Reports: Veteran Defensive Lineman Set to Return to Oklahoma in 2024
The numbers of Oklahoma defenders returning in 2024 continues to grow.
SoonerScoop.com’s George Stoia reported OU defensive lineman Trace Ford is returning to Norman next year, and the report was confirmed by the OU Daily and The Oklahoman.
Ford, who will utilize his sixth and final year of eligibility next year, got healthy and contributed to Brent Venables’ defense in 2023 after transferring from Oklahoma State.
He finished the year with 18 total tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Per Pro Football Focus, Ford played 335 defensive snaps for the Sooners, adding another 39 snaps on special teams.
Ford finished with an overall grade of 64.5 from PFF, and he was graded with a 67.4 pass rush grade and a 53.6 run defense grade.
Along with Ford, Oklahoma convinced key contributors in defensive linemen Ethan Downs, Da’Jon Terry and Jacob Lacey to return in 2024, linebacker Danny Stutsman, and defensive backs Billy Bowman and Woodi Washington.
Oklahoma’s defense made noticeable improvements in 2023, finishing the season ranked 78th in total defense, tied for 46th in scoring defense and tied for sixth in turnovers forced.
Pair the returners with continued development from the likes of breakout linebacker Kip Lewis, cornerback Gentry Williams, safeties Peyton Bowen and Robert Spears-Jennings and defensive ends R Mason Thomas and Adepoju Adebawore, and the Sooners have the pieces to take another big stride forward in 2024.
The Sooners will have a new voice helping in 2024 as well.
Jacksonville State defensive coordinator Zac Alley is reportedly set to take over for former OU defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof, though the Sooners have not officially confirmed the hire.
A longtime student assistant and graduate assistant under Venables at Clemson, Alley will be tasked with continuing to help Oklahoma’s defense improve after implementing Venables’s scheme at both Louisiana-Monroe and Jacksonville State.
- Follow AllSooners on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest OU news!
- Want even more Sooners news? Check out the SI.com OU team page here!
- Listen and subscribe to the AllSooners Podcast!
- Watch more Sooners videos and subscribe on YouTube!
- Sign up for your premium membership to AllSooners.com today, and get access to the entire Fan Nation premium network!
