Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Defensive class shows Grinch’s blueprint

By Christopher Dukes

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 28: Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch observers warm ups before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Red Raiders 55-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 28: Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch observers warm ups before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Red Raiders 55-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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Defensive line

The Sooners went the JUCO route for a pair of defensive tackles in Perrion Winfrey and Josh Ellison. Winfrey is not only the No. 1 junior college defensive tackle in the 2020 class according to 247 Sports, he’s the No. 1 junior college prospect overall as well. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Winfrey is the prototypical nose guard in the Grinch defense. He is fast off the ball and incredibly hard to block when shading between a guard and a center with long arms and strength to punch off blockers.

Ellsion is built similarly at 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds. The No. 2 junior college defensive tackle is also fast off the ball and strong enough to help in the run game. Grinch was lucky enough to inherit an NFL-type talent in Neville Gallimore, now he has brought in two guys ready to play right away that have all the tools to draw attention from the league as well.

Not to be forgotten, defensive end Noah Arinze is a St.. Louis Missouri product whit incredible length, standing over 6-foot-5. At 240 pounds he’ll be undersized for what some teams like to do on the line, but just right for what Grinch has planned.

The other defensive end Reggie Grimes has yet to sign, but the No. 2 player in the state of Tennessee is a top-100 prospect in the nation who could play in any system. At 6-foot-4 and 242 pounds, he’ll create a nightmare for guys lined up on the other side of him.

Overall: Alex Grinch’s current crop of defensive linemen are all 6-foot-3 and above, none weighing more than 305 pounds. The two ends are under 250 pounds. While they are probably going to put on some weight in a college offseason program, it certainly won’t come at the detriment to speed upfront. As we saw this year Grinch wants guys who can line up in gaps, stunt, slant and create havoc on bigger, slower offensive linemen.

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