Oklahoma DC Alex Grinch talks improvement of players on defense

Oklahoma DC Alex Grinch talked defensive improvement

Second-year defensive coordinator had plenty of positive takeaways from Oklahoma first practice sessions.

One being Oklahoma defensive back Tre Norwood’s recovery process.

Norwood suffered a season-ending injury in the Sooners’ preseason camp last season.

“Remember this guy, oh by the way he was positioned to be the starter.” Grinch said in his Wednesday conference. “A guy that can play really any five spots in the secondary. Looking at some corner reps but looking at any spot he can have an impact.”

Grinch also mentioned Ronnie Perkins, who despite facing a partial suspension, should be one of the better defensive players in the country.

He also mentioned former five-star recruit Brendan Radley-Hiles, who despite struggling with consistency issues, had a much improved season in 2019.

“I see a different guy. I don’t see some of the same issues. I see a more productive player, I see better technique. “He’s practicing a different level.”

The Sooners saw vast improvement defensively under Grinch, and should see another jump in the coming season.

Oklahoma is scheduled to begin their season on September 12 against Missouri State.

Oklahoma DB Tre Norwood doing full drill work after season-ending knee injury in 2019

It appears Tre Norwood is geared up and ready for his 2020 return after suffering a season-ending knee injury in fall camp in 2019.

Oklahoma’s depth in the secondary was exposed by LSU in the 2019 Peach Bowl.

After Delarrin Turner-Yell’s injury leading up the big game, the Sooners had no one quite at the talent level needed at the time to compete with the high-powered offense that was Joe Burrow and the Tigers. One player on Oklahoma’s roster has proven his worth thus far in his career, but was out for the entire 2019 season.

It appears Tre Norwood is geared up and ready for his 2020 return after suffering a season-ending knee injury in fall camp prior to last season.

Norwood has played a variety of positions for Oklahoma in the two years he got to play. He’s started at corner and started at nickel back thus far. After his injury, new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch described Norwood as the ‘Swiss army knife’ of the secondary.

At 2019 Peach Bowl practices, he was running on the sidelines with a huge brace on his leg.

Where Norwood fits in Oklahoma’s 2020 defense remains to be seen. The Sooners have a void at corner left by Parnell Motley and only had Brendan ‘Bookie’ Radley-Hiles as an impact player at nickel back. Freshman cornerback Jaden Davis flashed at times in 2019, but Norwood’s consistency and reliability could give him a nod opposite of incumbent starter Tre Brown.

Oklahoma is scheduled to begin the 2020 season on Sept. 5 against Missouri State at home.

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Oklahoma 2020 player card: No. 13 Tre Norwood

Sooners Wire will be creating player cards for readers to be introduced to the 2020 roster. Here is No. 13: Tre Norwood

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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 defensive No. 13 for the Sooners.

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Name: Tre Norwood

Number:Β No. 13

Year: RedshirtΒ Junior

Position: Defensive Back

Hometown:Β Fort Smith, AR

Height/Weight: 6-foot, 184 pounds


Tre Norwood could finals be ready to have his day under Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

After missing the 2019 season due to an injury sustained in the preseason, Norwood could see the field for the first time in a long time next year. He’s yet to play under Alex Grinch, a coach that nearly every player on the Sooners defense has benefited from.

Norwood had a solid 2018 campaign, registering 58 tackles in 14 games which was good for fifth-best on the team. He also added five pass deflections and one interception.

Norwood was one of the most consistent defenders on what many classified a bad defense in 2018. With Alex Grinch, he could makes strides towards becoming even more consistent, and Grinch himself could use someone who’s been around as long as Norwood has.

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