Although they fell just short of having the best record in the Big 12, the Oklahoma Sooners still had a great season. They finished their year with an impressive 47-32 victory over Oregon in the Alamo Bowl. It is no surprise that their roster was littered with talent, and we are likely to hear quite a few Oklahoma prospects selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. Here are Oklahoma’s scouting reports for some of the players I see being selected come draft night.
Oklahoma 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Some of the top Oklahoma prospects include a potential Day 1 linebacker and a possible steal at running back in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Brian Asamoah, LB
Positives: Undersized run-and-chase linebacker who stands out in pursuit. Athletic, fast, and quick getting out to the flanks. Immediately locates the ball and the action, displays good change-of-direction skills, and has an explosive closing burst. Fires upfield on the blitz and against the run and plays with reckless abandon.
Quick to the sidelines and cuts off the corners from ball handlers. Gets outstanding depth on pass drops and easily stays downfield with fast running backs. Covers a tremendous amount of area on the field, breaks down well, and uses his hands to protect himself. Leads by example on the field.
Negatives: Must improve his ability in coverage and does a lot of face-guarding. Really needs a free shot at the ball, as he gets caught up in the traffic.
Analysis: Asamoah is an outstanding pursuit linebacker who plays big-boy football with fierce intensity. His lack of size will cause mismatch problems. However, Asamoah could be a great fit on the inside of a 3-4 scheme that allows him to use his pursuit talents.
Want more information on Asamoah? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma LB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Caleb Kelly, LB
Positives: Oft-injured linebacker who is productive when he’s on the field. Breaks down well, chases the action hard, and rarely gets knocked off his feet. Easily changes direction, remains disciplined with assignments, and quickly locates the ball handler. Covers a good amount of area on the field, wraps up opponents, and makes the tackle in space.
Negatives: Easily disrupted from the action or his angle of attack by blocks. Not forceful on the blitz. Has struggled with injuries the past three seasons and missed all of 2020 and most of 2019.
Analysis: Kelly possesses the size, speed, and football skill to start for a variety of schemes on Sundays. However, his inability to stay healthy is a major red flag.
Delarrin Turner-Yell, S
Positives: Underrated safety with a terrific game. Instinctive, quickly diagnoses plays, and does an outstanding job patrolling center field. Tracks the pass in the air, gets vertical, and possesses good hands for the interception. Fires out to the flanks, shows good range, and plays with a sense of urgency. Mobile, covers a lot of area on the field, and possesses a closing burst. Stays with assignments, fires upfield to defend the run, and breaks down well.
Negatives: Must improve his backpedal. Lacks balance when trying to stay with opponents out of breaks. Size is a limiting factor.
Analysis: Turner-Yell is a smart, explosive safety who displayed improved ball skills last season. He’s a true center fielder at free safety who could be a major steal on Day 3.
Erik Swenson, OT
Positives: Hard-working college left tackle who quickly sets up off the snap, stays square, and makes outstanding use of angles. Patient, keeps his feet moving, and seals defenders from plays with outstanding body positioning. Keeps his head on a swivel and always looks for someone to hit. Anchors in pass protection and turns defenders from the line to open up running lanes.
Negatives: Lacks quick and fluid footwork off the edge. Easily beaten by inside moves. Struggles handling speed rushers. Limited upside.
Analysis: Swenson got the most from his ability at left tackle for Oklahoma. But he’s a limited athlete with marginal mobility. He’s best as a right tackle and will get consideration at guard.
Gabe Brkic, K
Positives: Strong-legged kicker who consistently makes field goals from beyond 50 yards. Quickly gets the ball off his foot, has a compact kicking motion, and immediately gets lift on the ball. Comes through for his team during important moments.
Negatives: More consistent from 50 yards or longer than from intermediate distances. Must improve his kickoffs.
Analysis: Brkic displayed a lot of development in his game last season and has an upside. Nonetheless, he’s a long way from being a polished, NFL-ready kicker.
Isaiah Thomas, DE
Positives: Athletic defensive lineman who makes a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage and out in space. Fires off the snap with an explosive first step, quickly gets his hands up, and effectively uses them to shed blocks. Plays with terrific pad level, keeps his feet moving, and shows a closing burst.
Moves well laterally getting down the line of scrimmage to make plays in pursuit, easily redirects to the action, and consistently makes plays in the opponent’s backfield. Gets a lot of momentum going up the field and shows the ability to knock blockers from the point. Knocks away the pass if he cannot get to the passer.
Negatives: Lacks bulk and is easily blocked from the action. Must improve his ability on stunts or games up front. Will be a liability against the run early in his NFL career.
Analysis: Thomas is an athletic 4-3 defensive end prospect who stands out as a pass rusher and makes plays in space. There may be bumps in the road early. However, Thomas comes with an upside and will only get better as he physically matures and adds strength to his game.
Want more information on Thomas? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma DE | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Jeremiah Hall, TE
Positives: Hard-charging lead blocker who presents himself as a legitimate offensive threat. Bends his knees and accelerates into blocks. Squares into defenders and takes them from the action. Blocks with leverage, always looks for someone to hit, and gives effort. Outstanding pass catcher who quickly gets into routes, adjusts to the pass, and looks passes into his hands. Possesses strong hands and plucks the ball from the air.
Negatives: Slow and plays to one speed. Carried the ball just 13 times during his Oklahoma career.
