NORMAN — It's spring game time in Oklahoma.
Ahead of their first season in the SEC, the Sooners will host their spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
With quarterback Jackson-Arnold entrenched as QB1, plenty of transition on the offensive line, and some intriguing newcomers on defense, this game is worth watching, even if it's just a glorified exercise. There must be a lot of stuff.
Ahead of the game, OU beat writers Ryan Aber and Colton Sulley discuss what to watch in the game.
What are you most looking forward to from Jackson-Arnold's performance on Saturday?
Sally: The last time we saw Jackson-Arnold play football outside of the practice field was when he turned the ball over four times against Arizona in the Alamo Bowl. What I'm most looking forward to is how he performs in the “pressure” situations on Saturday. What will he look like when Osaka University's thin offensive line can't hold out and the pocket collapses? I've seen him use his feet quite a bit throughout spring practice, but I'm interested to see if he releases the ball faster and finds someone to rely on on third down. Talking to him on Tuesday, he sounds more mature, but we'll see how much he can evaluate during the spring game.
Abar: I'm with you. How will Arnold respond to situations where he is forced to make quick decisions, and will he show growth from the Alamo Bowl? Arnold has the raw talent to be a star, but he certainly needs to show better decision-making. With a thin offensive line in front of him, Arnold may have plenty of opportunities to be tested in that regard during the spring game. There is also rain in the forecast, so I'm looking forward to seeing how they will cope if the weather is bad.
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Other than Arnold, which offensive player are you most looking forward to playing against?
Abar: It has to be something offensive, right? There are a lot of questions from that group, but I'm going to ask center Josh Bates. Bates' physicality made a strong impression during the spring after making great strides in the lead-up to the Alamo Bowl. With Troy Everett out for some time with a knee injury, Bates has a chance to make a big impression. The Sooners are expected to successfully add to the offensive line during the portal window, so it's unclear if Bates will ultimately have a chance to be the starter this season. But even if Everett returns or a portal addition takes center stage this season, the spring game could be a big boost for the future of Bates' career.
Sally: I'm going to cheat a little on this question. Aside from the spring portal visit he is expected to participate in, the biggest topic on Saturday will be what will happen to the offensive line. It will be difficult to evaluate such physical positions in the spring game, but I think it will give us a good idea of where our offensive position groups are and where we need to add more depth. If I had to pick an offensive player that I'm excited to watch, it's Jaden Gibson. He had a great spring and Arnold praised his progress. Bonus: One thing I always enjoy about the spring game is watching the backup quarterbacks, and Michael Hawkins Jr. looked like he could be a special player in practice.
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Which defenseman are you most looking forward to playing against?
Sally: Probably Peyton Bowen. After a strong freshman year in which he appeared in all 13 games and had 36 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and two blocked punts, he's ready for an even better sophomore year. I think. The Sooners secondary is loaded and Bowen is always fun to watch. He just plays. I also think it would be cool to see him and his younger brother Eli playing snaps together in the same defensive backfield.
Abar: I have to choose David Stone and Jaden Jackson is my second answer. The Sooners' defensive line needs an overhaul this offseason, and Stone and Jackson are the faces of that. IMG products at least seem ready to contribute. The question is how big a factor they will be in 2024. OU needs to do a better job of chasing quarterbacks, and getting a strong push from Stone and Jackson would go a long way in strengthening the Sooners' defense. It will have a big impact in 2024.
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Who will be the breakout star of the spring game, whether or not they contribute in 2024?
Sally: My name is JJ Hester. Arnold mentioned him this week as a receiver who stepped up in Jalil Farouq's absence, and saw him make perhaps the most impressive catch of the spring during one-on-one practice. He finally seems to be healthy. If he can maintain his form and contain new offensive coordinator Seth Littrell's offense, he has a chance to break out in the spring game and contribute in 2024. The spring game is also running back friendly, so I'm looking forward to seeing how Littrell utilizes them.
Abar: I'm going with another wide receiver, Ivan Carrion. Carreon, a freshman, has the skill set to carve out a role for himself in 2024. His 6-foot-6 frame is intriguing, and he looked the part in practice periods open to the media this spring. Carreon, like Bates mentioned in a previous answer, may not be at a stage where he can make a big impact this season, but Saturday's big game is a sign of how big a star he could be for the Sooners in the future. There is a possibility that it may be shown.
