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Oklahoma football: Breaking down the 2019 season depth chart

By Trenton Corn

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts after completing the catch for a touchdown in the fourth quarter 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts after completing the catch for a touchdown in the fourth quarter 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Defensive backs

With Tre Norwood out for the season, the already shaky secondary will have to learn to adapt without a player who started all 14 games for the Sooners last year. Here is how I see the secondary breaking down:

Cornerback depth chart

  1. Tre Brown (Jr.)
  2. Parnell Motley (Sr.)
  3. Jordan Parker (R-Jr.)
  4. Jaden Davis (Fr.)
  5. Woodi Washington (Fr.)
  6. Miguel Edwards (R-Fr.)

Brown and  Motley were OU’s leaders last year in pass breakups with 12, and 11, respectively. Parker’s shift back to being a corner after playing last year at safety is an intriguing story line. Parker played well his freshman year, in 2016, when he was on the field. He was out all of 2017 due to injury, and didn’t do much at safety last season. The Sooners are hoping they get the 2016 Jordan Parker this year. Highly ranked recruits, Davis and Washington will also get a chance to prove their worth this upcoming season.

Free safety depth chart

  1. Patrick Fields (So.)
  2. Robert Barnes (Jr.)
  3. Justin Broiles (R-So.)

Strong Safety depth chart

  1. Delarrin Turner-Yell (So.)
  2. Jeremiah Criddell (Fr.)
  3. Jamal Morris (Fr.)

Nickel back depth chart

  1. Brenden Radly-Hiles (So.)
  2. Chanse Sylvie (R-Jr.)

Coach Grinch has came out and said that Fields and Turner-Yell have separated themselves as the starters, but has also voiced his dissatisfaction in a way of the safety production in general, especially about the lack of depth behind the starters. Watch out for OU’s best defensive recruit, Jeremiah Criddell. He could end up taking Turner-Yell’s starting spot by season’s end.

With Tre Norwood’s injury, Radley-Hiles, who hasn’t lived up to expectations so far in his short Sooners’ career. Norwood moved over to nickelback as a fifth defensive back last season because of Radley-Hiles’ inconsistent play, so it’ll be interesting to see how he plays this season.

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