Sooners' Simmons injures knee

NORMAN - Oklahoma's Brian Simmons, who showed major progress after switching from the defensive line to offensive guard in the spring, suffered a knee injury during routine summer conditioning last week.

The extent of the injury and how it will affect Simmons' status for the fall is not known.

Simmons, from Raleigh, N.C., redshirted as a freshman a year ago. He began spring drills on defense, but was soon moved to offense to help bolster depth.

Simmons shared snaps at right guard with junior-college transfer Sherrone Moore. Almost immediately, Simmons drew raves from coach Bob Stoops, suggesting he might have a future on offense.

The injury further puts the offensive line at issue. The Sooners finished spring with six active playrs along the front, with Jon Cooper, J.D. Quinn and Joe Baressi injured and Chad Roark missing the final practices.

While Cooper, Quinn and Baressi are expected back for fall practices, Roark left OU to transfer to Nebraska.

Peterson, Bomar on Maxwell watch list: OU running back Adrian Peterson and quarterback Rhett Bomar are on the first watch list issued for the 70th Maxwell Award, presented annually to the top player in college football.

The initial list features 60 players, selected for earining all-conference or All-American status in the past, or in the case of underclassmen, on recommendations from the Maxwell Football Club Advisory Committee.

Peterson was a finalist for the honor in his freshman season of 2004 and was on the watch list last year as well.

Bomar set OU freshman marks for completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns last season.

Oklahoma has produced two previous Maxwell winners: Tommy McDonald in 1952 and Jason White in 2004.

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