Oklahoma football: Who will catch the football?

Bob Stoops’ get-tough policy of last December, when several Sooners were kicked off the team, has continued. Stoops has suspended receivers Trey Franks, Jaz Reynolds and Kameel Jackson, plus defensive back Quentin Hayes. Franks’ suspension reportedly is for the entire season.

Too early to tell exactly what this means for the 2012 Sooners. Stoops himself probably won’t know that answer until he sees his freshmen receivers in action. But we can speculate on who are the biggest winners and losers in this latest purge.

Winner: Sterling Shepard, Durron Neal & Derrick Woods. The three freshman receivers join already-arrived freshman Trey Metoyer as likely rotation players. Think about that. Most players come to OU knowing they have to stand out among the freshmen just to get a shot at earning playing time from veterans. But these guys will have to prove they can’t play.

Loser: Landry Jones. A passing offense needs more than a passer. It needs some catchers, too. Kenny Stills is the lone Sooner veteran receiver returning. Wide or tight. Everyone else will be a newcomer, until any of the suspended receivers return. If they return.

Winner: Blake Bell. If some of the rookie receivers aren’t ready to play, OU might have to use the Belldozer more than planned. If it’s a good offense on 3rd-and-goal, maybe it’s a decent offense on 2nd-and-5 from midfield.