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NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Oklahoma receiver Durron Neal wasn't sure what to think when the Sooners hired Lincoln Riley away from East Carolina to bring in the Air Raid offense.
After getting started with spring practice, Neal and the Sooners' receivers are all in with their new offensive coordinator's scheme. They are looking forward to unveiling the pass-happy system at the spring game on April 11.
''When we really sat down and looked at it and studied it, we saw it's detailed but it's simple,'' Neal said. ''Once you just really get into it and look into your position, it's not hard at all. It's fun and very simple. This offense allows you to play fast and not think so much.''
The bigger change will be adjusting to the tempo. As offensive coordinator, Riley's East Carolina team ran 82 plays per game last season, about 10 more than Oklahoma.
''We've just got to get the pace down, get the speed of the game down,'' receiver Sterling Shepard said. ''This offense moves rapidly.''
Riley wants it to move even faster. The fast pace was a key reason the Pirates ranked third nationally in yards passing per game last season.
''We're slow right now, but we'll get better,'' he said. ''The emphasis is on the installation and the execution. When that comes, we'll speed it up. Compared to where I think we can get, we're pretty slow right now.''
The Sooners are a bit thin at receiver, but talent exists.
Shepard established himself as one of the nation's top receivers early last season before he struggled through hamstring injuries and caught just two passes during the final six games. He finished with 970 yards and five touchdowns, and matched an Oklahoma record with 15 catches against Kansas State.
Neal is the team's No. 2 returning receiver. He struggled at times last season, finishing with 42 catches for 513 yards and three scores. Instead of looking back, he's focused on what could be a bright future.
''It's not really about me, it's just about what I can do to help this team and they give me certain plays that I can make and I do my best to make them,'' he said. ''This offense is going to open up for a lot of people. This offense is designed for everybody to make plays.''
Dede Westbrook, a newcomer, is drawing rave reviews. The 6-foot-1, 167-pound junior college transfer is expected to immediately upgrade a position that struggled at times last year.
''That's a name you'll keep hearing,'' Shepard said. ''That guy can go. He's every bit of what the media blew him up to be at the beginning. He plays fast. Even though he's not very big, he plays big. The guy can go.''
An emerging receiver, junior Jordan Smallwood, is out for the spring with a left ACL injury. The team expects him back early in the season.
''It's just disappointing for that kid,'' Riley said. ''He's just an unbelievably competitive and hungry kid, regardless of what happened the other day, has a really bright future here. We're still really thrilled about him.''
Another challenge for the receivers is getting used to four possible starting quarterbacks. Trevor Knight, last year's starter, was inconsistent and fought through a neck injury. Baker Mayfield, a transfer from Texas Tech, sat out last year, but he's familiar with Riley's offense. Cody Thomas started last season while Knight recovered, and Justice Hansen is in the mix, too.
Riley hasn't tipped his hand to which one he thinks should start. All four are getting equal repetitions in practice.
''All those guys have different motivations,'' Riley said. ''Baker has been out. Trevor is wanting to regain his job. You have two talented guys (Thomas and Hansen) who want to get in the mix. It's going to be a good battle. They've been fun to work with. It's gonna be a fun battle, and I like the ability in the room.''
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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP
