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Freshmen Making Impact on OU Practices August 12, 2002 by Mac Thompson Contributing Columnist Just when you think OU has enough returning talent that the incoming freshmen class will be mostly red-shirted, the athletes get the opportunity to prove themselves. In the first week of practices for the Sooners, several true freshmen have made impact and have the opportunity to get significant playing time this season. So far, the newcomer who has had the biggest impact is probably wide receiver Jejuan Rankins. Rankins, a top 10 recruit in his position last year from North Carolina, has received significant playing time in the receiving corps and as a kick returner in the first few practices. OU Coaches like his breakaway speed and his illusiveness on kick returns. Another true freshman wide receiver who could avoid red-shirting is Travis Wilson of Carrolton, Texas. Wilson has impressed OU coaches so far with his work ethic and his size (6-3, 200 lbs) is very appealing to coaches. Another newcomer Sooner fans should get ready to watch is defensive end Larry Birdine of Lawton. Birdine came into the Sooner camp this year in great shape and just needs to improve technique and learn the defense. Several Sooner coaches have indicated that they would like to have a four player rotation at end this season. Birdine could just land that fourth spot in the rotation behind All-American Jimmy Wilkerson, sophomore Jonathan Jackson and red-shirt sophomore Dan Cody. Incoming freshman Calvin Thibodeaux could also compete with Birdine for the fourth spot in the rotation. The Sooners are absolutely loaded with talent and this position. Rufus Alexander is another freshman you should expect to see get playing time this season. Coaches say Alexander's build (6-1, 215 lbs) is very similar to the late, great Roy Williams. Alexander, however, will play at linebacker this season since the Sooners are light in the position and heavy in the defensive back department. Alexander should see plenty of action in a backup role this season at linebacker and could move next season to play safety. Other true freshmen attempting to get into the Sooners' linebacker rotation include: Wayne Chambers, Russell Denison and Zach Latimer. These freshmen will mostly be competing for backup slots to the Sooners' starting rotation of juniors Teddy Lehman, Lance Mitchell and Pasha Jackson. If the Sooners get good play from the linebacker position this season, the OU defense should be tops in the country and one of the best Sooner D's of all time. News and Notes from Sooner Practices: * Wide Receivers Coach Darrel Wyatt has been frustrated early on with his receivers being dominated by OU's talented defensive backs. So far, senior Antwone Savage, sophomore Mark Clayton and freshmen Rankins and Wilson have been the most impressive. Sophomore Will Peoples has been the most disappointing. During Monday morning's practice, Peoples lacked intensity on a missed catch which resulted in an interception. Head Coach Bob Stoops immediately charged over to Peoples and reprimanded him, then sent him running sprints and eventually over to work with the scout team. Stoops appeared to be trying to make an example out of Peoples. The message: less than 100 percent effort is unacceptable. * Jason White appears to have solidified his role as the starting QB. Although Stoops claims the position is still open, many other coaches have been heard calling White the starter and Nate Hybl the backup. Third stringer Brent Rawls has been equally impressive as the two leaders, though, in early practice. In Monday's practice, Rawls had several big plays, one in particular stood out where he connected with sophomore receiver Brandon Jones on a long route. Don't be surprised if Rawls challenges Hybl for playing time in the Sooners early season games. The coaches learned last year that two QB's are not necessarily enough for a complete season. The coaches know what Hybl can do in a big game. They need to see Rawls in a big game atmosphere. Expect him to get snaps in the season opener against Tulsa once the game gets out of hand. * The OU offensive line looks to be much improved over a year ago. Sophomores Wes Sims and Vince Carter should lead the young, experienced unit. Sims is the most impressive specimen on the offensive line. Now an impressive 300 pounds of muscle, Sims bench presses 455 pounds, the best on the offensive line. The starting offensive line appears to be Jammal Brown (red-shirt sophomore), Mike Skinner (senior), Carter (sophomore), Kelvin Chaisson (red-shirt freshman), and Sims (red-shirt sophomore). * Don't expect to see another running back challenge Quentin Griffin for the majority of carries this season. Griffin, who had a tough season last year due to a minor injury and an inexperienced offensive line, appears to be in great shape this season. Many analysts have predicted that Griffin might be challenged this season by junior Jerad Estes, junior Renaldo Works, red-shirt freshman Kejuan Jones or red-shirt freshman Donta Hickson. However, on Saturday Griffin led all running backs in three major categories: 40-yard dash (4.43 seconds), vertical jump (37.5 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 2 inches). Coach Stoops said Griffin is the top at his position and no one outperforms him. OU running game coordinator Kevin Wilson has been overheard saying that he expects Griffin to run for 1400 yards this season. If so, the Sooner offense will be putting up some big time numbers.
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