The Sooners defense has improved by leaps and bounds after new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch\u2019s <\/strong>arrival in January of 2019.\u00a0 As a result, is the Oklahoma defense top 10 nationally?\u00a0 The most compelling evidence would be the attitude of the players and coaches.\u00a0 By the same token, there seems to be confidence, not cockiness. Equally important, there seems to be much more depth on this defense than in previous seasons.\u00a0 To that end, many upper-classmen may be pushed by talented younger players for playing time. \u00a0In light of this let us begin the debate, can the Oklahoma defense become top 10 nationally?<\/p>\n To demonstrate, clearly the defensive line is the strength of the team.\u00a0 Equally important, the line not only is talented but deep.\u00a0 According to Grinch, the Sooners have 14 players he is comfortable playing at any time on the defensive front.\u00a0 At the same time, this is one of the most talented groups in many years at Oklahoma.<\/p>\n Nik Bonitto<\/a> and Isaiah Thomas<\/a> created a dynamic tandem off the edge with 95 combined pressures in 2020. \u00a0Bonitto was credited with the nation\u2019s top pressure rate and ranked first nationally among 257 edge rushers in pass-rush grade. Thomas played both defensive end and defensive tackle, accumulating a team-high 8 1\/2 sacks in 2020.<\/p>\n Jalen Redmond<\/a> is back healthy and ready to contribute.\u00a0Redmond will make his debut return and has the flexibility to play multiple positions in the line in certain packages. Perrion Winfrey<\/a> was a key cog in the Sooners defensive line last season, earning second-team All-Big 12 selection. Winfrey will once again anchor the front unit and relentlessly pursue the football.<\/p>\n LaRon Stokes<\/a> is also back in the mix. He was named the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2019 and made five starts in 2020, missing three games due to injury. \u00a0Although these are a few of the stars of the defensive line, there is a bevy of young talent waiting for opportunities.\u00a0 Among that young talent is Reggie Grimes<\/a>, Ethan Downs<\/strong>, Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge<\/strong>.\u00a0 The Sooners also have talented backups that will push for playing time.\u00a0 Those include Josh Ellison<\/a>, Jordan Kelley<\/a>, Isaiah Coe<\/strong>, and Kori Roberson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Sooners return a physical specimen in\u00a0David Ugwoegbu<\/a>. \u00a0At 6’2 and weighing 251 pounds, his body is reminiscent of former OU linebacker and NFL first-round pick Kenneth Murray<\/a>. Ugwoegbu may not be as athletic as Murray, but he\u2019s every bit as good at shedding blocks and making tackles. Oklahoma will also get a sixth year out of\u00a0Caleb Kelly<\/a>\u00a0who has unfortunately been sidelined for two years due to injury. Kelly was a five-star recruit out of high school. Even if he isn\u2019t the athlete he was before his injury struggles, he adds depth and experience to this linebacker unit.<\/p>\n DaShaun White<\/a> also returns to the fold for another season. White is a linebacker with tremendous athleticism and is great in run sets. This could finally be the year that White becomes the linebacker that many think he can be. Bryan Mead<\/strong> will return in 2021 to provide depth for the linebacking corps. Mead provides experience and depth to a talented group. Shane Whitter<\/strong>, a freshman last year with tremendous upside, will provide valuable depth as well.<\/p>\n Brian Asamoah<\/a> rounds out the list of returning production at the linebacker position. He\u2019s a head hunter, can play sideline-to-sideline, and can secure the edge and make plays at the line of scrimmage. He is the prototypical outside linebacker and an important piece to the puzzle for next season. \u00a0Not to mention a pair of incoming freshmen that are turning heads. Clayton Smith<\/strong> and Danny Stutsman<\/strong> may push more experienced players for playing time.<\/p>\n This linebacker group is the best to come through Norman in almost a decade, couple that with a veteran defensive line a group of defensive backs that are no longer a \u00a0liability and you\u2019ve got a window that\u2019s wide open for a national title run.<\/p>\n Oklahoma\u2019s defensive backfield has gotten bigger every year since Grinch arrived as defensive coordinator. Longer arms and taller frames are now what he’s looking for. \u00a0Now heading into his third spring practice Grinch has populated the Sooner secondary with the kind of bodies he thinks can elevate the OU defense to a championship level.<\/p>\n Just in the past two recruiting cycles, OU has added 6’2 Bryson Washington<\/strong>, 6’3 Justin Harrington<\/strong>, 6’2 Key Lawrence<\/a>, 6’2 Joshua Eaton<\/strong>, 6’1, Latrell McCutchin<\/strong>, 6’4 Jordan Mukes<\/strong>, and 6’1 Damond Harmon<\/strong>. Potential starting corners in 2021 are 5’11 Woodi Washington<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0D.J. Graham<\/a>, but in all likelihood, one corner will be Jaden Davis<\/a>. \u00a0Davis appears to be the team leader on the defensive side. \u00a0True freshman\u00a0Billy Bowman\u00a0<\/strong>could certainly figure into the picture.<\/p>\nDefensive line<\/h3>\n
Linebackers<\/h3>\n
\u00a0Secondary<\/h3>\n
The Final Word<\/h3>\n