Oklahoma
Why Oklahoma OL Logan Howland is ‘Only Going to Continue to Get Better’
In Oklahoma’s Week 2 matchup against Houston, redshirt freshman offensive tackle Logan Howland played his first meaningful snaps for the Sooners.
Howland started the year as a backup to USC transfer Michael Tarquin, but due to Jake Taylor dealing with multiple injuries, Howland was inserted into OU’s lineup against the Cougars.
Taylor sat out in Week 1 against Temple, but instead of Howland, Bill Bedenbaugh and company elected to play Spencer Brown for the majority of their matchup against the Owls.
After Brown received a 62.2 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus for his season opening performance, Bedenbaugh called Howland’s number when the team needed to fill one of its tackle spots against Houston.
“Injuries happen in sports. We got to be a next-man-up kind of thing,” Howland said on Monday. “Luckily my name was called and I did the preparation and stuff. I just had my chance and I took it. I’m happy we got the win.”
Howland played 39 offensive snaps against Houston, according to PFF, earning a 64.1 offensive grade. The redshirt freshman received a 78.7 pass blocking grade and a 57.3 score as a run blocker.
Playing tight end through his junior year of high school, Howland has learned the offensive tackle position quickly in the past three years. The former 4-star prospect made his debut at tackle as a senior in high school and is now playing significant snaps for Oklahoma just two seasons later.
Even in his redshirt season, Howland played just four offensive snaps, but after reportedly having a strong showing over the winter and summer, the former Hun School (NJ) standout has played his way onto the field early in his career.
Brent Venables seems to be impressed by what Howland has been able to accomplish in his short time as an offensive tackle, highlighting the redshirt freshman at his weekly press conference.
“We got some good young players that, you know, some of them are already over on the offensive line,” Venables said on Tuesday. “Like a redshirt freshman, Logan Howland, that played 32 snaps, and played well. Graded out and around 76%. Did a lot of stuff really good for his first extended amount of time.”
While Howland wasn’t perfect against the Cougars, he did showcase a few of his high-upside traits.
Moving from tight end to offensive tackle, Howland has much quicker feet than most players who have played in the trenches their entire career. Additionally, the Princeton, NJ, product has great length, which can prevent opposing defensive lineman from being able to get their hands in the correct position.
The two areas that Howland has improved the most since arriving in Norman, however, are his technique and strength. Moving to the position later than most high-level o-lineman, Howland came to OU underweight for a tackle and had to quickly put on good weight and add strength.
Fortunately for the Sooners, Bedenbaugh and strength coach Jerry Schmidt are well-renowned for helping raw young players reach their full potential.
“We know the Lane Johnson transformation from quarterback to tight end to offensive lineman. Some of that is a little bit the same,” Venables said. “His high school coach knew he was going to move to offensive line. It’s been a lot of fun to watch him put the work in, gain the weight, strength, confidence, learn the basics, learn the fundamentals. Watch that evolution and transformation take place. He’s only going to continue to get better. He has a chance to play this game for a long time. This is good work for him last week. Getting into the game takes things to another level. Sometimes you have to get in there and get exposed. And sometimes you get in there, (and) for a coach (that) could be a little bit gun shy, if you will, about a guy who doesn’t have a lot of game experience, sometimes that can help the coach, too, to earn trust.”
Howland credits his Bedenbaugh for helping him develop his skills, rapidly rise up the depth chart and being ready to answer when his number was called against Houston.
Still, Howland improvement must continue for the Sooners’ offense to be successful this season, and moving forward. With Taylor’s status still uncertain, Howland will need to be ready for action at any moment, even when the Las Vegas, NV, product returns to the lineup.
Howland seems confident in himself, however, saying that Bedenbaugh has given him the tools to be successful in the trenches.
“I feel good. We got one of the best coaches in the country, if not the best. He gives you the tools and you just have to execute with them,” Howland said. “The offensive line here is a standard. We have to live up to that standard every day. You see guys in the NFL doing well right now and we have to replicate them and try to get where they’re at.”
