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Oklahoma Camp Questions: Special Teams

The Sooners have plenty of turnover within the special teams unit, losing Michael Turk and Marvin Mims to the next level.

Ross Lovelace

Oklahoma Camp Questions: Special Teams
Oklahoma Camp Questions: Special Teams /
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AllSooners breaks down the most important questions for each position going into 2023 training camp. Today: special teams.

Q: How bad does Michael Turk's departure sting?

A: Oklahoma never had to worry about sending the punting unit out onto the field over the last few seasons. In fact, OU’s punter was a genuine weapon for the Sooners. In 2022, Turk was ironically one of the brightest spots of the Sooners' struggling roster. He was an All-Big 12 First Team selection and a Ray Guy Award semifinalist. He provided a sense of normalcy on Oklahoma's roster and OU will need to find a replacement in a hurry.

Even with Turk's departure, the Sooners should still be in good hands. Oklahoma brought in help from the transfer portal and experience clearly goes a long ways. The Sooners have a handful of options at punter, starting with redshirt senior Luke Elzinga, who transferred in from Central Michigan. Elzinga was the Chippewas’ primary punter each of last three seasons and a three-time All-Mid-American Conference member. He's averaged 42.4 yards on his 145 career punts. Colorado transfer punter Ashton Logan could be a solid option too, and will battle Elzinga for the starting spot.

In addition to Elzinga and Logan, former Arizona State transfer Josh Plaster will be in the mix.

Read More OU Camp Questions:

Q: Can Zach Schmit clean up his inconsistencies?

A: Quick answer, the Sooners sure hope so. Oklahoma lost four games by just three points last year, and it’s easy to wonder what a made field goal here and there would’ve done. Redshirt junior Zach Schmit was consistent across his extra point attempts, but missed one-third of his field goals.

He handled placekicking duties in all 13 games and converted all 53 of his PAT attempts. It was a different story from range, though, as Schmit converted just 12-of-18 attempts on field goals. It was his first season on the job, and he was only a sophomore, but the Sooners have to be better than 67 percent when it comes to the kicking game. With a year of experience, Schmit almost certainly has a leg up and will have a chance to secure his spot for seasons to come.

Behind Schmit, the Sooners have redshirt freshman Gavin Marshall and redshirt sophomore Redi Mustafaraj.

Q: Who will return kicks for the Sooners?

A: The Sooners have a few different options at both kick returner and punt returner. Marvin Mims took care of the punt returning duties for nearly his whole career at Oklahoma, and now that he’s filling a need with the Denver Broncos, the Sooners will have to look elsewhere. In 2022, Jalil Farooq returned kickoffs, but with his expanding role in the offense, Oklahoma might want to play it safe.

There’s no way to know who will assume both roles, but Oklahoma has playmakers that they need to get the ball to. The first one being Gavin Freeman, who has proven to be electric with the ball in his hands. He played as a walk-on true freshman a season ago, earned a scholarship and could fight for consistent snaps within the Sooners’ offense. Letting him in on the return game could be another way to put the ball in his hands.

OU could turn to a number of burners throughout the receiving core if Freeman isn’t the guy. LV Bunkley-Shelton is expecting an expanded role and is reportedly a strong route runner with solid footwork — which could bode well in the return game. Brenen Thompson is one of the fastest athletes on the team, and could find immediate snaps returning punts or kicks after transferring in from Texas this offseason. Andrel Anthony, a transfer from Michigan, has drawn rave reviews about his speed throughout the spring, and could be another strong option.

If the coaching staff opts to go in a different direction, freshman running backs Kalib Hicks and Daylan Smothers could both be intriguing options. With Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk holding down the fort offensively, it could be a way for both Hicks and Smothers to sneak onto the field.

Whoever the Sooners turn to, there's solid options all over the field.

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Ross Lovelace
ROSS LOVELACE

Experience Ross is a young, up-and-coming sports reporter who has covered the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma Sooners over the past six years. He's made guest appearances on various radio stations and has helped out with the All Sooners podcast whenever he gets the chance. Ross enjoys public speaking and has done so at multiple churches and high schools across the OKC metro area. In addition to writing, Ross has been the Play-by-Play announcer for Crossings’ basketball and football programs since 2020. In high school, Ross worked for self-starter blogs and latched onto Thunder Digest, where he discovered his passion for writing. From there, he worked for the OU Daily as a women's basketball reporter and was hired by All Sooners. Ross landed an internship with Sports Illustrated's Inside the Thunder and has since become a full-time contributor. One day, Ross hopes to work in the NBA. Work History Education Ross holds a bachelor's degree in Public Relations and a minor in Communication from the University of Oklahoma. Personal Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Ross played basketball and wrote for his own Thunder blog at Crossings High School in OKC, OK. He enjoys reading, New York Jets football and a week at the beach. Ross is engaged to be married at the end of the year. His Twitter handle is @Rosslovelace.

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