Oklahoma football: Spring practice opens for Sooners, new coach Brent Venables

The 2022 edition of Oklahoma football is back at it on the field — this time with a new head coach and coaching staff for the first time in five years — in preparation for another season

The Sooners had their first spring practice Tuesday afternoon, and the excitement and anticipation is boiling over for head coach Brent Venables and his newly assembled staff. For many, it was a long and curious wait to see the Sooners in action since the hiring of Venables.

Defensive coordinator Ted Roof addressed the media after the first spring practice:

"“It was great to finally get out on the practice field, to coach football and the details of it,” Roof said. “It was good after going through a great offseason program to get out there and watch them execute some today.”"

Along with defensive line coach Todd Bates and defensive ends coach Miguel Chavez, Roof followed Venables to Oklahoma from Clemson to be part of the elite staff that Venables has put together at OU.

Former Sooner players have been praising Venables ever since he arrived, especially after the first spring practice. Safety Key Lawrence had this to say about his new head coach:

"“I love that man,” Lawrence said. “I heard all the stereotypes like talking about saying you want to run through a wall for that man. But I really would. That’s how I feel everyone’s opinion is on him — nothing but praises for him.”"

As expected, UCF transfer Dillion Gabriel looked sharp in his first spring practice for the Sooners. The 5-foot, 11-inch, 205-pound gunslinger started 25 of 26 games in three seasons at UCF and completed 60.7% of his passes for 8,037 yards and 70 touchdowns. He also ran for 372 yards and eight touchdowns.

Redshirt Junior Jalen Redmond has been through many ups and downs during his time at Oklahoma, but he’s grateful and excited to come back and be part of Venables’ defensive scheme.

"“I feel good,” Redmond said. “I feel healthy. I feel I’m ready to get this thing going and I’ve been here for a minute. And man, went through the ups and downs. … I’m glad to be back.”"

Redmond was credited with 19 tackles for the Sooners in 2021, along with eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, which ranked fourth on the team. The Oklahoma native is one of the key defensive lineman to keep an eye on 2022, just based on what assistant coach Bates has done with defensive lineman during his time at Clemson.

Its an exciting time in Norman, Oklahoma, and its hard to not ignore the anticipation of Brent Venables, and what all he will accomplish during his time at Oklahoma.

"“And as we all know, we all fight [against] accountability as people, as adults in our own worlds. But we all know we need it to be successful, to sustain, to have longevity, to do anything successfully,” Venables said."

The Sooners will continue to battle it out in practice, until the spring game, which is set for April 23 at 3 p.m. After the spring game, the Sooners will give a special dedication to former quarterback Baker Mayfield, unveiling his long-awaited bronze statue in Heisman Park on the east side of the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memoral Stadium.