A couple things stand out about week 1’s depth chart for Oklahoma:
True freshman defensive tackle Jayden Jackson will start but more highly touted recruit David Stone is tied for third string at that position.
Coach Brent Venables said earlier this week not to read too much into that. But, as fans, we do. Not so much that Stone is stumbling — he’s a true freshman and entitled to learn before starting — but rather the impressive fact that Jackson beat out two seniors and two juniors for the job.
Both Stone and Jackson went to IMG Academy for high school, although Stone is a Del City, Oklahoma native.
Also interesting that freshman Michael Hawkins, Jr. was named backup for QB Jackson Arnold, over more experienced transfer Casey Thompson (R-Sr.). That means Hawkins truly has impressed the coaches, who are indicating by this depth chart that they won’t redshirt Hawkins.
Of course OU can play Hawkins in four games and not burn his redshirt. So, maybe that is what is happening here.
No surprise here that Purdue transfer WR Deion Burks has the starting job at slot receiver. He was most impressive in the Spring Game. He led the Boilermakers in receptions last year, with 47 for 629 receiving yards and seven TDs.
And although the off-season talk has been about how concerned everyone is about an inexperienced offensive line, this lineup there has two seniors, two juniors and one sophomore starting on the O-line.
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