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Interior defensive line breakdown ahead of spring football for OU.
Oklahoma’s 2021 spring practices are less than a week away from getting underway with the spring game set to come in a little over a month. With football so close to returning, Sooners Wire continues to take a look at each position group of the team going into camp. Continue reading “Spring Football: A look at the interior defensive line”
Oklahoma Sooner quarterback Spencer Rattler leading the way on way too early NFL draft big board.
On Friday, eight members of the Oklahoma football program will take part in the annual pro day. These Sooners are giving scouts their first looks in workouts similar to what would have been conducted at the NFL combine. Unfortunately due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was canceled and more emphasis was placed on the individual pro day workouts.
Despite the fact the 2021 NFL draft is weeks away, that hasn’t prevented some way-too-early big boards to be published for the next draft class. Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler will be among the top names mentioned all season long. In fact, he was listed as the No. 1 overall prospect on this particular big board for next year.
When you play the position of quarterback, your chances of being selected No. 1 overall increase dramatically. In 2018 it was Baker Mayfield, 2019 it was Kyler Murray and last year it was Joe Burrow. Current Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler could be next. That is if he decides to forgo his college eligibility and declare for the NFL draft after just two full seasons in Norman, Oklahoma. It wouldn’t be a shock to anyone.
Two of Lincoln Riley’s last three QBs went No. 1 overall, and Rattler has the same talent ceiling of a Baker Mayfield or a Kyler Murray. In fact, I could argue he’s the most natural thrower of the football among that group. Rattler is slight of frame at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, but he makes up for that with a penchant for the spectacular as an out-of-structure performer and deadly accuracy when allowed to play on time.
Rattler threw for 3,031 yards and 28 touchdowns while completing 67% of his passes and averaging 9.6 yards per attempt in his first season as a starter. Expect those numbers to only improve next season as he guides what will assuredly be a healthier and more talented Sooner offense. – 247Sports
Rattler was the only Oklahoma Sooner to show up in the top 10 on this way-too-early big board from 247Sports.
There is still nearly a year before the NFL draft in 2022 will occupy our minds, but these are likely the players to keep an eye on during the next season.
It’s a little bit shocking when you look at it. Oklahoma has landed nine different players on the all-Big 12 first and second team.
The Big 12’s head coaches have decided the league’s all-conference selections, and Oklahoma has landed nine different players on the all-Big 12 first and second team.
Kicker Gabe Brkic, H-Back Jeremiah Hall and center Creed Humphrey represented Oklahoma’s three additions to the All-Big 12 first team. This marks the 20th consecutive season that Oklahoma has landed at least three players on the all-Big 12 first team. Oklahoma trails only Iowa State (five) with their three players on the first team.
Six Sooners were named to the second team: cornerback Tre Brown, offensive lineman Adrian Ealy, wide receiver Marvin Mims, defensive end Ronnie Perkins, defensive end Isaiah Thomas and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey. Oklahoma led all Big 12 teams with six different players on the all-conference second team.
Oklahoma trails only Iowa State (11) with nine players each across the two teams. The Sooners and Cyclones are set to face off in a rematch for the Big 12 Championship in Arlington, Texas on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.
https://twitter.com/OU_Football/status/1339619181885579270?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1339619181885579270%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Foklahoma%2Ffootball%2Fnine-sooners-earn-all-big-12-accolades
In a surprise to many, no Oklahoma defensive players were named to the All-Big 12 first team on Thursday.
The All-Big 12 first and second teams have been announced on Thursday and to the surprise of many not one Oklahoma player was named to the All-Big 12 first team.
The Sooner defense has taken massive steps in just two years under Alex Grinch and has legitimately been performing an extremely high level in the second half of the season. They have been not only among the best in the Big 12, but in the entire country.
Oklahoma makes a very strong case for best defense in the country since Ronnie Perkins returned in week nine.#Sooners pic.twitter.com/Rq20spQICh
— Steven Plaisance II (@stevenplai) December 15, 2020
Three Oklahoma players were named to the All-Big 12 second team in Ronnie Perkins, Isaiah Thomas and Perrion Winfrey. Most notably absent from that group is Nik Bonitto who was included in the final watch list for the Bednarik Award given to the best defensive player in college football.
