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Before fall camp, Gray had already positioned himself at the top of the backfield depth chart. The former Tennessee running back and Kennedy Brooks were already expected to split ball-handling dues. But Marcus Major's academic ineligibility and Bradford's departure puts more pressure on Gray to produce right away. His running back coach, DeMarco Murray, said Gray has the mindset needed to do that. "He has a great mindset about him, a great work ethic and a great demeanor overall," Murray said last week. "Talk about a guy who is a pro. You don't have to say much to him. You don't get him revved up. He takes care of his body, he takes care of his notes, he takes care of his playbook. Mentally, physically and emotionally, he's been everything that you want. "He's been a great asset for this room and this team. You talk about a guy who does it the right way on and off the field, he's high up there." Gray recorded six total touchdowns, 772 rushing yards and 254 receiving yards last season with Tennessee. - Norman Transcript

(DS#13 RB) Sr/2023

RB Eric Gray, Oklahoma
News Source: Norman Transcript
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08/26/21 - Jalen Redmond, rJr/2023, Oklahoma, 6-2, 291 (DS#17 DT) + More +

After opting out last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, big things are expected of Sooners' defensive lineman Jalen Redmond. Redmond said he's become much more comfortable over the last few weeks as OU ramps up in preparation for the Sept. 4 opener at Tulane. "I went through the spring and knocked some rust off. I'm still knocking rust off now," Redmond said. "I'm not the perfect player. I'm still working on it, still trying to get back into it. But I feel like it's doing good. I'm feeling good." In 2019, Redmond played 13 games, with four starts, leading OU with 6 1/2 sacks and finishing third on the team with 11 tackles for loss. "He's getting there," Sooners defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux said. "He's making every day count...I think he's really close. Every day he's out there working his butt off. He's adding value and we're happy with where he is right now." - Daily Oklahoman

(DS#17 DT) rJr/2023

DT Jalen Redmond, Oklahoma
News Source: Daily Oklahoman
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08/25/21 - Michael Turk, rSr/2023, Oklahoma, 6-0, 227 (DS#4 P) + More +

When former Arizona State Sun Devils punter Michael Turk announced he was transferring from the program less than a month away from the season, it came as a shock to most. ASU head coach Herm Edwards joined Arizona Sports' Doug & Wolf on Monday to discuss the 2021 season and mentioned why the former Ray Guy Award semifinalist decided to leave the program for the Oklahoma Sooners. "It had nothing to do with anything but how we treated the COVID situation and what we were going to do going forward," Edwards said. "We had some things in there that he didn't agree with and that was fine. He didn't want to leave but he decided to go somewhere else."

Replacing the boot of Turk won't be an easy task for ASU after he averaged 46.0 yards on 59 punts in 2019, which ranked 11th in the FBS and led the Pac-12. Turk was a two-time First Team All-Pac-12 selection. However, Edwards thinks his team will have no problem replacing Turk at the position. "He'll be fine and we'll be fine," he said. "This kid (Eddie Czaplicki) we brought in is going to be a good player … he can punt and kick but for right now he's just punting." - ArizonaSports.com

(DS#4 P) rSr/2023

P Michael Turk, Oklahoma
News Source: ArizonaSports.com
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08/25/21 - Jeremiah Hall, rSr/2022, Oklahoma, 6-2, 239 (DS#3 FB) + More +

Jeremiah Hall has seen a lot during his time at Oklahoma. He was a redshirt freshman on the sidelines when the Sooners lost in heartbreaking fashion to Georgia in 2017. He was on the field more when the team suffered back-to-back playoff losses to Alabama and LSU. And he made his biggest on-the-field impact last season, landing on the All-Big 12 First Team after finishing on the second team the year before. So naturally, his teammates began looking to him this offseason for leadership and guidance. At first, Hall wasn't sure he saw himself in that type of role. "When I think about leadership at OU, I think about guys like Baker Mayfield," Hall said during Big 12 Media Days.

