Young Stars Lead Tulsa Hot 11
Oklahoma’s 66-17 romp over Tulsa, not surprisingly produced a lot of star performances. But five of the 11 members of this week’s Hot 11 are underclassmen. Who stole the show for the Sooners and was any one side of the ball leading the way? Finally the battle between Dillon Gabriel and Danny Stutsman could be a weekly thing but who took home this week’s No. 1 spot?
11. Gracen Halton
Sep 2, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Gracen Halton (56) reacts during the second half against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: Two tackles (one solo), 1.5 tackles for loss (five yards), and one quarterback hurry.
Analysis: There is some conversation to be had about Halton creating pressure because he’s largely in the the game in third and long scenarios. But that said, even when Halton is in for more standard sets he’s moving the pocket and creating pressure for Oklahoma. He’s becoming a more and more potent option for a Sooners interior defense that is playing solidly.
PFF Score: 82.0
Last Week: N/A
10. Jaren Kanak
Sep 16, 2023; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Tulsa’s Cardell Williams (7) runs from Oklahoma’s Jaren Kanak (7) in the second quarter at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: Five tackles (two solo), two tackles for loss (three yards), one sack (two yards), and a forced fumble.
Analysis: Against SMU you saw some flashes of Kanak growing into his role but this was his best game to date as a Sooner. We all know the Sooners sophomore has loads of speed but he’s getting better and better about knowing when to use it. He’s far more under control than we saw as a freshman and is learning the role well.
PFF Score: 75.8
Last Week: N/A
9. P.J. Adebawore
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Adepoju Adebawore. Photo credit: Bryan Terry – The Oklahoman/USA TODAY Network.
Stats: Three tackles (two solo), 2.5 tackles for loss (12 yards), one sack (10 yards).
Analysis: There was no way with that stat line that Adebawore wasn’t making the list. The big defensive end has been coming on for the last few weeks and this week it felt like the light really started to go on for him. His sack was almost unfair, you could tell Tulsa quarterback Cardell Williams did not expect him to close the space in the time he did. He’s a special talent that is just scratching the surface of who he can be.
PFF Score: 73.9
Last Week: N/A
8. Trace Ford
Sep 16, 2023; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma’s Trace Ford (30) intercepts the ball and runs in the fourth quarter during an NCAA football game between University of Oklahoma (OU) and University of Tulsa at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: Four tackles (two solo), one interception (26-yard return).
Analysis: Ford’s interception is what people will remember but he was outstanding for large portions of the game. His energy and quickness gave Tulsa’s offensive tackles fits through the day. Ford seems to be finding his feet in the Sooners defense.
PFF Score: 90.3
Last Week: N/A
7. Andrel Anthony
Oklahoma’s Andrel Anthony (5) catches a pass in front of Arkansas State’s Justin Hodges during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
Stats: Four catches for 112 yards.
Analysis: Anthony had a relatively quiet day compared to some of his buddies at receiver but his big play ability is becoming a hallmark of this team. Since coming to Norman there was talk that the Sooners junior had issues with catching the ball well but he’s been outstanding so far for Oklahoma.
PFF Score: 82.1
Last Week: N/A
6. Woodi Washington
Woodi Washington goes through drills as the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) college football team holds spring practice outside of Gaylord Family/Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on March 21, 2023 in Norman, Okla. [Steve Sisney/For The Oklahoman]
Stats: Three tackles (two solo), .5 tackle for loss (one yard).
Analysis: Washington’s stats are more quiet than many of his peers but the Sooners senior is playing like the seasoned veteran he is. He looks in control of his side of the field and there’s been little to no activity on his side of the ball. We’ll see as Big 12 play gets going if someone can give Washington some trouble.
PFF Score: 67.0
Last Week: No. 10
5. Gentry Williams
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: Six tackles (five solo), one tackle for loss (three yards), one interception (11-yard return).
Analysis: For all of the the steady that is Washington, Williams has shown a lot of big play and flash. His physical tools jump off the screen but it’s been impressive to see him being so physical for the Sooners in the run game. If he can keep his stingers under control Oklahoma may have their first real star at corner in a long time.
PFF Score: 88.3
Last Week: N/A
4. Jalil Farooq
Sep 16, 2023; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma’s Jalil Farooq (3) returns a kick and runs the ball in the first quarter against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: Six catches for 126 yards and a 34-yard touchdown.
Analysis: The end of the SMU game felt like Farooq’s introduction to the season. And if that was the opening paragraph the Sooners junior started to get into his story against Tulsa. His huge kickoff return and big plays in the passing game – some of which was as much a run as a pass – made for one of his brightest days at Oklahoma.
PFF Score: 83.4
Last Week: N/A
3. Nic Anderson
Sep 16, 2023; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma’s Nic Anderson (4) celebrates in the end zone after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter during an NCAA football game between University of Oklahoma (OU) and University of Tulsa at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: Three catches for 120 yards and three touchdowns (28, 42, 50)
Analysis: This felt like a ‘star is born’ kind of moment for Anderson. The big and physical receiver was dominant and overwhelmed Tulsa’s defenders. He used his speed to run by several and physically overwhelmed some others. Anderson is a guy that is starting to make it harder and harder to keep himself off the field.
PFF Score: 93.4
Last Week: N/A
2. Danny Stutsman
Sep 16, 2023; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman (28) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: Nine tackles (four solo), two tackles for loss (six yards), one interception (30-yard return for touchdown).
Analysis: Before the season I predicted Stutsman would lead college football in tackles (he currently stands at No. 19 per game) and while I’m not sure that comes to pass. He’s starting to build a resume that, if he can put some big games together down the line, could help him make a real run at the Butkus award.
PFF Score: 91.3
Last Week: No. 1
1. Dillon Gabriel
Sep 16, 2023; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel (8) warms up before a game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 28-31 for 421 yards and five touchdowns (34, 4, 4, 28, 42).
Analysis: In all three games Gabriel has done an outstanding job taking care of the football and putting Oklahoma in good situations offensively. The Sooners offensive has hummed for two of it’s three games and Gabriel is, obviously, a big part of that. Gabriel’s work on short and intermediate routes as well as his ball placement was largely exemplary against the Golden Hurricane.
PFF Score: 91.1
Last Week: No. 3
The post Young Stars Lead Tulsa Hot 11 appeared first on On3.
