Oklahoma Defensive Line Transfers Poised to Make an Impact

NORMAN — OU's defensive line has been the talk of fall camp in Norman thus far.

After finishing 2022 ranked No. 122 in the nation in total defense, Brent Venables and company made a clear effort throughout the spring and summer to add a handful of talented transfers to their defensive line room.

Last year, the Sooners gave up 5.75 yards per play and 461 yards per game, two numbers that will need to improve drastically before Oklahoma makes its jump to the SEC in 2024.

With six transfer defensive lineman entering their first year at OU, the Todd Bates and Miguel Chavis units look much different than they did last season. The size difference in the d-line room is noticeable but not surprising when analyzing who took the majority of the team's snaps on the interior in 2022.

Last year, Jordan Kelley, who was listed at 6-foot-4 and 288 pounds, and Isaiah Coe, who was listed at 6-foot-2 and 305 pounds, were the Sooners' main contributors at defensive tackle.

Jeffery Johnson and Jalen Redmond were also mainstays on the interior, but both players graduated following the 2022 season.

This year, 6-foot-3, 321-pound Tennessee transfer Da'Jon Terry and 6-foot-3, 305-pound Utah State transfer Phillip Paea have entered the fold. Terry and Paea are two veteran defensive lineman with plenty of size, strength and experience on the interior.

Venables and company also brought in 6-foot-2, 287-pound Texas State transfer Davon Sears and 6-foot-1, 280-pound Notre Dame transfer Jacob Lacey over the offseason.

Each of the aforementioned players has played at least four years of college football and should be able to make an immediate impact. While a health issue may restrict Lacey, the redshirt senior has been at the Sooners' fall practices in a blue "no contact" jersey.

Terry, Paea and Sears, however, should all see plenty of rotational snaps on the interior. With Coe and Kelley back for their final year of college football and weighing in even heavier than last season, the two returning Sooners should also factor into the team's defensive line depth.

This will be a huge aid to Bates’ group, with more depth meaning each player stays more fresh throughout the game and performs better during the snaps they are on the field.

Oklahoma has not had a player as big and physical as Terry on their defensive line in quite some time. While Neville Gallimore and Perrion Winfrey had strong careers during their time in Crimson and Cream, neither possessed the same size or playstyle that Terry offers.

On the edge, Chavis brought in multiple talented transfers as well.

Trace Ford, a speedy edge player from Oklahoma State, and Rondell Bothroyd, a heavier power rusher from Wake Forest, both transferred to Oklahoma over the offseason. The additions of Ford and Bothroyd should strengthen a position group that already had multiple intriguing players.

With Ethan Downs, a Preseason All-Big 12 selection, and Reggie Grimes, who started 10 games for the Sooners last season, also on the edge, Bothroyd and Ford will at least be solid rotational players who can spell Downs or Grimes when the two get fatigued.

It appears, however, that both Ford and Bothroyd will be much more than just rotational defensive lineman.

The Wake Forest transfer had high praise for Ford following practice on Tuesday.

"Got Trace back full, which is a big deal because Trace is a dog," Bothroyd said. "He's probably the fastest D-lineman I've seen in my life. You guys will see it."

At Oklahoma State, Ford made plenty of flashes but was consistently held back due to injuries. With the depth amongst the Sooners d-line group, Ford will be able to play less snaps this season, and will therefore have a better chance at staying healthy.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 257 pounds, Ford's speed off the edge make him a dangerous situational pass rusher.

Bothroyd, on the other hand, has the chance to take a starting job this season after a strong performance to start fall camp. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound lineman was impressive during his final two seasons with the Demon Deacons, tallying 13 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss from 2021-2022.

If Bothroyd's production from the last two years and his performance in fall camp are any indication, the sixth-year senior is in for a big season with the Sooners.

Former OU and NFL offensive lineman Gabe Ikard even said on "The Oklahoma Breakdown" podcast that Bothroyd is currently the best d-lineman on Oklahoma's roster.

“I think he’s their best player on the defensive line," Ikard said. "We’ve been saying it since the spring, the guy can play football.”

Bothroyd knows he isn't the only talented player on the Sooners' defensive line, saying that the team's depth has helped push the group in fall camp.

"This is probably the most depth that I've ever been around, so it's cool to see," Bothroyd said. "That means you have to bring it every day. You can't really have an off day. ... It's cool to see everyone doing well, everyone just not dropping off."

This depth will help the entire d-line unit, and ultimately Venables' entire defense.

With bigger and more talented players up front, the defensive line will be able to absorb double-teams to free up Danny Stutsman and the rest of OU's linebacker corps to make plays in run defense.

Additionally, with more pressure on the quarterback, Woodi Washington and the Sooners' defensive backs won't have to stay in coverage for as long, in turn making their jobs easier as well.

The additions of Terry, Paea, Sears, Lacey, Ford and Bothroyd should help Oklahoma drastically improve their defensive ranking in 2023, and all six players will have an opportunity to earn playing time in meaningful moments this season.

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