Tag: gracen halton

Oklahoma Sooners Prospect Profile: 2026 Defensive Tackle Valdin Sone

A look at Oklahoma Sooners four-star 2026 defensive tackle target Valdin Sone.

The Oklahoma Sooners have revamped their defensive line over Brent Venables three seasons in Norman. Impact additions like Da’Jon Terry and Damonic Williams via the transfer portal, along with recruiting wins of [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag], [autotag]David Stone[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag], and Trent Wilson, have given the Sooners a strong defensive tackle group for Todd Bates to work with.

The Sooners are hoping to continue that trend. This weekend, OU hosted 2026 defensive tackle prospect Valdin Sone. Sone was born in Sweden but plays his high school ball in Virginia.

He comes in at an imposing 6-foot-3 and 325 pounds. According to 247Sports, he has an athletic background in soccer and jiu jitsu, which will bode well for his endurance, athleticism, flexibility, and ability to shed blockers with his hands.

He’s considered a four-star prospect by 247Sports as the No. 35 defensive tackle prospect in the country and the No. 9 player in the state of Virginia.

Sone is a force in the middle. He has the strength to push back opposing offensive linemen and get in the backfield to make plays. He displays strong hands and is able to shed blockers at the point of attack. When asked to rush the passer, Sone displays good quickness and can shrink to fit in between blockers and get to the quarterback. He plays with great effort as both a run defender and a pass rusher.

Still new to football, Sone has the size and the demeanor to be a force in the middle of a Power Four defensive line. He has the ability to be a starting nose tackle at the Power Four level.

Valdin Sone’s Recruiting Profile

Film

Hudl

Rating

Stars Overall Position State
ESPN — — — —
Rivals 3 — 29 14
247Sports 4 — 35 9
247 Composite 3 378 45 19
On3 Recruiting 3 — 28 —
On3 Industry 4 326 37 —

Vitals

Hometown Dyke, Va. (By Way of Sweden)
Projected Position Defensive Tackle
Height 6-3
Weight 325 pounds

Recruitment

  • Offered on
  • Visited for Junior Day weekend of January 25, 2025.

Notable Offers

Per 247Sports

  • Alabama
  • Auburn
  • Florida
  • Florida
  • Florida State
  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • LSU
  • Miami
  • Nebraska
  • Oklahoma
  • Penn State
  • South Carolina
  • Texas A&M

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Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Gracen Halton returning for 2025

Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Gracen Halton returning for 2025 season.

The Oklahoma Sooners lost plenty of key contributors on defense from their 2024 team. That defense was the best the program had seen in years, finding good footing under head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and former defensive coordinator Zac Alley.

Players like [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], Da’Jon Terry, Woodi Washington, Trace Ford, Caiden Woullard and Dez Malone ran out of eligibility.

Contributors such as Dasan McCullough, Lewis Carter, and Kani Walker left via the NCAA winter [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag].

However, the cupboard is far from bare as OU heads into 2025. That’s primarily due to some of the big names that Venables and his staff have convinced to hold off on going pro to stay in school for one more year.

[autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag], [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag], [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag] and [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] all had the opportunity to go to the NFL and all made announcements that they will instead stay in Norman. Now, another key veteran piece is joining them.

Defensive tackle [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag] was expected to be back, but it’s now official, as he took to social media to announce that his return to the Sooners on Thursday.

Halton had a breakout season as a member of a ferocious group of defensive tackles for Oklahoma in 2024, a group that brings almost everyone back. Halton finished second on the team with five sacks and in total pressures per Pro Football Focus. He made a number of splash plays throughout the season. One of the bigger ones was the safety against Houston to preserve a home win in Week 2. Halton also had a sack and a half against South Carolina and a sack against LSU.

Prior to 2024, Halton had played fewer than 100 snaps in each of his two seasons with the Sooners. He earned a big jump in playing time seeing the field for 403 snaps on defense for OU.

