Tag: Kip Lewis

What is Oklahoma’s best position group heading into the 2024 season?

Which position group is the Sooners best according to The Oklahoman?

The Oklahoma Sooners depth chart has improved every year under Brent Venables. Despite questions along the offensive line, this might be the Sooners’ best roster under Venables. How much success OU has with this collection of players remains to be seen, but it has the talent to make noise in Year 1 in the SEC.

The Oklahoman’s Ryan Aber and Colton Sulley ranked the Sooners position groups heading into 2024, and linebacker topped the list.

Overall, the best position group currently on OU’s roster is the one with arguably its best player. Stutsman was selected to the preseason All-SEC first team and is coming off a season in which he totaled 104 tackles. – Sulley, The Oklahoman

The duo over at The Oklahoman project [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag] (cheetah) to be the Sooners starters at linebacker when they open the season at the end of August.

Linebacker is one of the Sooners’ deepest positions, and Stutsman is the biggest piece to the defensive puzzle. The first-team All-SEC selection is also garnering preseason All-American love from around the country. He’s set to have what could be his best season yet with a bolstered defensive interior and improved linebacker play around him.

Lewis came on strongly in the Texas game and over the second half of the season to usurp a starting spot from [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag]. Kanak, [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag], [autotag]Lewis Carter[/autotag], [autotag]Phil Picciotti[/autotag], [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], [autotag]Samuel Omosigho[/autotag] and [autotag]James Nesta[/autotag] provide incredible talent and depth to the linebacker spot. Every guy on the depth chart will provide meaningful snaps to the Sooners’ defense and special teams units in 2024 and beyond.

A strong argument could be made for wide receiver with starters [autotag]Jalil Farooq[/autotag] and [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag] returning for 2024 and the addition of [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] giving the position a big-time playmaker. Additionally, [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] will be back at some point this season, and [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag] looks like a player primed for a breakout season.

It has been a while since a defensive position group could boast it was Oklahoma’s best unit, but the linebacker recruiting under Brent Venables, in particular the 2022 and 2023 classes, has stacked the depth chart with talent for the next several years.

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Oklahoma’s defensive leaders confident heading into the SEC

Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman spoke confidently at SEC media days about the direction of the Oklahoma Sooners defense.

The Oklahoma Sooners defense took a huge step in 2023. They improved from 99th in the nation in scoring defense to No. 49, cutting their points per game allowed by nearly a touchdown in the process. It’s a group that is expected to take another step as the Sooners head into the SEC.

The challenges are different, but there is elite offense being played in the Southeastern Conference by teams like Tennessee, Texas, Ole Miss, Alabama, and LSU. The defensive unit knows they have to continue to grind, but to hear defensive leaders [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] and [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] speak at SEC media days, they’re a confident group.

“When you look at our team, we know what we’re capable of,” Stutsman said. “Like he said before, we’ve got to prove ourselves right. That comes from every single day, every single workout, we have to prove ourselves right. And then eventually you just have seen so much growth, so much progress that it comes to fruition.”

It’s a group that trusts the developmental process. From winter workouts to spring ball to summer workouts and fall camp, which will begin in a couple of weeks, the defense believes in what they’ve done this offseason.

“We’re very confident,” Bowman said. The preparation we have put in, the work we have put in, it allows us to be confident.

“Ever since the game ended in San Antonio versus Arizona, we’ve been hitting the road hard, working, grinding extra, doing everything we can to obviously come out here and perform better than we did last year.”

They’ve put the work in, but it’s also a talented group full of blue-chip players and a ton of experience. [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag], [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], Stutsman, Bowman, [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag], [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Caiden Woullard[/autotag], [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag], [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag], [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag], and [autotag]Kani Walker[/autotag] have each had at least two years of collegiate experience. A number of those players have played three or more seasons of college ball.

That experience and the success they had in 2023 helped to fuel their offseason work, giving them confidence for 2024.

“It brings a lot of confidence, Bowman said. “Especially bringing back experienced guys all over the defense, from the (defensive line), to the linebacker core to the defensive backs. Going into this year three will be another big jump. We’re in control of our own destiny. I feel like we’re doing a great job of continuing to keep the foot on the pedal, and we know we’re nowhere close to where we need to be.”

It’s a hungry group. As good as they were in 2023, there’s another level they can go to. And for the Sooners to be successful in year one in the SEC, [autotag]Zac Alley[/autotag]’s defense will have to go to that level.

