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Oklahoma football: Summer arrival profile – Ty DeArman

By Christopher Dukes

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: The Oklahoma Sooners run onto the field prior to the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: The Oklahoma Sooners run onto the field prior to the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma’s 2019 recruiting class got a late addition when Ty DeArman defected from his previous commitment to Arizona State to sign with The Sooners on national early signing day. 

Though he was late to the party, Ty DeArman looks like a guy who can bring something to the table for the Sooners, possibly early on in his playing career.

The 6-foot, 190-pound athlete projects to play in the Sooners defensive backfield, possibly at safety, though he has the physicality and athleticism to potentially morph into a nickel-linebacker hybrid who plays close to the line of scrimmage with some work in the weight room.

To add to that, Ty DeArman has some skills at the receiver position as well where he racked up 990 yards last year as a senior at Arlington Bowie, though it seems unlikely he would be able to break into the starting lineup in what will be a hyper-competitive receiver room for the next few years.

What does he bring to the table

Watching DeArman’s tape it’s hard not to like the kid. He’s not a physical specimen like some of the other guys in the class, but he has great instincts and plays with a lot of hustle.

DeArman played some linebacker in high school and you can tell it, even when he’s lined up at safety. He gets downhill – and perhaps the most welcome news for any Oklahoma fan reading this – he TACKLES. DeArman is a sure tackler who uses both arms to wrap up ball carriers. He finishes plays and goes to the whistle.

In coverage DeArman possesses some catch-up speed to go with his instincts as a safety. He competes for the ball when it’s in the air and seems to find himself in the right spot on a regular occasion.

Where he fits in

The Sooners are thin in the secondary going into the season. It’s something that Alex Grinch has brought up on numerous occasions.

Though Grinch does seem to like his two spring starting safeties in Delarrin Turner-Yell and Patrick Fields, there’s still a chance to compete for playing time, possibly as a nickel thanks to his hybrid skill set.

On paper and on film it appears that a high-motor guy like DeArman would fit in with Grinch’s “effort-based defense”, but there is still the issue of being a leftover from the previous regime. DeArman is a Kerry Cooks recruit and before that a Mike Stoops guy.

Does that set Ty DeArman back? No more than any other player on the roster at this point. Everyone on the defensive roster is a Mike Stoops guy right now. Still, it will be interesting to see what Grinch does with him and where he ends up.

If the Sooners don’t mind burning a redshirt Ty DeArman seems like a sure-fire candidate for some role on special teams should he take some time to develop physically and mentally in his freshman year.

Next. Oklahoma softball: Five reasons OU will win a 5th national championship. dark

He does have some experience in the return game should Oklahoma decide to go that route.

About this series

We are taking a look at every Oklahoma football summer enrollee from the 2019 class. In this series we will examine each player’s high school/junior college achievements, what they bring to the table for the Sooners and where they fit in to the big picture in the 2019 season.

Previous spotlighted players include:

Rhamondre Stevenson – Running back

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