Longhorns defensive line duo placed on Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list

On the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award watch list, released on Friday, the Longhorns were well represented

On the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award watch list, released on Friday, the Longhorns were well represented. Two Texas players, Jermayne Lole and Tiaoalii Savae, made the list. The talented duo will be looking to make an impact in their first year in Austin.

Lole is a graduate student who transferred from Louisville. The former Cardinal defensive lineman appeared in 14 games over the past two seasons. In that span, he recorded 19 tackles and five sacks. In his college career, Lole also spent some time at Arizona State, recording 123 tackles in 28 games.

For Savea, this marks the second straight year he has been included on the list. In 12 games last season for Arizona, the Las Vegas native recorded 22 total tackles, including six for a loss. He added 1.5 sacks to his resume and tallied multiple tackles in seven games. Before Arizona, Savea spent one season at UCLA, recording seven tackles in 10 games.

While expectations are high for Lole and Savae, they have plenty of time to make their case. The winner of the 2024 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on Dec.17. They will also be recognized during the Polynesian Bowl, which takes place in January.

For Lole and Savae, their focus is making a good first impression and helping Texas win a national championship. If they can replicate their success from their previous stops, they could add more accolades to their resumes by season’s end.

How did EA Sports rate Oklahoma’s defense in ‘College Football 25?’

When “College Football 25” drops, the Oklahoma Sooners will open with one of the best defenses in the country.

EA Sports is releasing “College Football 25” on July 19, and fans are excited for the return of the college football video game series.

On Thursday, EA released its defensive ratings for the 25 best defenses in the game, and Oklahoma is just outside the top 10.

“College Football 25” has OU as the No. 12 defense ahead of the launch of the highly anticipated video game. It’s the No. 4 best defense in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag]. This comes following the mutual parting of ways between the program and former defensive coordinator [autotag]Ted Roof[/autotag] and the hiring of his replacement, [autotag]Zac Alley[/autotag].

On the field, the Sooners have plenty of experienced talent returning on the defensive side of the ball. The secondary is led by [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] at safety and [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag] at cornerback, but features plenty of young talent as well.

[autotag]Gentry Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Kani Walker[/autotag] will battle for the spot opposite of Washington. [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag] and [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag] will see an increase in snaps this year with the departures of [autotag]Key Lawrence[/autotag] and [autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag].

The defensive line sees some change but still has [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag] leading the way up front. [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag] and [autotag]Trace Ford[/autotag] are veterans who will aid in the development of younger players like [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag], [autotag]Adepoju Adebawroe[/autotag] and [autotag]David Stone[/autotag]. The defensive line is in a solid place moving forward even after losing [autotag]Jordan Kelley[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Coe[/autotag], [autotag]Jonah Laulu[/autotag] and [autotag]Rondell Bothroyd[/autotag]. The Sooners also saw [autotag]Jermayne Lole[/autotag] flip his commitment from OU to Texas in the spring portal window.

The strength of the defense is the talent and depth at linebacker. At the inside spots, [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] returns as the heart and soul of the unit. [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag], [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag], [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Lewis Carter[/autotag] will all see plenty of snaps alongside Stutsman. The loss of [autotag]Justin Harrington[/autotag] at the cheetah position stings, but [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag], [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag] and [autotag]Samuel Omosigho[/autotag] provide Alley will plenty of options at that spot.

The Sooners open with an 88 overall defense in “College Football 25,” tied with Texas, Penn State, Utah, Florida State and Iowa.

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Defensive lineman Jermayne Lole flips commitment from Oklahoma to Texas

Oklahoma saw one of their new defensive line transfer portal additions flip his commitment to the rival Texas Longhorns.

The Oklahoma Sooners have had one of their newest defensive linemen depart the team via the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag]. [autotag]Jermayne Lole[/autotag] has flipped his commitment from Oklahoma to the Texas Longhorns.

Lole announced the move via social media. He heads south to Austin before ever playing a snap for the Sooners. Both programs are entering their first season in the SEC.

Lole committed to the Sooners out of the transfer portal on April 22, but the senior, who has one year of eligibility remaining, has changed his mind just two and a half weeks later.

 

Lole produced at a high level at Arizona State before injuries limited him the previous few seasons. As a true sophomore in 2019, Lole recorded 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He played at Louisville in 2023, recording 19 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Lole was one of many high-profile additions to the Oklahoma defensive line in the 2024 recruiting and portal cycles for [autotag]Brent Venables [/autotag] and his staff. However, the addition of Damonic Williams last week creates a logjam at defensive tackle. A good problem to have, yes, but it can lead to situations like this.

