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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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Linebacker

The lightest in numbers so far in the 2020 class, the Sooners don’t have a ton of attrition expected at the position with departing seniors (unless Kenneth Murray decides to bolt for the NFL) and a lot of young talent still being developed.

Oklahoma Sooners Football
Oklahoma Sooners Football /

Oklahoma Sooners Football

Some could argue linebacker was the most ready-made position for Grinch’s vision when he arrived on campus as the Sooners have been recruiting faster players at the position to match up with Big 12 defenses for the past few years.

Inside linebacker Shane Whitter is 6-foot and 222 pounds, certainly a little smaller than some a guy like Kenneth Murray, but we shouldn’t forget that Murray is a freak athlete for his size. Whitter is a downhill guy who plays bigger than he looks. He’s slippery and hard for guards and tackles come to the second level and reach as well. Plus, he’s got pass-rushing skills – an essintial skill for any Grinch linebacker with as much as the Sooners will blitz him.

On the outside, Brynden Walker is an underrated in-state product. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds he looks to be built perfectly for the hybrid linebacker-end spot on one end of Grinch’s defense.

Overall: As we said, this is probably the least dramatic change for the Sooners when it comes to measurables, but we still see what Grinch and linebackers coach Brian Odom want to do at the position for the future – get faster and more versatile.

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