Oklahoma football: The Dasan McCullough effect – Through the portal and to the rescue

There has to come a time when we (coverers of Oklahoma football) will move on from the 2022 Sooner football season and never look back. I swear I’m trying to move on. But not today.

The 2022 Sooner defense was pretty bad, especially by Head Coach Brent Venables’s standards. Oklahoma ranked 122nd in total defense in 2022. The Sooners gave up 5993 total yards, 49 opponent touchdowns, and an average of 461 yards per game. The 2022 defense ranked behind schools like Old Dominion, North Texas, and even Alex Grinch’s USC.

What was the main reason? Sure, like all disasters, it was not a single event but a collection of smaller events. Blown coverage here, missed tackle there, you catch my drift. As I’ve thought about it, I wondered what most significant ‘event’ occurs that makes an offense stop. You can have a defense that tackles well, but it’s a moot point if they’re tackling defenders 40 yards downfield. They’re ineffective if your defense is good at covering receivers but can’t stop the run. Being a former offensive lineman myself, there is one thing you can be good at that will instantly improve your defense… QB pressure.

Teams who can pressure the quarterback are successful because they disrupt rhythm, timing, and the primary ball handler for an offense. Sacks are the icing on the cake. The real success is hidden in simply pressuring a quarterback to make off-balance throws and quick, poor decisions. I have a gut feeling the Sooners’ defensive coaching staff thinks the same as me… maybe great minds do think alike?

Think about it. Other than quarterbacks, what is the top-drafted and top-paid position in the NFL? An elite pass rusher. Growing up, we called them defensive ends, but that term reminds me of guys like Bruce Smith and J.J. Watt. These guys today are built differently. Today the hip and trending word are an ‘EDGE.’ So, the Sooners’ coaching staff decided to go and find them the best edge they could to come to Norman and rescue their defense. They found him in Bloomington, Indiana.

Dasan McCullough is a 6’5” – 222-pound unicorn from Bloomington, Indiana. He was a consensus 4-star prospect coming out of high school and the highest-rated player ever to sign with the Indiana Hoosiers football program. During his freshman year in Indiana, Dasan was selected as a freshman All-American after registering 49 total tackles, 39 solo tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. He also recorded 3 pass breakups and 3 quarterback hurries. Dasan ranked 1st among freshmen in pass rusher grades by PFF for the 2022 season.

Dasan McCullough’s 2022 Sacks

There were/are high expectations for Dasan McCullough. So far, he has exceeded those. This man is a physical specimen. His length and reach are unmatched. He’s quick and fast (yes, they’re different). Most of all, he is physical. Just watch:

In an interview with On3, Coach Venables was asked about Dasan’s progress this Spring. He replied that he was “incredibly pleased with the work, the buy-in, the humility, and the competitiveness of his play.”

247Sports ranked Dasan as ‘one of the top 11 transfer portal players generating buzz AFTER Spring practice’.

The Oklahoma defense looked better in the Spring game. Several additions to this year’s defense looked to prove their case for extended playing time next Fall. Freshman safety Peyton Bowen was impressive, as was transfer safety Reggie Pearson. The defense line looked much improved as well. However, Dasan McCullough brings Sooner Nation a refreshing feeling of a dominant defender. Not only is he enormous, but he’s freakishly athletic and astute on a football field. Dasan showcases a defensive instinct to be around the ball. You’ve heard those TV announcers say, “That kid seems to always be around the ball,” well, that’s Dasan.

I would say Dasan is the most important addition to the Sooners’ defense, maybe even the entire team, this offseason. Suppose Dasan can continue developing his technique and physical style of play. In that case, I see him making the All-Big 12 first team and possibly even an All-American team.

Cheetah(s)

Dasan will compete for the coveted and often misunderstood Brent Venables Cheetah position. His counterpart at the position will be Justin Harrington, another Sooner who’s displayed an impressive physical style and equally impressive Spring in 2023. Dasan will be asked to cover slot receivers, tackle inside the box on run plays, and pass rush. The Cheetah does it all, which is what Dasan’s game is all about.

Dasan McCullough

Justin Harrington

Officially Dasan’s here to fit in with the defensive scheme and contribute efficient production as part of the defensive unit. Unofficially he’s here to save the Sooners’ defense and, quite possibly, the Sooners’ 2023 season.