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‘Proud Dad,’ Danny Stutsman says OU linebackers have grown up

OU’s linebackers, led by “proud father” Danny Stutsman, have developed since a rough 2022.

The Oklahoma Sooners bounced back in 2023, their second under the leadership of head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]. OU’s 10-3 season followed up a dismal 6-7 year in 2022 that was derailed by, among other things, a poor defense in a rebuilding year.

Senior linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] has been a Sooner through it all, even the chaotic 2021 season when he was just a freshman. He was a member of that 2022 defense that gave up 30 points per game (99th in the country), leading to a 3-6 record in the [autotag]Big 12[/autotag].

Fast forward, and Stutsman was one of Oklahoma’s representatives at [autotag]SEC media days[/autotag] on Tuesday as the Sooners enter the conference for their first season in 2024.

Stustman was asked about his fellow linebackers, the group that caught the most criticism in 2022. Since then, the unit has improved drastically, but Stutsman illustrated just how much the younger players have grown up.

“I’m proud,” Stutsman said. “When I look at that team since the time they got on campus … it just puts a smile on my face seeing guys like [autotag]Lewis Carter[/autotag] and [autotag]Samuel Omosigho[/autotag] come in, to see where they are today, makes me so happy. Those guys are gonna be amazing players for the university. To see their growth and be a part of that, I feel like a proud dad. ”

Stutsman went on to say that throughout the linebacker rotation, he doesn’t expect a drop-off in skill or production, regardless of who’s on the field.

Carter and Omosigho are two young players who haven’t seen the field much yet, but their potential has Sooner fans excited for the future. But Stutsman’s remarks can apply to the entire linebacker room.

[autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag] emerged as a starting option alongside Stutsman late last season, showcasing his speed and instincts. [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag] gained valuable experience as a starter before Lewis took over at midseason. [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag] is a thumper who is an SEC-ready physical stud on the second level of the defense. All were just getting started a couple of years ago, but Stutsman has watched them grow.

Brent Venables and new defensive coordinator/linebackers coach [autotag]Zac Alley[/autotag] benefitted in 2024 from Stutsman’s decision to return to school. They’ll also benefit from his mentorship to the future of the unit, which has already grown so much in the past couple of years.

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Where does Danny Stutsman rank among the best players in the SEC?

Roll Tide Wire considers Danny Stutsman one of the best players in the SEC ahead of the 2024 season.

The Oklahoma Sooners have put together a defense that could be one of the best in the country in 2024. [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his staff have recruited well over the last three cycles and made timely additions in the transfer portal. But one of the bigger stories this offseason was the return of [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] who looked like they were heading to the [autotag]NFL draft[/autotag] after strong 2023 seasons.

Getting Stutsman back to lead the defense was huge for the Sooners. He’s improved each year he’s been in Norman and has become one of the best inside linebackers in the nation. Stutsman was a Walter Camp preseason All-American selection and has a good chance to be named to the SEC’s first team when preseason selections are made.

Heading into Oklahoma’s inaugural season in the SEC, they’ll need Stutsman to be that guy.

Over at Roll Tide Wire, Brody Smoot ranked the top 24 players in the SEC heading into 2024 and Stutsman came in at No. 11.

Speaking of tackling machines, another one is Oklahoma senior linebacker Danny Stutsman. In the past two seasons, Stutsman has recorded 229 tackles, six sacks, and three interceptions. Following the conlusion of the 2023-2024 season, Stutsman was named an All-Big-12 First-Team selection. There will be some that are speculative of how Oklahoma fairs in the SEC. One thing is for certain. Stutsman will continue to be a tackling machine for Boomer Sooner. – Smoot, Roll Tide Wire

Only five defenders ranked in front of Stutsman. Tennessee’s James Pearce, Jr., LSU’s Harold Perkins, Jr., Georgia’s Mykell Williams and Malaki Starks, and Ole Miss‘ Walter Nolen were the only defenders ahead of Stutsman.

Stutsman’s impact on the Oklahoma Sooners defense can’t be overstated. Without the Sooners linebacker for a game and a half against Kansas and Oklahoma State, the Sooners’ defense didn’t look quite the same and it led to Oklahoma’s two Big 12 losses. The depth is better heading into 2024 as [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag], [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag], and [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag] have more experience, but Oklahoma needs Stutsman to have a clean bill of health throughout 2024 for the Sooners to contend.

