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Oklahoma football: Which OU defenders could end up switching positions under Alex Grinch

By Christopher Dukes

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 10: Defensive back Brendan Radley-Hiles #44 of the Oklahoma Sooners gestures to the crowd before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 10: Defensive back Brendan Radley-Hiles #44 of the Oklahoma Sooners gestures to the crowd before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 02: Desmon White #10 of the TCU Horned Frogs runs the ball against Kenneth Murray #9 and Will Johnson #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second quarter during Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 02: Desmon White #10 of the TCU Horned Frogs runs the ball against Kenneth Murray #9 and Will Johnson #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second quarter during Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Kenneth Murray

After two years at the middle linebacker spot Kenneth Murray has been one of the bright spots on the Oklahoma defense. He was among the Big 12’s leaders in tackles.

Yet there are some who feel the 2017 Freshman All American could be even better at the will linebacker spot, reacting to plays and using his superior athleticism to create havoc for opposing offenses.

The graduation of Curtis Bolton could create a need for the Sooners at this position and Murray, who will be a junior in 2019, could be just the guy to fill it. If he were to move a trio of youngsters could replace him in the middle. Levi Draper, DeShaun White and Brian Asamoah all came in as highly-touted recruits and all three will likely push for playing time next season.

Caleb Kelly

One of the biggest Oklahoma defensive recruits of the past five years, Kelly came in as a five-star player and earned playing time immediately his true freshman year.

It’s hard to believe that next year will be the last for Kelly, who has flashed his massive potential several times over the years but never shown the consistency to become truly great. Last year he nearly redshirted, but in the end, found the field enough to make a difference and help spark the Sooners down the stretch.

Kelly will be a senior and most Sooner fans are rooting for this fan favorite to finally show the level of success expected when he arrived in Norman. The question is, how best do you use his talents? The 6-foot-3, 231-pound Kelly has the athleticism to play a lot of positions, but he could be tailor-made to fill Grinch’s outside linebacker hybrid position.

I’ve often wondered what would happen if you unleashed Kelly’s athleticism as an edge rusher. With the Sooners expected to be as deep as they have been in a long time at linebacker, maybe Grinch will find a place for him there.

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