Brent Venables has done a tremendous job reloading Oklahoma on the defensive side of the ball so far.
Versatile defensive asset Kendel Dolby announced via social media on Friday that he will return to the Sooners in 2025 for another season.
Pain is my fuel🧘🏾♂️ run it back ! pic.twitter.com/nIQ2sFlXyT
— KD (@kd_937) January 3, 2025
Dolby joined fellow defenders Robert Spears-Jennings and Damonic Williams who have announced they will return to OU for one last season instead of heading to the NFL. Sooner Nation is also still waiting on confirmation from defensive end R Mason Thomas about his future decisions.
Injuries plagued 2024 for Dolby, though, which is the main moment he empasized during his announcement video. Before suffering a season-ending injury Week 4 against Tennessee, Dolby had been starting at Venables' hybrid cheetah position, which combines the skills of a linebacker and defensive back.
Dolby had 10 tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry in just three games this season before the injury. He recorded 49 tackles, five TFLs, two sacks, four quarterback hurries and two interceptions during his first season at the Division-I level in 2023.
Appearing in only three games means Dolby should get a redshirt for 2024. Dolby's career also started at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, a junior college. Because of a new ruling from the NCAA, those two seasons also will not count against Dolby's Division-I eligibility.
The redshirt for 2024 is likely what gives Dolby eligibility for 2025 after four years in college already, but he could also have two more beyond that if he chooses. Already labeled a senior, that would technically give Dolby four senior seasons.