Sooners Name New Team Captains

OU selected Landry Jones, Travis Lewis and Jeremy Beal as its leaders.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:55 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Aug 24, 2010 8:34 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma – The OU football team named its captains Tuesday and selected quarterback Landry Jones, defensive lineman Jeremy Beal and linebacker Travis Lewis.

Jones enters this season as the Sooners’ full-time starter under center, a role his teammates said he relishes. He was not as assertive last season, when he was forced into the starting lineup by two shoulder injuries to Sam Bradford. But he has now become the leader of the offense.

“Landry has shown a lot of leadership,” Lewis said. “He’s really taken hold of that offense and made it his. Not only that offense, but this team; he knows we’ve got his back.”

Lewis has been one OU’s most consistent performers on defense for the past two seasons and led the Sooners in tackles both years. But with the departures of previous leaders Gerald McCoy and Ryan Reynolds, he has stepped into their shoes.

“It’s great. It shows that when you put in the hard work and dedication and really show your guys how much football means to you, then they’ll follow you. It’s a great feeling.”

While Lewis has become the defense’s emotional leader, Beal tends to lead more by example. With McCoy gone, the success of OU’s defensive line now rests on Beal’s shoulders.

“[Beal and Lewis] are great leaders by the way they work, by the investment they’ve made in this program,” said defensive coordinator Brent Venables. “I think it’s very natural for those guys. Travis is obviously more vocal than Jeremy, but when Jeremy speaks, everybody listens and respects what he has to say.”