If Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables had his way college football would return to how it used to be.
"When it's all said and done, I like having guys for five years," he said.
But redshirting players their freshman year and giving them a year to settle into the program is becoming more and more rare.
OU's victory over Idaho State last Saturday was proof. True freshmen were all over the field.
Tyler Evans started at right guard. Early in the second half, the Sooner defense had five true freshmen -- linebackers Ronnell Lewis and Jaydan Bird, defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland and defensive backs Marcus Trice, DeMontre Hurst and Javon Harris on the field.
With the exception of McFarland and Evans, all have played extensive roles on special teams. Clearly, the Sooners have an affection for the group. It was evident when preseason practice began. Coaches gushed about them from the first time they set foot on the practice field.
They've done that in the past, but it didn't translate into as many playing their freshman season and working their way into the two-deep by mid-September.
"We're not going to play them if they're not prepared for it and we don't feel like they're going to play at a level we expect," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "They're responding really well."
Some of it may have to do with changes in college football.
There's no guarantee players are going to stay around for four years. The NFL mandates that players have to be in college for three years before they're eligible to drafted. Redshirting players means the potential is there for a player to only have two years on the field before taking off. Quarterback Sam Bradford had that option over the winter and chose to stay. But a player like Curtis Lofton, who didn't redshirt but only started for one season before taking off for the NFL after his junior season in 2007, means coaches try harder to get the most out of players while they're here.
But college coaches also admit freshmen are better able to handle the work load than ever. They've been exposed to training programs.
Evans already rivals any senior offensive lineman OU has in terms of size. Lewis, who played eight-man football at Dewar, is already a rock-solid 238 pounds.
But the adjustment to the speed of the game is the hard part. Evans said working out with OU's upperclassmen throughout the summer helped.
"When you work with guys like GK (Gerald McCoy) and Adrian (Taylor), you get used to that kind of speed. Everything transfers and you take it to the field."
Lewis agrees, but it's a matter of taking the right attitude.
"You just have to take things one step at a time," he said. "You have to focus on what you're supposed to do and work hard."
Playing time for the freshmen might get cut dramatically this week. The 12th-ranked Sooners (1-1) face Tulsa (2-0) at 2:30 Saturday at Owen Field. The Golden Hurricane will be a serious step in terms of talent from Idaho State.
But the decisions have been made and the freshmen are going to play in some capacity.
"If last week is an indication of their ability, then there's a few of those guys who warranted the opportunity to play even in tight ball games," Venables said. "We need to get them in there even if it's just a few plays here and there."
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
Freshmen starters are a dying breed
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