Impressive Sooner
HARRY LENTZ for GTR Newspapers
SAM BRADFORD: Bob Stoops has made many excellent decisions during his tenure as the head football coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, and it looks as though his decision to name Sam Bradford as the starting quarterback was at the top of the list.
Bradford, a 215-pound redshirt freshman, has been a true leader of the Sooner attack, leading a scoring onslaught rarely seen in college football through the early season.
Bradford was well-known among college recruiters out of Putnam City North, where he threw for 2,422 yards and 19 touchdowns. Despite his renown, few area colleges tried to recruit him, probably knowing he wanted to be a Sooner.
Stoops chose Bradford over junior Joey Halzle and freshman Keith Nichol. The decision was obvious, as the Sooners ran up 79 points in their opener against North Texas.
Stoops has often mentioned that Bradford is consistent, commands the huddle and efficiently manages the game while avoiding serious mistakes.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson agrees, mentioning that Bradford’s leadership gives the Sooners a true chance at the Big 12 championship.
Bradford succeeds Paul Thompson, who led Oklahoma to the Big 12 championship last season.
Thompson took over at quarterback on the first day of fall practice last August, moving back to the position from wide receiver following Rhett Bomar’s dismissal for breaking NCAA rules. After the move, Thompson addressed the team to bring them together and build confidence.
But Malcolm Kelly, the Sooners’ top receiver, said this year Bradford simply started getting more and then all of the snaps with the first-team offense and players knew a decision had been made.
Kelly is impressed that the announcement for Bradford as the starter was somewhat understated and not as dramatic as least year, when Bomar left and Thompson was announced.
Bradford is also known as being a very good student.
The impressive Sooners return their entire corps of receivers and tight ends, plus four of their five linemen.
Updated 09-26-2007
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