Halton and the other veteran returners join Kobie McKinzie, Peyton Bowen, Eli Bowen, Samuel Omosigho, and Jayden Jackson to make up the core of Oklahoma’s defense in 2025.

Heading into 2025, the Oklahoma Sooners will once again be dynamic on defense.

Could Oklahoma pursue Clemson defensive tackle transfer?

Could the Oklahoma Sooners pursue Clemson Transfer Portal defensive tackle?

The Oklahoma Sooners look set in the middle of their defensive line.

[autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag] had a breakout year. [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] earned a starting role as a true freshman. [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] is returning for one more year. And former five-star defensive tackle [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] will be called upon to contribute more in 2025.

That’s a nice four-man rotation for the Sooners at defensive tackle. They also have Markus Strong, who didn’t play much in 2024. When he did play, he showed an edge Todd Bates can continue to develop. Oklahoma brought in four-star defensive tackle [autotag]Trent Wilson[/autotag], who brings a lot of promise to the position as well.

However, the Sooners could add another big body to the middle of the defense via the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag]. Tre Williams, a former four-star defensive tackle, is reportedly entering the portal from Clemson, according to Pete Nakos of On3.

Williams was recruited by Todd Bates and Brent Venables and spent five years with the Clemson Tigers. As a grad transfer, he’d have one more year of eligibility. He’d be another veteran presence in the middle of the defense for the Sooners, filling the void left by the departing Da’Jon Terry.

In 2024, Williams recorded 14 total tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks on just 303 snaps. He was a key piece for a defense that allowed 23.4 points per game for the ACC champion Tigers.

Both of Williams’ sacks came in Clemson’s College Football Playoff loss to the Texas Longhorns.

He’s an experienced player who is familiar with Brent Venables’ system and could add to what the Sooners are trying to do on defense in 2025.

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Oklahoma Sooners bringing back plenty of production at defensive tackle

OU will be looking to the defensive tackle position to lead the defense next year.

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.

Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle returning to OU for 2025

Oklahoma Sooners get good news with a key defensive piece returning for the 2025 season.

The Oklahoma Sooners won a significant recruiting battle when they landed Damonic Williams out of the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] in 2024. And [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] isn’t done at OU.

He posted a reel on his Instagram stating, “One more year.”

There was a thought that Williams might head for the NFL after his one season in Norman, but will continue to be an anchor for the Sooners defense.

Williams was a big reason why the Oklahoma Sooner’s defense became one of the best-run defenses in the nation in 2024. With his return, the Sooners defensive tackle rotation continues to be a strength of the team with Williams, [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag], and [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag]. Former five-star prospect [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] will take on a bigger role next year.

In 2024, Williams set a career-high in total tackles with 35. He tied his previous numbers at TCU with five tackles for loss and added a sack. According to Pro Football Focus, Williams was ninth on the team in total pressures with eight.

With Da’Jon Terry out of eligibility, Williams will be the veteran voice in the defensive tackle room and will continue to be a force for the Oklahoma Sooners.

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Oklahoma Sooners offer transfer portal defensive tackle

The Oklahoma Sooners are hoping to fortify their defensive tackle ranks with an offer to a talented transfer interior defensive lineman.

The Oklahoma Sooners defensive interior was one of the strengths of the roster in 2024. [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag], [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] formed a strong rotation that helped the Sooners become one of the best run defenses in the nation.

With Terry off to the NFL, the Sooners are looking to fortify their rotation and have issued an offer to [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] defensive lineman David Blay. Blay posted that Oklahoma offered on X.

Blay led the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs with 6 1/2 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2024. He also had 46 total tackles for a defense that finished 20th in the nation in scoring. According to Pro Football Focus, Blay was 12th among defensive tackles in college football in PFF’s “stops” metric.

Against Arkansas, Blay recorded six total tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. In Week 2 against North Carolina State, the talented defensive tackle had two total tackles and a tackle for loss.

