Experience and depth might not a be a concern for most positions at Oklahoma. Typically, there’s plenty of talent to go around. Also typically, special teams falls into that category.
But this year could be different, as the Sooners will be breaking in several new starters.
Place kicker Garrett Hartley back for his junior season, isn’t one of them. Last year, his first full season as the starter, he connected on 14-of-22 field goal attempts and averaged 58.5 yards per kickoff.
But Hartley doesn’t consider either stellar.
He’s made it a goal to lift his kickoff average by 5 yards and improve his marksmanship, too.
“I feel pretty confident with my kickoffs with the power,” he said. “Refining the accuracy with my field goals is the most important goal right now.”
As for field goals, he’s set a goal of being perfect from 45 yards and in. That sort of consistency would certainly give the Sooners a boost.
OU is counting on it, because he and holder Hays McEachern are the only experienced specialist the Sooners have.
Cody Freeby handled the punting chores last season, but was dismissed from the team in April. Mike Knall and Michael Cohen and have battled for the job since. They split the chores in the spring and have continued in the preseason.
“With those two, I’m going to let them continue to go,” Stoops said. “What I’m pleased about is both of them have been solid.”
The deep-snapping chores appear to be settled. Walk-on Derek Shaw and tight end Eric Mensik, both freshmen, have battled for the job. Shaw appears to be the front-runner to handle the chores when OU faces Alabama-Birmingham Sept. 2.
“We’re really pleased with him,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “He’s done a great job.”
It’s a position the Sooners haven’t worried about for some time. Jacob Rice held down deep-snapping chores the last four seasons. His departure opened the door to OU’s first competition for the job since 2001.
Special teams coordinator Chris Wilson said the battle for the jobs won’t end any time soon.
“We think it is important that these guys are always competing,” he said. “We want these guys to get better every day and the best way to do that is with competition.”
But the kicking chores are all about consistency. The Sooners desperately want to add some excitement in the return game. And they’re hoping sophomore defensive back Reggie Smith can do that.
He’s currently handling the punt-returning duties and joins running back Allen Patrick as a kick returner.
Last season, OU averaged just 8.1 yards per punt return and its longest was a paltry 26 yards. Smith has the talent to change that.
“We’re excited about what he brings,” Wilson said. “We’re excited about the speed he has. He’s a guy that can take one to the house.”
A few kick returns for touchdowns would take some pressure of the offense and could be the difference in a few games.
Stoops knows that. He said the special teams have been receiving added attention for that reason.
“We need special teams this year to be a big factor for us in each game,” he said.
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Will they be special?
Few specialists back at their old positions
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