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First-year head coach Brent Venables has a talented group of linebackers to begin his tenure in Norman. Here’s a look at the group entering the spring.
First-year head coach Brent Venables has a history of delivering aggressive defense. It’s why his defenses have led the nation in tackles for loss (1,159) and sacks (448) since 2012. One group that should benefit from that aggression are the Sooners’ linebackers.
As spring practices get underway on March 22, what do Venables, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof and Oklahoma have at linebacker?
ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren included Oklahoma among his 10 college football teams that lost the most in the transfer portal.
In an ESPN+ story, Tom VanHaaren explored which college football teams lost the most in the transfer portal. Oklahoma was one of his 10 schools that lost the most in the portal and he explored how the Sooners replaced that talent with the portal.
Despite losing a handful of really talented football players to other programs, OU head football coach Brent Venables actually managed it well by adding players from the portal to offset those departures. In fact, just a few short weeks ago VanHaaren had Oklahoma at No. 5 on his list of college football teams that were most helped by the transfer portal.
Van Haaren wrote this about the players that OU saw depart through the transfer portal in his “who’s leaving” section of his breakdown.
The Sooners didn’t see the quantity of players leave as some of the others on the list, but there were plenty of contributors who left the program.
The biggest name was freshman quarterback Caleb Williams, who’d supplanted Spencer Rattler as starting quarterback. Williams joined Lincoln Riley at USC, as did receiver Mario Williams, who was also a freshman at Oklahoma this past season.
Rattler and tight end Austin Stogner both transferred to South Carolina, and receiver Jadon Haselwood left for Arkansas. Haselwood is a former five-star who led the Sooners in receiving touchdowns this past season with six. The staff also saw defensive back Latrell McCutchin follow Riley to USC. – VanHaaren, ESPN.
Now, to the part that should excite Oklahoma fans. VanHaaren was pretty positive about what the Sooners have added in his “who’s coming in” breakdown.
When the number of players transferring out was first reported, it looked almost insurmountable for the new staff to replace all the departures. But Brent Venables and the coaches have done an excellent job replacing key players.
Replacing Williams at quarterback would be difficult no matter whom the coaches brought in, but Venables and new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby added UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel. Lebby and Gabriel were together at UCF and have a level of comfortability, which is a big piece of the puzzle under center.
In addition to Gabriel, the staff also brought in offensive linemen Tyler Guyton and McKade Mettauer, as well as tight end Daniel Parker Jr. On defense, the staff added defensive backs C.J. Coldon, Trey Morrison and Kani Walker, as well as linebacker T.D. Roof. Hawaii defensive lineman Jonah Laulu and Jeffery Johnson were also added in what ended up being a big haul for the Sooners. – VanHaaren, ESPN.
In addition to Oklahoma’s 2022 signing class which ranks No. 8 in the team rankings on 247Sports, On3 and Rivals, the Sooners brought in players to help them out in a lot of different areas both offensively and defensively through the transfer portal.
“Well, I mean, we wouldn’t have brought them in—I’ll be honest, all nine of them—we wouldn’t have brought them in had we not felt the need for immediate help at those positions. Offensive line the depth there. Tight end, Parker being a really a devastating blocker. Looking at defensively, starting on the defensive line. Both inside and outside, having the chance with Jonah and Jeffery both being able to contribute right away. Being physical guys, guys with some tremendous experience. McKade on his side was a three-year starter, Jeffery I believe was a four-year starter. Just tremendous experience with all of them. Tyler Guyton, just a freshman last year, but played as a freshman for TCU. Really showed his athletic ability, what he was able to do as both an H-back and an offensive lineman. Looking at defensively, second and the third level. T.D. Roof, he’s been a tremendous player at the couple of the schools he was at. Just a great leader, coach’s kid that really the game comes easy to him. Just looking at again the secondary, Kani, Trey Morrison, both those guys give you a lot of versatility, some immediate depth with both some guys that left and guys that graduated both at safety and at corner,” Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables said of his transfer additions on national signing day.
Venables also made it clear that all of the transfers were players he and his staff felt could contribute.
