Experience key factor for Sooners
NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma coaches did not panic Sunday after running back Adrian Peterson suffered a minor shoulder injury during a team scrimmage.
The talented freshman had not cracked the first- or second-team units after the first week of training camp. Peterson could miss a week and a half.
OU fans may be focused on Peterson, the No. 1-ranked recruit in the country last season, but coaches are relying on juniors Kejuan Jones and Donta Hickson of McKinney to establish the running game early this season. Peterson will get his chance later, when he exhibits more skills than just carrying the football.
“Right now, Kejuan Jones is our best player, hands down. It’s not even close,” OU running backs coach Cale Gundy said of the backfield competition.
Media members have requested to speak with Jones almost every day at training camp. Most interviews include questions about Peterson. Jones handles the queries in admirable fashion. Jones compares it to his freshman year when he was the star recruit and Quentin Griffin the incumbent starter.
“People said, ‘Give Kejuan a chance, and get Quentin out of there,’ ” Jones said. “
Over the years, I’ve learned that’s going to come up. But you deal with and use it as a little motivation.”
Jones redshirted in 2001. The next season, Jones earned a reputation as OU’s short-yardage back. Jones had 14 touchdowns while rushing for 607 yards. Last season, Jones split time with senior Renaldo Works and fell 75 yards shy of 1,000.
During that time, Jones blossomed into a complete running back, OU coach Bob Stoops said. That means hitting holes hard, breaking tackles, protecting the football, running proper pass routes and executing good fakes. There’s one other factor in the equation.
“Running backs get on the field by what they do rushing the football,” offensive coordinator Chuck Long said. “But they stay on the field through pass protection.”
It’s especially important considering quarterback Jason White has undergone reconstructive surgery on both knees.
By most accounts, the 5-9 Jones was a workhorse this summer. The Tulsa, Okla., native weighs 200 pounds, and Jones brags about bench-pressing 245 pounds seven times. That strength will be necessary when 250-pound linebackers come racing into the backfield.
Hickson (5-10, 203) has been victimized by OU’s depth, it seems. Hickson redshirted in 2001 and had six carries as a redshirt freshman. Hickson had 78 carries last season and averaged 3.9 yards per carry.