Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Ranking the 10 most important Sooners for 2021

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 23: Safety Pat Fields #10, and offensive lineman Marcus Alexander #74 of the Oklahoma Sooners run onto the field for a game against the TCU Horned Frogs on November 23, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. OU held on to win 28-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 23: Safety Pat Fields #10, and offensive lineman Marcus Alexander #74 of the Oklahoma Sooners run onto the field for a game against the TCU Horned Frogs on November 23, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. OU held on to win 28-24. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA –  Bryan Mead #38 congratulates Jalen Redmond #31 of the Oklahoma Sooners after his sack of Dorian Thompson-Robinson #1 of the UCLA Bruins.  (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA –  Bryan Mead #38 congratulates Jalen Redmond #31 of the Oklahoma Sooners after his sack of Dorian Thompson-Robinson #1 of the UCLA Bruins.  (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 5 — Sophomore DL Jalen Redmond

Redmond opted out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns, but he returns in 2021 and will be a big addition to the Oklahoma defense. The redshirt-sophomore joins an OU defensive line that is the best in the Big 12 and one of the better ones in the country. Multiple experts consider the defensive line the strength of the Sooner defense this season because of the talent and depth at that position.

Redmond led the team in 2019 with 8.5 quarterback sacks and was third with 11.0 tackles for loss.

Oklahoma defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux told Ryan Chapman of Sports Illustrated.com that everyone around the program is excited about the level of play that Redmond can add to the defensive line.

The Sooners also have some flexibility on the defensive line because Redmond and Isaiah Thomas can line up at either defensive tackle or defensive end.

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