“I would be surprised if all nine of them don’t contribute right away. So, that’s the thinking really is, you know, you’re not bringing them in from an emergency standpoint. You’re really bringing them in to help you where you’re just a little light in your numbers. And again, these are guys that we also believe that can fit. Philosophically who they are as people, as leaders, just have maturity, experience. To me, really important that these are guys that were good players where they were at and bright futures where they were at. Maybe the right stop, but they looked at the Oklahoma opportunity as a very unique opportunity to be able to play at a place like Oklahoma where again there might be a position of need,” Venables said.
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Oklahoma defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof discussed what OU has added to its roster defensively.
Oklahoma is replacing six starters defensively, so there were always going to be plenty of new faces across the Sooners’ defense in 2022. It feels like quite the defensive overhaul, though, thanks to a rash of transfer portal additions, several late signees and a defensive coaching staff that’s brand new at every position group.
In addition to its 2022 signees, Oklahoma added transfer defensive linemen Jeffery Johnson from Tulane and Jonah Laulu from Hawaii; linebacker T.D. Roof from Appalachian State; and Wyoming transfer C.J. Coldon, North Carolina transfer Trey Morrison and Louisville transfer Kani Walker in the defensive backfield.
“The emphasis is get better at every spot, you know, because at a place like this, when you go through the grind of a season, you’ve got to have quality depth. One deep is not going to get it done. I know that we’ve got some guys that have started some games in the front, but we were able to address the defense at every level. Certainly, if you’re not winning up front on defense, you’re not going to win very many ball games. If you can’t get to the quarterback and you can’t stop the run, that’s going to be a long day at the office,” defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof said on national signing day.
“We’ve got some guys returning that we’re really excited about. At the same time, needed to add depth there and we did between the portal and obviously high school. We’ve addressed it at every level and there’s opportunities. At the same time, really like what we’ve got here that were already on the roster, so I think it’ll be a good blend.”
Of course, Roof likes the numbers that Oklahoma has added across the board. Combining the signing class arrivals with transfer portal additions, OU is bringing in seven defensive linemen, four linebackers and seven defensive backs.
He also feels OU’s additions provide more than just balance in numbers across the board. According to Roof, they’re the right type of players to join Oklahoma.
“You want to as you recruit have the balance in your classes as you go along, but there were some things, opportunities and some things that were out of our control that created opportunities. When they came, we had to have first of all players that fit Oklahoma from a skill standpoint, from a character standpoint, from just a fit, because the longer that I’m in it, the more I believe it’s about getting players that fit where you are,” Roof said.
“Whether from a mentality standpoint, obviously from an ability standpoint, but from a work ethic standpoint, all those things where a guy has to fit because we’re a blue-collar program and you’ve got to work to be successful here. If you’re going to be in this program and be part of it, you’re going to have to put in the work and you’re going to have to grind, so getting the right type of young man in here was critical. Things had popped up where we knew some guys. I had recruited a couple of those kids before, so there was some opportunity there, some familiarity and it worked out.”
It makes sense because it’s the position group Roof will coach directly, but there’s a genuine excitement from the longtime collegiate coach about what Oklahoma already had at linebacker.
“You’ve got DaShaun [White] and David [Ugwoegbu], two of the older guys there that have played a lot of football who are doing a great job leading in the offseason program. You’ve got Shane [Whitter], you’ve got Joseph [Wete] and Danny [Stutsman]. You know, Danny has some real toughness and some grit and I love that about him that he’s shown so far. With Shane, the athleticism that he has, the speed. He’s got some real ability there and looking forward to working with those guys,” Roof said.
And, of course, what the Sooners are adding at linebacker as well.
“Then, have added a combination of three young guys and an older guy to that room. All of those guys are unique in what they bring. Jaren [Kanak] is, he’s really mature in his body. His strength numbers and speed and his measurables are all off the charts for somebody his age from where he is. He’s worked really hard to get there. Kobie McKinzie has a really high football IQ that, again, understands concepts and things of that nature. Kip Lewis has got a huge upside, a guy with a lot of ability and a lot of want-to. So, we’re looking forward to developing those three young men. And then, T.D., you know, he’s been around the block a time or two. It’s a good blend and excited about all of them, the unique things that they bring to the table. A couple of the grad transfers that we signed were captains at their schools, so, we’re putting leaders into our locker room as well from a grad transfer standpoint,” Roof said.
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Looking ahead to 2022, ESPN’s Chris Low argues that linebacker is the strength of the new-look Oklahoma Sooners.