"I think about these big names that have been the face of this program. And I'm just a little ol' halfback, fullback from North Carolina. "So when I thought about being a leader prior to this offseason, I thought about 'How can I live up to that?' I've never done this before." Hall looked to his coach, Lincoln Riley, for help on how best to lead his team. For Hall, he found his niche in pushing his team to be its best, even if that means having difficult conversations. "We talked about my leadership style, and basically what that looks like is making myself uncomfortable," Hall said. "I've never been in this position before, been in a position to lead a team that means so much in the eyes of college football. And for me, after this past season, I knew that I was a leader last year. But this year, I'm like, 'I'm really a leader." - Norman Transcript

(DS#3 FB) rSr/2022

FB Jeremiah Hall, Oklahoma
News Source: Norman Transcript
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08/24/21 - Michael Turk, rSr/2023, Oklahoma, 6-0, 227 (DS#4 P) + More +

Reeves Mundschau might still be OU's punter this season. But things got a lot more interesting at the position for the Sooners recently with the addition of Arizona State transfer Michael Turk. "It went from Forks Up to Horns Down," Turk said on a video last week announcing his transfer destination on his YouTube channel, which has more than 15,000 subscribers. The typical deadline for players to transfer and retain eligibility for the upcoming season is July 1, but as a graduate transfer, Turk figures to be eligible to play immediately. Turk seemed destined to be the Sun Devils' starting punter until earlier this month, making the decision to transfer after Arizona State introduced a policy that unvaccinated individuals - including players - couldn't be a part of the traveling party for road games. - Daily Oklahoman

(DS#4 P) rSr/2023

P Michael Turk, Oklahoma
News Source: Daily Oklahoman
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08/23/21 - Perrion Winfrey, Sr/2022, Oklahoma, 6-4, 290 (DS#4 DT) + More +

Perrion Winfrey is a big fan of horror movies. So for the Big 12 Championship Game last season - and for individual photos leading into this season - the OU defensive lineman wore thigh pads that showed through a silhouette of a pair of classic horror characters. On the right - Michael Myers from the Halloween franchise. On the left - Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th. It was a frightening addition to an already intimidating look for the 6-foot-4, 292-pound Winfrey. "I love the theme of scary movies," Winfrey said. "Honestly, I feel like any advantage I can have over my opponent is one up and honestly, I feel like my appearance is (intimidating) to people and they fear myself just by appearance. "So I honestly did it just as an appearance thing." Winfrey's game had plenty of bite last year, especially near the end.

But this season, Winfrey hopes to strike much more fear in the hearts of opponents. "He needs to be a dude. He needs to play how he looks," Sooners defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux said. "He's a guy who can do it and do it at a high level. We're expecting big things from him. I think if he plays the way he's capable of, he's an NFL guy. That's what we expect from him." Plenty of people expect that from Winfrey, who is a popular pick to be a first-round NFL Draft selection next spring after the improvement he showed last season - when he finished with 19 tackles, six for loss, and three pass breakups. - Daily Oklahoman

(DS#4 DT) Sr/2022

DT Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma
News Source: Daily Oklahoman
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08/21/21 - Andrew Raym, Sr/2024, Oklahoma, 6-4, 314 (DS#12 C) + More +

With Creed Humphrey departing for the NFL, the center position was one of Oklahoma's biggest question marks coming into this season. Andrew Raym may be the answer. The sophomore received limited backup minutes at guard last season, but he's worked on transitioning to center. All signs point towards Raym leading the Sooners' offensive line this season. The transition from guard to center hasn't been difficult, Raym said. "I don't think there's a lot to it, honestly. It's been a pretty good transition," Raym said last week. "I've really liked it. It hasn't been too difficult. I've taken to the offense quite well. Me and Spencer (Rattler), we have a great connection back there. We both lead the offense. The connection is good. The chemistry on the O-line is great. We're rocking right now." Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh always knew Raym had the ability.

He was a four-star recruit out of Broken Arrow High School and an Under Armour All-American in 2019. But Bedenbaugh always preaches work ethic, and that's what has impressed him about Raym during fall camp. "What's the mentality that you have every day? Are you complacent, are you lazy, are you content with being just good? Are you going to work to be elite, to be the best? That's what he's done up to this point, and it's showing on the field," Bedenbaugh said. "I think Raym has a lot of the same qualities that Creed had coming in. Probably not as strong as he was coming in, but he's a really smart kid. And that's the most important thing at that position, is being smart." - Norman Transcript

(DS#12 C) Sr/2024

C Andrew Raym, Oklahoma
News Source: Norman Transcript
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08/21/21 - Michael Turk, rSr/2023, Oklahoma, 6-0, 227 (DS#4 P) + More +

