Oklahoma football: What do latest injuries mean for OU?
Oklahoma football got some bad news yesterday when Lincoln Riley announced both Caleb Kelly and Jordan Kelly had suffered “lower leg injuries” and will miss the remainder of spring practice.
Riley didn’t set a timetable for the the return of either defender, though he didn’t rule out both players being able to contribute to the team next season.
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“I guess if there’s a silver lining it’s the timing of the injuries with them occurring five months before the season,” Lincoln Riley said in a press release. I know they’ll work their tails off to get back on the field as quickly as possible and we’ll be there every step of the way.”
The Sooners are still in the middle of installing a new defensive scheme under coordinator Alex Grinch. So what does this mean for the Sooners going forward?
Opportunity for young linebackers
DaShaun White is a name that has been bubbling around for Sooner fans in the know for quite some time. The true sophomore linebacker was already pushing for playing time in the middle behind two-year starter Kenneth Murray. He seems likely to be the first guy mentioned to slide over and take a crack at the newest opening in the Sooners’ linebacking corps.
White isn’t the only name to keep an eye on. Nic Bonitto, Brian Asamoah and Levi Draper have all been chomping at the bit to get a crack at some playing time and now might just get their shot. Ryan Jones got some starts last year, but struggled. He could use this as a chance for some redemption.
The Sooners are inexperienced at linebacker, but some great recruiting by Lincoln Riley and the previous defensive regime has left Oklahoma football with a talented group for new inside linebackers coach Brian Odom to work with. It will be up to the guys behind Kelly to close up ranks and move forward.