Now that the Sooners are in gameweek mode, Oklahoma fans anxiously await Saturday night when reviews of Oklahoma's season opener against UTEP can be offered. At SoonerScoop.com few reviews are more anticipated than the scored review of all of Oklahoma's starters and reserves that we do each week on the Crimson Corner. Though no games have been played, coming into the season we're trying a new feature - ranking the players as we see them to start the year.
Look as we go through each starter and key reserve and go over the expectations for the season.
OFFENSE
QB Baker Mayfield: 96
99 Rated Overall at position: Andrew Luck
Analysis: There will be games that Mayfield scores near perfectly but as great as he was in 2016 he had moments, notably in the season's first two games, that lacked the high-end precision everyone has come to expect from him. As an emotional guy there will always be a bit of an ebb and flow to his performance but the Sooners will enjoy far, far more of his excellence than any concerns.
RB Rodney Anderson: 83
99 Rated Overall at position: Adrian Peterson
Analysis: Anderson is one of the more enigmatic pieces of Oklahoma's 2017 season. Once upon a time he was seen as a running back with high-end potential. Two years of injuries later and realizing the last time he had a meaningful carry was the 6A Division two state championship game where he had 177-yards and two touchdowns. Anderson can be better than the '83' but he could also be worse if his health, head isn't in. Missing two years of football is very tough to overcome.
HBack Dimitri Flowers: 93
99 Rated Overall at position: Trey Millard
Analysis: Without question the most under appreciated aspect of Oklahoma's group of returning starters. Flowers does a bit of everything, as proven by the fact he was not only one of the Sooners best blockers but also a 100-yard back last year. Flowers does everything for the Sooners and in my opinion might be the most complete fullback in school history.
WR Jeff Badet: 84
99 Rated Overall at position: Dede Westbrook
Analysis: This feels like a prediction that will be wrong, the question is will it be too modest or too bold? With Badet there are just so many variables from his move to Norman, him learning Oklahoma's terminology, all the way to just finding a comfort zone with Baker Mayfield. However, Badet's speed is game-changing and Oklahoma has a clear need for him to step up.
WR Jeff Mead: 72
99 Rated Overall at position: A.J. Green
Analysis: Well it's finally here, Mead's last hurrah. Can he finally put all that talent together to be the big playmaker he has the ability to be? I guess you could say I'm taking a 'wait and see' approach. I've been a big fan of Mead since his high school days but I just see too much of him floating in and out of games and I'm just not ready to buy he is going to be a 35+ reception, 500-yards (or more) type of guy.
TE Mark Andrews: 89
99 Rated Overall at position: O.J. Howard
Analysis: Andrews is one of the country's premier tight ends and has established himself as such without really putting it 'all' together so far. He has shown flashes of brilliance, often on the biggest stages, but health has caught him up a few times along with a few bad drops. All in all though Andrews has the talent and possibility to be a huge piece for the Sooners in 2017.
LT Orlando Brown: 91
99 Rated Overall at position: Orlando Pace
Analysis: I'm guessing that number will be a little lower than some expect but as someone who values highly offensive line play I can't say how far Brown has gone past my expectations. The guy has made himself into a high round draft choice - potentially even first - and might be the country's most dominant 'hands on' blocker, if he continues to develop his movement he could push for major awards this year.
LG Ben Powers: 88
99 Rated Overall at position: Joshua Garnett
Analysis: It is hard to put it into words just how dramatic Powers's growth was from when he walked onto the field in relief against Ohio State to the guy that finished the year against Auburn. Powers is the lunchpail guy of this group, just punches in and tries to beat the fight out of one defender after another.
C Erick Wren: 82
99 Rated Overall at position: Nick Mangold
Analysis: Wren may not have the size, power, or other flash of some of his compatriots on the front line but Wren is the steadying force. Perhaps no player from game to game and snap to snap is more consistent. It also seems like no coincidence that the line gelled together after Wren took over at center.
RG Cody Ford: 86
99 Rated Overall at position: Davin Joseph
Analysis: This is another choice that feels like it is near destined to be wrong. Ford has as much high-end potential as any member of this star-studded offensive line. But coming off a serious injury that saw him play only one game, and a few moments of another. Ford is a mountain of a guard and once he gets his hands on you, it's game over man, game over.
