OU 2010 Players to Watch, Day 9: Ben Habern

Oklahoma Sports brings you the ninth day in a 15-part series detailing what players to keep an eye on next season.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:31 am

By: News On 6

OU 2010 Players to Watch, Day 9: Ben Habern

Originally Published: Feb 23, 2010 5:33 PM CDT

More on Oklahoma Sports:
-OSU Player to Watch, Day 9: Andrew McGee
-Tulsa Player to Watch, Day 9: Shavodrick Beaver

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OL Ben Habern

Background:

From Liberty Christian High School in Argyle, Texas, Habern was one of OU’s most highly-touted offensive line recruits in recent memory. ESPN, Rivals.com and Scout.com all rated Habern one of the top five centers in the nation, and he was selected as a U.S. Army All-American and Parade All-American. He received a medical redshirt after injuring his ankle during his true freshman season in 2008, then missed action again last year with two separate injuries.

Why he’s on the list:

In a season plagued by injuries across the line, the center position was particularly cursed last year. Four different players – Habern, Brody Eldridge, Brian Lepak and Trent Williams – were forced to play center last year due to injury. The constant switching of players to different positions kept all of them from being successful. When Habern has been able to see the field, he has been dominant. In 2008 against Baylor, Habern took part in nine plays before injuring his ankle. He registered knockdowns on all nine plays.

Best-case scenario:

Habern finally manages to resist injuries and grows into a dominant center. His on-field play has already showed why he was such a prized recruit coming out of high school; health has been his only problem. It is very important for the quarterback and center to develop cohesiveness, and if Habern can stay in the lineup it will go a long way toward solidifying the entire line.

Worst-case scenario:

Habern once again succumbs to injury, forcing more mixing and matching of offensive line players. The constant switching prevents the Sooners from developing any consistency in either the running or passing game. The lack of familiarity between the quarterback and center causes bad snaps and general lack of efficiency.

My take:

Habern has the potential to be one of the best linemen in the Big 12, but he is already dangerously close to earning the title of “injury prone.” He has lost the majority of two seasons to three different injuries, which has to concern the coaching staff. Despite Habern’s injury problems, head coach Bob Stoops has been a firm supporter of his ability.

Stoops is such a big fan of Habern’s that during a press conference last season he mistakenly referred to him as Jon Cooper, the center who helped anchor one of the most dominant offensive lines in OU history. When informed of his mistake, Stoops responded that the two are so alike he can barely tell them apart. That’s about the most praise Stoops can bestow on a center.

Other OU players to watch (click on the names below to read the full stories)
Day 1: WR Jaz Reynolds
Day 2: OL Stephen Good
Day 3: S Sam Proctor
Day 4: CB Jonathan Nelson
Day 5: OL Tyler Evans
Day 6: RB Jermie Calhoun
Day 7: QB Drew Allen
Day 8: DT Jamarkus McFarland