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University of Oklahoma Athletics
2004 Season Preview: 2004 Defensive Backs
July 29, 2004 | Football
Defensive Backs
Players with starting experience at the position: Eric Bassey, Donte Nicholson, Brodney Pool, Antonio Perkins
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 was his same reckless self at free safety.
Donte Nicholson was the consensus Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year at strong safety, Brodney Pool was the team's leader in interceptions (7) and Antonio Perkins, perhaps best known for his punt returns, was steady as a 14-game starter at corner.
[ View OU Defensive Backs Photo Gallery ]
Nicholson, Pool and Perkins return, and while Strait and Everage will be missed, the defensive backfield is well stocked.
Eric Bassey started every game at strong safety in 2002. Last season he got one start at corner and spent the rest of the season in a backup role at that position. Jowahn Poteat also has experience at corner.
Nickel back Brandon Shelby, whose penchant for blocked kicks and sacks has made him extremely valuable, also returns.
From there, a lengthy list of others hope to snag their first extensive time on the field. At corner, candidates like sophomore Jason Carter and redshirt freshman Darien Williams could emerge. At safety, the same could be said for redshirt freshman Tony Cade.
Junior college transfer Chijioke Onyenegecha came in at semester and will likely be in the hunt for a starting job at cornerback.
Players with starting experience at the position: Eric Bassey, Donte Nicholson, Brodney Pool, Antonio Perkins
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 was his same reckless self at free safety.
Donte Nicholson was the consensus Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year at strong safety, Brodney Pool was the team's leader in interceptions (7) and Antonio Perkins, perhaps best known for his punt returns, was steady as a 14-game starter at corner.
[ View OU Defensive Backs Photo Gallery ]
Nicholson, Pool and Perkins return, and while Strait and Everage will be missed, the defensive backfield is well stocked.
Eric Bassey started every game at strong safety in 2002. Last season he got one start at corner and spent the rest of the season in a backup role at that position. Jowahn Poteat also has experience at corner.
Nickel back Brandon Shelby, whose penchant for blocked kicks and sacks has made him extremely valuable, also returns.
From there, a lengthy list of others hope to snag their first extensive time on the field. At corner, candidates like sophomore Jason Carter and redshirt freshman Darien Williams could emerge. At safety, the same could be said for redshirt freshman Tony Cade.
Junior college transfer Chijioke Onyenegecha came in at semester and will likely be in the hunt for a starting job at cornerback.
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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? |
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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... |
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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... |
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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... |
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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... |
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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... |
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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... |
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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... |
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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... |
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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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