OU's Jones Happy With His Development

<p>Sooners true freshman Mykel Jones talks with the media about his breakout game against Louisiana-Monroe.</p>

Tuesday, September 13th 2016, 12:23 am



OU made true freshman WR Mykel Jones available to the media after practice Monday. It was the first chance to see him in the flesh as he hadn’t contributed until the third quarter of the ULM game. Jones immediately flashed the potential we’d heard about in the summer, catching a team-high six passes – all in the second half.  

I knew with the loss of premiere playmaker Sterling Shepard OU was going to need Jones to add that quick-twitch big-play ability. I take special notice any time OU signs a player that is offered by Alabama. Jones was offered by Tennessee and Ole Miss, a couple of places that accumulate superior athletes.

Jones is a natural. Looked like he’d been in the system five years. Granted, he busted on the play that ended with QB Austin Kendall losing a fumble. Other than that, he was outstanding. Smooth, yet explosive; Soft, yet strong hands; Fluid, yet powerful.

The 5-11, 188-pound four-star recruit got off to a great star when he first arrived in Norman. Bob Stoops singled him out to me early in the summer, and then before his first press conference. Loves his athleticism and playmaking ability. Baker Mayfield told me in July that he’s really competitive and felt great with him very quickly in the summer.

But an early camp injury has held Jones back. Missed several double sessions while missing as much as 2 ½ weeks of practices. That’s a ton for anyone – especially a true freshman with the tools to make an immediate impact. And in a season with a schedule that’s front-loaded.  By the way, repeated inquiries to OU coaches, players and yesterday to Jones himself, came up empty on the specific nature of the injury. Jones told me yesterday that “it’s no big deal” and artfully dodged the question about specifics. Maybe it’s just the way business is done in 2016. But it’s just been kind of odd seeing multiple people in the know all looked at me like I had three noses after asking about his specific injury. Normally, we’ll hear, “he’s just nicked up.” Or, “slight hamstring pull.” Probably nothing but thought I’d pass it along.

To pull the upset against Ohio State Saturday, OU must play to its potential. And it’s 4 and 5-star players must excel. They’ll be matched up with one of the two or three other teams that are competitive with Alabama in recruiting. Based on sheer talent across the board on their rosters, I’d rate them with Bama slightly ahead of Ohio State and Florida State, with Clemson nipping on their heels.

Back to the point of the OU needing it’s superior athletes to win their battles against the extraordinary talent the Scarlet and Gray will bring to down. Though a rookie with scant experience, I put Jones on the list of difference makers that must shine Saturday night, along with Joe Mixon, Semaje Perine, Baker Mayfield, Mark Andrews, Orlando Brown, Charles Walker, Jordan Thomas and Steven Parker.

OU OC Lincoln Riley and Bob Stoops are cautiously optimistic about Jones playing a significant role Saturday. Coaches have trouble getting too excited about playing a kid who missed a whole lot of practice and who busted on a play leading to a fumble when he finally got in. But they have eyes too. They saw Saturday night what they’d seen on high school video and in summer workouts. They saw a young Mykel Jones who has the ability to make winning plays. And they need anything and everything they can come up with Saturday.

I say toss the ball to No. 8. He’s not the No. 3 we’ve seen around here the past three years. Right now he’s not that guy – who is wowing the Giants and caught a TD pass Sunday wearing No. 87 in Dallas. But he’s the closest thing OU has when they tee it up with the Mighty Buckeyes Saturday at 6:30 in Norman.

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