A SAMPLING OF TAKES ON MASON RUDOLPH’S NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS,
SOONERS FOOTBALL JOURNAL
NORMAN — As a sophomore last season, Oklahoma cornerback Jordan Thomas was excellent. He had five interceptions, broke up four passes and finished with 46 tackles.
Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said Thomas has improved significantly.
“I think he has everything you need to be a great corner,” Stoops said. “I think he has great range. I think he has lateral movements. He can make plays with his length. Just continue to become that, that dominant player. They’re going to challenge and it’s going to be tough on him so he just has to keep progressing in that direction.
“Those 50/50 balls have to be 80/20 balls now. That’s what you want to see where he wins the majority of those battles. He’s done that.”
Dakota Austin remains in the lead to start at corner opposite of Thomas, with Michiah Quick and P.J. Mbanasor also in contention.
KISH PRAISES LB MCGINNIS Redshirt freshman linebacker
Arthur McGinnis has been a bit overlooked as Tay Evans has made a move to leap into the starting lineup and Caleb Kelly has set high expectations coming in as a five-star recruit. But Sooners linebackers coach
Tim Kish heaped praise on McGinnis on Tuesday for his development.
“Arthur has made the most improvement of anybody around here,” Kish said. “Where he was a year ago was less than a turtle’s speed out on the field. He gained way too much weight and he wasn’t ready to move around. I am so proud of him right now. He is totally focused and tuned in. He’s running around doing a really good job right now. He’s giving us the ability to create some depth.”
While Kish is hopeful McGinnis could crack the linebacker rotation, he said he definitely expected McGinnis to be a special-teams contributor.
SEIBERT READY FOR HEAVY WORKLOAD
Austin
Sophomore kicker/punter Seibert will have even more thrown onto his plate this season when he takes over kickoffs as well.
That stressful workload has led special teams coordinator Jay Boulware to limit Seibert’s use in camp.
“You want to make sure that you limit his actual number of attempts each day,” Boulware said. “He doesn’t kick every day. He’s on a day, off a day. And I don’t want him to get more than three days in a week.”
Seibert wasn’t limited nearly as much last year when he was battling for both the kicker and punter spots as a true freshman.
He’s happy to add the kickoff duties though.
“Kickoffs are really just field goals with more power,” Seibert said. “You just get a running start and just hit it down the field. It’s really not too big of a change from field goals with leg swing or anything. Just more violent.”