'It's night and day': Why Jaren Kanak could be OU football's breakout linebacker in 2023
NORMAN — Jaren Kanak admits that his head was spinning at times last season.
After playing quarterback during his high school days, the four-star prospect got moved to linebacker when he arrived as a freshman at OU.
Kanak had all the makings of a good linebacker on paper. He had the size, the speed and the strength. But he didn't have the experience, and he struggled as a result.
"I was kind of just surviving out there," Kanak said on Aug. 7. "I was flying around, trying to do what I could. But I didn't really have the full mental understanding."
Kanak hopes to go from surviving to thriving this season.
The sophomore has a year of experience at linebacker under his belt. And after recording just 24 tackles (one for loss) in a limited role last season, he's expected to play more snaps this time around.
"It’s night and day," Kanak said of his growth. "Just getting those reps, trying to learn and getting into meetings with linebackers has made a huge impact and huge difference in my game."
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OU is in need of a new starting middle linebacker following the departure of David Ugwoegbu, who transferred to Houston this offseason.
Kanak is one of the top candidates to fill that position, but he isn't the only one.
Ferris State transfer Konnor Near is also in the running. The redshirt senior is a former All-American and a two-time Division II champion. He recorded 66 tackles (10.5 for loss) and three sacks last season.
Near's experience should give him an edge when battling for snaps in OU's linebacker room, which includes 12 underclassmen. And while Kanak is one of those underclassmen, he welcomes the competition.
"I think everybody in the linebacker room embraces taking every rep as if it’s a first-team rep," Kanak said. "Having those guys that can push you and motivate you and pull you to the top is a great thing to have with that competitive depth.”
With Near in the mix, Kanak must make strides this season if he wants to maintain a considerable role on the team.
Fortunately, he has numerous mentors who've helped him learn the linebacker position.
One of those mentors is Danny Stutsman. The junior linebacker led the Big 12 in tackles last season (126), and he's particularly close with Kanak.
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"(Kanak) and Danny are like Pete and Repeat, Frick and Frack," head coach Brent Venables said on Aug. 1. "And I love that. That's what you want to develop, that culture of real, deep-seeded brotherhood with no agenda."
Another one of Kanak's mentors is Venables himself.
A former linebacker at Kansas State and a former linebackers coach, Venables is constantly seen working with the group during OU's practices.
Going through drills in front of Venables is a lot of pressure for Kanak and his fellow linebackers. But the second-year Sooner has gotten better thanks to that constant supervision.
“Brent’s always watching us like every rep’s important," Kanak said. "He’s really pushed us and gotten close to us and made it his personal vendetta to try and make us better. ... You grow close through those times he’s ripping you and the times he’s praising you up. That’s all part of it.”
Kanak is still finding his footing at linebacker.
He's still working on his timing, his angles and his ability to read opposing offenses. But Kanak has undoubtedly grown since arriving in Norman, and his approach is still the same.
"A true freshman coming in, it’s a big deal trying to learn all the stuff at once," Kanak said. "You just take it day by day, try to learn as much as you can and just give effort.”
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OU linebacker depth chart
Name, Class, Ht., Wt., Hometown (Previous school)
The starters
Danny Stutsman, Jr., 6-4, 241, Windermere, Fla. (Foundation Academy)
Konnor Near, RSr., 6-1, 232, St. Johns, Mich. (Ferris State)
Dasan McCullough, So., 6-5, 227, Bloomington, Ind. (Indiana)
The reserves
Jaren Kanak, So., 6-2, 232, Hays, Kan. (Hays)
Shane Whitter, RJr., 6-0, 231, Burlington, N.C. (Walter M. Williams)
Justin Harrington, R5Yr., 6-3, 212, Raleigh, N.C. (Bakersfield College)
Kobie McKinzie, RFr., 6-2, 241, Lubbock, Texas (Lubbock-Cooper)
Kip Lewis, RFr., 6-1, 208, Carthage, Texas (Carthage)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football: Jaren Kanak could be Sooners' breakout linebacker in 2023
