Latest news with #Norman
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Five takeaways from Oklahoma's updated roster ahead of fall camp
The Oklahoma Sooners released an updated roster for the 2025 season this week ahead of fall camp. With six weeks remaining until Week 1, when OU will take on Illinois State out of the Football Championship Subdivision, the potential exists for minor things to change. However, for the most part, OU's current roster is the one it will take into a pivotal 2025 campaign, one that is crucial for the program's future and the future of coach Brent Venables. The Sooners went 6-7 in Venables' third year at the helm in 2024. That included a 2-6 record in the Southeastern Conference in Year 1 in the new league. Obviously, that isn't close to being good enough at a program used to playing for conference and national championships. Needless to say, things needed to change in a major way. New general manager Jim Nagy is putting his fingerprints on the program with new front office hires, and coaching staff changes have occurred at key spots since late November. That doesn't even get into the roster changes during the offseason. So today, we'll take a closer look at the five biggest takeaways from Oklahoma's updated roster heading into fall camp for the 2025 season. 1. Roster turnover At the close of the regular season last year, Oklahoma had 127 players on the roster. It lost 61 of them to the transfer portal, the NFL draft, the end of eligibility or walk-on departures. The Sooners added 45 players via high school recruiting, the transfer portal or walk-ons. They returned 66 players from the '24 squad. That leaves them with 111 players in July. Oklahoma has 54 offensive players, 50 defensive players and seven special teams players. The lower overall number is due to changes to the rules regarding how many players each team can have on its roster. Some players are being grandfathered in due to the recent House settlement, which will eventually create a roster limit of 105 players. Even in today's tumultuous world of college football, where name, image and likeness licensing and the transfer portal induced changes run rampant, that's pretty heavy turnover for the Sooners. But that turnover may not be a bad thing. An overall record under .500 again in 2024 and a .250 winning percentage in the SEC is a far cry from the standard that has been set in Norman. There's plenty of new blood, and that's a good thing. Another big-picture indicator of OU's roster churn: Only one player remains on the 2025 roster that was on Lincoln Riley's final roster in 2021. That's veteran reserve wide receiver Major Melson, a sixth-year senior this year. This is truly a Brent Venables team in every way now. 2. Spring additions The Sooners had an eventful spring, as there are plenty of new faces on the roster that weren't a part of spring ball in Norman. Offensively, the Sooners added running back Jaydn Ott, offensive lineman Jake Maikkula, wide receiver Jer'Michael Carter and quarterback Whitt Newbauer. Ott is the headliner of that group. Defensively, OU brought in defensive lineman Siolaa Lolohea and linebacker Reed DeQuasie via the transfer portal. The Sooners also added some late enrollees in defensive lineman C.J. Nickson and linebackers Marcus James, Elgee Webster and Barrett Travis. Additionally, Oklahoma signed former UTSA kicker Tate Sandell, who has a chance to start right away at the position. However, the Sooners also lost pieces this spring. Tight end Davon Mitchell, defensive backs Mykel Patterson-McDonald and Peter Schuh, running backs Sam Franklin and Gavin Sawchuk, and offensive lineman Josh Aisosa entered the transfer portal. Defensive back Jocelyn Malaska initially entered the spring portal but withdrew and remains on the OU roster. Oklahoma reshuffled its depth pieces at quarterback. Cole Gonzales, who signed with the Sooners in the winter portal window and went through spring ball with OU, reentered the portal in the spring and landed with Pitt. Oklahoma gained a portal commitment from Gavin Frakes, but he never signed with the Sooners and ended up at Northwestern. That leaves John Mateer, Michael Hawkins Jr., Whitt Newbauer and Jett Niu as the four quarterbacks the Sooners bring into the 2025 season. 3. There's the beef Part of Venables' mission when he took over for Riley was to get the defense back on track. But the mission was also to get the Sooners ready for the SEC, a league in which trench warfare is the name of the game. One spot where it's obvious the philosophy has changed is defensive tackle. Charlie S, who covers the Sooners for The Football Brainiacs, illustrated that in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter). Oklahoma's heaviest defensive tackle in 2020, the second-to-last year under Riley and former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, weighed 297 pounds. In 2025, the Sooners have seven DTs heavier than that, four years into the Venables era. That had to happen or Oklahoma was going to get beaten up physically at the point of attack in the SEC. Furthermore, defensive tackle looks like it'll be one of OU's biggest strengths again in 2025. The group of Jayden Jackson, Damonic Williams, Gracen Halton and David Stone wants to push people around at the line of scrimmage this year. 4. Looking for offensive stars Quarterback John Mateer and running back Jaydn Ott are the two biggest names on OU's revamped offense this year, and both were portal additions. But the portal also hit the Sooners hard when it came to some big offensive names, so Oklahoma is looking for other players to step up in Ben Arbuckle's offense. The Sooners are no strangers to having superstars on offense, especially since 1999. In the last 26 seasons, they've had four Heisman Trophy winners (Jason White, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield, and Kyler Murray) and four other players who were Heisman finalists, but didn't win the award (Josh Heupel, Adrian Peterson, Dede Westbrook, and Jalen Hurts). Additionally, Oklahoma has had plenty of other All-America and all-conference players who helped put points on the board in bunches. But the 2025 Sooners are still searching for