By Bruce Campbell, Commentary

Oklahoma fans can’t wait for January to get over with.

If losing to West Virginia 48-28 in the Fiesta Bowl wasn’t painful enough, the Sooners are losing three prime-time players — linebacker Curtis Lofton, cornerback Reggie Smith and wide receiver Malcolm Kelly as early entrants to the NFL Draft.

The Sooners were projected as a 2008 preseason No. 2 by ESPN.com before the defections.

How deeply the defections will hurt the Sooners remains to be seen.

How much may depend on whether defensive back Lendy Holmes (grades) and defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger (arrested on a shoplifting complaint) return to the field.

The departure of Lofton and Smith means OU will have lost its four top tacklers from last season. If Holmes doesn’t return, it will be five of the top six. It would have been six of the top seven had junior safety Nic Harris elected not to stay.

Lofton’s value to the Sooners went beyond his team-high 157 tackles. Think of the big plays he made in the big games. He turned the Big 12 Championship game around with his interception in the third period. He turned the momentum of OU’s 41-31 win over Missouri when he returned a fumble for a touchdown. He forced a key fumble against Texas inside the 10-yard line. He was the glue that held the Sooners’ defense together.

Ryan Reynolds, who is projected to replace Lofton at middle linebacker, has been hampered by injuries throughout his career with the Sooners.

He will be under more pressure with the graduation of Lewis Baker, OU’s second-leading tackler this season with 91 stops, and Demario Pleasant.

Enid redshirt Austin Box has been projected as a starter. He drew high marks from coaches for his work ethic during his redshirt year. He would have benefited from being able to play alongside Lofton.

Mike Reed came to OU last spring with blue-chip potential. He didn’t even practice, though, the last half of the season because of family issues.

Junior Lamont Robinson could be the starter on the other side.

If Granger comes back, he could be the dominant lineman that frees the linebackers to do their work.

If he doesn’t come back, he will be missed. Auston English, OU’s best pass rusher, will be counted on even more.

Smith’s departure means OU will have to replace three of its four starting defensive backs. That doesn’t include nickel back Holmes.

OU was thin there, and West Virginia was able to take advantage of Smith’s and Holmes’ absence in the Fiesta Bowl.

Smith will be missed as a big-play punt returner.

Kelly wasn’t a major factor in the second half because of injuries, but he was a receiver who could spread out the field.

Receiver is one area in which the Sooners are deep.

Juaquin Iglesias caught 68 passes for 907 yards and five touchdowns. Manuel Johnson came on strong late, finishing with 31 receptions for 448 yards.

Quentin Chaney showed in the Fiesta Bowl he could be a big-play receiver. Adron Tennell is highly regarded.

The question is whether OU can find a consistent big-play threat as Kelly was. Kelly’s leadership will be missed.

Actually, the offense is in much better shape than it was this time a year ago.

OU will go into the spring with a proven quarterback (Sam Bradford) instead of a big question mark. His leadership should be better as he matures as a player.

Bradford has the benefit of OU returning its entire offensive line, two 600-yard plus running backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown and an NFL-type tight end in Jermaine Gresham.

The Sooners tend to play better when people doubt them.



Campbell is a News & Eagle sports writer