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.

I’m also told that defensive end Trace Ford is strongly leaning toward returning, too.

It will be his sixth year playing college football, adding to an already very experienced #Sooners defense. https://t.co/dQoFeS9IU1
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) January 8, 2024

Trace Ford's mother, Desirae, has confirmed to me that he will return to the #Sooners in 2024.
— Louis Raser (@LouisRaser) January 8, 2024

I can confirm that defensive end Trace Ford will return for his final season of eligiblity with the #Sooners next season. @LouisRaser had it first.
— Jacob Unruh (@jacobunruh) January 8, 2024

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.

Reports: Oklahoma to Hire Zac Alley as Defensive Coordinator

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.

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