If Howland, and the rest of OU’s offensive line, is able to step up and improve their play as the season progresses, life will be much easier for Seth Littrell, Jackson Arnold and the rest of the Sooners’ offense.
Teaching is easily one of the most challenging and rewarding professions anywhere. And while most deserve to be recognized, when we heard about Deanne Strothers, we had to come meet her.
The Harding Charter Prep teacher has been teaching life through math for 30 years.
“My goal is to make them understand that they can get through tough stuff,” said Strothers.
But seven years ago, there was some tough stuff put on her plate that was really tough to swallow.
“I had kids that would come in, and they didn’t have any. They didn’t have a lunch card, so they couldn’t eat,” said Strothers.
She recalls one student in particular, at a previous school.
“She came in, and she’s like, I’m hungry,” said Strothers.
After giving the student the peanut butter and jelly sandwich she had brought for lunch, Strothers made a decision: as long as she was teaching, no child would go hungry.
“And so, I’m like, I’ve got to get something that is universal, and we landed on peanut butter and jelly,” said Strothers.
So, for the past seven years, each night she and her husband have prepared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, totaling over 30,000 sandwiches.
It’s always grape jelly, you don’t have to be in any of her classes and the sandwiches are typically gone before 9 a.m.
“I would rather have a well-fed child than a child sitting here, not having the capability to really pay attention because they are hungry,” said Strothers.
As word spread of her personal feeding program, it prompted a visit from Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education, Dan Hamlin, who didn’t come empty-handed.
“Well, we wanted to give you a check for supplies,” said Hamlin.
“I think it’s incredibly important that we recognize the great work that our teachers are doing across the state,” said Hamlin.
“I’ll keep doing this as long as I am teaching,” said Strothers.
As expected, Mrs. Strothers says she will use the check for more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The $250.00 donation will paY for about one semester of sandwiches.
Today on the Spotlight, our crew explored why Winter Park Resort is so much more than a snowy winter destination. Nestled in Colorado’s breathtaking Fraser Valley along the Continental Divide, this mountain escape transforms into an outdoor paradise once the snow melts—offering cool temperatures, endless sunshine, and adventures for every kind of traveler.
Just 70 minutes from Denver and one of the closest major mountain resorts to Denver International Airport, Winter Park makes it easy to trade city life for alpine views. Surrounded by towering 13,000 and 14,000-foot peaks, the resort delivers postcard-worthy scenery with summer temperatures that rarely climb above 80 degrees. Add in more than 300 days of sunshine each year, and it’s easy to see why so many visitors are discovering Winter Park as a perfect warm-weather getaway.
The resort village itself offers plenty of charm, with lodging, dining, shopping, and activities all conveniently located in one walkable area. Whether you’re looking for high-energy thrills or a laid-back mountain retreat, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the outdoors.
One of the most popular summer attractions is the scenic gondola ride, which carries guests up to 10,700 feet for unforgettable panoramic views of the Continental Divide, colorful wildflowers, and towering aspen groves. Adventure seekers can race down Colorado’s longest alpine slide or hit the trails to explore more than 3,000 acres of scenic hiking terrain. For those wanting to relax, Sunspot Mountain Lodge offers mountaintop dining with incredible views.
As the sun begins to set, the mountain comes alive with happy hour gatherings and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, creating the perfect atmosphere to unwind after a day of adventure.
Winter Park is also home to the legendary Trestle Bike Park, one of the top downhill mountain biking destinations in the country. Opening Memorial Weekend, the park features more than 40 miles of gravity-fed downhill trails designed for riders of all skill levels. Advanced bikers can tackle technical terrain, while beginners can ease into the sport with mellow trails, rental gear, and lessons available onsite. Visitors who prefer a more relaxed ride can explore the area with e-bike rentals and guided mountain tours.