He’ll suit up in the burnt orange for Steve Sarkisian, and the Sooners will see Lole on Oct. 12 in Dallas.

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Oklahoma’s defensive line holds the keys to Sooners’ present and future

The Sooners went to work in recruiting and portaling the defensive line position this offseason. If it pays off, Oklahoma could begin to become a top-flight contender again.

It’s been about two-and-a-half years since [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] became the head football coach for the Oklahoma Sooners. In that time, he and his staff have diligently worked to build the program the right way after stripping it down to the studs in 2022.

A focus on toughness, discipline and complimentary football arrived in Norman on Dec. 5, 2021. Though there were growing pains in a 6-7 first year, the Sooners bounced back with a 10-3 mark in 2023. As the program enters the SEC, the challenge grows.

All of the preview magazines and national pundits will agree that one of the biggest keys to OU’s success in 2024 is the development of the offensive line. While that is absolutely the case in Year 1 in the SEC, it’s the guys on the other side of the ball that hold the keys to the future in Norman.

The Sooners have added some bona fide talent to the defensive line since the conclusion of last season via high school recruiting and the [autotag]transfer porta[/autotag]l. These are the players who will develop under Venables, [autotag]Todd Bates[/autotag] and [autotag]Miguel Chavis[/autotag] to form the future core of the Oklahoma Sooners defense.

Let’s start with high school recruiting and focus on the five defensive linemen that Venables and Co. brought in. The 2024 recruiting class on the D-line is quite simply the future of football in Norman, with five-star defensive tackle [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] leading the way.

Stone hails from IMG Academy in Florida and was the linchpin of the ’24 class. His recruitment was a wild one, but the Sooners won in the end for the interior force. He was the highest ranked defensive tackle to sign with OU in the “star era,” and is maybe the best indication that Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch no longer reside in the state of Oklahoma.

[autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag] is a four-star player from Melissa, Texas, who committed to the Sooners in September. He figures to play inside and on the edge, filling multiple roles on the defensive line. North Texas high school football is filled with all kinds of talent all over the field, and Smith more than held his own against excellent competition.

Also slotting in the interior defensive line will be [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag], Stone’s teammate at IMG Academy. He has been locked in with OU since July and was perhaps the most impressive of the five in spring football, according to reports. Jackson took reps with the starters in the spring game.

Moving outside, [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag] hails from Minnesota and was the first piece of the puzzle to fall into place with his June commitment. The four-star is still adding weight to his frame, but he plays with a high motor and intensity that will make him a favorite of Chavis.

More: Damonic Williams, Defense makes OU a contender

The final piece of that puzzle came in the form of four-star edge [autotag]Danny Okoye[/autotag] from Tulsa. The edge-rusher committed a couple of weeks after Smith and should pair nicely with players such as [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag] when it comes to pinning their ears back and rushing the passer.

While high school recruiting forms the base, the portal plugs holes. The staff was active in both the winter and spring windows.

[autotag]Jermayne Lole[/autotag] comes in after transferring from Louisville to help on the interior of the defensive line. At 6-foot-3, 310, Lole already has the measurables of an SEC lineman, which the Sooners have to have present. He had elite production at Arizona State before injuries limited Lole over the previous few seasons. As a true sophomore in 2019, Lole recorded 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. If he can regain that form that put him on NFL draft radars, the Sooners have an elite presence in the middle of their defensive line.

Edge rusher [autotag]Caiden Woullard[/autotag] arrives in Norman after a stint at Miami (Ohio), and was 247Sports’ fourth-ranked edge in the portal class. Last season for the Red Hawks, Woullard recorded 12 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.

But perhaps the best indication that the Sooners are gaining traction is the transfer portal win that will bring [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] to Owen Field this fall.

Even with the Venables’ arrival, the Sooners had been left at the altar by some notable defensive line names like David Hicks and Williams Nwaneri. But, Oklahoma simply refused to be bullied by SEC dollars this go-around in the early May saga that was Williams’ recruitment. The Sooners wanted him, and the tandem of Venables and Bates did whatever it took to get that “all-in” poker chip.

This development speaks volumes. The Sooners are beginning to play with the big boys in the NIL world of college football. Additionally, the reputations of Venables, Bates, Chavis, and the rest of the staff will certainly help sway players to be developed in Norman.

If Oklahoma wants to play ball with programs like Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, and Michigan (all teams with CFP championships), then the Sooners will need to continue this philosophy all over the roster. Along the defensive line is where it will be the most pivotal.

