This summer, ESPN.com is taking a closer look at each scholarship player on the Oklahoma Sooners' roster in our Crimson Countdown series. Each day, we analyze each player’s impact on the program since arriving on campus, his potential impact this fall and his long-term projection. Starting with No. 1 Dominique Alexander, the series follows the roster numerically through No. 98 Chuka Ndulue.
No. 80 Isaac Ijalana, tight end, 6-foot-4, 247 pounds, sophomore
Impact thus far: As a spring enrollee, Ijalana has only spent one semester with the Sooners. He was a member of the ESPN JC 50.
Impact in 2014: The competition at tight end has amped up with Blake Bell’s position change and Taylor McNamara’s continued development. He will have to earn any playing time he gets this fall, but he’s one of the reasons the Sooners should feel better about the overall talent at the position heading into this season.
Long-term upside: The Sooners are hopeful he can eventually provide a versatile receiving target at tight end, even if it is not this season.
Evaluation grade for Ijalana: C. The junior-college transfer has only been on campus for one semester, so it’s hard to expect him to walk right into a starting spot or critical role in the offense. But he has three seasons to make an impact and the skill set to do so.
Development grade for Ijalana: NA.