Arizona State Sun Devils punter Michael Turk entered the transfer portal less than a month before the football team's season begins and in an Instagram post announced his commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners. Turk, who is a graduate transfer with a year of eligibility remaining, returned to the ASU program in June despite declaring for the NFL Draft, participating in the NFL Scouting Combine, signing with an agent and going undrafted. That's because Turk was granted a waiver from the NCAA, largely on the basis that COVID-19 affected his chances of being drafted due to his inability to be a part of pro days, team workouts and in-person interviews. The Sun Devils have two other punters listed on the roster: Florida State transfer Logan Tyler and freshman Adam Babb. Turk, who will now be a junior, averaged 46.0 yards per punt on 59 punts last season. That ranked 11th in the FBS and led the Pac-12. - Arizona Sports

(DS#4 P) rSr/2023

P Michael Turk, Oklahoma
News Source: Arizona Sports
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08/20/21 - Kennedy Brooks, rSr/2022, Oklahoma, 5-11, 209 (DS#12 RB) + More +

Brooks rushed for 1,056 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman in 2018. He followed that up by running for 1,011 yards and six touchdowns in 2019. Brooks sat out the 2020 season over COVID-19 concerns but is back now with the second-ranked Sooners and has told reporters that "I'd probably say I'm more explosive than I was a year ago." Brooks is part of a backfield that also includes Tennessee transfer Eric Gray. - AP College Football

(DS#12 RB) rSr/2022

RB Kennedy Brooks, Oklahoma
News Source: AP College Football
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08/19/21 - *Nik Bonitto, rJr/2022, Oklahoma, 6-3, 248 (DS#2 OLB) + More +

Rush linebacker Nik Bonitto has plenty of personal momentum heading into this season. He's a popular preseason All-America pick and is on the watch list for several major defensive awards. The redshirt junior is surprised by the notoriety, even if it shouldn't be a shock after he was named a Pro Football Focus' first-team All-American and second team by The Associated Press last season. "I feel like even though I did have a good year last year, it wasn't my standard and what I think I can do because I still have a lot to grow on my game," Bonitto said. But though he might not be sure about the national praise, Bonitto is embracing his internal role as one of the leaders on a Sooners defense with plenty of expectations. "It's everything that I've asked for, especially when playing how I did last year, and it's to be expected," Bonitto said. "So I definitely won't shy away from it." - Daily Oklahoman

(DS#2 OLB) rJr/2022

OLB *Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma
News Source: Daily Oklahoman
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08/19/21 - Michael Woods II, Sr/2022, Oklahoma, 6-2, 203 (DS#60 WR) + More +

It would've been hard to guess that Mike Woods would be in Norman this season. The senior receiver spent his first three seasons with Arkansas and looked poised to stay in Fayetteville for his senior year, playing in the Razorbacks' spring game back in April. But later that month, he announced he was transferring to Oklahoma. "It was just something that was on my mind and I felt it was the best move for my career to just find another opportunity," Woods said on Wednesday. "And as a wide receiver, you look at OU every year putting out these big numbers and every receiver wants to be in an offense like this. He regularly trains with former OU stand out Ceedee Lamb during the offseasons, which opened his eyes to potentially joining the Sooners receiver core. "I look at [Lamb's] career and his three quarterbacks that he played with. It's two Heismans, two first overall picks, Heisman runner-ups, first-rounders," Woods said. "When you look at that, your eyes get big and you're just like, 'man, what would that be like?" "You see what [Lincoln] Riley does with transfers, and what his receivers are doing and also his quarterbacks, so it was a pretty easy decision." - Norman Transcript

(DS#60 WR) Sr/2022

WR Michael Woods II, Oklahoma
News Source: Norman Transcript
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08/18/21 - Michael Turk, rSr/2023, Oklahoma, 6-0, 227 (DS#4 P) + More +

The transfer portal has led to what most now call free agency in college athletics. Not getting enough paying time? Transfer. Don't like the coach? Transfer. Think the grass is greener somewhere else? Transfer. When a top line player opts to leave there are a lot of questions and in the case of Arizona State punter Michael Turk, the situation is complicated. Turk stunned all last week when he asked ASU compliance officials to enter him into the transfer portal. The timing made it an interesting move. The deadline for players to transfer and still be eligible to play the coming season at an FBS school was July 1, but since Turk is a grad transfer he actually could play this season.