Analysis: Hall is a nice-sized fullback who does an outstanding job as a blocker and catches the ball well. He’s a West Coast fullback who will be an asset on all three downs in the NFL.
Want more information on Hall? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Jeremiah Hall, Oklahoma TE | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Kennedy Brooks, RB
Positives: Smart, instinctive ball carrier with average speed. Displays terrific patience, follows blocks, and sifts through the trash to find the small openings on the field. Gets a lot of momentum going, runs with lean, and has a strong lower body. Keeps his feet moving and falls forward when tackled. Displays good short-area quickness with the ability to bounce around piles and defenders. Effectively helps the quarterback sell ball fakes and is an outstanding blocker when required.
Negatives: Was not much of a pass-catching threat for an offense that threw the ball often. Lacks the speed necessary to turn the perimeter. Not a truly creative ball carrier.
Analysis: Brooks was a solid running back at Oklahoma, but he has limitations for the next level. He’s an undersized power runner with average speed and pass-catching ability.
Want more information on Brooks? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Kennedy Brooks, Oklahoma RB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
LaRon Stokes, DL
Positives: Quasi-athletic defensive lineman who flashed ability yet never elevated his game. Quick and fluid when asked to twist or stunt, moves well about the field, and easily gets down the line of scrimmage in pursuit. Uses his hands well, keeps his feet moving, and gives effort. Fires off the snap and explodes through the gaps to penetrate the line of scrimmage.
Negatives: Does not play with consistent leverage and gets upright. Marginally productive the past two seasons and did not start a single game as a senior.
Analysis: Stokes showed a lot of ability as a sophomore in 2019 but then showed little progress in his game. He possesses the size as well as the growth potential to line up in a variety of defensive schemes. Nonetheless, Stokes must quickly start meeting expectations.
Marquis Hayes, G
Positives: Powerful, big-bodied blocker who is best in a small area. Blocks with proper lean, displays outstanding vision, and quickly picks up the blitz. Sets with a wide base, starts with good knee bend, and anchors in pass protection. Turns defenders from the line and opens up running lanes. Very effective with his hands.
Negatives: Heavy-footed, lumbers around the field, and shows no ability blocking in motion. Struggles to adjust and gets hammered by quick or nimble opponents. Gets upright in his stance as the play proceeds.
Analysis: Hayes comes with exceptional size, growth potential, and a powerful game. His lack of athleticism and agility is a concern, though Hayes is a perfect fit in a power-gap system.
Want more information on Hayes? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Marquis Hayes, Oklahoma G | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Michael Woods II, WR
Positives: Sure-handed wideout who is best on underneath routes. Tracks the pass in the air, uses the sidelines well, and makes the difficult catch in a battle. Sells routes, extends his hands, and possesses good eye/hand coordination. Quickly gets into routes, comes back to the quarterback, and gives effort after the reception. Possesses strong hands and snatches the ball from the air. Gives effort blocking downfield and gets results.
Negatives: Lacks a burst of speed and isn’t a downfield threat. Has a limited route tree. Lacks upside.
Analysis: Woods was a consistent performer for both Arkansas and Oklahoma. He offers possibilities as a fifth receiver in a timing offense.
Nik Bonitto, OLB
Positives: Slightly undersized 3-4 linebacker who excels as a pass rusher. Breaks down well, plays with balance as well as body control, and uses his hands to protect himself. Knifes inside double-team blocks, immediately alters his angle of attack, and shows a closing burst to the play. Stout at the point, plays off blocks, and has a fluid style.
Fires off the snap and plays with terrific pad level when playing out of a three-point stance. Bends off the edge as a pass rusher, quickly gets upfield, and displays the speed necessary to pursue laterally. Gets to the sidelines and cuts off the corners from ball handlers. Rarely off his feet.
Negatives: Primarily used up the field and laterally outside the box. Lack of bulk will hamper him at the next level.
Analysis: Bonitto has shown consistent improvement in his game the past two seasons. He’s a defensive front-seven player who does more than just pin his ears back and rush up the field. While he needs to develop a complete game, Bonitto’s ability to rush the passer will make him an early selection on Day 2.
Want more information on Bonitto? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma OLB | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Perrion Winfrey, DT
Positives: Explosive interior lineman who flashes dominance. Fires off the snap with a great first step, knocks blockers back, and can be an overwhelming force. Works his hands throughout the action, penetrates the line of scrimmage, and easily redirects to ball handlers. Agile, keeps his feet moving, and possesses a closing burst. Gives effort against the run.
Negatives: Does not play with proper pad level, gets upright, and makes himself an easy target for opponents. Must develop more moves to get off blocks. Streaky.
Analysis: Winfrey is an athletic interior lineman who plays with a violent style. He’s a natural fit on the inside of a four-man line. Winfrey will be a productive professional if he learns to play with leverage.
Want more information on Winfrey? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma DT | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Tyrese Robinson, OL
Positives: Short college tackle who projects to guard. Strong, fires off the snap into run blocks, and moves opponents off the line. Plays with a nasty attitude and looks to finish off defenders. Solid position blocker who keeps his feet moving and stays square. Keeps his head on a swivel and shows excellent blocking vision. Quickly sets up off the snap, flashes ability blocking in motion, and engulfs defenders.
Negatives: Must do a better job sinking his butt at the line as well as blocking with leverage. Lacks footwork off the edge. Gets a narrow base in his stance at times.
Analysis: Robinson possesses the size and style to back up in a power-gap offense.