Oklahoma football: Who are Sooners’ 10 best players at midpoint of 2023 season?

Sep 1, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners cheerleaders hold up megaphones during the game against the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners cheerleaders hold up megaphones during the game against the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 7, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Ethan Downs (40) rushes on Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) during the game at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Ethan Downs (40) rushes on Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) during the game at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Junior defensive end Ethan Downs

One of the big reasons for Oklahoma’s vast improvement on defense has been the play of the defensive line, and Ethan Downs has been a giant contributor. Downs has started all six games this season and been on the field for 233 snaps. He has 17 total tackles and leads the team with 3.5 sacks, two of which came in OU’s five-sack game against Texas, which was Downs’ best game of the season. For the season, he has recorded five tackles for loss for 24 yards.