Spring Preview: Oklahoma LB Group has Depth, Headlined by Star Returnee
Despite a few lackluster performances from Oklahoma's linebackers in 2023, the Sooners' group proved to have depth, talent and athleticism last season.
In 2024, Brent Venables and company will bring back all of the group's rotation from last year, giving new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Zac Alley an experienced group to work with as OU transitions into the SEC.
The only linebacker the Sooners' lose from last season is former Ferris State All-American Konnor Near. In his lone season wearing the Crimson and Cream, Near recorded just 22 defensive snaps, contributing mostly on special teams.
Danny Stutsman, Jaren Kanak, Kip Lewis and Kobie McKinzie all return on the interior, while Dasan McCullough be back to fill the cheetah linebacker role in Venables' defense. It is also expected that Justin Harrington will be back to play the Cheetah, but OU is still waiting to officially receive word that Harrington has been approved for a medical hardship by the NCAA.
Projected linebacker depth chart for Oklahoma entering spring practice.
Stutsman was Oklahoma's defensive leader in 2023, setting the tone with his physicality and leadership on the field.
Even though the Florida native dealt with multiple ailments in 2023, including a lower body injury that held him out of Bedlam and half of OU's meeting with the Kansas Jayhawks, Stutsman was one of the Sooners' best players on either side of the ball last season.
As a junior, the former 4-star recruit tallied 104 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, three sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one interception that was returned for a touchdown.
Following his impressive season, Stutsman elected to return to school rather than entering the NFL Draft, which is a massive win for Venables and the Sooners' defense.
Last season, Stutsman started at the weakside linebacker position before moving over to play middle linebacker when OU made the switch from Kanak to Lewis next to Stutsman.
With Lewis having a full offseason and spring practices to learn both linebacker spots, there is a chance that Stutsman returns to his natural position at will while Lewis takes over as the mike. Lewis' positioning will likely depend on if he is able to add weight over the offseason and how well he performs at each spot during spring practice.
Still, after recording 66 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack as a redshirt freshman, Lewis has the potential to be a difference maker next to Stutsman.
Kip Lewis
Kevin Jairaj / USA TODAY Sports
Even with Kanak healthy, Lewis got the start in the Valero Alamo Bowl and notched seven tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. In Stutsman's absence, Lewis tallied a whopping 15 tackles against Oklahoma State.
With another offseason of strength training, Lewis could overtake Kanak as a full-time starter at linebacker, if he performs well in the spring.
Kanak, who came to Norman as a very raw, athletic prospect, has shown flashes during his OU career, but could use more experience and knowledge at the linebacker position before taking on SEC competition as a starter.
In 2023, Kanak played 596 defensive snaps for the Sooners and received a 50.1 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Next to Kanak in the second unit will likely be McKinzie, who also earned a decent amount of playing time last season. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, the Lubbock, TX, native is a hard-hitting linebacker who earned praise from his head coach during the season for his effort.
Danny Stutsman and Kobie McKinzie
SARAH PHIPPS / THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK
McKinzie played just 165 defensive snaps in 2023, but has the opportunity to see that number increase in 2024, especially if he is able to improve his foot speed and quickness in the spring.
Lewis Carter and Phil Picciotti are also promising young players in Oklahoma's linebacker room, but probably need to have an impressive outing in spring practice to get many defensive snaps next fall. Picciotti is coming off of a season-ending knee injury and will be limited this spring if not held out entirely.
Additionally, Venables’ said that the Sooners are planning to use Omosigho at one of the inside linebacker positions.
At the cheetah position, Dasan McCullough returns for his third season of college football and second in Norman. As a sophomore, McCullough missed time with a knee injury, but performed well when he was on the field, tallying 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups.
McCullough's efforts in 2023 earned the former Indiana Hoosier a 79.5 defensive grade from PFF, one of the highest on Oklahoma's defense last year.
On Wednesday's edition of The Oklahoma Breakdown, a podcast hosted by former OU football players Gabe Ikard and Teddy Lehman, Venables said that McCullough missed winter workouts recovering from a procedure on his knee, but should be back for spring practice.
Venables also mentioned that Oklahoma has not heard back from the NCAA on a medical hardship waiver for Harrington, but that the Sooners expect the veteran to be back in 2024.
Harrington suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 against SMU but played well against the Mustangs. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Harrington will have the potential to earn a role on the field in 2024 if he is able to show in spring practice that he still has the same mobility, explosiveness and aggression he displayed in 2023.
If Harrington does not receive a medical hardship or looks less athletic in the spring, the Sooners could turn to true freshman James Nesta, who Venables said has been learning the position since arriving in Norman.
Overall, OU should have good depth and talent at the linebacker position heading into the spring, and could be even better in 2024 if the aforementioned players improve on what they have already shown in Venables' defense.
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