Progress is a big word in spring football circles. The thing coaches most want to see are players getting better with each practice.
In that sense, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops appears to be very pleased with what he’s seen thus far.
The Sooners conducted their fifth of 15 spring practices Monday and Stoops has seen progress every day.
“We’re getting a little better each time,” he said. “I like what we’re doing and I like the way we practiced today.
OU worked out for a little more than two hours at the practice fields south of Owen Field. It was their first workout since Saturday’s scrimmage.
Stoops said this spring has been cleaner than last season’s.
“They’re going at it hard and guys are working and having a really good attitude about it,” he said. “It was good to see today that we made fewer mistakes and we were cleaner than we were Saturday.”
Where’s Pleasant
Sophomore linebacker Demarrio Pleasant did not participate in Saturday’s scrimmage and was held out of Monday’s workout, too.
Stoops said Pleasant missed the workouts due academic issues and practice will have to wait until he gets the issues resolved.
“He had a class issue over the weekend and he’s working toward straightening that out right now,” Stoops said.
However, the spring is a critical time for Pleasant.
He was Clint Ingram’s backup at strongside linebacker last season and could have used the spring to solidify himself as a starter for next season.
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said every day Pleasant misses is going to hurt.
“For a guy that hasn’t ever been a full-time starter, getting reps and opportunities to compete are things that you need to make progress and show us what you can do and what you want to do and that type of thing,” he said.
Currently, freshman Ryan Reynolds holds the starting spot. Reynolds tied for a team-high five tackles and had an interception in Saturday’s scrimmage.
“He’s playing great,” Stoops said of Reynolds. “He was really solid out there again today and had a solid scrimmage. He’s really doing well.”
Pleasant isn’t the only Sooner to miss practice time due to academic issues. Wide receiver Manuel Johnson missed Saturday’s scrimmage for the same reason.
Johnson returned to practice Monday.
A lot of work
OU may be deep at several positions, but offensive line isn’t one of them. The Sooners only have eight offensive linemen — Chris Messner, Duke Robinson, Branndon Braxton, Chad Roark, Sherrone Moore, Brian Simmons, Ben Barresi and Cameron Schacht — available to due to injuries.
The low numbers won’t even allow for first and second team units. But Stoops believes it could be a blessing is disguise.
“The few that are in there are really good players and by the end of it, it will be almost like two springs for them,” he said. “In the end, that could be a positive with the amount of work they get.”
Next up
OU will conduct its sixth practice at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Except in cases of inclement weather, all practices are open to the public.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
John Shinn's Oklahoma Football Notepad
Stoops likes Sooners' progress
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