A look at the Sooners’ defensive front seven
NORMAN — Continuing our “State of the Sooners” series, here is a look at Oklahoma’s defensive linemen and linebackers entering 2016. The Sooners will host their annual spring game Saturday afternoon on Owen Field.
Defensive line analysis: Charles Walker was one of the defense’s best players last season and never started any games. This season, with Charles Tapper gone, Walker will likely move into the starting lineup, although fans won’t get a chance to see him this week because of his recent wrist surgery. Matt Romar and Jordan Wade give the Sooners lots of returning experience at the nose guard position, and Matt Dimon started every game last season. Where things get really interesting is behind the three starters. D.J. Ward was a highly recruited high school star in Oklahoma but has yet to make much of an impact. Former Jenks standout Marquise Overton showed some good signs in his limited appearances last season and Neville Gallimore has all the potential in the world. Word out of spring practices is also that Austin Roberts — who transferred from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M last fall — has shown flashes of his potential and that, when/if he starts showing some consistency, he could be a force. Inside linebackers analysis: This is one position group that is extremely difficult to project because of the massive amount of turnover. Senior Jordan Evans is the only returner with substantial experience and the only guy who has his position locked down. Tay Evans seems like the most likely candidate to emerge in the other inside spot, replacing Dominique Alexander. Curtis Bolton will also be in the mix for playing time on the inside, and former Putnam City North Panther and walk-on Ruben Hunter could even push for some action. The Sooners are thin enough at inside linebacker to give Hunter a decent shot.
Outside linebackers analysis: Replacing Eric Striker and Devante Bond will be extremely difficult, but fortunately for OU, there are lots of talented guys waiting in the wings. Junior Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will be a favorite to become the Sooners’ new top pass-rushing linebacker, but in his limited opportunities last year, he sometimes made costly mental mistakes. Redshirt freshmen Ricky DeBerry and Arthur McGinnis will also be in the mix. But if none of those guys take firm control this spring and show consistency, the Sooners have highly-touted true freshmen Caleb Kelly and Mark Jackson — plus junior-college transfers Emmanuel Beal and Kapri Doucet — arriving in the summer. Last year, the Sooners played a lot with both Striker and Bond on the field, so there will be plenty of opportunity for all of the aforementioned players.