Completed Event: Football versus Illinois State on August 30, 2025 , Win , 35, to, 3
Final
Football
35
vs Illinois State
3
University of Oklahoma Athletics
'09 Position Preview: Linebackers
August 27, 2009 | Football
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NORMAN, Okla. -- Injuries forced OU to go deep into a thin linebacker corps last season.
The return of seven players along with a stellar signing class, helps to address the situation this season. The Sooners feature young depth and will be looking to sign another strong class when much of this group departs after the '09 season.
Still, the immediate prospects are improved.
Ryan Reynolds and Austin Box are both returning from season-ending injuries but are full-go with the season ready to kick off. Reynolds returns to hold down the middle position, but it's the depth behind that remains the question. Two players penciled in to back up Reynolds, senior Mike Balogun and freshman Tom Wort, have both had different developments with the NCAA and injuries, respectively, during preseason camp that may prohibit them from doing so.
On the strong side, Keenan Clayton is the returning starter. The former safety proved a valuable commodity as he worked in a nickel role in passing situations. Senior J.R. Bryant and redshirt freshman Daniel Franklin will battle for the right to back up Clayton.
On the weak side, All-America candidate Travis Lewis is back after setting the Oklahoma record for tackles by a freshman in 2008 with 144 takedowns.
The wildcard among the linebacking core is Box who has proven he is more than capable of servicing any of the starting linebacker positions. Box played in 10 games in 2008, four of which he started at middle linebacker.
Others to watch include freshmen Jaydan Bird, Gus Jones and Ronnell Lewis.
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