The breaking news hit and hit hard.
Oklahoma will be without star defensive end Ronnie Perkins, backup running back Rhamondre Stevenson and true freshman and former five-star Trejan Bridges for the Peach Bowl against LSU due to a disclosed suspension, as it was reported by SoonerScoop.com on Wednesday.
Here is what their absence from the Peach Bowl means for Oklahoma.
RONNIE PERKINS
This one is going to hurt, but not nearly as bad as it could have.
Behind Perkins is true freshman Marcus Stripling and redshirt sophomore Isaiah Thomas.
Stripling has shown flashes of explosion and ability to win in pass rush situations already. He has been Perkins’ backup for much of the year.
Thomas’ opportunities have been limited for most of the year, but he has registered a sack on the season in Oklahoma last game against Baylor in the Big 12 Championship.
Defensive coordinator can also move redshirt freshman Jalen Redmond back outside from defensive tackle. Redmond played off the edge in high school.
Still, replacing Perkins’ 38 tackles, which includes 13.5 tackles for loss and six sacks, is going to be extremely tough. His presence off the edge also took pressure and focus off of star nose tackle Neville Gallimore.
Against a team like LSU, making Joe Burrow uncomfortable was already going to be a tough task. Without Perkins, it just got that much tougher.
Welcome to the show, Stripling.
RHAMONDRE STEVENSON
Personally, this is going to effect Oklahoma much more than Perkins.
Junior college transfer Rhamondre Stevenson was just starting to settle into Oklahoma’s system. He had 50 rushing yards on three carries against Oklahoma State two weeks ago before receiving his second-most carries of the season with eight for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Big 12 Championship win against Baylor.
Behind him is T.J. Pledger, who was hurt at one point this year before returning. Pledger has eight carries on the entire season for 62 yards.
That’s all Oklahoma has at the running back position with the status of true freshman Marcus Major uncertain after having surgery earlier in the year.
Stevenson was also a change of pace from the smooth, methodical running style of Brooks. The junior college transfer had a burst to match his physical running style that would have helped deal with the physicality and athleticism of LSU.
TREJAN BRIDGES
After coming to Oklahoma as a prized five-star receiver, Trejan Bridges’ career started off with position experiments on defense.
Bridges is behind Charleston Rambo and Jadon Haselwood on the depth chart at the Z-receiver position, but he also played the H-receiver position where Nick Basquine exclusively plays.
His absence could be felt if an injury or two takes place, but Bridges’ place on special teams can be filled.
Oklahoma and LSU play in the Peach Bowl against LSU in the College Football Playoff on Dec. 28 in Atlanta.
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