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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Spring Preview: Linebackers & D-Line
March 18, 2006 | Football
NORMAN, Okla. -- The advent of spring in Oklahoma brings longer days, warmer temperatures and thunderstorms. March also returns the Sooners to the football practice fields.
OU begins spring practice on Monday, March 20. Over the next week, SoonerSports.com will review the 2005 campaign, break down the 2006 squad by position and offer a preview of the upcoming season.
Visit 2006 OU Spring Football Central for complete coverage including the daily practice schedule, updated roster and spring guide.
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OKLAHOMA DEFENSIVE LINE
It wasn't enough that Oklahoma lost defensive end Larry Birdine, projected by many as a first-team All-Big 12 player, to a torn biceps in August. The Sooners then lost one of their brightest prospects at the same position, John Williams, to a knee injury in the season opener.
The defensive end position was decimated, right? In numbers, maybe. In performance, no way, thanks to C.J. Ah You and Calvin Thibodeaux. Ah You was the consensus league defensive newcomer of the year, while Thibodeaux, who entered the campaign with two career sacks, logged a team-leading 10. Both are back along with Birdine and Williams, redshirt freshman Auston English and Alonzo Dotson, who sat out last season.
It is not out of line to suggest that Oklahoma's defensive end situation is as strong as any in the land.
The tackle position took a hit with the loss of Dvoracek, who logged 45 career tackles for loss, the fifth-best total in school history. With Dvoracek and part-time starter Remi Ayodele wrapping up their eligibility, two of the Sooners' four-man rotation was lost.
Three other players have game experience in Carl Pendleton, Cory Bennett and Steven Coleman. Pendleton has been a starter for most of his first two years in Norman and he continues to become more and more dominant. Bennett is a budding standout who appears poised for a breakout season. Coleman has been a steady reserve. His physical maturation is impressive and he figures to press for more playing time in 2006.
Newcomers and redshirts could play an important role. DeMarcus Granger, Cordero Moore and Brian Simmons redshirted last season and should be factors for OU. The August arrival of Gerald McCoy, the nation's No. 1 prospect at the position, also figures to make an impact.
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OKLAHOMA LINEBACKERS
The team's top tackler from a year ago, Rufus Alexander, resides here. He will hold down the weak side position and likely make a run at Oklahoma's fifth Butkus Award.
OU also returns its starter in the middle, Zach Latimer. He ranked second to Alexander in tackles for OU last season.
The lone loss among the starters was on the strong side in the person of Clint Ingram. Nicknamed the “ball magnet” by Stoops, Ingram led the team in interceptions last season.
The candidates to replace him and provide the depth at the other positions are many. Demarrio Pleasant started in Ingram's place last season at UCLA when the latter was slowed by an injury.
Curtis Lofton and Ryan Reynolds both played last season as true freshman and will play more prominent roles this time around.
Lofton and Reynolds were two thirds of a heralded recruiting class at the position. The other, Lamont Robinson, redshirted last season.
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2006 OU Spring Football Specifics
The Sooners begin spring practice on Monday, March 20. A complete schedule is available online. Unless otherwise noted, Oklahoma's spring practices are open to the public. Most will be held on the practice fields immediately south of Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and will begin around 3:30 p.m.
It should be noted that all of the times and dates are subject to change. Fans are encouraged to follow SoonerSports.com in the event that alterations are made to the schedule. For the latest information, please visit 2006 OU Spring Football Central.
The annual spring game is slated for Saturday, April 8, and will be televised live to the nation by ESPN. Advance tickets are available now from the OU Athletics Ticket Office.
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