Oklahoma Sooners to Watch in the Alamo Bowl with opt outs and transfer portal departures

While it’s a bummer to see your favorite Oklahoma Sooners transfer or sit out the bowl game in preparation for the NFL draft, on the bright side, it provides others an opportunity to get more significant snaps.

Nik Bonitto, Perrion Winfrey, Isaiah Thomas and Brian Asamoah are heading to the NFL.

Jadon Haselwood, Austin Stogner and Spencer Rattler are on their way to new schools for the 2022 season.

In their places, the Sooners will reallocate those snaps to players who will help them in the Alamo Bowl and the 2022 season.

As the Sooners take on the Oregon Ducks, who are some players to watch given the departures from their depth chart in the last month.

Reggie Grimes, Edge

Sept. 11, 2021; Norman; Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Reggie Grimes (14) tackles Western Carolina Catamounts quarterback Carlos Davis (5) during the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Take away the defensive linemen that have opted out, and Reggie Grimes would rank second in pass-rush grade according to Pro Football Focus, among those on Oklahoma’s defensive front. Per PFF, Grimes racked up the fifth-most pressures behind Bonitto, Thomas, Winfrey and Redmond with 16 while also getting far fewer opportunities.

With Bonitto and Thomas on their way to the NFL, Grimes gets an opportunity to play a significant role for the Oklahoma Sooners when they take on the Oregon Ducks in the Alamo Bowl. His performance in San Antonio could alleviate concerns about where this team might generate pass rush in 2022.

Mario Williams, WR

Oklahoma’s Mario Williams (4) catches a touchdown pass beside Iowa State’s Myles Purchase (15) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Iowa State Cyclones at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Oklahoma won 28-21. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

The Oklahoma Sooners depth at wide receiver in 2021 was a strength. At times, though, that depth kept a lot of talent on the sidelines, including wide receiver Mario Williams.

Williams, who stood out in the spring game last year before making noise in fall camp, earned a significant role and displayed some really nice traits along the way. He showed the ability to win downfield and in the short passing game.

With Jadon Haselwood now with the Arkansas Razorbacks, Williams should get more snaps. If he does, he should provide a significant contribution.

Ethan Downs, Edge

Sept. 11, 2021; Norman; Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Ethan Downs (40) causes Western Carolina Catamounts quarterback Carlos Davis (5) to fumble during the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Though he didn’t record a sack in 2021, it was a promising freshman season for Ethan Downs. He recorded 10 pressures according to Pro Football Focus, five stops, and forced a fumble. Downs played 187 snaps on the year but finished with the eighth-highest defensive grade per PFF.

With Bonitto and Isaiah Thomas headed to the NFL, Downs will have an opportunity for a significant role this week against the Ducks. With a motor that doesn’t quit and an ability to rush the passer, Downs will provide some juice off the edge. It’ll be exciting to see what he can do with a full complement of snaps.

Danny Stutsman and Shane Whitter, LB

Sept. 4, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma; Tulane Green Wave quarterback Michael Pratt (7) is tackled by Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Kelvin Gilliam (44) and defensive end Reggie Grimes (14) and linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) during the third quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve Danny Stutsman and Shane Whitter some in 2021, but with Brian Asamoah heading to the NFL and opting out of the Alamo Bowl, there’s a chance we’ll see more this week against the Ducks.

Stutsman and Whitter combined for just 269 snaps this season on defense according to Pro Football Focus. Asamoah played 589 snaps for the Oklahoma Sooners defense this season, third-most on the team. With those snaps heading to the next level, the Alamo Bowl allows younger guys to get more opportunities.

Stutsman had 30 total tackles and Whitter had 24, providing a strong young duo that will make up the future of the Oklahoma Sooners linebacker corps.

Brayden Willis, TE

Sept. 4, 2021; Norman; Oklahoma Sooners tight end Brayden Willis (9) before the game against the Tulane Green Wave at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Brayden Willis hasn’t declared whether he’ll return in 2022, but he’ll have an opportunity to try on a bigger role this week in the Alamo Bowl.

With Austin Stogner on his way to South Carolina to join Spencer Rattler, Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks, the Sooners tight end has a chance to see his snap count increase against Oregon.

With Jeremiah Hall graduating, Willis would enter 2022 as the No. 1 tight end on the depth chart for Jeff Lebby and the Oklahoma Sooners. Willis could provide a glimpse of what’s to come in 2022.

Marcus Major, RB

Oklahoma Sooners fans are no stranger to the ability Marcus Major brings to the table. The Sooners running back got a bit of run in the 2020 season but didn’t see a ton of time in 2021 after being ruled academically ineligible in the preseason. Major put his affairs in order during the season and rejoined the team on Saturdays though he was still limited in his usage.

Dec. 30, 2020; Arlington, Texas; Oklahoma Sooners running back Marcus Major (24) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Florida Gators at AT&T Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Major appeared in just two games and carried the ball five times for 29 yards and added a reception for a touchdown. His tough, downhill style is matched with athleticism and surprising speed. He displayed all of that this time last year when the Oklahoma Sooners routed the Florida Gators.

In the Sooners’ Cotton Bowl win, Major had nine carries for 110 yards and a touchdown. It was his 46-yard run for the score in the fourth quarter that provided a glimpse of what many expected to see in 2021.

Though he’ll still sit behind Kennedy Brooks and Eric Gray on the running back depth chart, the Sooners should look to get Major some touches in this game and it will be exciting to see what he can do against the Ducks.

Interior Defensive Line Group

Oklahoma’s Isaiah Coe (94) celebrates after a play during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Western Carolina Catamounts at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Perrion Winfrey’s absence from the Oklahoma Sooners leaves a giant hole in the middle of the defensive line, but several players can carve out a new role heading into 2022.

Isaiah Coe, Josh Ellison, La’Ron Stokes, Kori Roberson and Jordan Kelley each played under 200 snaps on the season behind Winfrey and fellow starter Jalen Redmond. While it might appear Redmond could be back in 2022, there’s a chance he could get a top 100 grade from the NFL and head to the draft.

This will provide plenty of opportunities for others to step into a new role. Who will show up in the Alamo Bowl and get a head start on 2022’s depth chart?

1

1