OU football: Bob Stoops’ best guess on up-and-comers

Every August, I ask Bob Stoops who on his football team is likely to surprise us. Who is a guy we haven’t heard much about, or aren’t expecting much out of, but could become a Sooner mainstay?

Austin Haywood (89) holds on to a pass defended by Javon Harris (30) during the University of Oklahoma Sooner's (OU) Spring Football game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, April 16, 2011, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

I started this tradition with Dan Cody about 10 years. Stoops quickly identified Cody as an impact player, even though few had been heralding the defensive end. And of course, Cody became a force.

This year, Stoops offered three names. Daryl Williams, Geneo Grissom and Austin Haywood.

Williams is a redshirt freshman who is battling Lane Johnson and Donald Stephenson for the two available starting offensive tackle berths.

Grissom is a redshirt freshman defensive end who clearly ranks behind Frank Alexander, Ronnell Lewis and David King but who figures to force his way into the rotation.

And Haywood is a sophomore tight end who is behind James Hanna and Trent Ratterree but might force the coaches into giving him playing time. “We like our tight ends,” Stoops said. “He’ll be out there.”