Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops didn’t mince words after the Sooners’ 45-24 loss to Ohio State on Saturday. “It’s fair to say the leadership isn’t close to what it was a year ago,” Stoops said. “I’ve got to do a better job, and I’ve got to do a better job developing players to do that.” Stoops is referring to a group of six leaders who brought the Sooners to the College Football Playoff a season ago. All six were battle tested. They were there for OU’s upset Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. They were there when the Sooners disappointed the following year with an 8-5 season. They were on the front row as the team protested after the SAE scandal. And they brought the team back from the depths of a loss to arch-rival Texas last season. “Last year I think we had some special guys and a special team,” senior linebacker Jordan Evans said. But now, all are gone. Cornerback Zack Sanchez left early for the NFL. Center Ty Darlington, linebacker Eric Striker, receiver Sterling Shepard and defensive lineman Charles Tapper graduated. Quarterback Trevor Knight transferred for playing time at Texas A&M. The Sooners, now 1-2 and out of the…
Continue Reading: Oklahoma football: Lack of leadership looms large in loss to Ohio State
