Oklahoma football: Defensive line will survive without Ronnie Perkins
By John Makuch
Editor’s note: This is the fifth is a series of articles examining each of the position groups looking ahead to the 2021 Oklahoma football season.
So, where does this Oklahoma defensive line go this coming season after Ronnie Perkins is gone?
Right back to successful ways. Defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux has been a great recruiter for OU’s defensive line, and this year’s squad has some depth to it.
When a team like Oklahoma loses a star player at any position, there is always someone waiting in the wings for an opportunity to show what he can do. The only real question is; Who will that be?
Losing a guy like Perkins, who is probably going to be a late first- or second-rounder in the upcoming NFL Draft is not just something to easily shrug off. But there is talent here at OU.
With returning players that were seen in action last year and others who may be new or missed some time, it is going to take a whole team effort to create plenty of pressure on high-powered Big 12 offenses.
Oklahoma has plenty of talent returning for the 2021 season
Defensive lineman Jalen Redmond stands out as someone who could surprise a lot of people this season. After opting out last season, he has plenty to prove and should be hungry heading into his redshirt- sophomore season.
The former four-star recruit has been itching to hit the field again after leading the team in sacks in 2019. He played in 13 of OU’s 14 games in 2019, including four starts, and should see plenty of action in his return in 2021.
Senior LaRon Stokes will also look to get plenty of playing time on the defensive line in the coming season. Stokes made five starts last season.
Senior Perrion Winfrey, a junior-college transfer a year ago, has an outstanding 2020 season, and he elected to forgo the NFL Draft and return for his senior season. With the bright lights and eyes of NFL scouts and GMson him, he will also be hungry for success and to show what he can do in a second season on the OU defensive line.
He did not put up the numbers he may have wanted, but Winfrey’s big body at the nose guard position resulted in three pass breakups and six tackles for loss. He opened up holes for Perkins last season and he will do the same for Redmond in 2021.
Redshirt-senior Isaiah Thomas is going to be the replacement for Perkins on the outside. He has the potential to step up as a true game-wrecker like Perkins was last season coming off the edge for this defense.
Thomas’ numbers last season were among the best on Alex Grinch’s defensive unit: 33 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 quarterback sacks and eight quarterback hurries. He also was credited with two fumble recoveries.
Junior Marcus Stripling will also give the Sooners positive production from the edge as the big bodies on the inside open up the outside guys to get after the quarterback and bust open the run game.
The defensive line depth is outstanding, especially in an offense-powered Big 12
Especially on this interior defensive line, Oklahoma has great depth for Alex Grinch to develop for this year and beyond.
Sophomore Reggie Grimes will most likely end up moving up the depth chart and get a good look this season for when Winfrey leaves after next season.
Redshirt-junior Jordan Kelly is another big body to put on the interior of this defensive line, especially when you consider that stopping the run is so important in the Big 12. Having depth on the inside will work wonders for clogging up lanes for some of the star running backs in this conference.
Another redshirt-sophomore, Kori Roberson at 6-foot, 4 inches, 298 pounds, will grow and develop into a monster looking ahead to the 2022 season, but his impact this season will be felt as well.
If one guy goes down on the defensive line due to injury or some other reason, it’s a good feeling knowing that there is good depth available to step when needed and also provide rotational relief.
So what are the expectations for next season from the front line of the improving Oklahoma defense? The Sooners should have one of the better defensive lines in the Big 12 as the defensive unit improves as a whole. Depth is so important in making the D-line complete, and this team has it and then some.
Oklahoma is going to have a much easier time against the run in the coming season than the pass, but the pass rush is still good enough to cause all kinds of havoc. The more consistent the Sooners are at getting pressure from the pass rush, the less trouble is created on the back end in coverage.
The Sooners should have a top-25 defense nationally this season, and the defensive line performance is going to be a big part of that.