Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: The state of the program

By Christopher Dukes

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 25: Head Coach Lincoln Riley of Oklahoma Sooners during warm ups before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated West Virginia 59-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 25: Head Coach Lincoln Riley of Oklahoma Sooners during warm ups before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated West Virginia 59-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball in the defense of Robert Barnes #20 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the College Football Playoff Semifinal against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 29: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball in the defense of Robert Barnes #20 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the College Football Playoff Semifinal against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

On defense 10 starters return after one of the worst statistical seasons in program history. While the coaching uncertainty most definitely played a part in Oklahoma football’s woes on that side of the ball, a new defensive coordinator won’t be some magical fix for a group in desperate need of a culture change after last season.

Up front, it’s now or never for Neville Gallimore. The uber-talented nose tackle has flashed his massive potential for three seasons now, but never put it all together to become the dominant force he is capable of being. It’s a similar case for Kenneth Mann, who has made some of the biggest plays on the Oklahoma defense in the past two years but has yet to become that the all-conference player he is capable of becoming. Ronnie Perkins will challenge for a starting spot up front going into 2019. He came on strong as a true freshman after injuries forced him into a linebacker-lineman hybrid position.

He’ll likely move inside going into this year where he’ll be quicker than pretty much anyone he lines up against. Isaiah Thomas played some last year. He could very well carve out more time on the field entering his redshirt sophomore season.

Tyreece Lott is another young lineman who might be on the verge of a breakout.

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