Defense win championships in college football, and that is doubly true in the SEC, where the trenches quite literally win or lose football games. Complimentary football is a must, as a great offense and subpar defense can only get you so far. A complete roster is the only way to capture a championship in this sport. The offense has to be lethal. The defense has to be suffocating.

Luckily, Oklahoma seems to have the right man at the wheel. If this new aggressive name, image and likeness licensing philosophy continues to emerge, Venables could be bringing all kinds of talented players to the Sooner State.

His 2024 defensive line acquisitions are a great way to start.

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Oklahoma grabs transfer defensive tackle Jermayne Lole

USC needs defensive tackles, but Oklahoma got Jermayne Lole. The Trojans need to add depth up front.

The USC Trojans really need to add defensive tackles in the spring transfer portal window. However, one big fish swam elsewhere this week. The Oklahoma Sooners added transfer defensive tackle Jermayne Lole.

Sooners Wire has more on the story:

“Lole started his career at Arizona State before transferring to Louisville. After a couple of productive seasons with the Sun Devils, Lole battled injuries from 2020-2022. However, as a sophomore in 2019, Lole recorded 71 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.

“He played in 12 games in 2023 and only recorded 19 total tackles, five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He started nine games and tallied 13 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.

“In five seasons, he’s played more than 1,800 snaps, bringing a wealth of experience to the Sooners defensive tackle position.”

While there are concerns about Lole due to his injury history, he does have some upside. Oklahoma has him. USC does not. The Trojans need to find more pieces on their defensive line. They do not have a large amount of options.

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Brent Venables seeing great improvement from the back seven on defense

The Sooners defense is miles ahead in the back end than they’ve been in almost a decade.

Last offseason, the Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff lauded the improved competitive depth on the roster. That proved true, and it was arguably the most depth the Sooners have had in quite some time. It was most noticeable on the defensive side of the ball.

This year, it feels like that competitive depth has taken another significant step in the right direction. There are a number of guys that could make an impact this season. But there are ultimately not going to be enough snaps in the game to get them all playing time in the fall.

Still, Brent Venables believes they have more depth than last season.

“We’ve got tremendous experience and playmaking,” Venables said. “I really like where we’re at. We’ve made great improvement in our back seven, particularly at corner and safety. Developing the depth there and not just having guys who can go play but play at a high level. I really like what we’ve done this spring at corner. I just feel great about where we’re at. Doing the little things better than we were a year ago.”

Venables mentioned one area they don’t have a lot of experience is the interior of the defensive line. That obviously gained a boost with the commitment from Jermayne Lole on Monday, and the Sooners hope to add another player to that spot.

All in all, Venables is building a team that can compete for a national championship. That starts with having the depth necessary to compete at that level.

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Oklahoma Sooners add transfer defensive tackle Jermayne Lole

Transfer defensive tackle Jermayne Lole committed to the Sooners Monday evening, giving Oklahoma an experienced piece for their young defensive tackle group.

Since the day Brent Venables arrived in Norman, the mission has been clear. Get the Oklahoma Sooners ready for the SEC. To that end, Venables and his coaching staff have been working tirelessly to overhaul the Sooners’ defense, in particular the defensive line.

And they added another significant piece on Monday with the commitment of Louisville transfer defensive tackle Jermayne Lole.

Lole started his career at Arizona State before transferring to Louisville. After a couple of productive seasons with the Sun Devils, Lole battled injuries from 2020-2022. However, as a sophomore in 2019, Lole recorded 71 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.

He played in 12 games in 2023 and only recorded 19 total tackles, five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He started nine games and tallied 13 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.

In five seasons, he has played more than 1,800 snaps, bringing a wealth of experience to the Sooners’ defensive tackle position.

Lole joins an ever-improving defensive tackle group that includes Da’Jon Terry, Gracen Halton, Jayden Jackson, Davon Sears and David Stone. It’s a group with substantial potential but lacking experience.

And the Sooners may not be done. Oklahoma is still in heavy pursuit of TCU transfer defensive tackle Damonic Williams. By all accounts, Williams enjoyed his weekend in Norman, but is still exploring his options for the 2024 season.

Lole provides another legit nose tackle for the Sooners to deploy in a rotation with Terry, giving Todd Bates and the Oklahoma coaching staff an experienced piece.

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Pair of Sooners portal targets among The Athletic’s top 10 transfer options

Branson Hickman and Damonic Williams considered top 10 transfer options by Max Olson of The Athletic.

The Oklahoma Sooners spring game provides an opportunity for the OU Football program to put its best foot forward for a number of high school and transfer targets.

