Tag: Justin Harrington

‘A lot more technicalities to it’: Jaren Kanak ready to go after earning a starting spot

The depth chart has been released and Jaren Kanak is ready to prove he earned that starter spot.

Oklahoma’s lack of defensive success was due to several factors in 2022. A lack of depth on the roster led to overextending the linebacker position, among others.

Earlier this offseason, we outlined how much Oklahoma’s trio of Danny Stutsman, David Ugwoegbu, and DaShaun White played for the Sooners last year.

According to Pro Football Focus, only 11 off-ball linebackers played more than 900 snaps in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and three of them were Oklahoma Sooners. Toledo was the only other team that had multiple linebackers with more than 900 snaps on the season. – John Williams, Sooners Wire

Linebacker was up and down in 2022. Largely due to overuse but also because of the new system or position that the trio was working in.

[autotag]DaShaun White[/autotag] was playing the cheetah, something he had never played before. [autotag]David Ugwoegbu[/autotag] was a great leader, but [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] admitted he was someone who should have been a defensive end but had to play linebacker out of necessity. [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] had a really strong end to his season and looks to carry that over this season, but even he was up and down at times.

There’s no question the linebacker group will look a lot different in 2023. [autotag]Justin Harrington[/autotag] won the cheetah position spot and [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag] earned the starting spot next to Stutsman. The athleticism of this group is going to be a lot better than it was a season ago. They just don’t have the experience the previous group had.

Kanak talked to reporters and said learning the position has taken some time.

“There’s a lot more technicalities to it,” Kanak said. “In high school all I played was offense, and you know what you’re going to do and how to execute it. On defense, it’s a trained reaction. It’s knowing what to see and knowing when this happens, why I’ve got to do this, and who’s with me. Just the trained reaction of it, knowing where to put my eyes and knowing what to do when this happens, that’s kind of the bigger thing that I started adapting to.”

Kanak might still be learning the position and getting everything down, but he has Sooner fans excited about his potential. It’s a very real possibility this linebacker group could be the best Oklahoma has seen in many years.

Now, they still have to go out and prove it, and there will absolutely be some bumps along the way. Their first chance to prove it comes this Saturday in Norman.

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Oklahoma Sooners name captains for Week 1 vs. Arkansas State

The Sooners named their captains for the first game of the season against Arkansas State.

Being a captain for a blue-blood program such as the [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] is something special. Not many players get to say they were voted a captain by their peers.

Getting to walk out first and head to the middle of the field for the coin toss shows all of the hard work you put in on and off of the field. Last year first-year head coach, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] had a rotation of captains for each game of the season before announcing who would be the captains for the whole season at the end of the year.

Those were [autotag]Justin Broiles[/autotag], [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Murray[/autotag], [autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag], [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]David Ugwoegbu[/autotag], [autotag]DaShaun White[/autotag] and [autotag]Brayden Willis[/autotag]. Gabriel, Stoops and Stutsman are the only captains returning from last season.

So, before the season opener against the [autotag]Arkansas State Red Wolves[/autotag], the Sooners announced the new captains for the start of the season. Those were Stoops, Stutsman, [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Harrington[/autotag].

What a great story it makes to see Harrington included. Harrington entered the transfer portal before deciding to return to Oklahoma. He’s a guy who was given a second chance by Venables and had to earn every bit of it.

He’s someone who has a great deal of potential but until now has only been an offseason talking point. Is this the year it finally all comes together? Many think it does. If it does, you could see the defense taken to another level.

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‘A lot more comfortable in my play’: Dasan McCullough looking to make immediate impact

There are high hopes about all of the transfers but one in particular says he feels much more confident in the progress he’s made.

The [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] hit the transfer portal hard this offseason. They hope these additions will help fill some of the holes that led to a 6-7 season a year ago.

One of the best transfer additions in the country was [autotag]Indiana Hoosiers[/autotag] transfer [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag]. McCullough comes to Oklahoma after a freshman All-American season, during which he had four sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.

McCullough is stepping into a new position. He is battling for the [autotag]cheetah[/autotag] position. McCullough admits he feels far more confident now compared to the spring.

“I feel a lot more comfortable in my play and playing out in space and covering,” McCullough.

McCullough mainly played near the line of scrimmage at Indiana, but is being asked to do far more at Oklahoma. That’s why he said there were things he knew he had to improve on.

“Just to work on my footwork, covering,” McCullough said. “I’d say Indiana to here, the biggest jump was the coverage aspect of things and how much more coverage I’m doing. So, I just really wanted to hone in and focus on that this summer. I also put on a little bit of weight.”

McCullough is battling [autotag]Justin Harrington[/autotag] for that starting position. Both bring different capabilities. Harrington is much more natural in coverage, whereas McCullough is much more natural rushing the passer.

