Oklahoma’s defense is a work in progress. In Alex Grinch’s first season as the Sooners’ defensive coordinator, he led the defense to a No. 64 finish in team defense compared to the No. 101 finish they had in 2018.
Even with the big and noticeable improvements, Oklahoma is still a ways off from where they need to be as a perennial College Football Playoff contender.
With Kenneth Murray being the first Oklahoma linebacker taken in the first round since Jackie Shipp in 1984, the Sooners have the momentum to get where they need to be.
Here is what Oklahoma’s linebacker big board looks like as we head into May.
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OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
SMAEL MONDON–5-STAR–NO. 5 OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
The best way to get better quickly? Go after the top dogs. Mondon is in the heart of SEC territory (Dallas, Georgia; Paulding County High School) and will be a tough pull from front runners Georgia and Auburn, but Oklahoma is involved heavily.
CLAYTON SMITH–4-STAR–NO. 14 OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Smith took an unofficial visit in July of 2019 and the Sooners have been trying to get him back since. The Texarkana, Texas (Texarkana High School), native has shown interest in Oklahoma as well as Texas and LSU among others.
DANNY STUTSMAN–3-STAR–NO. 42 OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Without any visits to Norman, Stuntsman is leaning heavily towards Oklahoma. Stutsman has made a final six that includes Oklahoma and the likes of Minnesota, Virginia Tech and Texas A&M. He is set to make a decision this week.
TERRANCE COOKS–3-STAR–UNRANKED
From Pearland, Texas (Shadow Creek High School), Cooks is sandwiched between Austin and Dallas, setting up for another recruiting battle in the endless recruiting war between Oklahoma and Texas. Cooks took an unofficial visit to Norman on March 1 of 2020 before COVID-19 put a stop to normalcy.
JAYDON WILLIAMS–3-STAR–UNRANKED
Recently committed to Arizona State, Williams is very much in play for the Sooners. While not pulling offers from the most exciting names in college football, Williams picked up an Oklahoma offer last week prior to his initial verbal commitment to the Sun Devils.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
KENDRICK BLACKSHIRE–4-star–no. 8 inside linebacker
With two unofficial visits to Norman under his belt, Blackshire has been a fixture in Oklahoma recruiting for quite some time. With solo visits to LSU and Texas also under his belt, Oklahoma will have to duke it out with them as well as Alabama.
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Oklahoma currently has just four recruits verbally committed for the 2021 class. Three three-stars and a four-star are currently heading to Oklahoma come national signing day.
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