Who will step up alongside Danny Stutsman?

Oklahoma’s high three tacklers final season had been linebackers. Two of them have used up all of their eligibility so the Sooners will want to exchange that manufacturing.

Here’s a have a look at the linebacker state of affairs for the Sooners for the 2023 season:

Key returners: Danny Stutsman (junior, 6-4 240), Jaren Kanak (sophomore, 6-2 225), Justin Harrington (senior, 6-3 215)

Key losses: David Ugwoegbu (commencement), DaShaun White (USFL draft)

Newcomers: Dasan McCullough (Indiana)

Biggest unanswered query: Who shines after Stutsman?

Outside of Stutsman, there’s a drastic decline in confirmed expertise behind him.

Stutsman , led Oklahoma with 125 tackles to go together with 10.5 for loss and two interceptions in 2022.

Kanak cracked the lineup as a freshman, accumulating 24 tackles and a sort out for loss in 13 video games. Harrington collected 23 tackles, including an interception and two move deflections.

Why 2023 manufacturing might be higher: McCullough is without doubt one of the key items for Oklahoma’s linebacker corps.

The embellished sophomore was among the many greatest underclassmen within the Big Ten final season, racking up 49 tackles, 6.5 for loss and 4 sacks. Although he performed edge for the Hoosiers, it’s anticipated he’ll slide to SAM linebacker, with the quantity of depth the Sooners have already got on that aspect.

The unit is greater than a one-man group, however McCullough’s presence and stability of pace and block-shedding potential can turn out to be a singular combo nobody else within the group can do.

Why 2023 manufacturing might be worse: Ugwoegbu took a giant leap throughout his senior season, ending second on the crew in tackles with 109, to go together with 7.5 for loss and a few sacks.

He’s a giant loss for Oklahoma, particularly for a protection that gave up loads of yards final season. Although the additions to this group appear to outweigh the negatives, his manufacturing might be laborious to exchange.

That loss plus a while for brand spanking new gamers in new roles might trigger some early complications.

Overall outlook: In Year 2 beneath Brent Venables, defending the run will need to turn out to be a high precedence. He was recognized for producing elite defenses throughout his tenure at Clemson. With him and defensive coordinator Ted Roof, the linebackers ought to be a much bigger a part of the protection.

QB l RB l WR/TE l OL l DL l LB l DB l ST

Find extra OU protection from The Dallas Morning News right here.