The move appears to be tied to an ASU policy that athletes - or any individuals for that matter - who have not been vaccinated will not be part of the traveling party for any road game. Turk is a deeply religious individual, who has made his feelings on that issue public through social media, announced his decision to transfer on his YouTube channel. He has not given a reason for the transfer and did not respond to a text message left for him regarding that issue. That was not necessarily surprising because Turk, one of the premier punters in the country, has always preferred to keep a lower profile and has never particularly enjoyed dealing with the media. ASU athletic director Ray Anderson put out a statement after an inquiry from some media explaining the school's policy, which makes it sound like Turk's move was prompted by the policy. - Arizona Republic

(DS#4 P) rSr/2023

P Michael Turk, Oklahoma
News Source: Arizona Republic
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08/15/21 - Eric Gray, Sr/2023, Oklahoma, 5-10, 205 (DS#13 RB) + More +

Eric Gray went to school in more ways than one early last year. The Tennessee transfer running back had plenty of catching up to do in not a lot of time before spring football began for OU. Gray had to get Lincoln Riley's offense, which can be plenty complicated, down quickly. "I've always been a guy that can remember things easily," Gray said. "Even when I was taking tests, I could study really quick, using flash cards." So Gray took the same approach to learning the Sooners' offense. "I would go home at night and be like, 'OK, we're running this play. Now what do you do? This is the pass play, what's the protection?," Gray said. "Different things like that."

Gray also had a dry-erase board in his room, where he'd diagram plays and responsibilities to try to drill it into his mind. "I didn't want to be in the back," Gray said. "Everyone else had already known the system so I wanted to catch up fast and hit the ground running." There are high expectations for Gray, who transferred after rushing for more than 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 360 yards and three touchdowns on 43 receptions for the Volunteers over the past two seasons. "Eric's very explosive," Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler said. "He makes good cuts, can make you miss easily, great vision, and pretty fast." - Daily Oklahoman

(DS#13 RB) Sr/2023

RB Eric Gray, Oklahoma
News Source: Daily Oklahoman
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08/15/21 - Jeffery Johnson, rSr/2023, Oklahoma, 6-2, 312 (DS#83 DT) + More +

Nose tackle Jeffery Johnson is lighter than at any time of his college career, but the fact he remained in New Orleans might be the weightiest news the Tulane football team received all offseason. For about 48 hours in mid-May, Johnson was in the transfer portal. Although it remains unclear exactly what he was thinking, he was welcomed back with open arms when he became the rare player to change his mind. "I was just considering things," he said Monday without revealing specifics. "This is my last year, and I was looking at things academically and competitively, but at the end of the day sometimes the best decision isn't always the right decision, so I decided to stay here."

If that answer is vague, there is nothing murky about his value to the team. Having shed 60 pounds from the summer of 2020 to the beginning of preseason camp, he became a leaner, meaner version of himself without losing the strength that made him a force in the middle of the defense the past three years. His pandemic high of 355 pounds - which he reached in the 2½ months players went home during the COVID-19 quarantine of 2020 - has turned into a sub-300 weigh-in through hard work and a better diet. "We have a phenomenal strength and conditioning program, but it's not really about how you train," he said. "It's about what you put in your body. When we were home during the quarantine, I got down on myself, and it took me a while to get back." - New Orleans Times Picayune

(DS#83 DT) rSr/2023

DT Jeffery Johnson, Oklahoma
News Source: New Orleans Times Picayune
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08/14/21 - *Marvin Mims Jr., Jr/2023, Oklahoma, 5-11, 183 (DS#9 WR) + More +

As Oklahoma begins practice for the coming football season, several assumptions are being taken for granted. Quarterback Spencer Rattler will be a Heisman Trophy candidate. Kennedy Brooks will lead the running back committee. The Sooners are the clear class of the Big 12 Conference, in line to win a seventh straight league crown. Marvin Mims is the No. 1 option at wide receiver. While that last one it may well be true, the fact it's presumed is interesting because Mims caught all of 37 passes last season, the same number as Theo Wease, and 25 fewer than 2019's leading receiver, CeeDee Lamb, who caught 62.

It was a big season for a true freshman, which Mims happened to be. It was not, however, a huge season for the Sooners' leading receiver. That last time OU's most frequent pass catcher topped out at fewer grabs was 2005, when Malcolm Kelly caught 33 passes thrown by Rhett Bomar or Paul Thompson in a forgettable four-loss season. The last time even OU's No. 2 receiver was limited to so few grabs was in 2016, when Dede Westbrook caught 80, Joe Mixon, a running back, caught 37 and Geno Lewis caught 32. Mims will be looking to catch many more this campaign, for the difference between being a freshman and sophomore are immense. "It's a whole other mindset," he said. "I've done it for a year now, I'm coming in, I'm ready to build." - Norman Transcript

(DS#9 WR) Jr/2023

WR *Marvin Mims Jr., Oklahoma
News Source: Norman Transcript
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