NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma receiver Drake Stoops is rather more than the son of a Hall of Fame soccer coach.
Stoops – whose father, Bob, led the Sooners to the 2000 nationwide title – has gone from walk-on firstly of his school profession to scholarship participant who has began six of his staff’s 9 video games. The fifth-year participant has caught 21 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns this season whereas offering veteran management on a staff stuffed with younger gamers and transfers.
“You want to have a whole locker room full of guys like that,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables mentioned. “You need younger folks of excellence. You need as many guys like him as you’ll be able to. You hope different folks study from them.”
Stoops was Oklahoma’s nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, which works to the top participant within the nation who began his profession as a walk-on. Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield received the glory twice.
This season, Iowa State tight finish Jared Rus, Kansas receiver Quentin Skinner, Kansas State linebacker Austin Moore, Oklahoma State kicker Tanner Brown, Texas Tech receiver Xavier White and West Virginia kicker Casey Legg joined Stoops as Big 12 gamers initially within the working for the Burlsworth Trophy. Though not one of the convention’s gamers made it by to the semifinal spherical of consideration, they’ve been key contributors for his or her applications this season.
Legg performed soccer in highschool at West Virginia’s Cross Lanes Christian School, which doesn’t have a soccer staff. At one recreation, a supporter for an opposing staff requested Legg’s mom if he had ever kicked a soccer. He hadn’t, however his curiosity was piqued after his mom relayed the dialog.
First, he had to purchase a soccer and a tee. He kicked effectively in an empty school area in Charleston and fell in love with the game.
“That was probably out of complete beginner’s luck because I had no idea what I was doing,” he mentioned earlier this season. “I just look at the ball and kick it. And I remember that very clearly, that I loved it and wanted to kick footballs.”
It seems that West Virginia was searching for a kicker. Then-coach Dana Holgorsen invited Legg to campus for a tryout. He earned a roster spot and waited his flip.
He did some placekicking in 2019 nevertheless it wasn’t till 2021 that he earned the beginning job. Legg has made 38 of 46 profession area objectives, together with all 12 makes an attempt this season. He has made all 82 extra-point makes an attempt.
A 12 months in the past final month, with Legg’s mom in attendance, coach Neal Brown introduced to the staff that Legg had earned a full scholarship.
Rus performed linebacker and working again earlier than he turned a good finish. He tore a knee ligament within the spring and was anticipated to overlook six months, however he made it again in 4, permitting him to play at first of the season.
“I definitely don’t have the best talent, but working hard and doing the right things is going to get noticed by somebody like coach (Matt) Campbell,” Rus mentioned. “I’m grateful for him being on my facet and serving to me out a lot and serving to so many different folks out.”
White leads the Red Raiders this season with 755 all-purpose yards (461 receiving, 15 on punt returns, 279 on kick returns). His 35 catches for 461 yards are each staff highs.
In his profession, he has 131 carries for 746 yards and 5 touchdowns and 84 receptions for 857 yards and 5 extra scores. He is barely the second Red Raiders participant since 2000 to have a number of 100-yard dashing video games and a number of 100-yard receiving video games in his profession.
The Lubbock, Texas, native initially went to Dodge City Community College in Kansas. He joined the Red Raiders as a receiver in 2019, performed working again in 2020 and ’21 and went again to receiver this 12 months.
He has been at his finest not too long ago. He had 27 catches for 366 yards and 4 touchdowns in 4 October video games, together with two 100-yard video games.
Kansas put Skinner on scholarship this previous summer season. He has 18 catches for 309 yards and 4 touchdowns and two carries for 41 yards and has been a key producer through the Jayhawks’ shock season.
Moore has 61 whole tackles, 1 1/2 sacks, an interception and two compelled fumbles for Kansas State. The linebacker was placed on scholarship within the spring of 2021.
Brown, a brilliant senior, ranks eighth nationally in scoring. He has made 15 of 16 area objectives and all 36 of his extra-point makes an attempt.
AP Sports Writers Stephen Hawkins, Eric Olson and John Raby contributed to this report.
Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: twitter.com/CliffBruntAP
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