There was a major void in the middle of Oklahoma’s defense after the 2019 defense.
It’s no doubt that Kenneth Murray was the heart and soul of the Sooners a year ago. He wore his emotions on his sleeve and the results spoke for themselves.
Grinch described him as the alpha of his first year and the cover boy of Oklahoma’s ‘Speed D’. The target now shifts to a new pair of linebackers who are looking for a big year in 2020.
“I would say DaShaun (White) and I—we’ve taken it upon us to lead that linebacker room to a very great path and I believe we’ve done that job,” said starting linebacker Brian Asamoah the week after the Missouri State game. “Talking about seven guys in the rotation last week, you don’t have that in every linebacker room. So, we’ve done a great job of bringing those guys along with us and telling them that hey, an opportunity may come despite the circumstances. COVID is out there and you’ve got to be ready for your opportunity and preparation.”
It’s one thing to be a leader, it’s another to be a great player and the leader.
Asamoah thinks he’s ready to be both.
“Definitely the mental aspect,” he said. “Last year I was just focusing on trying to do my job and trying to figure out the defense in my first year. This year, I know what everybody in front is doing, everybody in the back is doing and then what I’m doing and my play-side backer next to me so I would say the improvement came mentally.”
Alongside him is two-year starter DaShaun White, who Murray called his little brother last season.
Grinch has spoke adamantly about him needing to be better than a year ago. White feels like he took the same jump Asamoah spoke about, but for different reasons.
“Year one just felt like a lot of making sure you get your guy,” White said prior to the season. “If you’re supposed to be in the C gap, be in the C gap. If you’re supposed to spill the guard, spill the guard where you’re supposed to spill the guard. I feel personally a lot this year that it’s like … I feel like I’m sort of gaining my personality as a player and who I am and things that I’m really good at. It’s not just about being in your gap. It’s about being in your gap and being in the backfield two yards, ready to make a play.”
A wild card, though, has emerged for Oklahoma at linebacker.
David Ugwoegbu was an edge rusher playing RUSH linebacker for Grinch in 2019 oozed potential at the position. After the injury to Caleb Kelly, he was moved inside to help with depth at the position.
Ugwoegbu looked the part in the first game against Missouri State. He clearly has a long ways to go, but there was some praise about him before the season started.
“He’s doing really well,” White said back then. “He’s got size. He moves better than a lot of people give him credit for. He has a lot of productive. He’s one of those guys that I feel like, ‘We’ve got to find him a spot.’ Because he’s just that good. And he can play so many different positions well. I’m excited for him to be inside. He’s making plays, he’s flying around, he’s picking it up. He’s fast, too. Shout out to him. I’m excited for him. I think it will be a good thing for him.”
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