The Oklahoma Sooners are 4-3 so far in the 2024 season, with just a 1-3 record in SEC play. They’ve lost two straight games and three of the last four, all in league play, after a 3-0 nonconference start.
OU has been thoroughly embarrassed in their last two outings following the bye week, failing to reach double digits in blowout losses against Texas and South Carolina. Third-year head coach Brent Venables now leads Oklahoma on the road for just their third game away from home all season. It’s just the second true road game of the campaign.
The Ole Miss Rebels are OU’s opponent this week as the Sooners look to get back on track in a hostile environment against a very good football team.
With everything going on with Oklahoma’s offense this week, there will be no shortage of opportunities for true freshmen to step up and try to garner more snaps moving forward.
Here are three players in their freshman seasons to keep your eye on this week when the Sooners battle the Rebels.
1. Jacob Jordan, WR
Wide receiver Jacob Jordan was one of the few bright spots of last week’s game, leading the Sooners in receiving. He showed a knack for getting open, and had a beautiful move on the sideline after his very first catch.
As the Sooners search for someone to step up on offense, especially at wideout, maybe it’s time to get this true freshman walk-on more snaps and more involved in the gameplan.
2. Eli Bowen, DB
Eli Bowen has been a standout at defensive back, ever since he got plenty of run in the Tennessee game a few weeks back. Though undersized, he’s shown coaches that he can play with plenty of effort and good technique at cornerback. Bowen is Oklahoma’s highest-graded player according to Pro Football Focus.
Putting it bluntly, Oklahoma doesn’t look like a team that can score very many points offensively right now. That means that the defense is under even more pressure to allow fewer points if the Sooners want to win on Saturday. Bowen will be called upon to perform at a high level once again this week against an explosive Ole Miss passing attack.
3. Jaydan Hardy, DB
Jaydan Hardy is part of a very intriguing group of young defensive backs that Oklahoma has on the roster, especially at safety. Behind the excellent trio of players at that position, there’s a few players that all have different skills and abilities that represent the future of the defensive backfield.
With the Sooners playing more three safety looks in conference play, Hardy has played more and more alongside a combination of Billy Bowman, Peyton Bowen, and Robert Spears-Jennings. He figures to be a part of that rotation once again on Saturday, as Lane Kiffin and his Rebel offense will be a big-time test for this defense.
The Sooners and the Rebels will kick things off at 11:00 a.m. in Oxford, Mississippi, on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 3 Oklahoma Football Freshmen to watch against Ole Miss