Undoubtedly extremely motivated by the lack of first team players, the defense will get a big chance to make a statement as they prepare for the Big 12 Championship game against Iowa State and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Mike Rose on Saturday.
Oklahoma and Texas’ mathchup may be decided by a a blocked field goal as Perrion Winfrey made a huge play in triple overtime. Watch it here.
Perrion Winfrey is the man of the hour as the big man blocks Cameron Dicker’s field goal attempt in triple overtime, giving the ball back over to the offense with a chance to seal the deal.
After a hard fought game, Oklahoma surrendered a pair of late touchdowns to send this game into overtime. Sam Ehlinger has fought hard to get Texas back into this game, but Winfrey’s blocked field goal will go a long way in deciding this one.
Rattler and the offense have scored another touchdown following a missed field goal of his own from Oklahoma’s Gabe Brkic. This one isn’t over yet folks. Oklahoma currently leads 53-45.
BLOCKED ➡️ PERRION WINFREY. pic.twitter.com/gLuRqwKOdH
— Sooner Gridiron (@soonergridiron) October 10, 2020
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There is a lot be excited about whenever you land the No. 1 junior college defensive tackle in the country. Oklahoma definitely feels that.
Sooners Wire is going to review notes from fall camp and the first week of the season as Oklahoma is set to begin Big 12 play on Saturday.
There is a lot be excited about whenever you land the No. 1 junior college defensive tackle in the country. Oklahoma definitely feels that.
Perrion Winfrey chose the Sooners early during his recruitment out of Iowa Western Community College. With losing Neville Gallimore after the 2019 season, it was Winfrey’s spot for the taking.
It was evident early in fall camp that he was certainly taking advantage of that opportunity.
“With all those first year guys, number one you’ve got to do it on game day, but I will say I’m extremely excited about him,” said defensive coordinator Alex Grinch during his first media session of the preseason. “He’s had an impactful fall camp on a play-in and play-out basis. Obviously was a highly ranked recruit. We got the guy we thought we’d get. We’ll manage expectations until he does it on Saturday night, but excited about Perrion through camp and excited to watch him play Saturday night.”
His defensive line coach reiterated that excitement.
“You know, with Junior College guys and particularly being a January enrollee, you hope to get to spring ball and transition from that JUCO mentality to now being a Sooner and he didn’t get that with spring being cancelled,” Calvin Thibodeaux said. “You can tell, 6 foot 4, 295 pounds, he’s long, he’s athletic and he can do it. He’s got to do it on gamedays but he’s forming good habits in the midst of a pandemic so I’m proud of him. He’s got work to do like everybody else but you can see that the skills are there.”
Winfrey made his debut against Missouri State and havoc was caused. It was an inferior opponent, but it’s clear he’s a different kind of player along the defensive line than Oklahoma is used to having. Thibodeaux called him an ‘alpha dog’ before the season started and it’s clear he has a chance to be just that.
The Sooners’ defensive line was a strength in 2019 and it looks to be a strength again in 2020. Grinch was happy with what he saw out of the group in the first game.
“I thought it was good,” he said about the activeness of the group. “You mentioned, an opportunity to get a lot of guys in the game and I know we’ve talked before—one of your biggest frustrations as a coach is you give a guy an opportunity and they don’t take advantage of it so it was good, some young guys. some first opportunities to be Oklahoma Sooners and play again in a real football game. I just thought overall—I haven’t seen the numbers and all that but just active, and that’s what we need to be. And again, like we talked about, the level of competition increases from here but just to see guys displaying the brand we want to play down-in and down-out, again encouraging for week one.”
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Sooners Wire will be creating player cards for readers to be introduced to the 2020 roster. Here is No. 8: Perrion Winfrey
There is a ton of momentum to having a 2020 college football season these days. No definite signs, yet, but the season would start less than 100 days from now.
Sooners Wire will be creating player cards for readers to be introduced to the 2020 roster.
Here is the offensive No. 9 for the Sooners.
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Name: Perrion Winfrey
Number: No. 8
Year: Junior
Position: Defensive line
Hometown: Maywood, Illinois
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 283 pounds
The No. 6 junior college recruit out of the 2020 class according to Rivals made an early decision to commit to Oklahoma and stuck to it.
