Oklahoma’s linebacker depth is going to get tested over the next couple weeks. Redshirt freshman linebacker Austin Box is expected to miss the next three weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday.
OU coach Bob Stoops said Box, who was listed as the first-team weakside linebacker, was “doubtful” for the Aug. 30 season opener against Tennessee-Chattanooga. The coach said Box’s return was more likely the following week against Washington.
Junior college transfer Mike Balogun and redshirt freshman Travis Lewis have also been working at the spot.
OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said Balogun had been working with the second team throughout the first week and done some things to warrant some snaps with the first unit.
“I saw Mike (Balogun) have some really good range, I saw him explode on the ball carrier a couple of times, and I saw him covering some things sideline-to-sideline and showing up,” Venables said following last Saturday’s scrimmage. “Then I saw him bust some real basic, easy things early on because I think he got a little bit excited.”
Lewis worked at the position throughout the spring and spent some time working with the first team.
Dealing with injuries is nothing new for Box. He missed the second half of spring practice with an elbow injury.
Venables, however, has been enthused about Box’s potential.
“He is getting close to really being where you want him to be,” Venables said.
— — — —
Jarboe lands at Troy
Josh Jarboe, the highly touted wide receiver recruit who was kicked off the team at Oklahoma two weeks ago, has decided to enroll at Troy.
Jarboe signed a letter of intent with OU in February, but in May he pleaded guilty to charges of bringing a gun to Cedar Grove High School in Georgia and carrying a pistol without a license.
A judge reduced the charges to misdemeanors because Jarboe was a first-time offender and sentenced him to two years of probation and 80 hours of community service.
Sooner coach Bob Stoops dismissed Jarboe on Aug. 1 after an Internet video surfaced of the teenager rapping about guns and shooting people.
Jarboe was considered one of the top wide receiver prospects in the country.
“Troy University has always been interested in providing opportunities for young people to better themselves, and this is a situation where a young man who has made some mistakes is looking for a second chance,” Troy coach Larry Blakeney said in a statement Wednesday.
“I have met with Josh, and I am convinced that he is ready, and willing, to do the things we need for him to do to be a productive member of both this football team and the Troy University community.”
— — — —
Playboy has OU No. 1
Playboy magazine has the Sooners ranked No. 1 in its annual Pigskin Preview. Ohio State, Florida, Missouri and USC round out Playboy’s top 5.
Also, OU offensive lineman Duke Robinson was named to the magazine’s All-American team.
— — — —
Tickets available
OU has a limited number of tickets remaining for each of its first two home games, the Aug. 30 opener against Tennessee-Chattanooga and the Sept. 6 contest against Cincinnati.
The tickets became available when they were returned by the visiting teams.
The Tennessee-Chattanooga tickets are $49 each, while the Cincinnati tickets are available for $62 each.
Tickets can be purchased online at soonersports.com, in person at the office located on Owen Field’s west side or on the phone at 325-2424 or 1-800-456-4008.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
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Austin Box
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Surgery sidelines Box
OU linebacker to miss three weeks after knee injury
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