on Wednesday. Fellow defensive back Gentry Williams was also ruled unavailable for Saturday. 

The biggest shock of this week was kicker Tyler Keltner, who will be unavailable after an emergency appendectomy. Zach Schmit will presumably take over all kicking duties after participating in only kickoffs so far this season. 

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As for Auburn, the Tigers’ list is much shorter. Auburn will be without defensive backs Tyler Scott and Champ Anthony, as well as tight end Brandon Frazier. Defensive lineman Isaiah Raikes, kicker Alex McPherson and offensive lineman Izavion Miller are listed as probable. 

WR Jayden Gibson, Out
LB Dasan McCullough, Out
WR Jalil Farooq, Out
WR Nic Anderson, Out
WR Andrel Anthony, Out
WR Deion Burks, Out
RB Taylor Tatum, Out
DB Gentry Williams, Out
DB Kendel Dolby, Out
OL Geirean Hatchett, Out
K Tyler Keltner, Out
OL Jake Taylor, Probable

DB Tyler Scott, Out
DB Champ Anthony, Out
TE Brandon Frazier, Out
DL Isaiah Raikes, Probable
K Alex McPherson, Probable
OL Izavion Miller, Probable



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Sources: Auburn’s Thorne to be QB1 vs. Sooners

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Sources: Auburn’s Thorne to be QB1 vs. Sooners


Veteran quarterback Payton Thorne will start for Auburn when No. 21 Oklahoma visits Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday afternoon, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel Friday.

Thorne, the former Michigan State transfer, started 13 games for the Tigers last fall. He returned as the program’s starter in 2024 before he was replaced by redshirt freshman Hank Brown in Week 3. In Thorne, Auburn will have an experienced starter under center in Week 5 against a Sooners defense that leads the nation in turnovers (12) and ranks 28th in total defense this fall.

Auburn initially turned to Brown after Thorne threw a career-high four interceptions in a 21-14 home defeat to Cal on Sept. 7. Brown led the Tigers past New Mexico in his first career start in Week 3, but struggled against Arkansas last Saturday, completing 7-of-13 passes for 72 yards with three interceptions. After Auburn went scoreless before halftime, Thorne took over at quarterback in the second half of the 24-14 home loss, finishing 13-for-23 for 213 yards with two touchdowns and interception.

Both quarterbacks turned in strong weeks of practice ahead of this weekend’s visit from Oklahoma, but Auburn will go with Thorne Saturday, banking on his experience and the momentum he built in his relief work against Arkansas as the Tigers chase their first SEC win of 2024.

Auburn hosts the Sooners at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC in Oklahoma’s first SEC road game.

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