Perrion Winfrey, who last played at Iowa Western Community College, comes to the Sooners as a heralded four-star prospect. He chose Oklahoma over offers from the best in college football like Alabama and LSU.
During his two seasons at Iowa Western, Winfrey made 55 tackles, including 23 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. The Maywood, Illinois, native comes into a favorable situation at Oklahoma after the departures of Neville Gallimore, Marquise Overton and Dillon Faamatau at defensive tackle.
Winfrey was an early enrollee for the Sooners, but his public appearance at Oklahoma was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Saturday would have been Oklahoma’s spring game. Sooners Wire projects the Sooners 2020 defensive depth chart without spring football.
The coronavirus pandemic struck sports just as spring football was starting up for Oklahoma. Saturday would have been the Sooners spring game and the big spring game recruiting weekend would be currently taking place.
Alex Grinch was set to start his year two of install for his Speed D. Players like Perrion Winfrey and Bryson Washington are going to miss the most by not having a spring football season, as will guys like DaShaun White and Caleb Kelly in new(er) roles for the two linebackers.
How Alex Grinch positions the secondary is going to be of most importance, but his front seven is littered with talent and should provide a nice arm for the secondary to lean.
Sooners Wire projects the 2020 defensive depth chart without spring practices and months to go before the season.
Without Ronnie Perkins likely being available for the first five games of 2020, this is going to open the door wide open for second-year player Marcus Stripling. Him losing weight instead of gaining weight after his freshman season is a concern, but not one Stripling can’t overcome by the start of the 2020 season.
I think Alex Grinch may have gotten his next nose tackle. Perrion Winfrey is a load to deal with. Not having much tape from his sophomore year hurts seeing if he got cleaner with some of his technique and habits of playing too high, but if he is anything near his freshman campaign at Iowa Western Community College, Winfrey should have no problem transferring that into Grinch’s scheme.
Jordan Kelley dropped weight over the winter, which is the same exact process Neville Gallimore went through in Jan. 2020.
This is by far the deepest spot on the entire defense as a guy like Marcus Hicks will still have to wait his turn. Jalen Redmond’s growing squarely into a 3 or 4i-technique defensive tackle and his athleticism should treat him well there. Don’t take LaRon Stokes lightly and Kori Roberson has a lot of promise.
You could have flipped one and two here, but I think David Ugwoegbu is turning into Oklahoma’s next best pass rusher. His athleticism matched with his frame and size is going to be difficult to deal with for tackles.
Go ahead and plug DaShaun White into Kenneth Murray’s role at linebacker. You more than likely won’t see him spin down and rush off the edge, but his instincts and football IQ should allow him to have a lot of success.
Coach Kelly makes his long-awaited return to the starting lineup. He’s best in space and more reliable than Brian Asamoah to be in position, even with his limited snaps in 2019. I think Asamoah is the future for Grinch and linebackers coach Brian Odom, though, and will see quite a few snaps in 2020.
The starting corners won’t be a surprise, but the backups will be. Joshua Eaton is the prototypical corner for this system with his length and speed. It won’t be long before he’s ready.
I’m still a big believer in Jeremiah Criddell and he should serve as a quality backup to Delarrin Turner-Yell, who was taking strides to being that safety Oklahoma has been missing since Tony Jefferson.
Missing this spring is going to hurt Bryson Washington quite a bit. I ultimately think he’s the starter here or at nickel back in 2021, but playing catch up in a simple, but complex system is going to make it difficult.
I’m about as positive as can be that Woodi Washington slid over and played where Patrick Fields normally plays in the Peach Bowl while Fields played where Justin Broiles did and Broiles became the nickel for Bookie Radley-Hiles. In that role, Washington looked the part, though only Patrick Fields will decide what happens here. He was as steady as it gets in 2019.
One of the true position battles on defense is here. Jaden Davis showed a lot of promise during his freshman season, but Tre Norwood got resounding praise prior to and after his injury by Grinch. Davis is the future, but I’m sure these two will be in rotation.
The curious case of what to do at nickel back in 2020 is a tough one to figure out. Bookie Radley-Hiles was a solid player and Oklahoma’s best playmaker in the secondary, but played in a role that doesn’t necessarily fit defensive backs quite like him. He can continue to be a serviceable piece, but if a guy like Bryson Washington got a full spring under his belt, we’d be having a totally different conversation.
