OU football notebook: Bob Stoops, R.J. Washington high on young DEs Michael Onuoha, Charles Tapper

BROTHERS DIFFER ON DIFFERENCES

New/old Sooners defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said not much had changed with his brother Bob since he was last with the Sooners in 2003.

“The facilities have changed a little bit but Bob hasn't changed at all,” Mike said. “Hopefully I'm a little wiser than I was eight years ago.”

Bob Stoops, though, said the change came from both sides.

“There's a lot of changes in me from when Mike was here and how I am now,” Bob said. “He's still the same guy that's very focused and very detailed in what he wants and displaying intensity that's served him well.

“In some ways, we're all a little bit older, wiser maybe in a lot of ways, but we're more seasoned than we were eight years ago.”

STILLS' DRESS NOT A DISTRACTION

Wide receiver Kenny Stills opened up about the infamous picture floating around the Internet of him wearing a purple bridesmaid dress.

Stills said he put the dress on as a joke at former OU basketball player Cade Davis' wedding this summer. The bridesmaid who owns the dress took the picture and posted it on Twitter.

However, it was discovered by a local media outlet and retweeted.

"It's nothing out of the ordinary for me," Stills said. "I feel like I am comfortable with what I am doing. I feel like everybody has taken a funny picture before."

Stills also dismissed the picture as being a distraction to go along with the Sooners' suspensions and injuries.

"I didn't think much of it," he said.

THE NEXT No. 85

Star receiver Ryan Broyles may have moved on to the NFL, but his successor may have arrived in a new young receiver. At least, that's what center Gabe Ikard is hinting.

Sterling Shepard, a former Heritage Hall standout and the son of former OU receiver Derrick Shepard, has impressed Ikard.

“He's going to play a lot of good football here,” Ikard said. “I'm excited to see all the plays he can make. I daresay he's got some very similar movements to an 85 that we lost last year.”