Oklahoma Football Preview: 3 Things That Went Right This Spring

What are the three key things that went right for Oklahoma after spring football?

The receiving corps is more than okay

There’s a chance Sterling Shepard becomes the best modern era pro wide receiver – Tommy McDonald aside – to ever come from Oklahoma, but even though he’s gone, the Sooner receivers should be solid.

Dede Westbroook finished last season as the No. 2 target, catching 46 passes for 743 yards and four scores, and he showed off in the spring game – and throughout the offseason – that he’s ready to step up and become an even bigger factor. He’s a big play receiver who can take anything on the move the distance, but he’s not going to be alone.

Michiah Quick came up with a long touchdown in the spring game, and he showed throughout spring ball that he’s ready to step up his production. Throw in Penn State transfer Geno Lewis, and Oklahoma’s passing game won’t miss a beat.

The future of the Sooner quarterback situation is bright

Even with backup Cody Thomas leaving to play baseball, OU has a very, very nice set up for the next few years with the way the quarterback situation is starting to play itself out.

If everything goes perfectly and there aren’t major dips in production or big injuries, Baker Mayfield is the Heisman-caliber starter who comes up with an even bigger year now that he knows what he’s doing. Austin Kendall grows into the backup role and gets plenty of garbage time in various blowouts – and maybe gets a series or two here and there just to get him used to a few big situations. And Texas A&M Kyler Murray gets to learn the system for the next year and hits the ground running in 2017.

Murray was the star of the spring game, showing off the all-around ability that made him a five-star of five-star prospects, while Kendall – a true freshman – ran a little bit and got his feet wet, completing 8-of-17 passes.

There’s a big, big problem if Kendall has to get thrown to the wolves early on – especially with Ohio State coming up in mid-September – but in terms of the future of the position, the Sooners are more than set.

The Sooner kicking game is settled

It’s a one-man gang, but considering last year at this time the kicking game was a concern, OU is set with Austin Seibert.

If he’s not the best all-around kicker in college football, he’s in the team photo.

There’s no need to mess with what worked, and Oklahoma isn’t going to. As a freshman Seibert stepped up averaging over 42 yards per punt while hitting 18-of-23 field goals. With Nick Hodgson graduating, Seibert will handle the kickoffs, too.

Jack Steed has a big leg and could get a look at punter, but forget about it – the Sooners have a huge advantage as long as Seibert can replicate his 2015.