Can a Local Product Emerge as Oklahoma’s Answer to Depth at Linebacker?

NORMAN — One of the major challenges for Oklahoma’s defense this spring is rebuilding the depth that was lost this past winter.

Linebacker is no exception.

Kendal Daniels, who emerged as Brent Venables’ do-everything man at outside linebacker, graduated.

Kobie McKinzie and Sammy Omosigho both hit the portal as well, leaving Kip Lewis and Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan as the Sooners’ only two guys who have played significant snaps in college.

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If Owen Heinecke can return, that would boost the group, but Venables, inside linebackers coach Nate Dreiling and outside linebackers coach Wes Goodwin are looking for other answers to emerge.

Physically, James Nesta is an imposing figure standing on the practice field as he commits to fully growing into his football body after splitting time with baseball early at Oklahoma, but the other linebacker returning the most experience is Taylor Heim.

The Bethany, OK, product earned a role on special teams last year, but he also rotated into a handful of games in the later stages of blowouts.

He totaled 12 tackles, including 0.5 sacks and one quarterback hurry.

Heim’s special teams snaps gave him a glimpse of what life is really like as a weekly contributor.

“Just feeling that game day environment, feeling the blood rush you get when you run out. I actually have a role to play. It's different,” he said.

Heim has plenty of experience learning the cheetah position, but he said he was able to learn a lot over the past year by watching how Daniels handled all of the responsibilities of the role.

“He was a big one, a big mentor, because he was kind of my frame, my stature,” Heim said. “He definitely showed me the ropes and stuff and (I) just progressed as a player.”

Heim knew he couldn’t wait for spring ball to try and get a jump on growing into a larger role.

His work started as soon as he reported for winter workouts to get stronger, but also take his mental game to the next level.

“(I’m) gaining weight, being more physical, footwork,” he said. “Just trying to take that next step and always progress and never look back."

Reggie Powers III, who rotated with Daniels last year, will play plenty at cheetah, but there’s no real proven depth behind him.

Defensive back Jeremiah Newcombe is often praised by OU’s coaching staff, but an injury halted his ability to earn real in-game experience last year.

At linebacker, Heim is battling for attention with Nesta and Marcus James behind Lewis and Sullivan.

Knowing every responsibility for all of those positions is difficult, but Heim believes he has the capability to play anywhere for the Sooners.

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"It's definitely something you've gotta prepare for,” he said. “You don't just have to focus on one. You have to really take a look at two. But I feel like they kinda play similar to each other.

“They play the same technique sometimes, but kinda opposite. So a little bit of learning curve there. But it's good."

With two seasons of eligibility remaining, the 6-foot-5, 225-pounder said he’s feeling the urgency this spring, but he’s just focused on improving incrementally every practice.

"I wouldn't consider it pressure,” he said. “Obviously, with this sport comes pressure, but you either rise to it or fall. You're always progressing or you're declining, and you don't wanna decline."