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March 27, 2013 | Spring Football Central | Football Notebook | Roster | Twitter

Interior Designs

Chuka Ndulue has spent the majority of the past two seasons working at defensive end. The redshirt junior from Dallas, Texas, saw duty in all 13 games a year ago, starting 10 contests. He produced 45 tackles (23 solo), while leading the squad with 5.0 sacks and tying for the team lead with 6.0 tackles for loss. This spring, he's also taking snaps on the interior of the Sooners' defensive line, working under new defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery.

For Ndulue, the transition to Montgomery has been a positive one through the first part of spring ball. The energy and enthusiasm of this new addition to the OU coaching staff is apparent, and it rubs off on the players.

"I like him a lot," Ndulue said. "He's an energetic guy and wants us to succeed. I just like that he's a (former) d-linemen, first of all. He's played the position and he's always fired up. He's always jumping around. I like that a lot."

Similarly, the transition to the interior of the defensive line has reinvigorated Ndulue, as well.

"It's cool, I like it a lot," Ndulue said of working on the interior of the Sooners' defensive line. "It's the big boys game, you basically get down, get low and just attack. I like that a lot, I'm trying to get to Jordan Phillips' level, at 324. At 260, so I'm kind of struggling, but when I get under them (offensive linemen), it's pretty fun."

Every day, Montgomery and his charges are getting more comfortable with one another.

"It all goes back to relationships," Montgomery said. "When the kids know that you care about them they're going to give you everything you want, and you can coach them as hard as you want. If we can get them to play at a higher level then we're going to be successful."

New positions, new techniques, new players and new energy are all part of the Sooners' defensive line in 2013. No doubt, Montgomery and Ndulue are two of the ringleaders in that effort to bring a fresh approach to the OU defense this spring.

Happy End-ings

There is no shortage of contenders for playing time at defensive end for the Sooners this season. While there is plenty of talent at that position, there isn't a plethora of experience. Junior Geneo Grissom took some quality snaps last season, while former linebacker Rashod Favors also has seen the field in situational duty. P.L. Lindley saw action in seven games in 2012, while Charles Tapper played in five games as a true freshman in 2012 and Mike Onuoha played in four games last season. Meanwhile, Chaz Nelson is looking to get on the field for the Sooners this season. He redshirted a year ago after playing at Garden City Community College.

A key for new defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery is consistency in spring camp. Everyone has to come together and play well every day.

"We've got to be more consistent," Montgomery said. "Torrea (Peterson) is doing a good job. Chuka (Ndulue) is doing a good job. Actually, Rashod Favors is doing a good job. Each day is a new adventure. A lot of those guys don't have many snaps under their belts. They're learning. They're learning how to play blocks. Those guys I mentioned are doing a good job, and then Jordan Wade does some good things, too."

Consistency will come with more reps. Getting as many snaps as possible for as many players as possible has been one of the goals for head coach Bob Stoops and company this spring.

"I feel like as a D-Line this year we are more of a unit," Grissom said. "This year we are all pretty close to the same age whereas last year they were two years older than the oldest guys now. Now we are all at least a year apart and we have been here long enough to know each other and know each other's' tendencies a lot better. So I feel like that will work to our advantage"

Despite the lack of game experience, everyone will have to step up and play if they want to spend time on the field on Saturdays. Montgomery has seen good things from Onuoha and Tapper, but in typical coaching fashion, he's far from satisfied.

"Flashes," Montgomery said of the progress he's seen from Onuoha and Tapper this spring. "We've got to get them to play every down. This is big boy football, and that's part of it. They're learning what it takes to be a Big 12 athlete on every snap, so there are snaps when they look really good and there are snaps when they just look like freshman."

The key for everyone on the defensive line will be to play like veterans, even if they aren't.

Chuka's "New Friends"

With Ndulue seeing duty on the interior of the OU defensive front, he's been working closely with the likes of Torrea Peterson and Jordan Phillips. Phillips is a huge presence at 6-6, 324, so it's hard to believe that in addition to his abilities on the defensive front, he was actually a multi-purpose performer at Circle High School in Towanda, Kan. Phillips recorded 17 catches for 400 yards and four TDs playing (tight end?). In addition to scoring two rushing TDs, he also boasted a 36.9-yard punting average as a prep senior.

