Evaluating the current roster, Sooners Wire profiles the current players, with cornerback D.J. Graham up next.
After playing a part-time role for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2020, cornerback [autotag]D.J. Graham[/autotag] earned an expanded role in 2021. This time last season, there was an expectation that Graham would be one of the Sooners’ breakout players. While he made one of the great plays of the season with his interception against Nebraska, his play throughout the season was up and down.
According to Pro Football Focus, Graham allowed five receptions in a game three times last season and a completion percentage of 63.4%. Though he saw a significant snap increase from 2020 to 2021, Graham only allowed 10 receptions in 2020 and didn’t allow a touchdown.
Due for a bounceback season armed with a new position coach and defensive scheme, Graham needs to return to the player that showed so much promise a couple of seasons ago for the Sooners’ defense to improve from one of the worst pass defenses in the country in 2021. With Jay Valai, who coached Graham prior to coming to Oklahoma, an improved season in 2022 isn’t out of the question.
Preseason Player Profile
Hometown: Keller, TX
Ht: 6-0
Wt: 178
247Sports Composite Ranking
Three-Star // No. 22 CB // No. 63 in Texas
Class in 2021: Sophomore
Career Stats:
| Tack | Tack | Tack | Tack | Tack | Def | Def | Def | Def | Fumb | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Class | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | PD | FF |
| *2020 | FR | 6 | 15 | 5 | 20 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 1 | 0 |
| *2021 | SO | 12 | 25 | 10 | 35 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 1 |
| Career | 40 | 15 | 55 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2 | 8 | 4.0 | 3 | 1 |
PFF Rankings (Team Rankings)
| Grades | Def Grade | Rush Def | Tackling | Coverage |
| Graham | 62.3 (23rd) | 65.6 (15th) | 72.7 (14th) | 60.6 (18th) |
Depth Chart Overview
Though Graham is an incumbent starter, to hear Brent Venables tell it, every position is up for grabs. Considering the nature of his 2021 season, it’s safe to assume D.J. Graham is in the thick of a position battle this offseason. He’ll be challenged by [autotag]Kani Walker[/autotag], [autotag]Jaden Davis[/autotag], and [autotag]Joshua Eaton[/autotag] for snaps on the outside.
Player Photo Gallery