Tag: 2021 Fall Camp

DaShaun White on Sooners linebacker depth: Can’t ask for a better setting

The Oklahoma Sooners linebacker group has a ton of experience and talent and is ready to help the Sooners defense take the next step.

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After allowing 40 points per game in the Oklahoma Sooners’ first three Big 12 contests in 2020, the Oklahoma Sooners allowed just 17 points per game the rest of the way. Over the season’s final seven games, including the Big 12 Championship game and the Cotton Bowl, the Sooners defense burst onto the scene and announced this isn’t the same defense that the nation’s come to expect.

In the second half of 2020, the Sooners defense started trending toward why OU was winning games. For several seasons, the Sooners were winning games despite the defense. Heading into 2021, they’re looking to build off of that stellar finish and be part of the reason the Sooners contend for a national championship in 2021.

With a lot of attention paid to the defensive front and the defensive back group, the linebacker depth has quietly become one of the best units on the team. One would be hard-pressed to find a group with the level of experience and depth at a position that the Sooners have entering 2021.

DaShaun White, Brian Asamoah, David Ugwoegbu, Caleb Kelly, Shane Whitter, Jamal Morris, Bryan Mead, and Danny Stutsman make up an ultra-talented group of players. With White, Asamoah, Ugwoegbu, and Kelly, the Sooners have four guys who have played a lot of snaps for the program and will lead the defense into 2021.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, White discussed the depth the linebacker group brings to the table and the work they’ve put in to get to where they are.

It’s definitely motivating. Just be in a situation where there’s always competition. As a player, you can’t ask for a better setting. Just an opportunity to surround yourself with something like that. Around the country there’s not a lot of place where you get into the three-deep group and it’s still a really, really solid group.  That’s really a just testament to our group and how hard we work. I think the linebackers work extremely hard. We do a lot of extra together.

During his appearance, White was asked how the linebackers performed during the scrimmage. He mentioned that the linebackers “had a great day” and were “getting into the backfield… running relentlessly after the ball carrier” He later went on to joke that he “felt bad for the ball carriers.”

With the Sooners’ talent upfront in Isaiah Thomas, Nik Bonitto, Perrion Winfrey, Jalen Redmond, and La’Ron Stokes, the Sooners’ linebacker corp is poised for a fantastic season. Though they might be the most underrated group on the roster, that doesn’t mean they won’t be as impactful as any position on the team. This is a group that’s ready to compete and wreak havoc on opposing offense.

Sooners’ DB coach says Justin Harrington “practicing exclusively” at cornerback

Sooners’ DB coach Roy Manning says Justin Harrington is “practicing exclusively” at cornerback.

Last fall, the Oklahoma Sooners entered camp with defensive backs Tre Brown and Tre Norwood penciled in as starters in the defensive backfield.

This fall, Brown is a Seattle Seahawk, and Norwood is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their departure leaves a pile of snaps and new opportunities for returning Sooners in Alex Grinch’s defense.

While converted receiver D.J. Graham is one name to watch, redshirt junior Justin Harrington could be another. The Bakersfield Community College transfer makes his return to the practice fields after rehabbing a knee injury that ended his 2020 season before it began.

Because Harrington’s injury occurred just one week into training camp, there has been little clarity on his role within the secondary.

Defensive backs coach Roy Manning shed some light on Harrington’s place in the Sooners’ defense, informing Bob Pryzbylo that the junior has been practicing “exclusively” at corner.

At 6-2, 212 pounds, Harrington is the largest defensive back on the Sooners roster. He could become a real problem for opposing offenses if he possesses the hip flexibility and multi-directional quickness needed to play cornerback. In addition, his large frame allows him to battle receivers at the football’s highest point.

The second-year Sooner also brings physicality to the corner position. His hard-hitting ability on the sideline, coupled with Delarrin Turner-Yell’s physical presence from the safety spot, could give Oklahoma a physical identity from the defensive front through the secondary.

Whether he gets to start or rotates with D.J. Graham and Woodi Washington on the outside, his presence could help bolster the Sooners’ defense on its quest for its eighth national title.

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WATCH: Mario Williams make highlight-reel grabs at Sooners practice

In back-to-back practices, Mario Williams carried over his highlight-reel ability making spectacular catches at Sooners’ practice.

It hasn’t taken long for true freshmen Mario Williams to make a name for himself. In the spring game, he made a fantastic contested-catch deep down the middle of the field with D.J. Graham in coverage. His competitiveness has drawn rave reviews, and it has led to him getting work with the first-team offense.

In back-to-back practices on Friday and Saturday, Williams continued his run of highlight-reel catches and looks to be a player who will have a significant impact in 2021.

On Friday, Williams worked a double move (out and up) to get behind the coach in coverage and made a spectacular catch in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown in red-zone work. Working toward the pylon, Williams showed a strong catch radius when he extended his arms while leaping. He showed great awareness and coordination to make the catch and get both feet down before going out of bounds.

Then in team work on Saturday, Williams displayed fantastic hands and coordination again. This time running what looks to be a post route against a Cover-2 look, quarterback Spencer Rattler threw to the spot he knew would be open, expecting Williams to run toward the open spot in the zone.

Williams did just that and as he came out of his break made a nice adjustment to the ball in flight, finishing with a fantastic fingertip catch, diving into the end zone for the score.

Williams may not start for the Oklahoma Sooners at wide receiver, but he will get opportunities in 2021 to display his skills. With what we’ve seen so far from the incoming freshman, it’s certainly possible he could work his big-play ability into the starting lineup before the close of the 2021 season.