When Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops was asked how many true freshmen could play in Saturday’s opener against BYU, he rattled off a few names then quickly realized he was heading the wrong direction.
“The ones who aren’t playing might be a better question” Stoops said Tuesday.
The Sooner coach said defensive backs Marcus Trice and DeMontre Hurst would play and Gabe Lynn and Jevon Hurst were possibilities.
On the offensive line, guard Tyler Evans is expected to get on the field. Defensive lineman Jamarkus McFarland is also expected to play. Linebacker Ronnell Lewis and Jaydan Bird have also worked their way into the three deep.
Stoops also said wide receiver Jaz Reynolds is expected to get on the field.
“I’m sure I’m missing someone, but most are prepared to play,” Stoops said. “We’ll so how it goes through this week.”
Brody’s the best?
Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson threw an incredible amount of praise on center/tight end Brody Eldridge Tuesday.
Eldridge was announced as the starter at center against BYU. He was a starter at either tight end or fullback the last three seasons.
Despite weighing just 265 pounds, Wilson believes Eldridge is the cream of the crop of OU’s offensive line.
“Brody is as good as the guy who played last year (Jon Cooper) right now,” Wilson said. “He blocks those big guys we’ve got that are as good as anybody we’ll see right now.”
Prior to practice beginning Wilson said left tackle Trent Williams was the best offensive lineman he’d coached at OU, putting him ahead of former All-Americans Jammal Brown and Davin Joseph.
“No disrespect to Trent (Williams). He’s our most talented guy,” Wilson said. “He (Eldridge) is our most consistent guy. He’s rock solid. This isn’t motivation or a mind game. He’s our best player.”
No problem
Defensive end Frank Alexander could end up being one of the best pass rushers OU’s ever had. He had 31⁄2 sacks and five tackles for losses last season and played in just nine games.
But he still can’t crack the starting lineup ahead of Jeremy Beal and Auston English.
“It doesn’t bother me. I want to start but I know the way coach rotates us, so it’s not a real big thing being a starter,” Alexander said. “When the starters go out, you come in and produce at the same intensity level that the starters did. Being a back-up to Auston and Jeremy, it doesn’t matter because I know they got two good players in front of me.”
Granger still limited
Don’t expect to see much of defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger against BYU. The senior is still trying to get back into shape after missing all of spring and summer workouts due to back surgery.
“DeMarcus is still a ways away. How much (playing time) he gets probably will be more limited,” Stoops said.
Granger estimated that he’s still about a month away from being full strength.
“If I had to play I could play, but I don’t think I would be up to my usual status,” he said. “I don’t think I’d hurt the team, but I wouldn’t stand out ahead of the bunch we have right now. I need just a little more time.”
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
Freshmen will play
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