By John Shinn
Transcript Sports Writer
Phil Loadholt hasn’t played one snap at Oklahoma, but his reputation continues to grow. Maybe that’s because he can block out the sun.
That might be an exaggeration. But if his reputation comes anywhere close to his size, it could be a big season for the offensive tackle.
Teammates already talk about the 6-foot-8, 350-pound junior college transfer like he’s Paul Bunyan, minus the ax and the blue ox.
Even guard Duke Robinson, who stands 6-5 and tips the scales at over 320 pounds was caught off guard on his first glimpse of Loadholt.
“I thought I was big,” Robinson said. “I don’t even sit in the front seat if I’m riding with him. I have to sit in the back with someone else. People tell me I’m big but…”
Defensive end Auston English said looking across at Loadholt was like standing in front of a wall.
“When you try to look around him to see in the backfield, you don’t see much,” English said. “His whole body and frame is massive.”
Loadholt is used to cracks about his size. After spending eight months on campus, the shock has started to wear off.
But his impact could be huge on an offensive line that experienced a breakout season in 2006. The group returned for this coming season intact. But the addition of a junior college All-American should offer a major boost.
He was dominant at Garden City (Kan.) Community College and was a highly-sought recruit for this season.
OU coach Bob Stoops said the reason why is simple.
“He can run and it is amazing to watch,” he said. “He has great feet and great athleticism.”
The only thing missing is polish.
For all the brute strength required to play on the offensive line, it’s still a technical game. Footwork, using proper angles, using the hands the right way are the difference between average and dominant players.
Loadholt admits his game still needs a few coats of lacquer to get it shining the way it should.
“I got by on raw strength for so long,” he said. “But when you get here you have to have that technique. If you don’t, it will kill you.”
That’s what he’s been working on since he arrived at OU. He arrived in January and was set to go through spring drills. A toe injury, however, kept him on the sidelines for the final 10 workouts.
The injury could have slowed his development, but Loadholt made the best of the situation. He became a mainstay in the weight room, adding even more strength.
“It set me back from taking actual reps, but I got good mental reps and I got a lot stronger,” he said. It didn’t set me back as far as I thought it would, but they did a great job of making feel like I was still a part of everything.”
But he is no longer watching from a distance. He’s currently fighting for the left tackle spot with Cory Brandon.
“Phil has done a great job with his strength and conditioning,” offensive line coach James Patton said. “He came back in real good shape.”
Loadholt remains a mystery to most fans. The toe injury left him on the sidelines for the spring scrimmages. They’ve yet to see what he can do on the field.
The mystery will end at 11 a.m. Saturday when the Sooners have their first scrimmage at Owen Field.
Loadholt will be at full strength and shouldn’t be hard to spot. In a gathering of huge men, he towers above all.
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