OU football coach Bob Stoops pleased with Sooners' first practice

“I thought it was great,” Stoops said. “It was a great move going early; it couldn't have been better out. We didn't have one issue whatsoever.”

The Sooners started practicing Thursday at 7 a.m. because of the recent heat wave, and Stoops said there was only one straggler — junior defensive back Lamar Harris.

“I only saw one guy running in a little bit late,” Stoops said.

The Sooners will practice Friday at 7 a.m. as well, and will move practice back to about 6:45 a.m. on Saturday because of Fan Appreciation Day, Stoops said.

Stoops estimated that the Sooners took 80 team snaps and nearly 50 pass-scale snaps, and added that, because players are around all year, there isn't much to re-learn.

“I think ... you could almost go out and play a game, meaning everybody retains everything really pretty well,” Stoops said.

STILL WAITING ON THREE FRESHMEN

Though he didn't mention them by name, Stoops said the Sooners are still waiting on three freshmen — defensive linemen Jordan Phillips and Jordan Wade and wide receiver Trey Metoyer — to join the team.

“We've got a couple guys still finishing up some classes,” Stoops said. “A couple of D-lineman are still working on classes to finish up. We anticipate that happening here pretty soon. And a receiver still finishing up some classes. That will be determined here in another few days.”

Stoops said “absolutely” that Phillips and Wade could have an impact this season once they arrive.

Metoyer is taking two classes at Tyler (Texas) Junior College and needs an A grade in one and a B in the other. His summer session ends Aug. 11.

STOOPS EXPERIMENTING WITH JEFFERSON, NELSON

Stoops said the team is experimenting with sophomore defensive back Tony Jefferson, who played nickelback last season, at the deep safety positions and sophomore linebacker Corey Nelson at the nickelback.

“We're looking at Tony Jefferson some in the deep positions,” Stoops said. “He needs to know the deep positions as well as the nickel positions. As a true freshman a year ago, that wasn't the right thing to do. It was too much to grasp. But in just one day out there, you can tell he's already grasping playing the deep safety positions.