The Oklahoma Sooners officially closed out their spring practices with the annual Red vs White game, marking the unofficial end of the Big 12 era and the beginning of a new chapter for the program. With the Sooners transitioning to the SEC conference this summer, the game offered a chance for fans to see how the team is shaping up. While it wasn’t a full-fledged competition, the high-scoring affair provided some intriguing insights into Oklahoma’s strengths and weaknesses heading into the summer workouts.
The unique scoring system added a layer of excitement to the game. In addition to touchdowns, points were awarded for big plays like long passes and sacks, making every play significant throughout the competition. This kept the score close and ensured a thrilling finish where the outcome wasn’t decided until the final moments.
Deion Burks, the Purdue transfer wide receiver, solidified his status as a key offensive weapon with his stellar performance. He stretched the field vertically and hauled in two touchdown passes in the first half alone. Jackson Arnold, the starting quarterback, displayed his ability to connect with his receivers by finding Burks for big gains and completing passes efficiently.
Freshman QB Michael Hawkins Jr. Shows Promise Despite Limited Snaps
Freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. also turned heads during his limited reps with the second-team offense. Throughout the spring practices, Hawkins filled the role behind veteran transfer Casey Thompson, who continues to recover from a torn ACL.
In the game itself, Hawkins Jr. went 5-of-12 for 42 yards, a modest stat line that doesn’t fully capture his performance. However, he highlighted his ability to extend plays with his legs, showcasing an intriguing skillset beyond just arm strength. This comes after an impressive spring for the young quarterback, as evidenced by Oklahoma coach Brent Venables’ remarks: “Mike Hawkins was really good all spring,” Venables said. “Anyone who saw us play, it was easy to see. It’s not always fair to be getting more than one opportunity and watching here today to make judgment on; he’ll have another opportunity to make a big jump in the course of the summer.”
While Hawkins Jr. didn’t have a chance to steal the show during the Red vs White game, it seems he has impressed the coaching staff with his performance throughout spring practices. His ability to extend plays with his legs adds another dimension to the Sooners’ offense, and with continued development over the summer, he could push for a more prominent role in the upcoming season.
Both the offensive and defensive lines showcased promise. The offensive line’s starting unit, anchored by USC transfer Michael Tarquin, provided solid pass protection and opened lanes for the running backs. The defensive line, featuring returning players like Gracen Halton and Ethan Downs along with promising freshmen, generated pressure on the quarterback and disrupted plays in the backfield.
Defensive Tackle Depth Remains a Question Mark for Oklahoma Despite Encouraging Spring Performances
While the Oklahoma Sooners’ defense is expected to be a strength under head coach Brent Venables, a lingering concern surrounds the depth at defensive tackle. The forced retirement of Jacob Lacey due to blood clots left a gaping hole in the position group, with only veteran Da’Jon Terry returning as a proven contributor.
“We’ve got one guy that has started a college football game returning, interior-wise,” Venables said, acknowledging the cause for concern. “And so, that’s always a little bit concerning.”
This concern was evident in the Red vs White game where several key defensive tackles were held out. The spotlight fell on lesser-known players and newcomers to anchor the defensive line. While the group, including Gracen Halton, Davon Sears, Ashton Sanders, and freshmen Jayden Jackson and David Stone, showed promise with tackles, sacks, and key plays, the lack of experience remains a pressing issue.
The Sooners are actively seeking to bolster this position through the transfer portal, with potential targets visiting Norman recently. However, the encouraging performances during the spring game offered a silver lining. The defensive line’s showing was just one aspect of a broader display of improved depth across the entire defense. A total of 35 defensive players recorded at least one tackle, highlighting the strides made in developing a well-rounded unit.
“A year ago, I think one of the keys to the depth of improvement that we made was the competitive depth that we had,” Venables said. “…Everywhere else (besides defensive tackle) we’ve got tremendous experience and playmaking.”
While the linebackers, safeties, and corners boast impressive depth with players capable of performing at a high level, the defensive tackle position remains an outlier. Despite the positive takeaways from the spring game, the Sooners will need to find solutions to solidify this crucial position before the season kicks off.
The Game:
- The Red Team defeated the White Team 65-58 in a close game decided by a late rushing touchdown by walk-on RB Chapman McKown.
- A unique scoring system was used with points awarded for sacks, field goals, and big plays in addition to touchdowns.
Top Performers:
- Deion Burks: The Purdue transfer wide receiver impressed with 5 catches for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half.
- Jackson Arnold: The starting quarterback completed 10 of 20 passes for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns.
- Oklahoma Offensive Line: The starting unit, featuring USC transfer Michael Tarquin at left tackle, held up well against the pass rush.
- Oklahoma Defensive Line: Freshman standouts David Stone and Jayden Jackson had promising moments along with returning players like Gracen Halton and Ethan Downs.
Healthy Jovantae Barnes a Surprising Scratch in Oklahoma’s Red vs White Spring Game
The Oklahoma Sooners’ offense displayed a potent rushing attack, racking up 255 yards on the ground. However, one notable absence from the backfield was junior running back Jovantae Barnes.
Despite being fully healthy this spring and even suited up on the sideline for the Red Team, Barnes did not see any snaps in the game. This came as a surprise to many, considering Barnes himself declared he was “back to normal” and feeling explosive after a nagging foot injury limited him to just 37 carries in the 2023 season.
While the reason for Barnes’ absence remains undisclosed, the coaching staff opted to utilize six other running backs throughout the game, with each recording at least one carry. This could indicate the Sooners are exploring depth options in the backfield or potentially implementing a more diverse rushing attack.
It’s important to note that spring games are primarily for evaluating younger players and developing team chemistry. Barnes’ absence shouldn’t necessarily be a cause for alarm, but it does add a layer of intrigue heading into the fall season. Whether Barnes will reclaim his previous role or face increased competition for carries will be a storyline to follow as Oklahoma heads into the summer and ultimately fall camp.
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