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Oklahoma football: Former four-star graduate DT Jacob Lacey intends to transfer from Notre Dame to OU

By Timothy Bailey

Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jacob Lacey (54) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jacob Lacey (54) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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While you and I were tearing into some turkey, maybe a little green bean casserole, the Oklahoma football coaching staff was working, and they brought in former four-star DT Jacob Lacey from Notre Dame. The graduate transfer Irishman is a nice get for the Sooners and will have two years of eligibility left. OU will need some help upfront as some guys are set to depart.

Who is Jacob Lacey?

Jacob Lacey is a 6-foot-two-inch 180-pound defensive tackle, who is a graduate transfer from Notre Dame. Originally a top 200 player out of high school in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The big man held offers from several top schools and chose Notre Dame over the likes of Clemson, Michigan, and Penn State. Lacey is a good player but being at 280 pounds he just did not fit the style of defense that Freeman liked to run. He was a rotational player who was productive, having two sacks in four games played this season.

Jacob made the difficult choice to redshirt and end his career with the Irish after four-game, though was supported in his decision by his head coach, this allowed Jacob to retain a year of eligibility.  With the covid extension, he has two left and already has a degree from Notre Dame.

Scouting

Lacey is a lean and explosive DT, he does a good job getting off blocks and gets penetration. He also has played at as high as 291 pounds and its certainly possible that will be the goal to put more on his frame for the OU staff. Lacey has great pursuit angles and gets to the ball carrier and puts them away. He flashes when he sees the field, but after being in a deep rotation, and dealing with injuries as a sophomore he hasn’t played as many snaps. But he makes the most of the ones he does get.

Impact and role at Oklahoma

There is a lot up in the air with some decisions to be made by Jordan Kelley, Isaiah Coe, and Jalen Redmond. Jeffrey Johnson will also be gone. So the Sooners will need more experienced bodies to play up front. While young players like Kelvin Gilliam, and Gracen Halton appear to have an inside track OU will need a rotational piece who can play a bunch of snaps, and that’s where Lacey comes in. It would not be completely surprising if he won the starting job in a four-down front. This was a solid start to the portal season for Oklahoma.

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