At 6-foot-4 and 303 pounds, Blay has the requisite size to play on the inside for an SEC defense and would be a strong addition to the Sooners defensive tackle rotation.

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Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from Oklahoma’s 37-17 loss to LSU

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from the Oklahoma Sooners 37-17 loss to the LSU Tigers to close the regular season.

There wasn’t a lot to like about Oklahoma’s performance in their 37-17 loss to the LSU Tigers. It was a letdown after what they did to the Alabama Crimson Tide the week before. It was an unfortunate way to end the season and now the Sooners will hope to find the answer at offensive coordinator and get some guys healthy ahead of the 2025 season.

As we await Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator decision and ahead of the opening of the early signing period and the transfer portal, here’s the final edition of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from Oklahoma’s loss to LSU.

The Good: Defensive Line

The Oklahoma Sooners got their first score of the game when the defensive line created pressure, Gracen Halton forced a fumble, and then R Mason Thomas picked it up and ran into the end zone for the touchdown. The Sooners tied the game up at seven, and it looked like they would have a chance against the Tigers.

Later in the first half, Thomas registered his ninth sack of the season, when he cleanly beat the left tackle blasted Garrett Nussmeier and forced a fumble. LSU recovered the ball, and remarkably, Nussmeier returned to the game later in the second quarter and had a great game.

But the defensive line had a good game. Was it the best game they’ve had this season? No, but it was far from the biggest issue on the defensive side of the ball on Saturday night. The defensive front held LSU to 3.8 yards per carry and 110 rushing yards.

Brent Venables, Todd Bates, and Miguel Chavis have been working over the last few years to turn the Sooners defensive front into a unit that could create havoc in the SEC and they’re doing just that.

If the Sooners are able to talk Thomas into coming back for one more year that would be huge for a defense that will lose Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman, and Ethan Downs this offseason.

Up Next: Oklahoma goes from bad to worse

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Oklahoma Sooners captains against Missouri Tigers

The Sooners will be led by some of the biggest names on the team as captains against the Tigers.

The Oklahoma Sooners take the road this week, heading to Columbia, Missouri as they jump back into [autotag]SEC[/autotag] play. The 5-4 Sooners will look to win their second straight game, as they’ll visit the Missouri Tigers for a primetime battle away from home.

OU head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] has announced his game captains for this conference tilt, and his team will be represented by some of the biggest names on the roster in a pivotal contest. Quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Bauer Sharp[/autotag], defensive linemen [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and defensive back [autotag]Billy Bowman Jr.[/autotag] will lead Oklahoma into battle as captains in week eleven.

Arnold has gone from the heir-apparent, to the no-doubt starter, to being benched, to being re-inserted in the lineup, and now back to captain status in a whirlwind month and a half. The sophomore has looked more comfortable since regaining his starting spot, and his play will go a long way toward deciding this week’s game.

Sharp has shown some positive things at tight end, but there’s still plenty to work on for a player still new to the position. The coaching staff clearly trusts him to get the lion’s share of the reps, and he’s been more effective since the offensive coordinator change.

Williams was a big offseason addition for this team, and has been been reliable in the interior of the defensive line. He hasn’t been spectacular, but he’s helped one of the strongest units on the team consistently shut down the inside run game week after week.

Halton has improved so much over the last couple of seasons, and is really coming into his own as another great interior line option on this defense. He’s found a knack for getting into the backfield and making big plays, none bigger than his game-changing safety against Houston all the way back in week two.

Stutsman is the unquestioned leader of this team, and one of the best inside linebackers in college football. He hasn’t seen as many wins in his senior season as he’d like, but he continues to excel no matter how far back against the wall the offense puts the defense this year.

Bowman Jr. hasn’t matched his unbelievable production from a year ago, but he’s still a very good veteran player in the back end of OU’s defense. If he can return to his ball-hawking, turnover-causing 2023 form, it’ll help this team immensely over the final four weeks of the regular season.

