Oklahoma’s running back was pretty young en route to camp for press season, and the youth movement was just getting faster.
Run back Kennedy Brooks, coming off of 1000-yard back-to-back seasons, takes the pick for the 2020 season, as first reported by The Athletic on Sunday afternoon.
The NCAA has said that anyone who chooses out of the season because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will still be on stock. Brooks becomes the first OU name to go that route.
Head coach Lincoln Riley was asked after the first camp day (July 31) and on Saturday if there was an opt-out. Riley said there were no on both occasions, but stressed that constant communication would go on between the program and the players and their family.
“That’s the one thing we’ve told our families our players listen to: we’re not all in the same situation,” Riley said in a Zoom call Saturday. “In the field, our family situations, our health situations, we see it all through our own lens and how it relates directly to us. You can not make a decision for everyone.
‘Everyone should look at this separately and make the decision that is best for them. And our deal is that we will support the decision. We will make sure you have all the information you could possibly need to make those decisions, and then once they are made with it and we will move on. ”
It is not clear whether Brooks has rejected them and will concentrate on the 2021 NFL Draft. Brooks was close to leaving school after the 2019 season for the 2020 Draft, but nothing is concrete.
Brooks was expected to be the anchor for the Sooners and first-year running back coach DeMarco Murray. Brooks is the second major loss for OUs in the 2020 season in relegation.
Former running back Trey Sermon transferred to Ohio State in the spring. Sermon rushed in his career for 2,076 yards with 22 touchdowns, while Brooks ran a total of 2,067 career yards and 18 touchdowns.
Riley said he thought Brooks was in the best shape of his career, but now OU and Murray will have to turn to the young boys, as at least inexplicable boys.
As Rhamondre Stevenson, TJ Pledger, Marcus Major en Seth McGowan have been looking for opportunities, they are knocking now.
“TJ Pledger had a really strong opening for camp. Similar to last year. He played well. He’s in shape, ‘said Riley. “He is confident. He knows what we’re doing. Rhamondre Stevenson I would also add a lot of improvements from last year. Much greater understanding of what we do.
“I’m happy with the young boys. Marcus Major – great to have him healthy. Back strong, fast, another man so much more locked up in what we do and so much self-confidence. Seth McGowan has also been a really bright place to camp. He’s as talented as maybe just as talented as we thought or maybe even a little more. Has some impressive qualities for a young boy. ”
Stevenson is expected to be suspended for the first half of the season, though Riley said he could not explain how long the suspension will be or if just a 10-game regular season schedule will affect the length.
Major is recovering from shoulder surgery, following an injury midway through the season, while Pledger scored his first career touchdown in the loss of OU to LSU in the Peach Bowl.
It’s a battle for Murray, sure, on the recruiting track, but it just got a lot more interesting and challenging for the OU legend in his room on campus.
