The Oklahoma Sooners lost defensive coordinator Zac Alley, who took the same position at West Virginia over the weekend. A defense that was so good in 2024 could take a dip in 2025, after it was the best OU had put on the field in years. Head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] is searching for his next defensive coordinator.
Unlike the offense in Norman, the defense has been on an incline since Venables arrived, and that side of the ball is his specialty. The defense probably won’t fall off a cliff next season, regardless of who calls the shots.
Whoever the next defensive coordinator is will have the aid of a very experienced and productive defensive line that returns so many players for 2025. [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag] is out of eligibility, but [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag], [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag] and [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] will all be back in Norman next year.
Jackson, Halton and Stone were thought to be likely to return, but keeping them all in the boat is a win for Venables and defensive tackles coach [autotag]Todd Bates[/autotag] nonetheless. Jackson and Stone were true freshmen who saw good playing time in Year 1, and Halton had a breakout season as part of Oklahoma’s dynamic defensive tackle rotation.
Williams’ return is key, as he adds another productive veteran up front. Now the coaching staff doesn’t have to try to address defensive tackle in the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag].
With the many holes on the roster after a bad 6-7 season, the Sooners should once again be very good at defensive tackle. It’s one of the most important positions to have talent and depth in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag]. Oklahoma will be leaning on the big guys once again as they try to bounce back in 2025.