Finally, the moment we've all been waiting for ... spring football, which starts today at 4:10 p.m. at the practice fields.
Spring football is the time of year for opinions and gossip about who will be starting where, what OU will be ranked and whether we can beat Texas.
The glaring question again heading into spring football: Who will be the quarterback?
This year's race is as wide open as it's been in years. OU returns four players at the position, and brings in one of the top QBs in the nation out of high school.
Jason White is the only player with starting experience of the five.
White brings more experience to the table than the other competitors but hasn't showed the brilliance that has been expected of him. His injuries carry a question mark. Will he be able to handle the daily pounding a college QB takes?
As a redshirt freshman on the scout team, Brent Rawls impressed coaches with his deep ball ability. He has yet to see any game time because of injuries. He was third on the depth chart, but a thumb injury and a concussion forced him out the rest of the year.
Rawls is said to have the most talent of the five QBs. The only question is whether he can get serious about football. He has been at OU for two years and should be looking to make a move at the starting spot.
True freshman Paul Thompson moved up the depth chart faster than most expected. After two quarterbacks were injured last season, Thompson's redshirt was pulled to back-up Nate Hybl. He saw action against UTEP, South Florida, Baylor and Texas Tech. He completed 12-of-20 passes for 95 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Thompson throws a beautiful spiral with a quick release and probably has the best athletic ability of the QBs, giving him a shot at being the starter.
Noah Allen redshirted last season but showed flashes of brilliance with the scout team. He was highly touted in high school and is looking to make an impact.
Tommy Grady, OU's prized recruit, will not be in Norman until the summer and most likely will redshirt and not be in the mix at quarterback. Grady threw 33 touchdowns and just three interceptions his senior year and was rated the fourth best quarterback in the nation by OU Insider.
Everyone goes into spring drills with the same opportunity. No one ranks ahead of another and it should make for some great competition at practice. Without seeing any practice and with the season five months away, my guess for who will be lined up under center for OU's first game against North Texas is Brent Rawls.
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