2005 Spring Football - Defense Preview

NORMAN, Okla. -- Up front and in the linebacker corps, 2004 witnessed the emergence of a number of talented young players -- a good thing considering seven starters have since been lost to graduation or the professional ranks.

Several of those names were of the household variety, but there also were the likes of Rufus Alexander, Larry Birdine, Clint Ingram and Marcus Walker who were elbowing their way into the spotlight.

Much of the responsibility will fall on those who made their splash last season, while some newcomers and other youngsters get their shot at greater prominence.

2005 Spring Football Central | Outlook | Notes | Offense | Defense

View the defensive position previews from the 2005 Spring Football Media Guide below. The offensive position previews were posted on Tuesday.

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Defensive Line |   Photo Gallery
Returning players with starting experience: DE Larry Birdine, DT Dusty Dvoracek.

Oklahoma had a great set of bookends last season with Dan Cody and Jonathan Jackson. Athletic and experienced, they were among the best tandems in the land. They're gone now, but all is not lost at end. Larry Birdine, who drew one start in 2003, figures to step into one of those jobs. He played extensively last season and possesses a lot of the same qualities that made Cody and Jackson so effective.

The other end spot is less certain. Calvin Thibodeaux missed last season with a knee injury, but will likely be a candidate. The same can be said of junior Leanar Nixon, sophomores Alonzo Dotson and John Williams, redshirt freshman Alan Davis and mid-year junior college transfer C.J. AhYou, who spent the 2003 season playing at BYU.

On the interior, OU lost Lynn McGruder, but returns most of the rest of last season's four-man rotation, plus a former All-Big 12 player. Dusty Dvoracek was dismissed from the squad early in 2004, but has worked his way back and rejoined the team for winter conditioning. He will be an anchor in the middle.

Another returning starter is Carl Pendleton, who stepped in for Dvoracek last season. Others to watch include senior Remi Ayodele, who drew one start last season, and sophomore Steven Coleman along with redshirt freshman Cory Bennett.

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Linebackers |   Photo Gallery
Returning players with starting experience: Rufus Alexander, Clint Ingram.

Of the three who played the most, two are back in outside backers Rufus Alexander and Clint Ingram. Both saw the first extensive action of their respective careers last season and showed themselves to be fast and physical. Now, they're a year smarter, too.

Lance Mitchell is gone from the middle and that's a significant loss. The Sooners will look at alignment and candidates in the spring to see who fits best where. Two younger players on the rise are Zach Latimer and Demarrio Pleasant. Both run extremely well and pack a punch. Latimer was Mitchell's backup last season and he is capable of making a run at the job.

Another prospect is Lewis Baker, who redshirted last season after playing in a reserve role as a true freshman.

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Secondary |   Photo Gallery
Returning players with starting experience: CB Eric Bassey, CB Chijioke Onyenegecha, CB Marcus Walker.

There is little debate over the fact that the biggest questions loom in the secondary. Only true sophomore Marcus Wallker returns from the foursome that started the final four games of last season and he missed spring practice following shoulder surgery.

At cornerback, where OU must replace Antonio Perkins, the Sooners' roster includes Walker, who started the last three games last season, along with Eric Bassey and Chijioke Onyenegecha, both of whom had starts at the position in 2004.

Other corners include Jowahn Poteat and Darrien Williams.

The strong safety is another spot that will feature a new starter. Donte Nicholson had the job over the last two seasons. Candidates include Tony Cade, Jason Carter and Brett Bowers.

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Special Teams |   Photo Gallery
Returning players with starting experience: K Garrett Hartley, RS Jejuan Rankins, LS Jacob Rice, RS Travis Wilson.

It looked as though Oklahoma would introduce a new placekicker and punter in 2005. Then came the game No. 11 trip to Baylor. That was the game in which Garrett Hartley's redshirt was removed and the true freshman took over as the kicker.

He finished the season making all 12 of his extra points and his lone field goal attempt, and is now cemented in the position. Diminutive in stature, Hartley has a strong leg and a ball that rises quickly.

The punting job will have a new name, and that's saying something at Oklahoma. For the previous seven seasons, one of the Ferguson brothers (Jeff, 1998-2001) and Blake (2002-04) had the responsibility. With Blake's graduation, the heir apparent is sophomore Cody Freeby, a left-footed kicker who is yet to perform under game conditions for OU.

Most of those charged with returning punts and kickoffs last season must be replaced. Antonio Perkins had the punt return responsibility. When he was out due to injury, Mark Clayton was the replacement. On kickoff returns, Mark Bradley and Travis Wilson were the deep receivers.

Of those four players, only Wilson returns. Jejuan Rankins has prior experience as both a punt and kickoff returner and would be a logical fit. The spring will afford the coaches ample time to locate others.

The long-snapping job is safe in the hands of senior Jacob Rice. He has been as reliable in his role as any player on the team. A new holder must be located with Bradley's departure. Auditions for that position also will begin in the spring.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

2005 Spring Football - Defense Preview

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