While Oklahoma tries to show its season round, it’s turning into an increasing number of evident that recent faces might want to step up.
The Sooners have been capable of slowly acclimate proficient freshmen into the fold, however as a result of of accidents and the final course of the season, the youth takeover might be coming sooner fairly than later.
Three rapid names which have emerged in dialog and on the sector over the previous few weeks are Jaren Kanak, Kip Lewis and Robert Spears-Jennings. All three freshmen occur to be on the defensive aspect of the ball, the place the Sooners have struggled most, and every participant noticed the sector on Saturday in a 52-42 win over Kansas.
Injuries in each the linebacker and security rooms offered alternatives for the proficient kids, and after the win, extra possibilities for taking part in time will doubtless be in retailer.
“Next man up mentality,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. “You know, we’ve had a rotation at safety that we’re going to continue to do, and give guys opportunities. I see Robert Spears-Jennings doing some better things, he’s just a freshman and continues to get better. He’ll get more opportunities going forward. Again, we’re just a work in progress.”
For Spears-Jennings, it was his first take a look at prolonged, significant taking part in time of the season. Oklahoma’s secondary has clearly missed sophomore Billy Bowman, and the teaching workers has checked out just a few completely different choices with the protection spots. When Spears-Jennings’ quantity was referred to as Saturday, although, he delivered.
At 6-foot-1, 195 kilos, Spears-Jennings has severe closing pace and may cowl floor in a rush. If his ballhawk abilities are something like his physicality, he’s going to obtain just a few extra alternatives in the course of the second half of the season.
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Lewis and Kanak have each proven flashes this fall and appear to be choosing up an increasing number of recognition every week.
With Lewis, the teaching workers has raved about his instincts and pace, however knew he wanted a yr to get stronger within the weight room. Midseason enchancment and opportunistic positioning has vaulted Lewis to taking part in time, the place he’ll have an opportunity to make an affect the remainder of the season.
“Kip Lewis has grown rather a lot,” Roof said. “He’s a man that’s gotten higher. Jaren Kanak is a man who we predict has a extremely shiny future right here however he’s been taking part in Mike linebacker for 4 weeks now.”
“All the things that go into that, the learning, sometimes it’s by necessity. You’d like to be able to have a guy be able to take a year and learn the position, but that’s not where we are right now. He’s embraced that and is going to be a really good football player here before he’s done.”
Kanak’s breakout game against Nebraska allowed fans to see his talent early on, and has since left them questioning where he’s been on the field through Oklahoma’s struggles. After Roof’s explanation Saturday, it seems like Kanak is doing all the right things to learn his new position on the field.
“Like anything, making the transition from high school football to college football, there’s a big transition there,” Roof said. “Certainly going from outside ‘backer to inside ‘backer, there’s a transition that accompanies that as well. He is a kid that works extremely hard and is going to be a really good player here, sooner rather than later.”
Oklahoma’s younger expertise on the defensive aspect of the ball is abundantly clear. After displaying glimpses on the sector and in follow for consecutive weeks, the freshmen might be robust to maintain off the sector.
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