RT Bobby Evans: 92
99 Rated Overall at position: Trent Williams
Analysis: This one will really surprise some but Evans is a huge talent who has the ability to dominate in both phases of the game. As he continues to fill out his once lean frame - he was a high school tight end at one point - he'll become even more capable as a run blocker. His ability as a pass blocker hovered near elite status as a freshman. This year he has a chance to enter All-American conversation.
DEFENSE
DE Obo Okoronkwo: 90
99 Rated Overall at position: Jadeveon Clowney
Analysis: Last year Okoronkwo finally got his first real crack at things and was among the nation's better pass rushers. This year, I expect more of the same and though there is a position change, his role is essentially the same - put pressure on the quarterback. Okoronkwo has a lot of background on the defensive line so this could end up as a very natural fit.
DE D.J. Ward: 79
99 Rated Overall at position: Joey Bosa
Analysis: Ward is a player that could make this defense hum if he can finally fulfill the promise of his recruitment and it seems this change to a 4-3 could help him tremendously. He is a quality pass rusher when he is on and if he can find his feet and take some pressure of Okoronkwo, this defense could surprise people.
DT Matt Romar: 84
99 Rated Overall at position: Ndamukong Suh
Analysis: For Romar it's all about health. If he can stay healthy, I'd bet he outplays this number but for the past few years, that has been an issue - missing five full games over the past two seasons, including four last year. Romar is an active defensive lineman who should fit better in the 4-3 than he did the 3-4, he may be ready to emerge.
DT Neville Gallimore: 87
99 Rated Overall at position: Gerald McCoy
Analysis: Oklahoma's defense has a number of steady players but a few with the elite potential to make those handful of plays that change the course of a game. Gallimore is one such guy and if he can build on the play from last year look for him to be one of the Big 12's breakout stars.
LB Caleb Kelly: 90
99 Rated Overall at position: Jaylon Smith
Analysis: See Gallimore's comments? This one may sound very similar. That being said, Kelly is the sophomore that seems most likely to break Sam Bradford's currently standing title. That's right, since Bradford's Heisman trophy winning 2008 season Oklahoma has not had a sophomore All-American. It won't be easy for Kelly to end the spell, but with his buzz following the Sugar Bowl, there's a chance.
LB Kenneth Murray: 81
99 Rated Overall at position: Reuben Foster
Analysis: Like several members of this defense you just don't know what you have in Murray. He is a tremendously talented guy who has come on in unbelievable time this spring and summer but he's still a guy whose first start will be his first game as a college football player. Murray has huge upside but don't be surprised when there are games when things go wrong.
LB Emmanuel Beal: 70
99 Rated Overall at position: C.J. Mosley
Analysis: It has been discussed on the podcast but the irony that Beal's best role, as a third down pass defender, will be negated by Oklahoma moving Kelly to the WILL when Oklahoma goes into it's nickel package is hard to ignore. That being said, it's an understandable move and while Beal won't ever be the star, he has uses if Oklahoma can keep him away from being a 'point of attack' player as often as possible.
CB Jordan Thomas: 87
99 Rated Overall at position: Patrick Peterson
Analysis: Thomas' potential number is as high as anyone on the defense. As I've said before, want to see how special Thomas can be, go look at the first half against Texas last year. As I've also said, want to see how dangerous he can be when he loses focus? Go check out the second half of the same game. If Thomas is locked in, he has first team All-American potential.
CB Parnell Motley: 82
99 Rated Overall at position: Jalen Ramsey
Analysis: It isn't every day that a cornerback has an entire team, and fanbase buzzing but that's where Motley is. He has been on a upward trajectory ever since the spring, particularly his highlight reel interception in the spring game. If Motley can be consistent his big-play ability could have a very comparable corner duo to their 2013 group of Aaron Colvin and Zack Sanchez.
S Steven Parker: 86
99 Rated Overall at position: Roy Williams
Analysis: Parker was a player coming into last year that seemed ready to go stratospheric but whether from injuries or just modest performance - it's tough to know where one ended and the other began - it didn't happen. Can he get back on the road to elite status in what is, unbelievably enough, his final season in Norman?