Despite his skills at other positions, Phillips is focused on getting better on the defensive line.

"I feel like the way things are going I think I can move into a leadership role and be a big force on the defensive line next year," Phillips said about how the spring is going for him. "I'm trying to get into better shape, transitioning from being more of an attack player to a tackle player."

Speaking of big bodies, 6-4, 306-poiunt redshirt freshman Jordan Wade is in the mix to see his first duty on the field this season, as well. A high school teammate of current OU defensive end P.L. Lindley at Stony Point High School in Round Rock, Texas, Ndulue has been impressed with Wade's progress this spring.

Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops has liked what he has seen from the defensive line this spring under Montgomery.

"Jordan Phillips has played well," Stoops said. "So has Torrea Peterson. We're starting to gain ground there. Geneo Grissom is a guy who has to grow. He has all the physical elements that you like in a defensive end. Charles Tapper has really come along and played well. They're all getting better every time we step on the field, and I think you'll see a good growth spurt between the time we end spring and the time we get back in the fall."

The spring is for growth and getting better - young players gaining experience and veterans honing their skills. It's a chance for everyone to get on the same page and learn together. When it comes time for fall, it's time to hit the ground running, or, in the case of the defensive line, it's time to attack an offense not wearing crimson.

WEDNESDAY'S PRACTICE
The Sooners practiced outside for the third time this spring and sixth time overall. Here's the latest:

Photo Gallery (52 photos)
Video

  Spring Practice Report No. 6
  Mic'd Up: Coach Montgomery
  DL Chuka Ndulue Interview
  Sooner Sound Bytes
  Mike Stoops with the Media
  Post-Practice Quotes

INSTAGRAM P.O.T.D.
As the Sooners work toward the goal of another national championship, reminders are never far from the tradition at OU. Check us out on Instagram at @ou_football:

WEDNESDAY NOTEBOOK
The parade of national media types continued on Wednesday, when Jeremy Fowler of CBS Sports visited Norman, catching up with head coach Bob Stoops, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops and senior cornerback Aaron Colvin.
Members of the Buffalo Bills were in town on Monday working out QB Landry Jones. Private workouts with draft prospects must take place in the player's hometown or on their college campus.

A LOOK AT THE DL
RS Jr. Rashod Favors | Bio
Played in 10 career games, including nine last season, with 10 tackles and 1.5 TFL in his career.

RS Jr. Chuka Ndulue | Bio
Played in 13 games with 10 starts in 2013, totaling 45 tackles.
Led the Sooners with 5.0 sacks and tied for the team lead with 6.0 TFL.

So. Mike Onuoha | Bio
Played in four games as a freshman in 2012, totaling four tackles on the year.

RS Jr. Geneo Grissom | Bio
Totaled four tackles in 12 games last season.
Has also seen time at TE.

RS So. Jordan Phillips | Bio
Played in 11 games as a redshirt freshman last season.
Had 12 tackles on the year.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Stay in tune and go behind-the-scenes with Oklahoma football via our primary social media platforms on Twitter and Instagram:

Twitter: @OU_Football
Instagram: @OU_Football

SPRING CENTRAL
Track all of our spring football content from analysis to video and photos in Spring Football Central, as well as a practice schedule:

Spring Central | Schedule

QUOTABLE

Coach Mike Stoops
"I think we're younger, but I think we're more comfortable in who we are. It's a weird feeling, and we have a ways to go, but I think we're developing an identity as we move through spring and as we move into the fall, but I think our players are getting more comfortable with what we're doing, and it's a good group. I feel that we're closer and stronger than we were at times last year."

Senior CB Aaron Colvin
"Every year I'm trying to focus on getting better. The goals that I've set for myself, I'm going to have to get better to accomplish those, so my goal is to push myself to another level and the coaches and the players have done a good job of pushing me as well. I'm just trying to get better. I'm trying to focus on the little things more. If I do the little things the great things will come as well."

Players Mentioned

Aaron Colvin

Rashod Favors

Geneo Grissom

P.L. Lindley

Chuka Ndulue

Chaz Nelson

Torrea Peterson

Jordan Phillips

Charles Tapper

Jordan Wade

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