Sooners' Defense Could Be Best Yet

Aug 28, 2002

By OWEN CANFIELD
AP Sports Writer

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma's coaches have said this defense could be the best of the Bob Stoops era, and that's saying something.

Two years ago, the defense helped carry the Sooners to a national championship. Last year, Oklahoma went 11-2 with a unit that was ranked fourth nationally in total defense and fourth in points allowed.

The co-No. 1 Sooners lost two All-Americans from that group, safety Roy Williams and linebacker Rocky Calmus. But the defense that takes the field Friday night against Tulsa will be faster and deeper than any of Stoops' first three.

"We have said consistently that it has a chance to be (better)," he said. "Really good teams get better as the year goes on. Hopefully we'll do that. But you have to go out and prove it."

Losing Williams and Calmus won't help. Both had tremendous instincts that helped them make plays all over the field. Calmus received the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker; Williams won the Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back and the Nagurski Trophy as the country's top defensive player.

Williams' replacement at strong safety is Eric Bassey, a redshirt freshman. Listed No. 2 at the position is freshman Brodney Poole.

Replacing Calmus at weakside linebacker is junior Teddy Lehman, who started 12 games at middle linebacker last season.

They have plenty of help.

The secondary has eight players who have started at least once. Cornerback Derrick Strait is beginning his third year as a starter, and Andre Woolfolk is locked in at the other corner after spending the past two years splitting time between offense and defense. Co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said he feels Woolfolk could be among the best corners in the country.

"He possesses the most size, speed, change of direction of any corner we've ever had," Mike Stoops said. "He's just very, very blessed with a lot of great athletic ability."

The linebackers alongside Lehman are two former junior college teammates, Pasha Jackson and Lance Mitchell. They will have to learn as they go, but they will be assisted by a veteran defensive front.

Tackle Tommie Harris is just a sophomore, but his play last year showed he has the potential to become one of the best to play at Oklahoma. Jimmy Wilkerson is back at defensive end, where he led the team with 18 tackles for loss last season.

Bob Stoops has said tackle Kory Klein is one of the most underrated players on the team. The return of Dan Cody bolsters the other end spot, where sophomore Jonathan Jackson will be making his first start.

"That's as good a front four - really a front eight or nine because we've got a great rotation of guys to be able to put in there - as you'll see anywhere in the country," co-coordinator Brent Venables said.

Bob Stoops didn't flinch when it was suggested the defensive front could become the best Oklahoma has produced.

"If we can get anywhere near that, we're going to be awfully good," he said. "I think we have a chance to be that kind of defensive line."

A year ago, Tulsa coach Keith Burns watched his team get beat 58-0 by the Sooners. The Golden Hurricane totaled 297 yards but made just 11 first downs.

"Their defense has been the thing that's been the one constant," he said. "They've been good on offense, not to take away from that side of the ball. But their defense is outstanding."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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