Notebook

Published: March 31, 2008

OU coach Bob Stoops said he's excited about the prospects of an NBA franchise coming to Oklahoma City and that he's not worried the presence of an NBA team could chip away at his or any other collegiate fan base in the state.

"I don't think it has to. People love all sports. More than anything, there's enough fans to go around for everybody,” Stoops said. "In the end, success brings people, brings crowds no matter what it is. I think they have a great market for that. People around here will follow it and support it.”

Stoops was among several local dignitaries who greeted the NBA subcommittee that visited Oklahoma City last week, the next step in the Sonics making the move to Oklahoma City.

"There's a lot to be proud of, and they presented it and it's undeniable,” Stoops said. "Great things are happening for this state and for Oklahoma City.”

•Foot ball: Overshadowed because of the loss of kicker Garrett Hartley is that OU will be replacing last year's holder, Hays McEachern.

Backup receiver Carter Whitson held for redshirt freshman kicker Jimmy Stevens during Saturday's scrimmage. Punter Mike Knall has also been auditioning for the holding job some in practice.

Stevens, meanwhile, had a decent scrimmage kicking, despite missing a couple of chip shots early on.

He made 10 of 16 field goal attempts, including a 50-yarder. Power seemed to be the biggest hurdle for the 5-foot-5, 157-pound kicker as four of his six misses came from at least 47 yards out.

"He missed a few here today, but that's just his first time out here doing it,” Stoops said. "But I'm really encouraged and feel good about the way Jimmy's hitting it.”

Stevens, who set the national high school record for career field goals while at Heritage Hall, will battle incoming freshman Tress Way of Tulsa Union for the starting kicking job in the fall.

Even though they're breaking in a new kicker and holder, the Sooners do return deep snapper Derek Shaw, who has handled OU's long snaps for the past two seasons.

•Perkins heads to CFL: The Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League have signed former OU defensive back and return specialist Antonio Perkins.

At OU, Perkins set the NCAA record for punt return touchdowns in a game (3) and punt return yardage in a game (277). He is tied for the record for the most punt returns in a career with eight.

Perkins was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 2005 NFL Draft. But last summer, the Browns waived him.

Perkins, who attended Lawton High School, earned his master's degree in human relations at OU in 2006.

Former Sooner cornerback Derrick Strait and running back Quentin Griffin have also both signed contracts with CFL franchises this year.

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