The Oklahoma Sooners have seen key veteran pieces announce they’re returning for one more season in 2025.
First, it was defensive tackle [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], who made his intentions clear to return. Then, safety [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings [/autotag] announced that he was coming back as well. Now, a third key veteran piece of the defense has done the same.
Last season’s starting cheetah [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag] took to social media to announce that he’s coming back to Norman for the 2025 season on Friday. Dolby started the first four games of the season and played very well before a brutal season-ending injury in the Tennessee game.
He’s been a game-wrecker for this defense, going all the way back to 2023 when he found his way into the rotation at cheetah. Depending on his timetable, he’ll play a key role for the Sooners once again in 2025. He’s a veteran and he’s incredibly versatile, possessing great coverage skills, blitzing skills and strength at the position.
Despite losing key pieces like Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman, Ethan Downs and Da’Jon Terry on the defense, there’s a chance the Sooners are once again really good on that side of the ball next season, provided [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] hires the right defensive coordinator.
The defensive tackle spot is loaded, and the Sooners still have a chance to get their best pass rusher, R Mason Thomas, back for one more year on the edge. [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag] look in line to start at the inside linebacker spots. Dolby and Samuel Omosigho will man the cheetah position. Spears-Jennings and Peyton Bowen are both back at safety, and Eli Bowen will no doubt start at one cornerback spot.
As Venables continues to search for his next defensive play-caller, that hire will have one more pieces to use for his first season in 2025.