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Oklahoma football: Five reasons OU will win the Big 12 championship in their final year

By Brandon Self

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws a pass before a Bedlam game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws a pass before a Bedlam game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Defensive Line pressure and depth

LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: Defensive lineman R Mason Thomas #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners defends rushes against offensive lineman Caleb Rogers #76 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: Defensive lineman R Mason Thomas #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners defends rushes against offensive lineman Caleb Rogers #76 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

The Sooner’s defensive line will be the number one reason the Sooner football program does a U-turn. In 2023, the Sooners will create pressure with the front four, allowing them to defend the pass better and pressure quarterbacks into costly turnovers. Here’s why.

R Mason-Thomas has added a ton of weight and strength while maintaining his speed and even adding to his twitch. The second-year EDGE will contribute an immense amount of pressure this season. Junior EDGE Ethan Downs will eventually move inside to 3-tech and create a bunch of chaos inside. Downs is exceptionally athletic and a massive man. He will be able to beat guards one on one in pass-rush scenarios leading to… you guessed it… increased pressure. Freshman legend P.J. Adebawore will eventually be the EDGE starting opposite R Mason-Thomas, leading all freshmen in sacks. By all freshmen, I mean all freshmen in the nation. Trace Ford and Reggie Grimes will back them up.

Oklahoma’s Ethan Downs (40) during the University of Oklahoma’s annual spring football game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 23, 2022.cover main
Oklahoma’s Ethan Downs (40) during the University of Oklahoma’s annual spring football game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 23, 2022.cover main /

Inside, the Sooner’s defensive line has improved. Isaiah Coe returns along with Jonah Laulu inside. The transfer situation has drastically improved the interior of the defensive line. Incoming transfers Trace Ford, Jacob Lacey, Rondell Bothroyd, and Davon Sears will all see significant playing time in 2023. Bothroyd had the best Spring out of all the Sooner defensive tackles.
Derrick LeBlanc, Ashton Sanders, Marcus Stripling, Gracen Halton, and Jordan Kelley will also be viable options. The Sooners’ defensive line is deep, experienced, and powerful.

Keep one thing in mind concerning the defensive line. Currently, the Sooners lead with the top-2 defensive tackles in the nation for the recruiting class of 2024 in Williams Nwaneri and David Stone. They’re also predicted to land 3 other highly rated 4-star defensive tackles in Xadavien Sims, Nigel Smith, and Joseph Jonah-Ajonye. The traditional O-Line-U Oklahoma may eventually turn into D-Line-U also.

With increased pressure from the front four, the Sooners can utilize less complex looks in the defensive backfield and second level. This allows a higher advantage in coverage and more utilization of inexperienced youthful players. Two things build depth, which, as I previously mentioned, is an essential factor in late-season success.

Notre Dame defensive lineman Jacob Lacey (54) tries to get to California quarterback Jack Plummer (13) during the Notre Dame vs. California NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.Notre Dame Vs California
Notre Dame defensive lineman Jacob Lacey (54) tries to get to California quarterback Jack Plummer (13) during the Notre Dame vs. California NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.Notre Dame Vs California /

Starting D-Line: EDGE R Mason-Thomas – DT Davon Sears – DT Isaiah Coe – EDGE Ethan Downs

Backup D-Line: EDGE Trace Ford – DT Rondell Bothroyd – DT Jacob Lacey – EDGE P.J. Adebawore

Rotation: Gracen Halton, Jonah Laulu, Jordan Kelley, Marcus Stripling, Derrick LeBlanc, Reggie Grimes

Loaded.

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