Fierce Competition Sharpened Oklahoma LBs Kobie McKinzie and Sammy Omosigho This Fall

The veteran duo battled throughout the spring and fall to play alongside Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis.

Kobie McKinzie runs drills during an OU football practice. | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

NORMAN — Every coach wants strong competition within their team. 

Brent Venables is no different, and his No. 18-ranked Oklahoma Sooners needed guys to develop further at linebacker after losing star Danny Stutsman to the NFL Draft. 

Kobie McKinzie served as Stutsman’s understudy last year. He totaled a career-high 30 tackles, including three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup. 

Oklahoma linebacker Kobie McKinzie chases after South Carolina running back Raheim Sanders. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

He was put into a competition this offseason, however, when the Sooners moved Sammy Omosigho from outside linebacker to battle with McKinzie. 

Omosigho finished the 2024 season with 39 total tackles, five tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup, and he’s helped bring the best out of McKinzie. 

“Both of them have improved,” Venables said on Tuesday. “… Sammy and Kobie, they’ve had this great maturity of the competition and they pull for each other. I love that. 

“It’s not a thing I take for granted. It doesn’t happen like that, it gets funky, and it ain’t fun. And I think it prevents you from ultimately being who you want to be as a team and certainly as leaders and certainly in that group.”

McKinzie has displayed leadership characteristics since he arrived in Norman, but he had to build up his confidence, Venables said. 

---

Read More Oklahoma Football

• Oklahoma TE Jaren Kanak 'Earned' Starting Role, Per OC Ben Arbuckle
• Brent Venables is 'Very Confident' in QB John Mateer Ahead of Oklahoma's Opener
• Why Oklahoma OC Ben Arbuckle Coaches Better on the Sideline Than in the Press Box
• Column: Ever Steady in a Changing Landscape, Oklahoma's Brent Venables Draws Motivation from the Hard Times

---

Omosigho’s challenge over the offseason was a bit different, as he learned a new position. 

“Sometimes it happens overnight, and many times it doesn’t ever happen,” Venables said. “Finding the ball and you know, block recognition, play diagnosis, the instincts behind the balls, is always a little bit different than playing on the edge and just keeping your outside arm free.”

Oklahoma linebacker Sammy Omosigho works through a drill at practice. | Ryan Chapman / Sooners on SI

Still, Venables entered the summer hoping for a leap by his linebackers. 

Strong play from Oklahoma State transfer Kendal Daniels, who can slide inside as well as play at outside linebacker, eased Venables’ mind with steady progress during fall camp. 

“They’ve had great competition, great humility,” Venables said. “Everybody’s gotten better through it all, and both of them have shown that they’re capable of playing winning football. Helping us win, and they got great respect in their teammates too as leaders.”