As the Oklahoma Sooners surge in the month of November, plenty of praise has come their way. When discussing this on CBS Sports HQ, the 247Sports Network's director of scouting Barton Simmons acknowledged that a Lincoln Riley-led unit will naturally receive plenty of the recognition. However, there's more to it.
"One of the keys here to this Oklahoma team, cause we're going to talk about what everyone does including myself, the way things have turned offensively," Simmons said. "With guys like true freshman Marvin Mims and Spencer Rattler at the quarterback position and Rhamondre Stevenson's return at running back."
The 'more to it', though, is on the other side of the ball.
"Really, I think if you want to find the key here to why they look so good right now, it's defense." Simmons said.
"Specifically, defensive line," Simmons continued. "Ronnie Perkins returned, he's been awesome. But, the development of guys like Perrion Winfrey who's a first-year JUCO transfer. Kori Roberson, who's a guy that was a redshirt last year and is stepping-in and really emerging this year."
Simmons wants fans to know this is a trend that shouldn't be ignored. For so long, it's always been a question of OU's defense matchup-up with the offense. Now that pieces on the roster are taking the right steps,
"I think that's critical," Simmons said. "Again, there's a lot of youth at the skill positions, a lot of youth at quarterback, a lot of youth at offensive line. The offense is going to be great, but what's more exciting about the trajectory of Oklahoma right now is what's coming back on the defensive side of the ball... Some of those guys I just mentioned are probably going to be back next year, maybe not a guy like Ronnie Perkins. But, some of the others I would expect back on that defensive front. Then, you've got some of the names coming-in."
Those names, some familiar some new, will ultimately provide a boost.
"Jalen Redmond, maybe their most talented defensive player, he opted-out this year," Simmons said. "We expect to see him back next year. You've got guys in this 2021 recruiting cycle that are really talented players. You see Clayton Smith, you see Kelvin Gilliam, Jordan Mukes who's a safety/cornerback prospect that's outstanding. Danny Stutsman out of Florida who's one of the more athletic linebackers in the country. This is a really good Oklahoma recruiting class on the defensive side of the ball."
Currently, Oklahoma's recruiting class has the fourth-best average ranking per-recruit in the nation. It trails just Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia in that category. With the Sooners' 2021 group holding nine of the 15 commits on the defensive side, that's noteworthy to say the least.
"I think to see that, to see that improvement, to see that advancement, suddenly you're starting to feel a little bit better about the way things look under Alex Grinch," Simmons said. "The defensive coordinator, and potentially, the complete body of work that this team can put together in the future."
Right now, there arguably isn't a hotter team in the country that Oklahoma. While the Sooners are hoping for a shot at another College Football Playoff appearance, Simmons believes 2020 won't define the program. He sees the Sooners headed for sustained success, especially with the OU defense headed in the right direction.
"Hey, whether they got a shot at the playoffs this year or not, I think they're giving indications that they're a scary team the rest of 2020 and well beyond that."
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November 25, 2020 at 12:18PM
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Barton Simmons: OU's defensive trajectory is exciting - 247Sports
"exciting" - Google News
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