Muskogee wide receiver Jameel Owens, right, could start right away when he arrives at OU. Owens is expected to sign with the Sooners on Wednesday. By STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Some of those will be filled by players already on the roster.
Others, however, could be filled by incoming freshmen or junior-college transfers.
This past season, offensive tackle Phil Loadholt was the only newcomer to see any significant playing time.
But this year, as many as nine new Sooners could make an impact on the 2008 season.
OU needs help the most at linebacker, where the Sooners lost two starters and where Ryan Reynolds is still working to get back to 100 percent following two knee surgeries.
Junior-college linebackers Mike Balogun and J.R. Bryant will be given the opportunities to start right away.
Not only is Balogun built like a tank (6-foot-2, 250 pounds) but he doesn't miss many tackles either, earning conference defensive player of the year honors last season.
If he adjusts to the upgrade in competition, Balogun could replace Curtis Lofton as OU's starting middle linebacker, assuming the Sooner coaches don't slide Reynolds over to the middle.
Bryant, meanwhile, will battle redshirt freshmen Austin Box and Travis Lewis for a starting spot at outside linebacker left vacant by Lewis Baker.
Bryant boasts tremendous speed for a linebacker, but he too will have to show he can adjust to Division I competition.
Linebacker, however, isn't the only position in need of replacements. The Sooners also lost both cornerbacks and a safety.
Junior-college playmaker David Sims could fill one of those positions.
Sims — who might double as a punt or kick returner — is rumored to have 4.38 speed, which means he will challenge receiver Tyler Stradford for the claim of fastest player on the team. With feet that fleet, Sims could turn heads in the spring.
Offensively, OU's biggest hole is at wide receiver, where future NFL first-round pick Malcolm Kelly started for the last three seasons.
That spot could be replaced with Stradford or Fiesta Bowl MVP Quentin Chaney.
Or, one of OU's talented incoming freshman receivers