It could be one of those cases where it takes McCullough a few weeks into the season to really find his footing and start contributing to the team. Once he can do that, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

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‘We’ll be an improved group’: Sooners defensive backfield improved from a year ago

Head Coach Brent Venables believes his defensive backs will be better than they were a year ago.

Brent Venables and his staff committed to ensuring the results of the 2022 season would not be replicated in 2023.

He and the Sooners’ staff were hyperactive in the transfer portal, and they closed their 2023 recruiting class on a significant high note by securing the services of five-star safety Peyton Bowen.

As the Sooners look ahead to spring practice, the time for evaluation and understanding just what type of roster the Sooners will have is here. When speaking with the media last week, Venables made it clear one specific group is primed for a better year.

The defensive backfield.

“So I think we’ll be an improved group,” Venables said about the defensive backfield. “And we lost a bunch of guys. I think we know that … I’m not sure we didn’t lose a lot of production in the secondary, but we, we lost a bunch of bodies.”

Brent Venables believes between the players returning and those that joined the team as midyear enrollees, the Oklahoma Sooners have a better group of defensive backs than they did a year ago.

[autotag]Kendall Dennis[/autotag] (USF), [autotag]Bryson Washington[/autotag] (New Mexico) and [autotag]Joshua Eaton[/autotag] (Texas State) transferred out after the 2022 season. It’s notable none landed with a Power Five squad.

[autotag]CJ Coldon[/autotag] is the biggest loss the Sooners suffered in the secondary after a strong second half of the season. [autotag]Justin Broiles[/autotag] hopes to continue his playing career at the NFL level.

Dennis, Washington and Eaton didn’t play enough for their departures to matter much. Their transfers allow Oklahoma to examine what they have in the players brought in over the past two cycles.

Gentry Williams snagged an interception in his first collegiate game. He didn’t see the field much as a true freshman, but the Sooners love his size, athletic ability, and his competitiveness.

Robert Spears-Jennings is another 2022 signee that could make an impact this season. His play speed and physicality were on display last season despite limited snaps.

Kani Walker was brought in before the season from Louisville. Like Williams, Walker has the physical tools the Sooners are looking for in their outside corners.

[autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag], a transfer from Texas Tech, is a heavy hitter with plenty of collegiate experience. That physicality and experience will help bring an edge to the Sooners defensive backfield.

Most notably, [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag] also joins the defensive back room. The most highly coveted secondary recruit for Oklahoma in quite a while, Bowen is expected to be a great one.

[autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag], [autotag]Damond Harmon[/autotag], [autotag]Jaden Davis[/autotag], [autotag]Justin Harrington[/autotag] and [autotag]Key Lawrence[/autotag] return after playing meaningful snaps for the Sooners last season. They’ll get another offseason in the Sooners’ defensive system, and should have a better understanding of the expectations in the defense.

The hope is because of the improved talent, there will be better production and depth on the secondary depth chart when it drops just before the season.

It remains to be seen how this will actually play out over the course of the season. However, it’s hard to argue with Venables’ assessment. The players who played the most last year are back and should understand the scheme better, which will lead to better performances on the field.

All that’s left is for those returning players to prove their head coach right.

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‘Cheetah’ depth chart gets an infusion of talent for 2023 Oklahoma Sooners

Brent Venables revealed that, along with Justin Harrington, several newcomers Dasan McCullough, Reggie Pearson, and Peyton Bowen will see time at “Cheetah.”

One of the positions that the Oklahoma Sooners will have to replace this offseason is [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ versatile “Cheetah” position. Part linebacker, part safety, part nickel corner, the hybrid defender is an integral part of the Sooners’ defense.

On the way to the NFL is [autotag]DaShaun White[/autotag], who manned the “Cheetah” for Oklahoma in 2022. [autotag]Justin Harrington[/autotag] played backup to White last season.

Joining Harrington will be joined by incoming transfers [autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag] and [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag] and true freshman [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag].

Harrington received a lot of buzz last offseason but didn’t get much playing time at the position as the Sooners’ defensive staff relied on their veteran DaShaun White.

Pearson played safety for Texas Tech and brings a physical edge to the Sooners’ defense. The hits he laid on [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag] and [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] in Lubbock last season were highlight-reel plays.

McCullough comes to the Sooners after a standout true freshman season as an edge player for Indiana. He has experience playing safety from high school and would seem to project better as a pass rusher, but with his athleticism, he’ll make a difference no matter where he plays.

And then there’s Peyton Bowen. The five-star safety out of Denton Guyer comes to Norman with high expectations and much fanfare. About Bowen, Venables said, “He’s beyond his years. Football is easy for him. Schemes are easy for him. He understands ball, and he finds the football.”

The Oklahoma Sooners have some really intriguing options at “Cheetah” for the 2023 season. They’ve got an experienced player in Pearson, one that was receiving a lot of buzz last offseason in Harrington, and a couple of players in McCullough and Bowen whose athleticism will stand out on the football field.

