Can Sooners replace punter, returner?

One of Oklahoma’s greatest losses within the offseason got here from the particular groups’ group in punter Michael Turk. A unit that was already under common in 2022. According to Sports Reference, the Sooners ranked 87th within the particular workforce play final season and are hoping to enhance that rank for Team 129.

However, it introduced some distinctive wrinkles with it. They faked a number of area objective makes an attempt, even getting a landing off a punter-to-kicker pitch.

With that, right here’s a have a look at the particular groups unit heading into the 2023 season:

Key returners: Okay Zach Schmit (Junior), KR Jalil Farooq (Junior, 6-1, 203), KR Billy Bowman (Junior, 5-10, 190)

Key losses: P Michael Turk (NFL Draft), PR Marvin Mims (NFL Draft)

Newcomers: P Luke Elzinga (Central Michigan)

Biggest unanswered query: Who is returning the punts?

While Mims’ greatest energy was lining up as a large receiver, he was serviceable when known as on to area punts. He had 398 yards on 33 returns in his three years holding the place. His departure to the NFL leaves a gap.

Rising junior huge receiver LV Bunkey-Shelton may seem as somebody to take over the position. After beginning his profession at Arizona State, he transferred to Oklahoma the earlier low season. He caught simply two passes final season and returned one punt.

Another candidate may very well be fellow rising sophomore huge receiver Gavin Freeman. The freshman had spurts within the offense with three catches and 7 carries, the primary of his profession going for a landing on a 46-yard finish round.

Why 2023 manufacturing may very well be higher: Even although Mims was explosive, the place left rather a lot to be desired. He returned simply 10 punts final 12 months, a quantity Jay Nunez, Oklahoma’s Special Teams Analyst is hoping will increase.

Although each kick returners got here again, they didn’t flip the sphere fairly often. The duo solely took 21 kicks out of the tip zone, with Farooq averaging 22.9 yards per return and Bowman at 15.3. With each being juniors and one other 12 months within the system, each are poised for enhancements.

To go together with Schmit as properly. He linked on each extra-point try and made eight of his first 9 makes an attempt. However, he took a nose-dive throughout the second half of the season. Learning from that, he may proceed the start of final season all through all of 2023.

Why 2023 manufacturing may very well be worse: For a first-year head coach, with the ability to flip the sphere is vital. Turk fulfilled that position completely. Losing a robust asset like that’s vital, no matter who’s shoed in to replace him. He averaged 46.8 yards per punt, main the Sooners to the second-highest common within the nation.

Elzinga has been kicking since he first stepped on campus at Central Michigan. However, his finest season netted 43.2 yards per punt on 33 boots throughout his true freshman marketing campaign in 2020. He may assist, however dropping Turk’s consistency may very well be very important in an try and flip the sphere.

Schmit was excellent on extra-point makes an attempt however struggled towards the again half of the season on area targets. After beginning eight of 9 on the season, he struggled mightily.

He didn’t go a recreation the remainder of the best way making all of his makes an attempt, nailing simply 4 of his ultimate 9 makes an attempt. It included two misses in a detailed loss to West Virginia and a miss in opposition to Florida State.

If that development carries into 2023, it may create an issue early and pressure the Sooners to scramble to seek out the precise participant for the job.

Overall outlook:

While the Sooners have loads of room for enchancment, it returns a great chunk of final 12 months’s group. A unit that was barely under common. Schmit may play higher his Junior 12 months and the kick and punt return group can acquire extra yardage. However, there may be not a ton to have a look at and be optimistic there can be a large step ahead in 2023.

More outlooks:

QB l RB l WR/TE l OL l DL l LB l DB l ST

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