2018 Position Preview: Defensive Line

NORMAN — Oklahoma is counting on seven returners plus a talented group of freshmen to do big things as part of the 2018 defensive line. The group may be one of the most athletic defensive line units the Sooners have fielded in recent memory.

OU returns a wealth of experience on the interior, led by senior Marquise Overton, who played in all 14 games last year and started the final seven contests. A 6-1, 315-pound wide body, Overton showcased his ability as a run stopper in 2017 and led OU's returning linemen with 43 tackles.

Also competing for a starting inside spot is redshirt junior Neville Gallimore (6-2, 330). Gallimore has shown flashes of his playmaking ability during his first two seasons on the field for the Sooners and is one of the most athletic and versatile pieces along OU's defensive line. The Ontario, Canada, native recorded 28 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack last season, and seems primed for improved production in 2018.

Redshirt junior Dillon Faamatau (6-3, 319) joined the program as a junior college transfer last season and provides the Sooners with a physical run-stopping presence in the middle. He collected 10 tackles in limited action in 2017, but figures to play a more prominent role in the Sooners' rotation this season. Converted linebacker Arthur McGinnis (6-1, 265) has been in OU's system for three years and also hopes to see more game action.

At defensive end, redshirt junior Kenneth Mann appeared in 13 games last season and delivered when his number was called. Mann ranked second on the squad with 5.0 sacks a year ago and finished with six tackles for loss and two forced fumbles on the edge. At 6-3 and 264 pounds, Mann's combination of size and speed has presented problems for opposing linemen.

"Anytime you can have big bodies who are athletic and get off blocks, you're excited about it."
— Calvin Thibodeaux

Defensive ends coach Calvin Thibodeaux praised the Burleson, Texas, product for his willingness to learn each positon along OU's defensive line during his career and applauded his mentality. Those traits will allow Mann to have an expanded role this year.

"I'm really proud of (Kenneth)," said Thibodeaux. "He's a guy who has really developed over time. He's taken the coaching and been one of the guys who has been very dependable. He's been able to play some head-up positions and he's been able to play on the edge. When you're able to do those things, you give yourself a good chance to have a big role on the defense. That's what he's done. He's worked his way up. You look up and he had five sacks last year. He just kept working and we found a role for him. Very similar to (2017 senior) D.J. (Ward), but he's actually a little bigger."

Amani Bledsoe (6-5, 287) and Tyreece Lott (6-2, 301) are both athletic big guys who can line up on the outside or inside over the football. Bledsoe found a home at defensive end a year ago when he started the final six games. After missing the first four contests of the season, he displayed his ability to rush the passer and continued to gain playing time as the year progressed. Bledsoe finished the year with three tackles for loss (two sacks) and 19 tackles.

Lott earned rave reviews from OU's coaching staff as a first-year player last season. He appeared in the first four games of the campaign before missing nine of the final 10 due to injury.

OU redshirted tackles Troy James (6-1, 304) and Zacchaeus McKinney (6-3, 306) last season, along with end Isaiah Thomas (6-5, 254). James and McKinney are vying for playing time on the interior. Thomas, a 2017 U.S. Army All-American, was a four-star recruit out of high school and has flashed promise during camp.

With the arrival of several talented signees, OU's defensive line will be bolstered with depth thanks to the likes of U.S. Army All-America ends Ronnie Perkins (6-3, 254) and Ron Tatum (6-5, 270) to go along with four-star tackle Jordan Kelley (6-3, 297). Perkins was an early enrollee who went through spring practice.

Thibodeaux noted how the impact of successful recruiting has led an improved defensive front.

"Anytime you can have big bodies who are athletic and get off blocks, you're excited about it," he said. "The more you have, the better. You look up and you have a couple 300-pounders who can get off blocks, you're excited about that."

Players Mentioned

Amani Bledsoe

Dillon Faamatau

Neville Gallimore

Troy James

Jordan Kelley

Tyreece Lott

Kenneth Mann

Arthur McGinnis

Zacchaeus McKinney

Marquise Overton

Ronnie Perkins

Ron Tatum

Ron Tatum

Isaiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics