Samaje Perine Shoots The Gap On The Dean's List

Samaje Perine missed OU’s first full pad workout this morning as he recovers from what he describes to us as a minor injury. Perine looked more sculpted Saturday when we went one-on-one in the attached interview.

It’s clear the leaner (5-11, 237 pounds) and swifter sophomore running back is excited about the potential of Lincoln Riley’s new Air Raid offense and the pass receptions he’s anticipating making. Riley emphasized Saturday that this offense gives the majority of the touches to the backs – something that makes a lot of sense in Norman. The Sooners go at least four deep with impressive backs who would get the majority of carries at most FBS schools.

Perine’s comments about being in formations with ballyhooed recruit Joe Mixon are substantive. Mixon was strong in this morning’s workout and draws high praise from Perine in the interview. While most Sooners tend to shy away from elaborating on Mixon for obvious reasons, offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh was effusive with praise when we talked with him this morning. The well-respected, former West Virginia assistant compared Mixon’s elusiveness to former WVU star RB Tavon Austin – who stands about 5 inches shorter and 45 pounds lighter – but added that the 6-foot-1 ½, 218-pound Californian brings a unique blend of speed and power to go with the wiggles. Join us on News 9 at 10pm to hear Bedenbaugh’s comments on Mixon.

There was very disconcerting news coming out of Sooner camp today which explains why I’ve felt for weeks that Bob Stoops was going out of his way to compliment a pair of veteran offensive tackles who’ve not drawn much praise for three or four years. Perhaps fifth year senior starting tackles Josia St. John from Canada and Derek Farniak from Sioux Falls will be the next Ralph Neelys (look them up if born after 1990). My expectation is they’ll be less exposed and be singled up much more with the way Riley spreads the field.  They’ll need to perform well because the player oft-mentioned by multiple coaches has been suspended. Offensive tackle Kenyon Frison has not been with the team for several weeks because of undisclosed rules violations. It’s uncertain if he’ll return this season, but it sounds about as likely that he’ll be back as true freshman Dalton Wood returns. And from what I’m told, the multi-talented McAlester athlete believes he has bigger fish to fry right now than playing football.

Enjoy the interview and please join us at 6 and 10 on News9  Sports.