Evaluating the current roster, Sooners Wire profiles the current players with linebacker Caleb Kelly up next.
Former five-star recruit inside linebacker missed the majority of the 2019 season sidelined with a knee injury and suffered another blow ahead of the 2020 season. He tore his ACL at practice, missing the entire year of play.
Given his absence on the field, Kelly was granted a sixth year by the NCAA. Prior to his sustained significant knee injuries, Kelly was a bright spot in Oklahoma’s defense. He has the position flexibility playing both MIKE and WILL roles in Norman and compiled 61 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks as a Junior in 2018.
Kelly is an upperclassman leader on the squad and will help bolster the middle of Alex Grinch’s defense in 2021. Given his time away from the gridiron due to injury, Kelly will be looking to make up for lost time. No doubt, No. 19 will have added tenacity this upcoming season for OU.
Preseason Player Profile
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Ht: 6-3
Wt: 221
247Sports Composite Ranking
Five stars // No. 3 OLB // No. 5 in CA //
Class in 2020: Redshirt Senior (missed due to knee injury)
Career Stats
| Year | G | Tot | Loss | Sack | Int |
| 2019 | 4 | 7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| Career | 35 | 160 | 11.0 | 5.0 | 1 |
PFF Rankings (2019 Team Rankings)
| Grades | Def Grade | Rush Def | Tackling | Coverage |
| Kelly | 52.6 (38th) | 48.4 (35th) | 40.0 (35th) | 60.4 (23rd) |
Depth Chart Overview
The expectation is that Kelly will be ready and able to practice when spring football begins. Brian Asamoah will get the starting nod as the middle linebacker and play-caller on defense, but Kelly will certainly be a viable rotational option to help solidify the MIKE spot in Grinch’s system. He will be a guy to keep an eye on during camp.