The Oklahoma Sooners are in the midst of a transition. It’s arguably the first one that’s taken place since Bob Stoops took over for John Blake in the late 90s. While they experienced a coaching change going from Stoops to Lincoln Riley, the 2017 was pretty much set before Bob suddenly retired and handed the keys to the kingdom over to Riley.
Now, with Riley’s departure and those that left in the transfer portal, Brent Venables and his staff are having to retool the roster and remake it in his image. One could argue they’re getting more defensive, specifically adding bulk to the interior and big, fast, athletic linebackers to the second level. It isn’t so much about simply speed, but about being stout at the point of attack and letting his athletic linebackers run and hit. And it’s that linebacker corp that looks like a major strength heading into 2022.
According to ESPN’s Chris Low, looking ahead to 2022, it’s the linebackers that appear to be the Sooners greatest strength.
The Oklahoma roster will look almost completely different in 2022 under first-year coach Brent Venables, which includes having to replace six starters on defense. But the Sooners still feel good about their talent on the defensive side of the ball, particularly their depth at linebacker. Senior DaShaun White is returning for a fifth season after collecting a career-high 60 tackles a year ago. Senior David Ogwoegbu started at middle linebacker in the Alamo Bowl and returns along with junior Shane Whitter and sophomore Danny Stutsman, who showed great promise as a freshman last season but missed part of the year with an injury. In addition, Clemson transfer Jaren Kanak has the size and speed to be a hybrid-type player for the Sooners. Venables recruited Kanak to Clemson, and Kanak’s speed makes him a natural in Venables’ defense. – Low
Throw in Kobie McKinzie and Kip Lewis and the Sooners have an incredibly deep group of players that could contribute in 2022 under Brent Venables and defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof.
White and Ogwoegbu will be the leaders at the position and likely play the most, but don’t sleep on Stutsman and Whitter to provide significant snaps for the Sooners. T.D. Roof, who transferred in from Appalachian State provides another experienced player to a group that lost Brian Asamoah to the NFL draft.
He mentions Jaren Kanak as a transfer, but the incoming freshman was one of the more significant recruiting flips of the 2022 recruiting class. His size and speed could provide a tremendous boost in certain situations even if he doesn’t work his way onto the field for a full snap count. Particularly as a special teams player, a guy like Kanak could make a significant contribution in year one.
While the rest of the roster seemed to take hits to their depth, the linebackers stacked talent on the depth chart through the 2022 recruiting class and the transfer portal with a guy like T.D. Roof.
It’s as deep a position group as there is for the 2022 Oklahoma Sooners and that group is deep for the future as well. If the defensive front looks as stout as it should with the additions of Jonah Laulu and Jeffrey Johnson, added to an already impressive Jalen Redmond, the linebackers should have a blast running free and chasing down ball carriers.
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Oklahoma extended offers to Louisiana transfer wide receiver Kyren Lacy and four-star class of 2023 wide receiver Cayden Lee.
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Oklahoma isn’t wasting any time responding to fill the expected vacancy that would be left by freshman wide receiver Mario Williams if he does in fact transfer to USC.
247Sports’ Chris Hummer was the first to put in a crystal-ball prediction for Williams to USC after the 5-foot-9 receiver’s visit to USC over the weekend.
The Sooners extended offers to Louisiana transfer wide receiver Kyren Lacy and class of 2023 wide receiver Cayden Lee out of Hillgrove High School.
Lacy, a 6-foot-3, 213 pound sophomore, has 50 career receptions, 668 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns over his two seasons with the Ragin’ Cajuns.
In 2021, Lacy hauled in 22 receptions for 304 receiving yards with six touchdown grabs.
Lacy was rated as a four-star prospect and the nation’s No. 51 wide receiver by 247Sports in its 2020 player rankings.
Since announcing he was entering the transfer portal on Jan. 8, Lacy has also received offers from the likes of Auburn, Houston, Ole Miss, LSU and UCF.
