Jake Trotter answers readers' questions about Oklahoma football in his mailbag every Friday. Got a question for Jake? Submit it here.
Chad in Edmond, Okla., writes: What is the big concern recruiting wise for 2013?
Jake Trotter: Defensive tackle will be a major point of emphasis. The Sooners will lose Casey Walker, Stacy McGee and Jamarkus McFarland from next year’s senior class. OU could use a difference-maker there. The Sooners will also need to replenish the depth at cornerback and safety. This year’s class was heavy on offense. Expect next year’s class to be heavy on defense.
D.A. in Tulsa writes: Jake, how will the receiving corps shape out in 2012 with Stills, Reynolds, Franks and Jackson already on campus and Metoyer, Gardner, Neal, Shepard and Woods coming in? Who will get redshirted, who will play in the rotation and who will switch sides of the ball?
Jake Trotter: The only player guaranteed of a starting spot is Kenny Stills. After that, it’s wide open. Kameel Jackson earned a spot in the rotation with the way he closed the 2011 season. If he can clean up some attitude issues and his kidney heals accordingly, Jaz Reynolds figures to be in the mix, too. I can see Courtney Gardner, >Trey Metoyer and Durron Neal being instant impact players, and it wouldn’t shock me if Sterling Shepard got on the field, too. Jay Norvell prefers to play six guys in his WR rotation, and for the first time in awhile, he should have that luxury next season.
Zach in Claremore, Okla., writes: Will the defensive recruiting strategy change under Mike Stoops?
Jake Trotter: In a couple of ways, yes. Most specifically, you’ll see Mike go after the bigger players at cornerback, underscored by the signings of Gary Simon (6-1, 180) and Zack Sanchez (6-0, 172). But in most ways, it won’t. Mike Stoops, Brent Venables and Bob Stoops agree on most ideas regarding defensive philosophy.
Jim Slemaker in Los Angeles writes: What's up with the Laith Harlow schollie?
Jake Trotter: Harlow apparently has some kind of back injury that will prevent him from playing football. Because the Sooners offered a scholarship before the back injury, they plan on still honoring it through a medical scholarship. The same thing happened with offensive lineman Curtis Bailey a few years ago, who couldn’t play football anymore, but went through OU on a medical scholarship.