With Jaren Kanak projected to play one of the linebacker spots next to Danny Stutsman, the Sooners will get more speed and athleticism on the field in 2023 in addition to whoever starts at “Cheetah.”

Brent Venables spoke about the improved depth and where they’re at in the offseason program during his Thursday media availability. The transfer and recruiting class additions will be big factors for the Sooners, and these incoming players will have an impact for Oklahoma at “Cheetah.”

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Oklahoma’s Opponent: 5 Florida State Seminoles to know ahead of the Cheez-It-Bowl

Oklahoma will have its hands full as they take on No. 13 Florida State. Here are five Seminoles to know.

Oklahoma has landed in Orlando and has been practicing since Christmas weekend. On Thursday, they take on the No. 13 Florida State Seminoles, who will have the de-facto home-field advantage. Florida State is arguably the best team Oklahoma has played this year, aside from the TCU Horned Frogs, who will be representing the Big 12 in the College Football Playoff.

Florida State is rising back up the ACC ranks in Mike Norvell’s third season in Tallahassee. He’ll have a very physical and talented Seminoles team ready for the Sooners.

The Seminoles have some real difference-makers on both sides of the ball. With Oklahoma at a disadvantage due to NFL opt-outs and transfer portal entries, it will make things even harder for the Sooners. Who are the Seminoles’ difference makers? Here are five players to be aware of as the Sooners look to finish the season on a high note.

Oklahoma safety Billy Bowman out for Red River Showdown

After suffering an injury against the TCU Horned Frogs, Billy Bowman will be unavailable for the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Showdown.

After Billy Bowman suffered an injury in last week’s loss to TCU, the Oklahoma Sooners secondary struggled to slow down Max Duggan and the Horned Frogs. Questionable all week, Bowman won’t be playing today against the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Showdown.

Diamond Harmon was lost due to injury as well in last week’s loss. That leaves Trey Morrison, Justin Broiles, Key Lawrence, and Justin Harrington to man the safety spot.

Against Texas’ skill positions, the Sooners will face a stiff challenge. However, with a full week to prepare Bowman’s replacement, perhaps they’ll be better prepared than a week ago to slow down Xavier Worthy, Ja’Tavion Sanders, and Jordan Whittington in the passing game.

The other interesting nugget here is that Dillon Gabriel appears to be going through warmups with the Oklahoma Sooners. However, there’s still no indication as to his availability for today’s game.

Dillon Gabriel taking snaps in warmups. Looks like he might be playing.

As we inch closer to game time, we’ll continue to monitor Gabriel’s status.

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5 Sooners to watch on defense against Kansas State

Oklahoma will need a solid performance from these five defensive players when they take on Kansas State.

Oklahoma’s Big 12 campaign gets underway under the lights Saturday night in what should be a competitive matchup. Oklahoma and Kansas State two have played each other fairly close over the last few years. Kansas State comes into the game on the heels of a loss while Oklahoma straps their pads up following a dismantling of their longtime rivals, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

In recent years, Kansas State felt like a lock to push the Sooners to the brink. While that remains a possibility, if Oklahoma can take care of things on the defensive side of the ball, they’ll put themselves in a much better position to win on Saturday.

There are a handful of Oklahoma players that could play a significant role in propelling this defense to victory. Take a look at our five defensive players to watch heading into the matchup with the Wildcats.

Everything Brent Venables had to say following Oklahoma’s win over Kent State

Everything Brent Venables had to say after the Oklahoma Sooners 33-3 win over the Kent State Golden Flashes Saturday night.

The Oklahoma defense carried the Sooners through the first half as the offense struggled to find some consistency. But at the end of the half, the offense ran a near-perfect (false start penalty) two-minute drill leading to Dillon Gabriel’s 36-yard connection with Marvin Mims to give Oklahoma its first score of the game, which also proved to be the game-winner.

The Sooners’ offense would go on to score 33 unanswered points over the next 18 minutes of game time to put the game out of reach for a tough Kent State program that gave Oklahoma all it could handle for the first 29 minutes of the game.

Speaking to the media in the aftermath of Oklahoma’s second-straight 30-point win to start the 2022 season, here’s everything Brent Venables had to say.

Media, personalities weigh in on Oklahoma’s breakout player, toughest game in 2022

Oklahoma Sooners media personalities weigh in on which player they think will have a breakout season and which game will be OU’s toughest.

We’re just a few days away from kickoff and the Oklahoma Sooners are about to embark on their quest to return to the Big 12 title game and the College Football Playoff.

A two-year absence from the playoff hit harder in 2021 when Oklahoma missed the Big 12 title game. Armed with a new vision and new life under first-year head coach Brent Venables, the expectations remain the same for the Sooners.

As the Sooners conclude final preparations for the 2022 season, Sooners Wire asked some of our friends in the Oklahoma media and other personalities to weigh in on a couple of questions. Who will be Oklahoma’s breakout player in 2022, and which game will prove to be the toughest for the Sooners?