Beyond the resort, Winter Park serves as an ideal base camp for exploring some of Colorado’s most iconic outdoor destinations. The quieter west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park is only about 35 minutes away, offering fewer crowds and incredible opportunities to spot wildlife like moose and elk.
And for travelers wanting to spend time on the water, Grand Lake, Lake Granby, and Shadow Mountain Lake are all within about an hour of the resort, offering boating, fishing, paddling, and even more mountain recreation opportunities.
From scenic gondola rides and alpine slides to mountain biking, hiking, lakeside escapes, and national park adventures, Winter Park truly lives up to its reputation as Colorado’s gateway to summer fun. Visitors looking to plan their next mountain getaway can find lodging deals, trailside stays, and a full calendar of summer events at Winter Park Resort.
Convicted felon Robert Morris — a megachurch pastor who abused 12-year-old Cindy Clemishire in 1982 — walked out of an Oklahoma prison in the early hours of March 31.
But time is running out to get legislation aimed at helping abuse victims such as Clemishire — and a bill named for her unanimously passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives— to Gov. Kevin Stritt’s desk.
The Cindy Clemishire Act, HB 4227 would eliminate Oklahoma’s statute of limitations for prosecuting child sexual abuse and prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in related settlement cases.
The NDA provision is also known as “Trey’s Law” in remembrance of Trey Carlock, who was sexually abused at Camp Kanakuk, a Christian retreat in the Ozarks. Part of his legal settlement included a restrictive NDA that prohibited him from speaking about his abuse or Kanakuk’s role.
Carlock died by suicide, aged 28, after having told a therapist, “they will always control me, and I’ll never be free.”
Your tax-deductible gift supports our mission of reporting the truth and restoring the church. Donate $50 or more to The Roys Report, and you can elect to receive our featured offer, “Kiss and Tell: The Innocent Moment That Shattered Mark Driscoll’s Cult” by Vince Manuele – click here.
Yet for unknown reasons, the Oklahoma Senate’s leadership hasn’t yet brought the measure to the floor, and the legislative session is slated to end this Thursday (May 14).
“I’ve just been told they’re not going to hear it. No reason,” Oklahoma state Sen. Darrell Weaver (R-Moore) told online news outlet NonDoc.com on May 5. “I am baffled. Disappointed and baffled.”
Apparently standing in the way are state Sens. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, the Senate floor leader, and Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, Senate pro tempore. Daniels, according to the NonDoc.com report, won’t schedule a hearing for the bill, and Paxton reportedly is deferring to her on the matter.
The Roys Report (TRR) has contacted Daniels and Paxton for comment, as well as state Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore. None immediately responded.
In a statement, Clemishire admonished Oklahoma lawmakers to get the bill passed.
“For decades, predators like Robert Morris have hidden behind outdated laws to evade justice, but the time for silence is over. To the members of the Oklahoma Senate: you have the power to ensure no other child is forced into the shadows, but your work is not done until these protections are sent to the governor,” she said.
Elizabeth Phillips, sister of Trey Carlock and founder of No More Victims, was also emphatic about the need for passage.
“Predators rely on silence and time–the law shouldn’t reward either,” said Phillips. “We are calling on Oklahoma Senate leadership to stand with survivors by ending the forced silence imposed on them by NDAs, like the one that silenced my brother to his grave, and remove the criminal statute of limitations for child sex crimes just as 44 other U.S. states have done. Please, don’t let the clock run out on survivors.”
Oklahoma is one of six states — along with the U.S. House of Representatives — where measures aiding victims of clergy sexual abuse have been filed. Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, and West Virginia are the others where legislation has been introduced.
In 2025, similar legislation was enacted in Texas, Missouri, California, and Tennessee, while Alabama and Georgia did so this year.
Mark A. Kellner is a reporter based in Mesquite, Nevada. He most recently covered statewide elections for the New York Post and was for three years the Faith & Family Reporter for The Washington Times. Mark is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands and also attended Boston University’s College of Communication.
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