OU notebook

Published: March 30, 2008

High school linebacker Jaydan Bird (Conway Springs, Kan.), who's in Norman this weekend, committed to the Sooners on Saturday morning before OU first's open scrimmage.

"OU is a school with great tradition, the coaches are cool and laid back,” Bird said. "OU has a good academic program. I felt really comfortable with the school.”

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Bird has scholarship offers from Kansas, Kansas State and Miami.

Bird is OU's fourth verbal commitment, joining linebacker Ronnell Lewis (Dewar), defensive end Terry Franklin (Mansfield, Texas) and running back Jonathan Miller (Garland, Texas).

•Other recruits in the house: In addition to Bird, several high school prospects visited Norman this weekend for the scrimmage, including wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu (Allen, Texas) cornerback Gabe Lynn (Jenks) and cornerback David Gordon (Tulsa East Central).

•No injuries Saturday: Despite several injuries to key players this spring, OU had a relatively injury-free scrimmage Saturday.

Defensive end Pryce Macon appeared woozy after a collision, but later he seemed to be OK.

In the scrimmage, OU was without running backs Chris Brown (knee) and DeMarco Murray (knee), receivers Ryan Broyles (collarbone), Manuel Johnson (ankle) and Adron Tennell (knee), guard Duke Robinson (ankle), defensive ends Auston English (shoulder) and John Williams (Achilles), linebackers Ryan Reynolds (ankle) and Austin Box (elbow), safeties Nic Harris (shoulder) and Quinton Carter (hamstring) and cornerback Jonathan Nelson (groin).

•QB Jones has forgettable debut: Saturday was an enlightening learning experience for freshman quarterback Landry Jones, who enrolled at OU early to participate in spring drills.

Jones, out of Artesia, N.M., finished 0-of-3 passing with an interception in limited action.

Sophomore Keith Nichol also had a rough outing, completing just 2-of-9 passes for 35 yards with two interceptions.

Senior Joey Halzle had the best performance of the backups, competing 6-of-12 attempts for 57 yards.

•Tight ends have quiet day: Tight end Brody Eldridge sat out most of the scrimmage after participating in individual drills. Tight end Jermaine Gresham didn't have a catch, either. That left the door open for redshirt freshman Trent Ratterree of Weatherford to have a positive performance, catching two passes for 27 yards.

•Coaching clinic ends: Saturday's scrimmage marked the end of a three-day coaching clinic that brought in high school coaches from as far away as Pennsylvania.

Several local coaches attended the scrimmage, including ones from Edmond North, Chickasha and Deer Creek.

By Jake Trotter

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