Spring Preview: Linebackers And Defensive Backs

March 9, 2003

Norman, Okla. - As Oklahoma prepares for the beginning of spring drills (Monday, March 10), it can do so secure in the knowledge that the team is particularly strong at linebacker and defensive back. Of course, that's not anything new. OU has had a Butkus finalist and a Thorpe semi-finalist (or higher) in each of the last three seasons.

* Linebackers

Players with starting experience at the position: Pasha Jackson, Teddy Lehman, Lance Mitchell.

How good were Oklahoma's linebackers last season? Teddy Lehman, a finalist for the Butkus Award, finished second on his own team in tackles ... to another OU linebacker, Lance Mitchell. Lehman was a first-team All-American. Mitchell earned Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors and probably deserved more.

When the Sooners employed a three-linebacker set, Pasha Jackson was outstanding. He presented an enthusiastic and physical presence.

Other players saw spot duty last season and those youngsters are an athletic and hard-hitting lot. Wayne Chambers, Russell Dennison and Clint Ingram will push hard. Also look for Rufus Alexander, a redshirt freshman, who received raves when the newcomers scrimmaged last fall.

* Defensive Backs Players with starting experience at the position: FS Brandon Everage, CB Derrick Strait, SS Eric Bassey, S Antonio Perkins, S Matt McCoy.

Free safety Brandon Everage and cornerback Derrick Strait both had six interceptions last season and both have been starters for two years. That alone would be enough to paint a bright picture. But that's a long way from the whole story.

Strong safety Eric Bassey, a starter in all 14 games last season, also returns.

Then there are players like Antonio Perkins, who can play every position in the secondary, and nickel back specialists Matt McCoy and Brandon Shelby.

Five players with extensive experience return along with a half-dozen or so talented youngsters who look forward to a competitive opportunity.

Everage, who will not practice this spring while recovering from an injury, and Strait appear to be set. A new corner must be found to replace the departed Andre Woolfolk. That player could be one of several. Perkins is a candidate, but Bassey could be, too. Those two rate as the fastest players on the team and appear to make sense in the corner role. Mid-year transfer Donte Nicholson, considered one of the top junior college safeties in the nation last season, will make a push at strong safety as could sophomore Brodney Pool.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Spring Preview: Linebackers And Defensive Backs

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors