Oklahoma

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

Published

3 years ago

August 29, 2022

Press Room

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.

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.

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

Alonzo Adams / USA TODAY Sports activities

Brayden Willis took on a a lot bigger position in 2021

The Oklahoma tight finish posted new profession highs with 15 receptions and 177 receiving yards

Brayden Willis - TCU TD — Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities

Now, he is primed to guide OU’s tight finish room forward of an enormous 2022 season

“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?

“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.

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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Oklahoma

Drone intercepts Oklahoma tornado

Published

2 hours ago

May 21, 2025

Press Room

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Oklahoma

Can Oklahoma State baseball make run in Big 12, NCAA tournaments? Examining Cowboys resume

Published

18 hours ago

May 21, 2025

Press Room

Can Oklahoma State baseball make run in Big 12, NCAA tournaments? Examining Cowboys resume

A month ago, it was fair to turn and look away from Oklahoma State baseball.

The Cowboys looked nothing like themselves. Losses piled up. The offense struggled. The pitching was worse.

Sitting below .500, the belief was that OSU would miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time under coach Josh Holliday.

My, how things can change.

There are few teams hotter than the Pokes entering conference tournament week. They’re coming off a three-game sweep of Arizona State. They’ve won 9 of 10 games.

OSU is suddenly back in the NCAA Tournament picture, too.

The Cowboys enter the Big 12 Tournament at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday as the No. 7 seed. They’ll face Baylor at 4 p.m. on ESPNU.

Here is what to know about OSU entering the postseason:

Oklahoma State baseball resume

Record: 27-22 (15-12 Big 12, 7th)
RPI: 45th (through May 18 games)
Projected seed: USA TODAY: No. 3 seed in Chapel Hill Regional (last four in); D1Baseball: No. 3 seed in Corvallis Regional
Notable: The Cowboys’ mid-season struggles and cancellation of several Big 12 games can be overlooked in part to a tough schedule. OSU’s strength of schedule ranks No. 11 in the country, according to D1Baseball.com’s RPI.

OSU baseball Big 12 Tournament preview

Never count out the Cowboys in this tournament.

The format is different — an increase to 12 teams and a change to single elimination — but the talent is just the same under Holliday.

The Cowboys get a boost by opening with Baylor, a team they took two of three from and nearly swept on the road less than two weeks ago.

But this is no easy field. Eight teams are ranked in the top 50 RPI and all 12 are in the top 90.

Should the Cowboys win, they face No. 2-seeded Kansas. The Jayhawks swept OSU in late March, signaling the downturn of OSU’s season. Another win could mean a date with No. 3 TCU.

Though that appears daunting, the Cowboys have won this tournament four times, including last season.

Why Oklahoma State baseball can make a run in NCAA Tournament

First, the Cowboys have to get in.

Though projections are favorable — Baseball America and D1Baseball.com both have OSU in as of Tuesday — a win or two in Arlington will go a long way to make them feel safe.

But get in and the Cowboys face significantly less pressure than the past three seasons. There will be no home regional, which OSU has lost each year at O’Brate Stadium since 2022.

Getting away from Stillwater could be a positive.

Plus, it helps that OSU has a bona fide ace in left-hander Harrison Bodendorf, who leads the league with 10 wins and is tied for second with a 2.43 ERA.

Mario Pesca and Hunter Watkins have also become reliable starters in the rotation.

And don’t forget about the Cowboys’ offense that can overwhelm opponents.

Slugger Nolan Schubart is third in the conference with 17 home runs after a slow start. Colin Brueggemann is not far behind with 14. And Brayden Smith has become a lightning bolt for the Cowboys’ lineup.

OSU has outscored its opponents 80-27 over the last 10 games.

Why OSU baseball can’t make a run in NCAA Tournament

Even though getting away from O’Brate Stadium might make some OSU fans who remember the past all too well feel a little better, it shouldn’t.

OSU is 18-12 at home and 5-12 in true road games.

That’s far from ideal.

So, which bullpen will show up? The one that has been rock solid in the final month or the one that was a total disaster in March?

Legendary pitching coach Rob Walton has worked his magic turning the staff around before he enters retirement. But things can turn in an instant for any college pitcher.

And though the Cowboys can slug, there are issues with the lineup. Schubart and Brueggemann are prone to strikeouts. And facing a team with strong lefties can neutralize the duo.

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What channel is Kentucky baseball vs Oklahoma on today? How to watch SEC Tournament 2025

Published

1 day ago

May 20, 2025

Press Room

What channel is Kentucky baseball vs Oklahoma on today? How to watch SEC Tournament 2025

Kentucky baseball is set to begin postseason play this afternoon against Oklahoma.

The 13th-seeded Wildcats (29-23, 13-17 SEC) will face the 12th-seeded Sooners (33-19, 14-16) in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama.

Kentucky will attempt to replicate its magical postseason last year, when it reached the College World Series.

This is the fourth time the Wildcats are playing the Sooners this season; Kentucky won the previous three matchups.

Here’s what you need to know about Kentucky’s first game in the SEC Tournament, including bracket, schedule, seeding and more:

Date: Tuesday, May 20
Time: 2 p.m.

Texas (42-11)
Arkansas (43-12)
LSU (42-13)
Vanderbilt (39-16)
Georgia (42-14)
Auburn (38-17)
Ole Miss (37-18)
Tennessee (41-15)
Alabama (40-15)
Florida (37-19)
Mississippi State (34-20)
Oklahoma (33-19)
Kentucky (29-23)
Texas A&M (28-25)
South Carolina (28-28)
Missouri (16-38)

All times Eastern.

First round: Tuesday, May 20

Game 1: No. 9 seed Alabama vs. No. 16 seed Missouri | 10:30 a.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Game 2: No. 12 seed Oklahoma vs. No. 13 seed Kentucky | 2 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Game 3: No. 10 seed Florida vs. No. 15 seed South Carolina | 5:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Game 4: No. 11 seed Mississippi State vs. No. 14 seed Texas A&M | 9 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)

Second round: Wednesday, May 21

Game 5: No. 8 seed Tennessee vs. Game 1 winner | 10:30 a.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Game 6: No. 5 seed Georgia vs. Game 2 winner | 2 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Game 7: No. 7 seed Ole Miss vs. Game 3 winner | 5:30 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Game 8: No. 6 seed Auburn vs. Game 4 winner | 9 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)

Quarterfinals: Thursday, May 22

Game 9: No. 1 seed Texas vs. Game 5 winner | 4 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Game 10: No. 4 seed Vanderbilt vs. Game 6 winner | 7 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)

Quarterfinals: Friday, May 23

Game 11: No. 2 seed Arkansas vs. Game 7 winner | 4 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)
Game 12: No. 3 seed LSU vs. Game 8 winner | 7 p.m. | SEC Network (Fubo)