Oklahoma’s group of safeties confirmed promising flashes in 2022. Headlined by proficient children and skilled veterans, the again finish of the protection additionally skilled loads of inconsistencies in season one beneath Brent Venables.
The Sooners’ lack of depth appeared to be a obtrusive problem in Brandon Hall’s unit, because the secondary dropped off considerably when sophomore security Billy Bowman missed time with an harm.
2022 OU Report Cards:
- Wednesday, Jan. 4: Defensive Ends
- Thursday, Jan. 5: Offensive Line
- Friday, Jan. 6: Defensive Tackles
- Saturday, Jan. 7: Tight Ends
- Sunday, Jan. 8: Linebackers
- Monday, Jan. 9: Wide Receivers
- Tuesday, Jan. 10: Cornerbacks
- Wednesday, Jan. 11: Running Backs
- Thursday, Jan. 12: Safeties
- Friday, Jan. 13: Quarterbacks
- Saturday, Jan. 14: Special Teams
- Sunday, Jan. 15: Coaching Staff
Bowman went down throughout Oklahoma’s disastrous 55-24 loss to TCU, and proceeded to overlook the blowout loss in opposition to Texas and a slender win over Kansas the place the group allowed 42 factors. It’s clear that there have been communication miscues everywhere in the subject, leading to busted coverages.
After the nightmare stretch, although, the safeties helped climate the storm. Both Bowman and junior Key Lawrence are extremely regarded within the expertise division, and with consistency, might be two of the very best gamers on the group.
Bowman tallied 61 whole tackles and 37 solo takedowns over the course of his ultra-productive sophomore marketing campaign. The Denton, TX, product added each a compelled fumble plus a restoration and three interceptions.
Lawrence’s manufacturing was up from a season in the past, however he struggled to remain constant at instances. The junior recorded 57 whole tackles, two compelled fumbles and an interception. He was coping with nagging accidents all through the season and a full spring ought to give Lawrence time to get wholesome.
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Outside of these two, the Sooners had loads of expertise. Between the security and nickel spot, Oklahoma used veterans Justin Broiles and Trey Morrison. Broiles, a fifth yr senior, had a productive ultimate season in Norman, amassing a career-high 71 whole tackles and three tackles for loss. He’d been a veteran within the Sooners’ secondary since 2018.
Morrison transferred to Oklahoma from North Carolina, and added 34 tackles throughout his lone season as a Sooner.
Robert Spears-Jennings labored his manner up the depth chart and onto the sphere this fall, incomes taking part in time as a real freshman. He totaled 15 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss, displaying loads of pace and potential.
Overall, the place had potential, however by no means appeared to take the following step. The protection’s inconsistencies had been actually evident within the security room.
Grading the safeties:
- Hoover: C
- Chapman: C+
- Callaway: C
- Lovelace: C+
Both Broiles and Morrison graduated and declared for the NFL Draft, leaving the Sooners with loads of promising younger expertise in 2023. Bowman and Lawrence needs to be again to guide the group, and Spears-Jennings might be powerful to maintain off the sphere.
One of the prized possessions of Oklahoma’s 2023 recruiting class additionally simply so occurs to be a security. Peyton Bowen, a 5-star prospect, signed with the Sooners after loads of signing day drama, and he appears prone to compete for taking part in time immediately subsequent fall.
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