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Sooners have the best back seven in the SEC per Phil Steele

College football expert Phil Steele thinks OU’s back seven can match up with anybody in the SEC.

Defense was long a strength for the Oklahoma Sooners. The [autotag]Bennie Owen[/autotag], [autotag]Bud Wilkinson[/autotag], [autotag]Chuck Fairbanks[/autotag] and [autotag]Barry Switzer[/autotag] days produced hard-nosed, hard-hitting defensive units that, along with explosive offenses, helped the Sooners win six national championships. Wilkinson and Switzer each took home three titles in the 20th century.

After the dreadful 1990s, [autotag]Bob Stoops[/autotag]’ arrival meant OU was back to being a contender on the national stage. “Big Game Bob” added Oklahoma’s seventh national title in 2000 and kept the Sooners in the title picture quite often in his time as the head coach.

Defense was Stoops’ calling card. He was the defensive coordinator for coaching legends Bill Snyder and Steve Spurrier. Oklahoma enjoyed stifling defenses for most of Stoops’ tenure as the head coach.

But, in the mid-to-late 2010’s, OU’s defense slipped below the standard in Norman. Stoops’ final season and the [autotag]Lincoln Riley[/autotag] era at Oklahoma saw the offense being required to carry too much of the load to keep the Sooners in the title hunt. [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag], [autotag]Kyler Murray[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Hurts[/autotag] were able to do so, but as the decade changed, the Sooners had fallen out of the [autotag]College Football Playoff[/autotag].

After Riley’s departure to Southern California, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] was hired to bring back the defensive standard. It has taken a couple of years, but Venables may finally have the pieces in the right place to do the things he wants to do on defense.

In 2022, Venables’ first season, the Sooners were horrid defensively, leading to a 6-7 season. They allowed 30 points per game, finishing 99th in the nation in scoring defense. Last season, however, Oklahoma went 10-3 and the defense took a major step forward, improving its scoring defense 50 spots to 23.5 points per game.

Now, going into Year 3 under Venables, one college football analyst thinks OU has two of the best position units in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag].

Phil Steele released his position rankings for every SEC team heading into the 2024 season. Oklahoma had two units ranked No. 1 in the conference.

OU’s linebackers are the SEC’s best, according to Steele. [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] leads the way on the inside, but [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag] join him to make the Sooners at least two deep at both spots. [autotag]Lewis Carter[/autotag] will also see more snaps in 2024 as well.

At the cheetah position, [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag] and [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag] will see the majority of the snaps, but [autotag]Samuel Omosigho[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Boganowski[/autotag] are younger options who will be on the field quite a bit as well.

Steele also thinks OU’s secondary is the best in the conference. [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] headlines the safety position, with [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag] and [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag] in line for more playing time after graduation, NFL and portal losses.

At cornerback, veteran [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag] returns for his fifth season, but he will be playing a little bit of everything this year. [autotag]Gentry Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Kani Walker[/autotag] and [autotag]Dez Malone[/autotag] will all be experienced options on the outside, but there’s youth at corner as well. [autotag]Jacobe Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Makari Vickers[/autotag] both saw time last year due to injuries.

More: 5 Sooners who could see an increased workload in 2024

Of course, Oklahoma needs to keep improving to get back to the way things are supposed to be for the Sooners.

Competing for and winning championships are the expectations. Quarterback, offensive line and defensive line all ranked outside of the SEC’s top five in Steele’s estimation. While the QB ranking is due to [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag]’s inexperience, the Sooners have to get better in the trenches to be where they want to be.

However, it’s been a long time since the defense has been as loaded in Norman as it is right now. Combine that with an offense that certainly isn’t lacking in talent, and the Brent Venables vision is starting to become clearer for the Sooners. Venables has the makings of a complementary, holistic program from top to bottom.

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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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Linebackers and secondary are the Sooners’ strength in 2024 per PFF

According to Pro Football Focus, Oklahoma’s back seven will be its biggest strength in 2024.

It’s preview season in the world of college football, and the Oklahoma Sooners had the spotlight this past week from Pro Football Focus in their College Football Preview (subscription required).

PFF gave the Sooners just a 4% chance to win the SEC this year, but had OU 13th in the nation in their power rankings.

Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman, who co-wrote the article, named Oklahoma’s back seven as its biggest strength heading into the new season.

Here’s what PFF had to say:

Oklahoma’s defense features a top-10 secondary and a linebacker unit that is headlined by [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], a third-team AP All-American last year.

OU is loaded at the linebacker positions with Stutsman as the clear leader. [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag] should see significant snaps inside as well. [autotag]Lewis Carter[/autotag] will likely have a role in his second year with the Sooners as well.

At the cheetah spot, [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag] and [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag] are intriguing options with experience, but don’t be surprised if [autotag]Samuel Omosigho[/autotag] sees plenty of time.

The secondary has plenty of headliners, beginning with [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] at safety. Playing alongside him will likely be [autotag]Peyton Bowen [/autotag] and/or [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag] to give OU a formidable trio to rotate at both safety spots.

Cornerback is lead by [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag] on one side, Oklahoma’s defensive leader in snaps a season ago. While he’ll see time at corner, the Sooners plan to move him around the secondary, even giving him snaps at cheetah in 2024. [autotag]Gentry Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Kani Walker[/autotag] will likely battle all season long on the other side of the field with [autotag]Dez Malone[/autotag] factoring in as well. [autotag]Jacobe Johnson[/autotag] is a local product from Mustang, and he and [autotag]Makari Vickers[/autotag] saw some fill-in action last season.

[autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] has the makings of a high-level defense in 2024 as he enters his third season at the helm of the Sooners.

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Danny Stutsman discusses the balance Zac Alley provides the Sooners

“He’s good to go to because he knows exactly what we’re thinking.” Zac Alley’s arrival created a new dynamic on the Oklahoma Sooners defense.

The Oklahoma Sooners made some big changes to their coaching staff this offseason, replacing both coordinators. Seth Littrell took over as offensive coordinator, and Zac Alley as defensive coordinator.

Alley takes over a defense that made a big jump last year and a position group that is one of the deeper ones on the team.

Danny Stutsman shared with the media what he’s seen from Alley so far this offseason.

“Oh, it’s been amazing,” Stutsman said. “He’s a great coach. He really understands and relates to us. He’s a different balance than Coach Venables, which is really good. He understands some things, and he’s good to go to because he knows exactly what we’re thinking.”

Stutsman admits Alley has a lot of the same mannerisms as Venables at times, but he said he’s a lot calmer than the head coach.

Alley has a good problem on his hands as Stutsman, [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag], [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag], [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag], [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Lewis Carter[/autotag] are all guys who can play and play at a high level.

He also takes over a unit with a lot of experience as the first four guys played quite a bit in this system a season ago at linebacker. Carter played a lot on special teams.

After having success with Jacksonville State, it’ll be interesting to see what he does at the position and what differences he brings to the defense.

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Report Card: Oklahoma Sooners up and down in Alamo Bowl loss to Arizona

It was an up and down performance in the Oklahoma Sooners 38-24 loss to Arizona and here’s our final report card for 2023.

All of the excitement that had been built up in anticipation of Jackson Arnold’s first start as the Sooners starting quarterback was dashed with a couple of first quarter interceptions.

It wasn’t how anyone hoped or expected it would start. Arnold rebounded to play well over the next two quarters as the Sooners built a 24-13 lead. However, turnovers at the end of the third quarter and in the fourth dashed Oklahoma’s hopes of ending the season on a high note.

Though there were six turnovers and the Sooners defense allowed some big plays, there were a lot of positives to take away from the game.

For the final time in 2023, here’s out postgame report card.

2023 Position Review and Recruiting Outlook: Sooners’ linebackers shine in bounceback year

The Sooners showed a lot of growth at the linebacker position in 2023. Now they hope to build upon that going into next season.

The Oklahoma Sooners’s linebacker group is our next [autotag]position review[/autotag]. Overall, the group produced an All-American and the young guys at the position showed a ton of promise as well.

[autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] was the leader of the whole defense. He’s been named to two All-American teams. [autotag]Jaren Kanak[/autotag] showed flashes of what he can be but also showed his youth.

[autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag] came along at the end of the season as well, making this group one of the deeper groups on the team. [autotag]Lewis Carter[/autotag] and [autotag]Samuel Omosigho[/autotag] were mainly special teams contributors but did see some playing time toward the end of the year.

The recruiting class, though, isn’t a great one, so let’s take a look at the linebacker position.