their standouts on the offensive side of the ball next to their new backfield tandem. Behind Ott, the Sooners would love to get a breakout season from one of their homegrown running backs like Jovantae Barnes, Xavier Robinson or Taylor Tatum. None will be expected to carry the load, but a backup to take some of the load off the Cal transfer would certainly help. When it comes to pass-catchers, wide receiver Deion Burks is a guy to watch if he can stay healthy. The same goes for Jayden Gibson and Javonnie Gibson, who could unlock the offense if they perform well. Jer'Michael Carter's addition in the spring gives OU another big body who could make some noise in the red zone. At tight end, the Sooners would love Will Huggins or Carson Kent to give the offense a reliable option there. Along the offensive line, Troy Everett and Derek Simmons are veterans for Bill Bedenbaugh to lean on at center and right tackle, but there are plenty of intriguing options at all five positions for the veteran coach. OU's backfield duo figures to be great this year. But it'll need help to get the job done. 5. Time to shine for '22 class Last year on defense, it was Oklahoma's standouts from the 2021 recruiting class that led the way. The trio of Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman Jr. and Ethan Downs were the big name leaders for Venables heading into the SEC. With those players off to the NFL, the buck has been passed to the remaining members of the 2022 recruiting class, Venables' first as a coach. Most of the key players remaining are defensive stalwarts, but the Sooners do return running back Jovantae Barnes, wide receiver Jayden Gibson, tight ends Kaden Helms and Jaren Kanak and offensive linemen Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor. But with all that production and leadership lost defensively, it's time for Venables' 2022 class to take the reins. Defensive linemen Gracen Halton and R Mason Thomas, linebackers Kip Lewis and Kobie McKinzie and defensive backs Robert Spears-Jennings and Gentry Williams look like they're up to the task; each decided to stay in Norman this offseason. Once upon a time, Oklahoma was built on punishing, nasty defenses. The Sooners are getting back to that under Venables, who hopes he's made the right moves to get the offense back up to snuff heading into a very important 2025 season. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, formerly Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin. This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Five takeaways from Sooners latest roster updates
CBS News
12 hours ago
- CBS News
Families are on high alert after burglaries in Ewing Township, New Jersey: "Just feel real violated"
Many families in a New Jersey township are on high alert after a rash of burglaries happened in one night while many of the victims were sleeping. Home security video obtained by CBS News Philadelphia shows a suspect in the act of trying to break into a car before police said someone had burglarized at least seven homes in the same neighborhood in Ewing Township. "The individual came through our back sunroom, into our family room, into the kitchen and found keys on the table, my laptop, my son's Bluetooth speaker," said Norman, who asked us not to use his last name. Norman said his family was sleeping when the burglar broke in through a back door and managed to steal his son's keys and his car parked in the driveway. "Just feel real violated. Someone had the audacity to just come inside the house and walked around in our first floor," Norman said. Another video showed what appeared to be the same person walking around a different home around the corner. The homeowner didn't want to go on camera, but said the thief smashed a window, climbed in through the garage, and once inside the home, stole his wife's wallet, bag and car key. JoAnn Miller said her neighbor's car, television and phone were also stolen. "They climbed in the window over their sink in their kitchen area from the outside, how they got through that I don't know," Miller said. According to Ewing Township police, the burglaries happened overnight Monday into Tuesday on River Road, Bernard Drive and Scudder Road. Police are now providing the following tips to residents to help prevent home burglaries: Norman said his family's nerves are still rattled. "Thank God he didn't hurt anyone, but at least just be charged for his crime," he said. Police did not want to release specific details that would jeopardize the investigation, but they said one car has been recovered. Anyone with information or video footage can contact Detective Massi at dmassi@ or 609-882-1313 x 5566.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ralph Norman set to join South Carolina governor's race
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to note Nancy Mace has not yet declared candidacy in the race for governor. South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman (R) is expected to file is candidacy Friday to become his state's next governor. 'America has a businessman in the White House, and I believe we need a businessman as Governor of South Carolina,' a statement on Norman's campaign website reads. 'I have a vision for South Carolina – one where we fix our roads, improve our schools, and get South Carolina prepared for a tremendous opportunity. But that won't happen if we don't fix a system that is rotten to its core. I am running for Governor to shake things up, clean up Columbia, and knock down the corrupt political establishment once and for all,' he added. While in Congress, Norman, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has supported President Trump's push to remove diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts from higher education and the government, decrease federal spending and impose tougher policies on immigration. Although Norman has helped champion the president's agenda, during last year's campaign, he backed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R). She was the last of Trump's GOP challengers to bow out from the race. Haley and Norman served alongside each other in the state House beginning in 2005 and have remained allies since. Haley has not yet shared who she will endorse in South Carolina's gubernatorial race as Norman gears up for a packed GOP primary with state Attorney General Alan Wilson and state Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette as challengers. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) has teased a bid. 'We wish Congressman Ralph Norman the best of luck today as he announces his run for Governor,' Mace said in a Friday statement on X. The state's current leader, Gov. Henry McMaster (R) is term-limited and will complete his tenure in 2026. Updated at 6:23 p.m. EDT July 27. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pair of Oklahoma Sooners named to Maxwell Award watch list
