2004 Season Preview: Linebackers

Linebackers
Players with starting experience at the position: Gayron Allen, Wayne Chambers, Lance Mitchell

If there is such a thing as a blessing in disguise, the blessing's name is Lance Mitchell. OU's physically imposing middle linebacker went down with a torn ACL in the third game of the 2003 season. The unfortunate mishap occurred early enough that Mitchell was able to claim a medical redshirt. The void forced OU to get a pair of younger players on the field for the balance of the season.

Now, in 2004, when it was anticipated that OU would return no starters at linebacker, the Sooners, in fact, return three - Mitchell and the two who played in his stead, Gayron Allen and Wayne Chambers. The silver lining to that gray day last September may reveal itself early in this season.

[ View OU Linebackers Photo Gallery ]

Chambers started five games after Mitchell went down then was slowed by an injury himself. Allen stepped in and started the last five games. With Mitchell back, OU's staff will have to determine how to slot Allen and Chambers.

Gone is Butkus award winner Teddy Lehman, a lynch pin in OU's success over the previous three seasons. Likewise, Oklahoma will have to do without Pasha Jackson, a starter on the strong side for the last two years.

On the strong side, hard-hitting Clint Ingram and talented redshirt freshman Demarrio Pleasant will vie for time. In the middle, it's Mitchell, Chambers and Zach Latimer, a converted defensive end whose spring performance vaulted him squarely into the mainstream at the position.

The weakside spot will feature Allen, sophomore Lewis Baker, who saw action last season as a true freshman, and Rufus Alexander, who missed part of last season with a knee injury.

Russell Dennison, the kamikaze member of the Sooner special teams, is another player who will push for time.

	Quarterbacks Stories don't come much better than that of Jason White. Two reconstructive knee surgeries and a Heisman Trophy all in the span of three years is the stuff of legend. And now a curtain call?
	Running Backs Two years ago, Kejuan Jones was OU's short-yardage back. Last season, while sharing time with Renaldo Works, he evolved into a more typical role. Works' graduation leaves Jones...
	Receivers Speed, elusiveness, strength ... they all reside at Oklahoma's receiver position. In fact, the only commodity that may be in better supply is experience. The Sooner receiving corps will be a strength...
	Tight Ends This coaching staff has produced three players who are now tight ends on NFL rosters. Their appreciation for the position is well-documented. The productivity dropped somewhat last year as...
	Offensive Line All five starters return. Three of the five have been starters for three seasons and all five have been starters for all or part of two seasons. The group owns 133 combined starting assignments...
	Defensive Line Dusty Dvoracek is not the biggest defensive tackle in college football, but few are better at getting from point A to point B. And point B is usually in the opposing backfield. Dvoracek is a playmaker...
	Defensive Ends The unvarnished truth is that the defensive end position will likely be one of the strongest on the team. Dan Cody and Jonathan Jackson have played in a combined 70 games at Oklahoma...
	Linebackers If there is such a thing as a blessing in disguise, the blessing's name is Lance Mitchell. OU's physically imposing middle linebacker went down with a torn ACL in the third game of the 2003 season...
	Secondary It took a mighty big spotlight to capture Oklahoma's secondary last season. Cornerback Derrick Strait was nailing down the Nagurski and Thorpe Awards, while former All-American Brandon Everage...
	Special Teams With the exception of holder Matt McCoy, anyone who handled the ball on Oklahoma's special teams last season is back. Replacements for McCoy's job will be auditioned. Otherwise, it's the same cast...

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