Crimson Countdown: No. 50 Ben Anderson
The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2023 Oklahoma football season. It’s the second season under head coach Brent Venables and expectations are high once again. The Sooners are looking to rebound from the uncharacteristic 6-7 season in 2022.
Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Crimson Countdown: No. 50 Ben Anderson
2022 stats: N/A.
2023 outlook: With the graduation of Kasey Kelleher Oklahoma has an opening at one of the game’s most overlooked but potentially vital positions – long snapper. The Sooners have a few options but the most notable one may be Anderson, a redshirt freshman from North Carolina.
At 6-foot-5 and 238-pounds he brings exemplary size to the position and has impressed the Sooners coaching staff with his work so far.
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“Then Ben Anderson is the guy who redshirted last year as a snapper, and just his mindset, he looks like an old soul. You watch him, and you think he’s like a fifth-year senior, just how he operates, and how he handles himself, how he’s taking care of his body. He’s a rock star as far as that goes, so feel really good,” said Sr. special teams analyst Jay Nunez said back in April.
Anderson has competition in the form of Ethan Lane but the Sooners gave Anderson plenty of run in spring practice. If he can solidify the position Oklahoma can keep a solid track record of long snappers going.
2023 special teams outlook
The Sooners did lose one of their best specialists this offseason, with punter Michael Turk headed to the NFL. It’ll be a three-way battle for that spot between three transfers: Central Michigan’s Luke Elzinga, Arizona State’s Josh Plaster and Colorado’s Ashton Logan. As for field goals and kickoffs, that will likely remain redshirt junior Zach Schmit’s job. OU will also have to replace Marvin Mims as its punt returner, with receivers redshirt senior Drake Stoops, redshirt junior LV Bunkley-Shelton and Michigan transfer Andrel Anthony being the top candidates.