A trio of transfers options is set to make their way to Norman for this year’s spring game. [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag], and [autotag]Jermayne Lole[/autotag] are all slated to be in attendance this weekend.

Each of those guys would provide immediate competitive depth for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2024. The Athletic’s Max Olson believes Williams and Hickman are two of the best transfer portal options in the spring window.

2. Damonic Williams, DT

He started all 15 games up front at nose as a true freshman for a Horned Frogs team that played for a national title in 2022 and earned Freshman All-America honors, then started every game in his sophomore year to pick up honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition. He has two more seasons of eligibility and will have lots of Power 5 contenders competing for him. Oklahoma is expected to get his first visit followed by Texas, Colorado and LSU. – Max Olson, The Athletic

Damonic Williams would instantly upgrade Oklahoma’s defensive tackle options for the fall and beyond. Though they bring back Da’Jon Terry and there’s a lot of optimism about Jayden Jackson, the Sooners could use an experienced defensive tackle option to help fortify their ranks.

10. Branson Hickman, OL

Hickman was a three-year starter at center for SMU who earned second-team All-AAC honors last year and finished as the fourth-best starting center in the country by PFF’s grading. The 6-foot-3, 294-pound senior has two more seasons of eligibility and has taken official visits to TCU and Arkansas with Oklahoma up next.

If there’s an area that’s the biggest concern, it’s along the offensive line. And at center in particular. That’s not because Josh Bates isn’t capable. It’s because he lacks experience. And if there’s one thing we know about Brent Venables and his coaching philosophy, it’s that experience matters. And Branson Hickman has that in spades.

Hickman would provide the Sooners a day-one starter if Bates isn’t ready to roll in the fall. And like Williams, he’d have more than one year of eligibility, which would help the offensive line further coalesce.

The Sooners don’t have many holes on the roster that they need to fill, but up front, OU could stand to get better heading into the 2024 season.

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Defensive tackle transfer Philip Blidi no longer visiting Oklahoma for the Spring game

The Oklahoma Sooners have a busy recruiting weekend ahead but one talented defensive lineman will no longer be there.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a massive weekend ahead with the spring game and the number of recruits set to be on campus. In addition to the high school prospects OU will be hosting, the Sooners will also host several transfer targets this weekend.

The list of transfers includes defensive tackles [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Jermayne Lole[/autotag] and interior offensive lineman [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag]. Initially, that list included Indiana Hoosiers’ transfer, [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag]. He was the first of the group to announce he’d be at the spring game but has now announced he will not be in attendance.

Some people may look at that and be surprised. When Blidi first entered the portal, it looked like he was set to be a Sooner. But after a few visits and the list of Sooners targets growing, the rumblings of Blidi not ending up in the Crimson and Cream only grew louder.

Obviously, he would have brought a lot of experience, which would have helped a talented but young defensive tackle group. However, the Sooners still have two big-time transfers at that position set to come to campus. Williams is considered Oklahoma’s top defensive tackle target. As the Sooners are over the scholarship limit, they were going to have to be picky in their additions.

So, now the focus turns to Williams and Lole and a recent transfer portal entry in UCLA defensive tackle Jay Toia. But it remains to be seen how active the Sooners will be with Toia.

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Here are the recruits who visited the Swamp this weekend

Recruits are beginning to make visits to school again, and Florida hosted a pair of players over the weekend.

June will be the month that recruiting really picks back up with several prospects planning official and unofficial visits to the Swamp over the summer. But, at least two names were in Gainesville over the weekend, according to 247Sports, four-star running back [autotag]Treyaun Webb[/autotag] and Hutchinson C.C. offensive line transfer [autotag]Jordan Herman[/autotag].

Webb has been high on Florida for months and is no stranger to campus. He’s gone as far as to call the Gators his outright leader ahead of a planned June 30 commitment date. The Gators landed four-star running back [autotag]Trevor Etienne[/autotag] in the 2022 cycle and Webb looks to be the guy this year. Another visit to the Swamp only furthers the narrative, and the crystal balls are coming in on 247Sports for the Gators as well.

Herman, who likely will block for Webb down the line if he commits to Florida, gave his pledge to the Orange and Blue site unseen after picking up an offer. Offensive line coach [autotag]Darnell Stapleton[/autotag] has already deemed him worthy of SEC play, and the agreement came together rather quickly. This was Herman’s first trip to UF and his first look at his home for the next few years.

Arizona State defensive line transfer [autotag]Jermayne Lole[/autotag] was supposed to be the third name on the visitor’s list, but he committed to Louisville on Friday and won’t be making the trip.

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