Oklahoma’s practice received a huge boost Monday. Defensive end Auston English went through a full practice for the first time this preseason.
English, who was the Big 12’s preseason defensive player of the year, had been recovering from an appendectomy for more than three weeks.
“Any time you are out, nothing can replace the pounding and change of direction and shedding blocks like good old-fashioned getting in there and getting the work done,” English said. “I’m really hoping to build that up as we progress through these last weeks of camp.”
He’d been limited to non-contact drills and conditioning since practice began. But OU coach Bob Stoops didn’t want English overloaded on the first day.
“I pulled him out of some of the goal-line stuff,” Stoops said. “He didn’t want to come out, but I don’t need to see him right now.”
Bradford on list
Sooner quarterback Sam Bradford has been named to the preseason watch list for the Walter Camp Award, presented annually to the top player in college football.
Bradford already had been named to watch lists forthe Maxwell (top player) and O’Brien (top quarterback) awards.
Bradford set an NCAA freshman record with 36 touchdown passes last season. Four other Sooners have won the award, the most recent being Bradford’s position coach, Josh Heupel, in 2000.
Wet, but cool
Monday morning’s practice was the second of two open practices this August. Despite constant rain, fans still lined the south berm at the OU rugby fields.
“It was good to get out there in the rain,” defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said. “It’s always fun to play in it and see everyone out there slipping and sliding.”
There was another added benefit: mild temperature.
“In August in Oklahoma, when is it 68 degrees?,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “I don’t know if that’s ever happened.”
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Sooners get a boost from English's return
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