Devy Team Review: Oklahoma Sooners

AJ Fernandez

It is often a good idea in devy leagues to set up shop in a good program and take as many players as you can. This is certainly the case with Oklahoma of late. This school has churned out two quarterbacks who went number one overall in the NFL Draft, and Jalen Hurts was an early second-round pick. Additionally, the Sooners have sent back to back first-round wide receivers and an elite tight end to the next level.

Lincoln Riley shows no signs of slowing down and it begins with a future stud taking over at quarterback. Anyone on this list is a candidate to get drafted if they perform at a high level for even one year in this offense. All these names should be on your radar.

Quarterback (DLF devy positional ADP, overall ADP, my positional rank)

Spencer Rattler (6’1” 198) – QB6, 21(SF), QB7

Easily the most important fantasy player on Oklahoma, Rattler redshirted behind Jalen Hurts despite being the top quarterback in the country as a recruit. I am as excited as anyone to see him but perhaps he’s coming in with too many expectations as he currently sits at 9/1 odds to win the Heisman before he’s started a college game. The system is obviously extremely generous to quarterback production so the stats should be there.

Rattler’s high school tape shows quick arm action and all the power needed to make any throw. One clip has him dropping a dime 57 yards in the air during game action. While listed as a “pro-style” quarterback, he shows enough mobility to navigate the pocket, evade a rush and pick up yards if necessary. Everything points to Rattler being the next stud signal caller in Norman and I can’t find anything to argue against that.

https://twitter.com/SCOTT_KONKEL/status/1232317310083489797?s=20

Running Back

TJ Pledger (5’8” 198) – NR, NR, NR

The running back room is getting a complete facelift with Trey Sermon’s transfer, Kennedy Brooks opting out and Rhamondre Stevenson suspended for the first portion of the season. Enter 2018 signee Pledger. He has enough size for a college back, and the high school tape is quite impressive.

I saw electric stutter steps and long speed once in the open field, although it has not translated to college just yet. He should get a long look in the backfield this fall and could put his name on the devy/dynasty map in this explosive offense.

Marcus Major (6’0” 200) – NR, NR, NR

Major is the next best option behind Pledger while Stevenson is out. He only recorded ten carries as a true freshman but was highly recruited, choosing Oklahoma over Southern Cal and Texas. His HS tape shows a well-built frame that can probably gain more weight. He takes long strides once out in the open but can cover a lot of ground while looking smooth.

I didn’t see a ton of burst and he occasionally needs a lot of steps to change directions. He’s a tough runner who will fight for extra yards which could be an impressive attribute if he fills out more. One interesting note is that he originally played receiver in high school so likely a dual-threat out of the backfield.

Seth McGowan (6’0” 215) – NR, NR, NR

This incoming freshman will look to establish himself early in this running back corps. Rated as the 14th running back in the 2020 class, McGowan comes in with college-ready size at 5’11” and 215 lbs. His tape is filled with broken tackles and what I would call a “dirty” running style. He’s a savage in the hole and just a mean guy to tackle.

He appears to have some long speed but given the fact it was high school competition, I’m not sure breakaway runs will be a feature of his game. His vision is good in traffic. I think given his youth and opportunity he has the most potential in this backfield.

Rhamondre Stevenson (6’0” 246) – NR, NR, NR

One of the most interesting backs in the RB room is Stevenson, a JUCO transfer with only one year of eligibility left. Unfortunately, he will be suspended for about half that time due to a failed drug test from last season.

On tape he is an absolute bulldozer and looks every bit of his 246 lb listed weight. His game is built around an up-field running style and tremendous power. He has enough speed, but certainly won’t win any track meets. Interestingly, he caught ten passes out of only 74 touches, so a good portion of his plays were in the passing game. His short time at the FBS level and suspension trouble make his NFL chances slim.

Wide Receiver

Theo Wease (6’3” 202) – WR18, 31, WR17

The former five star had a nice showing as a true freshman given the fact that the wide receiver group included a future first-round pick, a third-year player and the number one receiver in the 2019 class. Wease actually scored more touchdowns than his classmate Jadon Haselwood.

As we head into 2020, Haselwood is sidelined with a torn ACL so Wease will have all the chances in the world to cement himself as the next great Oklahoma wideout. I like his game a lot, built less on speed and more about quick cuts to separate and set up his routes. Where he appears to really excel is after the catch with good jab steps and ability to break tackles. I can see Wease coming on in a big way in 2020 and putting himself on track to be an early-round pick.

Jadon Haselwood (6’2” 200) – NR, NR, WR22

The consensus top wide receiver in the 2019 class, Haselwood will miss all of 2020 with a torn ACL. The only thing that knocks him behind Wease is uncertainty around his recovery. He put some very impressive plays on film for the Sooners in 2019.

He is a long, lean specimen and uses every inch in his catch radius to haul in passes. Despite his height, he’s very slick and twitchy especially in the open field and looks exceptionally smooth making cuts and gearing up to top speed. If Haselwood can make a complete recovery, he looks like a first-round NFL talent to me.

Charleston Rambo (6’1” 179) – NR, NR, NR

The rising redshirt junior enjoyed a nice campaign in 2019 as CeeDee Lamb’s understudy. Watching some of his play, Rambo strikes me as more of a beneficiary of the fertile Sooner soil than a difference-maker on his own. First, he’s light for his size and doesn’t appear to have elite speed to offset that. He lets the ball into his body often and doesn’t flash special playmaking ability.

The fact he will be entering his fourth year and has never earned 20% of the team’s receiving production does not bode well for success at the next level. Should he prove me wrong and explode in 2020, his stock will rise significantly as Oklahoma has a reputation for wide receivers. I think he will remain the second fiddle while Wease plays the alpha role.

Marvin Mims (6’0” 173) – NR, NR, NR

The newest member of the Sooners’ receiving room is a four-star prospect out of Texas. He was fairly low rated despite the four stars and his tape doesn’t really shock me. He’s a tough player and can make a play in traffic but I didn’t see special acceleration or movement.

If he gets into green grass he can reach a good top-end speed but it takes a little bit. I was not overwhelmed but it is worth keeping an eye on anyone in this offense.

Trejan Bridges (6’1” 186) – NR, NR, NR

Bridges was another member of Oklahoma’s insane receiver haul in 2019. He was the 11th receiver in the class nationally but third highest for the Sooners. He caught two touchdowns but also was so far down the depth chart he suited up on defense and played some safety. This combined with an early-season suspension clouds his near term outlook.

His high school tape reminds me of a less athletic Haselwood, and I mean that as a compliment. If I was certain he would stick on offense, I’d move him above Mims and possibly Rambo. I like his potential and would not be shocked if he climbed during this 2020 season.

Tight End

Grant Calcaterra (6’3” 234) – NR, NR, NR

The newly un-retired Calcaterra shoots to the top of many devy tight end rankings. He is really a huge receiver and displays incredible body control and catch radius, routinely making full extension grabs. If he can shake the dust off for 2020, Calcaterra is the athletic seam ripping tight end the NFL salivates over. I think a day two pick is easily in play for him. The DLF ADP has not been updated yet but I think I would rank him somewhere between TE 3-6.

Austin Stogner (6’6” 235) – NR, NR, NR

Just getting on the field as a true freshman tight end is impressive, and Stogner caught two touchdowns against Baylor. He may take a backseat to Calcaterra this year but 2021 could be his time to shine.

 

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