Fresno State transfer Jalen Saunders gives Oklahoma a threat out of the slot and in the return game (Photo: newsok.com)
DraftBrowns.com Staff Writer: Justin Higdon
Oklahoma Sooners Head Coach Bob Stoops enters his 15th season in the program, having compiled an impressive 149-37 record. Despite the lofty winning percentage, the Sooners’ lone BCS title under Stoops in 2000 seems like ages ago, and the coach has taken criticism for his 3-5 record in BCS bowl games. Still, Stoops has revived a historic powerhouse that had been an afterthought for more than a decade after Barry Switzer left for the NFL. Stoops’ teams have won at least 10 games in 11 of his 14 seasons – including seven of their last eight – and have won three of their last four bowl games. Landry Jones, who for all intents and purposes was a four-year starter at quarterback, is now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, so the Sooners will usher in a new starting quarterback. But as always, they return a number of talented starters.
Aaron Colvin CB 6’0” 182 – Since graduating high school in 2010, Colvin has appeared in 39 if his team’s 40 games and has 26 career starts under his belt. The senior cornerback is coming off his best season as a collegian. He earned First Team All Big 12 honors after recording 61 tackles and tying for second in the conference with four interceptions. Colvin broke up 11 passes, and even tallied two sacks in Oklahoma’s overtime win over in-state rival Oklahoma State. Colvin often plays way off the receiver, but does an excellent job breaking on the ball, and often manages to get inside position on his opponent to break up passes. In this respect, he is very aggressive. However, down the field, he seems disinterested in contact at times. While he doesn’t always come with a big hit or wrap up properly, he at least manages to get in the way of the ball carrier. His tackling technique will frustrate some onlookers, and he will need some polish in this area. Colvin’s strength is in coverage – fortunate for any defensive back – and his ability to turn and run with receivers, and locate and make plays on the ball in the air, will make his iffy tackling seem less consequential. Like almost any aggressive cornerback, Colvin will get beat deep on occasion, but he has talent to overcome his flaws and size that will appeal to NFL scouts. Colvin is generally regarded as one of the top senior cornerbacks in the 2014 draft class and should remain in that discussion barring a disastrous senior season.
Jalen Saunders WR 5’9” 164 – The diminutive Saunders began his college career at Fresno State, where he had a breakout season as a sophomore in 2011. That year Saunders caught 50 passes for 1065 yards – a staggering 21.3 yards per reception – and scored 14 total touchdowns. Saunders left Fresno in the spring of 2012 amid dissatisfaction with his role in the offense, and transferred to Oklahoma. Most transfer students are forced to sit out a year before suiting up for their new school, but thanks to a loophole in the sea of NCAA red tape, Saunders was ruled eligible in time to play the final nine games of the 2012 season. The junior receiver played almost exclusively out of the slot, and finished the year with 62 receptions for 829 yards and three touchdowns. Saunders is a sure-handed receiver with excellent body control and the ability to adjust to the ball in the air. He is at his best when he finds a soft spot in the defense and is given room to use his open field quickness. Saunders is shifty and can change directions on a dime, but he is almost too quick for his own feet, occasionally stumbling and hitting the turf without being touched. While he clearly lacks size, he is surprisingly difficult to bring down, and often picks up yardage after contact. He is even a more effective blocker than one would expect from a player who weighs less than 170 pounds. He brings added value as a punt return man, and ran one back for a touchdown last season. Saunders won’t appeal to every NFL franchise. In addition to his small stature, he will need to answer questions about the circumstances surrounding his transfer – teams will need to understand how a disagreement with coaches led Saunders to pack up and leave Fresno. He’ll also draw scrutiny for his December 2012 marijuana arrest. But with fewer and fewer teams discriminating against smaller receivers, Saunders should come off the board sometime between the third and fifth rounds of next May’s draft, provided he stays out of trouble.
Trey Millard FB 6’2” 253 – Millard chose Oklahoma in 2010 despite an offer from his hometown school, Missouri, and the senior fullback has appeared in all 40 of the Sooners’ games since arriving on campus. After totaling 48 carries and 29 receptions during his first two seasons, Millard set career highs in nearly every statistical category in 2012. Millard ran for 198 yards on 33 carries (six yards per carry), and caught 30 passes for 337 yards (11.3 yards per reception) and four touchdowns. The versatile fullback/tight end hybrid was named to the All Big 12 First Team by the coaches, and to the Second Team by the media. Millard has soft hands as a receiver and a good speed/size combo, though he lacks ideal height to play tight end in the NFL. He is an excellent running fullback and will appeal to teams as a short yardage runner or an H-back. Millard is inconsistent as a blocker, at times simply taking a token jab at his opponent, or falling in love with cut blocks. The potential is there, but the technique needs work. Millard is an interesting prospect without a true NFL position, but if he can improve as a blocker, his ability to contribute as a ball carrier will be seen as an added bonus.
Damian Williams RB 6’0” 214 – Williams intended to attend Arizona State out of high school but failed to meet the minimum score requirements on his ACT. He took his talents to the junior college ranks where he excelled for Arizona Western. Williams fully intended to work his way back onto the Sun Devils’ roster, but when ASU made a coaching change, Williams became a free agent of sorts, and opted to enroll at Oklahoma. His first season in Norman was a success as he started nine of his team’s 13 games and ran for 946 yards and 11 touchdowns on 176 carries. Williams was also a key contributor in the passing game and finished the year with 34 catches for 320 yards and a TD. At first glance he is tall for a running back, with a thin lower body, though he has reportedly added some weight since last season. He runs a bit upright in the open field and presents a big target; and his running style will leave him susceptible to arm tackles, or at least being slowed down by reaching defenders. Still, in short yardage and at the end of runs he is capable of lowering his pads and pushing the pile, and he always seems to fall forward. Williams has good vision as a runner, and when he spies a hole, he’s able to make the cut and has the speed to run to daylight. He is not asked to stay in and pass protect very often, but his speed and receiving ability should allow him to at least find a role in the NFL as a change of pace running back. At this early stage Williams seems likely to be selected somewhere in the middle stages of Day Three of the draft.
Also keep an eye on: Blake Bell QB* 6’5” 263 (not expected to start but will continue in the “Belldozer” package), Gabe Ikard C 6’3” 298, Gabe Lynn CB 6’0” 199, Kass Everett CB 5’10” 182, Bronson Irwin G 6’4” 310, Tyler Evans G 6’5” 305, Corey Nelson OLB 6’1” 226, Roy Finch RB 5’7” 175, Brennan Clay RB 5’11” 198, Brannon Green TE 6’2” 264, Jaz Reynolds WR 6’2” 200 (multiple off the field issues)