The Sooners are putting some of their biggest stars front and center for this game. The noteworthy names, especially Stutsman, Bowman Jr. and Arnold will have to play like stars on Saturday, and the rest of the season, for Oklahoma to begin stacking wins in the SEC.

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Pair of Oklahoma Sooners among SEC’s best pass rushers

Oklahoma has two of the highest pressure-rate players in the SEC.

The Oklahoma Sooners have transformed into a very good defense in their third year under head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]. One of college football’s best defensive coordinators has completely turned around a unit that struggled for years under Lincoln Riley.

While Venables is also responsible for OU’s train wreck of an offense, and clearly didn’t make the right hires to replace the departed Jeff Lebby on that side of the ball, he has done the job of getting Oklahoma’s defense closer to where it needs to be.

That includes pressuring the quarterback. It hasn’t exactly been OU’s biggest strength this year, but the Sooners have two players in the top three of the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] in pressure rate generated against FBS opponents, according to CFB Film Room.

Defensive end [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag] is Oklahoma’s best pass rusher and he earned the second-place spot on the list. He closed out Oklahoma’s two most recent wins against Tulane and Auburn. When the Sooners got the lead and needed to slam the door, Thomas has been the guy to get the job done. His pressure rate currently sits at 16.5%.

Perhaps even more impressively is that defensive tackle [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag] ranks third in pressure win rate in the SEC. Halton is having success in a rotational role. He doesn’t start for the Sooners but is getting a ton of work, especially in passing situations. He’s third among interior defensive linemen in snaps, just one snap behind true freshman defensive tackle Jayden Jackson. Still, that hasn’t stopped him from getting after opposing QBs and he’s popped on multiple occasions already this year, finding himself in opposing backfields more and more. His pressure rate is 16.4%.

Both players sit behind the leader of the pack, which would be Tennessee’s James Pearce, who has a whopping 22.2% pressure rate against FBS teams this season. However, Thomas and Halton were the only other players to get above 16 percent.

Oklahoma’s defense will certainly be put to the test on Saturday against a wide-open attack courtesy of Lane Kiffin, Jaxson Dart, and the Ole Miss Rebels. With an offense that currently cannot be counted upon to put any points on the scoreboard, OU’s defense will have to play a near-perfect game and maybe even score some points of their own if the Sooners want to win this week on the road.

Oklahoma Sooners captains for South Carolina Gamecocks

On Monday, Oklahoma released their captains for week 8 against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

The Oklahoma Sooners need a rebound performance this weekend against South Carolina. After their 34-3 loss to Texas, the best way to cleanse the soul would be a complete performance against the Gamecocks.

Leading the way for the Sooners this week are captains Danny Stutsman, Troy Everett, Gracen Halton, Jayden Jackson, and Luke Elzinga.

Danny Stutsman is the heartbeat of the defense. He and the defensive side of the ball hope to have a bounceback week against a good, young quarterback in LaNorris Sellers.

He’s joined as a captain by fellow defensive standouts, defensive tackles Gracen Halton and Jayden Jackson.

Halton is putting together a breakout season in 2024. He’s second on the team in sacks and third on the team in pressures. He was playing well early in the game against Texas, creating pressure and had a huge stop on third down chasing Ewers who was scrambling.

Jackson has been a huge bright spot for the defense, starting from day one at defensive tackle, and is third among interior defensive linemen in snaps. He’s 12th on the defense in snaps and has the seventh-highest run defense grade this season.

Everett is the lone offensive starter. Troy Everett made his return to the lineup against Texas and was one of the few bright spots from the loss. He earned the third-highest grade from Pro Football Focus on Saturday.

And last but not least is Luke Elzinga, who’s been arguably the most consistent player on the roster through six games. His punting has been a key factor in the Sooners ability to play the field position battle. Even when Oklahoma’s offense hasn’t been able to move the ball, the Sooners have been able to rely on Elzinga’s leg to flip the field.

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