The Oklahoma Sooners have a unique matchup ahead of them this Friday as they take on the Navy Midshipmen. They’ll face a full-fledged option team in Fort Worth.
The Sooners have been really good against the run this season but haven’t faced a team like Navy. The Midshipmen will run it on just about every down and the misdirection created by the option game can make it difficult to contain.
Given the losses the Sooners have suffered on defense to the NFL draft and the transfer portal, it’s critical the OU defense puts together a good team effort. But there are a few players who will need to step their game up to help Oklahoma contain Navy’s option attack.
1. Kobie McKinzie, LB
Danny Stutsman won’t play in the bowl game, so Kobie McKinzie will get the start alongside Kip Lewis at linebacker. McKinzie has had a really good season taking on a bigger role in year two with the Sooners and will be asked to take on a bigger role against Navy.
The Midshipmen will run the ball nearly every play. It will be imperative for McKinzie and the linebacker crew to stay disciplined with their keys throughout the game.
He’s a big, physical linebacker that has the athleticism to run sideline to sideline. In 2024, McKinzie has 28 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack and a half. The most tackles he’s ever had in a game was seven, back in 2023 against Oklahoma State. He could easily set a career-high in tackles this week.
2. R Mason Thomas, DE
There won’t be a lot of opportunities to rush the passer in this game, but the defensive end group will have to be assignment-sound against the Navy run game. R Mason Thomas has had a fantastic season, breaking out with nine sacks in 2024, but his work as a run defender shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s been really good against the run, helping set the edge to force things back inside for the Sooners’ defensive tackles.
When Navy tries to run the option to the perimeter, Thomas and the rest of the defensive ends can keep it in check by getting upfield and forcing them back toward the middle of the field.
3. Jayden Jackson, DT
The Oklahoma Sooners boast an incredible front seven led by a defensive tackle group that might be one of the best in the nation. Jayden Jackson emerged in fall camp to earn a starting role in the middle of the Sooners defense.
Jackson has shown the ability to not only hold up at the point of attack, but be able to get into the backfield and make plays. On the season, he’s recorded 28 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks.
If the defensive tackle group can limit what Navy can do up the middle, it will make things a lot easier for the defensive ends and the back seven to stay true to their keys on the perimeter.
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