OSU Football Q&A
OSU Football Q&A

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By Mike Baldwin

Published: April 6, 2008

Who have been the biggest surprises this spring? — Brent, Edmond

Safety Lucien Antoine has coaches and players buzzing about his big-hit mentality rubbing off on the entire defense.

Deron Fontenot, a redshirt freshman from Grand Prairie, lays hits similar to Antoine. Fontenot is the second-team hybrid linebacker, the position Donovan Woods played last season, the position now occupied by Andre Sexton, a two-year starter at safety.

Several defensive players have made a strong impression, including middle linebacker Orie Lemon and defensive ends Ugo Chinasa and Richetti Jones.

The top offensive surprise probably has been wide receiver Damian Davis, an athletic, 6-foot-5 target who has added some muscle and has a knack for making big catches.

Jonathan Rush has been the starting left guard most of spring drills but shared the job on the first team offensive line with Michael Booker during Friday's scrimmage.

Who will return kickoffs and punts this season?

Based on Friday's scrimmage, Perrish Cox and Adrian Moore are the two leading candidates for kickoff returns. Al'Darius Thompson and Dez Bryant are also in the mix.

Bo Bowling, a walk-on from Tonkawa who played at NEO, is the odds-on favorite to return punts. Cox is an experienced alternative with take-it-to-the-house ability. Cox averaged 12.8 yards on punt returns his freshman year, 11.1 last season.

Will Dan Bailey be the starting kicker this season?

Highly unlikely. Bailey, a walk-on, was a serviceable option once he replaced Jason Ricks late in the season. But Bailey was 2-of-4 on field goals. In Friday's scrimmage Bailey was 1-of-2 on 38-yard attempts.

Quinn Sharp, the nation's No. 1 rated high school kicker out of Mansfield, Texas, near Arlington, should win the job during two-a-days. Bailey gained some experience late last season, but Sharp most likely will attempt the pressure kicks.

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