How Oklahoma DT Da'Jon Terry is Growing Both On and Off the Field

The veteran defensive tackle is now the leader of his position group, tasked with bringing along a pair of talented freshman as the Sooners prepare to enter the SEC.

NORMAN — Oklahoma’s defensive line was dealt a blow before spring practice started. 

Jacob Lacey, a defensive tackle who started 11 games for the Sooners last year after transferring to Norman from Notre Dame, had to medically retire. 

He missed last summer due to complications with blood clots, a condition that he healed from to total 17 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback sack last year. 

But those issues returned, forcing him to hang up his cleats, which was not only a blow to OU’s depth as the program moves into the Southeastern Conference, but a blow to Lacey’s teammates who loved working alongside him. 

“It was tough because Lacey is like my brother man, for real,” defensive tackle Da’Jon Terry said on Monday. “Ever since I came in he was the one that kind of took me in… It hurt me. I know it hurt him also. So it was tough to see that.”

Terry arrived at Oklahoma after spring practice a year ago, meaning he had to play catch up to learn Brent Venables’ playbook in time for the 2023 season. 

Lacey was not only a motivator in Lacey’s workout groups, but a resource to help Terry get up to speed.

Still, Lacey is around the team helping in any way he can. 

“It's amazing for him to even be even up to it to just come around and still be a part of the game even when he knows he can't play anymore,” Terry said. “… He's still been in all our meetings. Everything. So it's amazing just to have his presence around still.”

And Oklahoma needs veteran voices. 

Jonah Laulu, Isiah Coe and Jordan Kelley all graduated out, leaving a void of experience in Todd Bates’ position group. 

Terry has emerged as one of the trusted voices, helping to bring along the pair of highly-touted freshmen in David Stone and Jayden Jackson. 

A year ago, Terry might have been more hesitant to step in and be a catalyst for Stone and Jackson’s development by guiding the duo at practice. 

“I’m the type of guy that I feel like if I’m not doing good, how am I supposed to correct somebody else? That’s the type of guy I am,” Terry said. “So just being in the system and just knowing the playbook… I can actually allow myself to get on people… It definitely helps a lot being in the system.”

Helping the younger defensive tackles along doesn’t mean Terry thinks he’s a finished product either. 

He totaled 18 tackles, including four tackles for loss and a sack a year ago, but opted to return to Oklahoma for his final year of eligibility. 

Terry said he felt defensive tackles coach Todd Bates unlocked another aspect of his game, something he wants to further explore with one final year in Norman. 

“Being around Coach (Venables) and Coach Bates,” said Terry, “they taught me a lot of stuff that I didn't know... I was like if I come back one more year I feel like I'll be a top dog.

“… What I really want to get out of this spring is just to be a better player. To be a better all-around athlete. Like when I was at Tennessee I was a run stopper… So I just want to be able to just not be labeled as a run stopper but as an all-around player and Coach V and Coach Bates are definitely helping me.”

Terry is already adjusting to his larger role both on and off the field, and he’s excited by the potential of the entire defensive line headed into the fall. 

“Our young pups and everybody came in, everybody having a great spring so far,” Terry said. “It's amazing. And the defense is having a great spring too. 

“So I feel like we're clicking on all cylinders right now. We've just got to get the little things fixed.”

This article originally published on March 26, 2024.