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University of Oklahoma Athletics
2005 Season Preview: Defensive Line
August 01, 2005 | Football
NORMAN, Okla. -- SoonerSports.com will preview the upcoming 2005 football season with a detailed series leading up to the start of preseason practices. The Sooners officially report on August 3 with the first practice slated for August 4. Player previews listed alphabetically:
Schedule | Roster | Tentative Preseason Depth Chart | Quick Facts
| 2005 Defensive Line Preview |
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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.
Defensive Line
Returning players with starting experience:
DE Larry Birdine, DT Dusty Dvoracek, DT Carl Pendleton.
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 nearly the same number of snaps as last season's starters and possesses a lot of the same qualities that made Cody and Jackson so effective.
2005 Oklahoma Defensive Line Photo Gallery
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. Ah You, who spent the 2001 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 missed most of last season, but 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, sophomore Steven Coleman and redshirt freshman Cory Bennett.
2005 OU Football Preseason Central | 
2005 OU Football Guide
Next Preview
SoonerSports.com will highlight the OU linebackers on Tuesday, August 2.
Previously Released
2005 OU Season Outlook
2005 OU Quarterbacks
2005 OU Running Backs
2005 OU Wide Receivers
2005 OU Tight Ends
2005 OU Offensive Line
Friday, July 10
Wednesday, July 08
Thursday, June 25
Monday, June 22