The Oklahoma Sooners boast some offensive firepower at the helm heading into 2025. And both are out of the transfer portal. John Mateer and Jaydn Ott were big-time additions for Brent Venables and Jim Nagy, and the two former West Coast stars provide a lot of the optimism for what should be a resurgent season in 2025. Fall camp will kick off on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the 2025 season. With the Season just over a month away, watch lists will begin rolling out, and the Sooners' backfield mates landed on the Maxwell Award watch list. The Maxwell Award is given to the most outstanding player in college football. Three former Sooners have won the award. Tommy McDonald won the Maxwell back in 1956. Jason White won the award during his Heisman Trophy-winning season in 2004. Baker Mayfield is the most recent recipient of the national honor, winning the award in 2017. In 2018, when Kyler Murray won the Heisman, the Maxwell went to Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Mateer is coming off a 2024 season in which he led the nation in total touchdowns with 44 and had nearly 4,000 yards of total offense for Washington State. Ott is coming off an injury-plagued 2024 season, but back in 2023, he ran for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns for Cal. He's hoping he can have a bounce-back year this year ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. Mateer and Ott will need to have big years for the Sooners in 2025 to be in the running for the prestigious award. If they do, the Sooners could be on their way to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2019. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams. This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: John Mateer, Jaydn Ott named to Maxwell Award watch list
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
A small Serbian town is home to Robin Hood – in a new TV series
SIMANOVCI, Serbia (AP) — Villages and castles from 12th-century England came to life in a small town in Serbia for the filming of a new series about Robin Hood that has just wrapped in the landlocked country in southeast Europe. The 10-episode take on England's beloved medieval outlaw who, in lore, stole from the rich to give to the poor, comes from Lionsgate Television, and is expected to premiere on MGM+ in the U.S. and parts of Europe later this year. The Associated Press recently visited the set in Simanovci, the village which is home to a film studio and not far from the capital of Belgrade. Thorough research for the series was visible in the scenography and costumes, taking the cast — and the studio — back in time to the stony interiors of a candlelit castle, complete with stained-glass lancet windows. The 'sweeping, romantic adventure' offers a historically grounded look into how Robin Hood grew up to become an outlaw-turned-hero in the wake of the Norman conquest of England, the producers say. 'We actually show the beginning of Robin Hood,' producer, director and writer Jonathan English, who was a main driving force behind the project, said in an interview. 'We start the story with him as a child.' Self-described as a 'huge fan of all things medieval,' English marveled at Robin Hood's persistent global appeal. 'You can stop a pensioner on the streets of Belgrade and he knows who Robin Hood is. You can stop a teenager on the streets of Beijing, and they know who Robin Hood is,' he said. Asked whether the story is still relevant, following countless cinematic and small-screen adaptations, English insisted that 'it is incredibly relevant, probably more today than … 50 years ago or 100 years ago, even.' 'It's a story about class and the absolute tyranny of class, people who believe that they can have everything and control everything and can own everything and everybody else could just, you know, get lost,' he said. 'There's always been wealthy people, but now you have uber-rich people. And the divide between the uber-rich and the rest of the world is extraordinary now.' The show's plot centers strongly on the romance between Robin and Marian. He is a Saxon forester's son and Marian is the daughter of a Norman lord but they overcome the divide to jointly fight for freedom and against injustice. Australian actor Jack Patten plays Robin, joined by Lauren McQueen as Marian. The two appear alongside Sean Bean as the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham, and Connie Nielsen, who plays Eleanor of Aquitaine, the queen of England and wife of Henry II. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Patten admitted he was nervous ahead of his 'third gig since getting out of drama school.' His Robin is 'any young 24-year-old … trying to find his place in the world' and who 'gets dealt some pretty tricky cards.' McQueen said Marian's character will be 'quite empowering' for young women watching the series. Filmed in multiple locations in Serbia and with hundreds of staff and crew, the series is 'huge' even by Hollywood standards, showrunner and writer John Glenn said. He described the new show as 'much more Peaky Blinders in tone' than previous incarnations, referring to the hit U.K. TV series about gangsters in 1920s Birmingham. Both Glenn and English said they chose Serbia because of high-standard facilities and crews but also because of the natural scenery that could mimic a medieval English landscape. 'It's hard to find ancient forests now in England,' English said. 'There's not a lot of undeveloped wilderness.'