S Will Johnson: 73
99 Rated Overall at position: Eric Reid
Analysis: Johnson had a big year helping the Sooners in 2015 but last year it just all went wrong. Both from injuries and playing in a role he just wasn't prepared to deal with Johnson's 2016 just went amuck. Johnson has the ability to be useful for Oklahoma but can he stay healthy? It's a tough bet to make.
KEY RESERVES
QB Kyler Murray: 81
99 Rated Overall at position: Andrew Luck
Analysis: Murray has now been named the backup and if that's all he does, it may be tough for him to even meet up with this number. That said if Oklahoma gets creative with him, as is reasonable to consider, then he may go way beyond it. Murray is a dynamic player who can throw for touchdowns, catch touchdowns, and run for touchdowns. With the obvious risk of injury a real concern, will Lincoln Riley let him loose?
RB Abdul Adams: 80
99 Rated Overall at position: Adrian Peterson
Analysis: Time to admit it, this is being cautious. Adams has always been a talented guy but last year raised some questions and like a few others above, it's tough to know how much was the step up in competition and how much was the often discussed injury? Adams is a quick runner who gets north and south very well. Honestly it's hard not to see some Dewell Brewer in his game.
RB Marcelias Sutton: 79
99 Rated Overall at position: Adrian Peterson
Analysis: There may not be a guy this year who will have Oklahoma fans holding their breath more on each touch than Sutton. His amazingly quick feet and ability to get to top end speed in a hurry are going to be hard to match. The Sooners will get creative with how they get him the ball and it's not crazy to assume more than a few 50-yard, or more, plays.
WR Marquise Brown: 81
99 Rated Overall at position: Corey Coleman
Analysis: Another on the home run hitters list. Brown has big play speed and the twitchiness to make the first person miss. If Oklahoma can, again, find ways to be creative and get him the ball in space he'll cause trouble for a number of defenses.
WR Mykel Jones: 75
99 Rated Overall at position: Corey Coleman
Analysis: Be honest, it felt like a move was going to be made by Jones this summer after Nick Basquine went down with injury. But that move just hasn't, apparently, happened. That said, he still seems ready to get some
WR Cedarian Lamb: 81
99 Rated Overall at position: A.J. Green
Analysis: A guy who has seemed to pick up more and more momentum through the summer is Lamb. Early on there was some talk that he might have to redshirt but as he has picked up the offense and started to find his way around it seems Oklahoma is having to find ways to get the ball in his highly talented hands. Don't be shocked if Lamb is a starter by year's end.
OL Dru Samia: 84
99 Rated Overall at position: Davin Joseph
Analysis: This one is a bit of a guess, as there is every chance that Samia will be swapping roles with Ford in the lineup. But however it plays out Oklahoma will be rotating Samia in heavily whether it's at left guard, right guard, or even right tackle. Samia is a do it all offensive lineman who came on toward the end of last year and starter or no is a key part of Oklahoma's elite offensive line unit.
DE Mark Jackson: 79
99 Rated Overall at position: Jadeveon Clowney
Analysis: Jackson is another player that has, from all reports, put together a really productive camp. It will be interesting to see how he is used in the defensive front, could Oklahoma get exotic and get he and Okoronkwo on the field at the same time? It's possible and it could be highly useful.
DT Marquise Overton: 80
99 Rated Overall at position: Ndamukong Suh
Analysis: After missing a year Overton is now back and ready to backup Romar once again. If he is at full strength Oklahoma should have one of the better nose tackle combos in not only the Big 12 but in the country. Some have forgotten that Overton was highly, highly productive as a freshman. If he can get there again, the Sooners defensive line starts to look ready for plenty of rotations.
CB Jordan Parker: 78
99 Rated Overall at position: Jalen Ramsey
Analysis: It will be interesting to see how things work between Parker and Parnell Motley opposite of Jordan Thomas but if Parker gets snap there is every reason to think he'll be highly successful. Parker is a technician at corner who figures to be a key man at some point in 2017.
S Robert Barnes: 75
99 Rated Overall at position: Eric Reid
Analysis: If Johnson, as discussed above, has injury issues in 2017 it feels like Barnes could be the guy that jumps into the role. He has clearly impressed this summer which is even more notable considering he wasn't able to finish last season after breaking a bone in his leg during a game. Barnes has the ability to be Oklahoma's next highly-regarded safety it's just a question of whether he will begin his ascent to those heights in 2017 or 2018.