I am Extremely Blessed and honored to say that I have received an offer from the University of Oklahoma❤️🤍 @G_Sportz @Coach_Leb #DontPlay!! pic.twitter.com/pZrHDZiUjA
— Kyren Lacy (@alltimegreattt) January 10, 2022
Lee is ranked as a four-star recruit by Rivals and ESPN. 247Sports and On3 list Lee as a three-star prospect. The 5-foot-11, 180 pound receiver is ranked highest by ESPN where Lee is regarded as the nation’s No. 219 player overall in the 2023 class and the nation’s 31st-best wide receiver.
The Powder Springs, Ga., product holds offers from Auburn, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and UCF.
They are building something special in OKLAHOMA!! @CoachVenables Grateful to have earned this offer after speaking with @OU_CoachGundy @Coach_Leb lets go #BoomerSooner @OU_Football @TEwracademy @CoachBrown_MDN @CFravel247 @CamNewton7v7 @ChadSimmons_ @Mansell247 @jeffsentell pic.twitter.com/gFrIRRe6fQ
— Cayden Lee (@Cayden_X_Lee) January 11, 2022
Of course, Lacy would be another immediate addition out of the transfer portal if he chooses Oklahoma.
Lacy would join UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Cal offensive lineman McKade Mettauer, Missouri tight end Daniel Parker Jr., Hawaii defensive lineman Jonah Laulu and Appalachian State linebacker T.D. Roof. Here’s a look at SoonerWire’s full transfer portal tracker.
If Lee commits to Oklahoma, he would join four-star wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. out of Los Alamitos, Calif., and three-star interior offensive lineman Joshua Bates out of Durango, Colo., as a member in OU’s 2023 recruiting class.
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The Oklahoma Sooners land a commitment from Appalachian State linebacker T.D. Roof, the son of co-defensive coordinator Ted Roof.
As the days continue to roll on, so does the transfer portal for the Oklahoma Sooners. In a move that only solidifies a stout linebacker room, linebacker T.D. Roof of Appalachian State announced via his Twitter account that he’s committed to the Sooners.
#BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/CJX9vVpjPc
— TD Roof (@tdroof4) January 8, 2022
If the last name made you raise an eyebrow, it’s probably because Roof is the son of the Sooners’ new defensive coordinator Ted Roof. T.D will join the Sooners as a grad transfer, who began his career at Georgia Tech, playing eight games and recording 17 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks in 2017. In 2018, eight games for the Indiana Hoosiers, recording 39 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack. He sat out the 2019 season because he again transferred, this time to Appalachian State. In two seasons with Appalachian State, he totaled 86 total tackles, including 67 in 2021 for the Sun Belt champs. Last year he also recorded 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.
| Tack | Tack | Tack | Tack | Tack | Def | Def | Def | Def | Fumb | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | PD | FF |
| 2017 | Georgia Tech | ACC | 8 | 15 | 2 | 17 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2018 | Indiana | Big Ten | 8 | 30 | 9 | 39 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| *2020 | Appalachian State | Sun Belt | 8 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| *2021 | Appalachian State | Sun Belt | 13 | 41 | 26 | 67 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 2 | 100 | 50.0 | 1 | 1 |
| Career | Overall | 94 | 48 | 142 | 16.0 | 6.0 | 2 | 100 | 50.0 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Georgia Tech | 15 | 2 | 17 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Indiana | 30 | 9 | 39 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Appalachian State | 49 | 37 | 86 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 2 | 100 | 50.0 | 1 | 1 |
He’s not an overly big linebacker but he has a lot of experience and has played in 45 career games.
Oklahoma marks the third different school where this father-son pairing will reunite as both were at Georgia Tech at the same time followed by their time spent with the Mountaineers in Boone, NC. Now they’ll continue to their time together as they join the Oklahoma Sooners with father Ted taking over the defensive coordinator job.
The Sooners have some intriguing names at the top of the depth chart with Danny Stutsman, David Ugwoegbu, DaShaun White, and Shane Whitter heading into 2022. This year’s recruiting class adds Kip Lewis, Kobie McKinzie, and Jaren Kanak providing a ton of young talent to a group that lost Brian Asamoah to the NFL draft. T.D. Roof brings experience and a veteran presence that should help provide leadership to a younger linebacker crew. As the coach’s son, he’ll be an asset bringing the rest of the linebacker room up to speed and will provide a playmaking ability when inserted into the lineup and on special teams.
Depth, production, and a veteran presence are never a bad thing to have in a locker room and T.D. Roof brings all three for the Sooners.
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