As OU football heads to the SEC, 'it's time' for Sooners' linebackers to show out
NORMAN — When Danny Stutsman announced his intention to return for another season, OU's linebackers room immediately became one of the deepest in the country for 2024.
After flirting with declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, Stutsman felt he had unfinished business with head coach Brent Venables. Add Jaren Kanak, Kip Lewis and Dasan McCullough's decisions to return, as well as Justin Harrington's waiver, Venables and new defensive coordinator Zac Alley's group is primed to shine in the SEC.
The current competitive depth is as strong as Venables has had since arriving as the head coach in Norman.
“Love our group of linebackers,” Venables said. “We are as far away from where we were two years ago as you could be at linebacker. The development, the depth, what it looks like. What I really like about this linebacking group — (Alley) and (graduate assistant James Skalski), they’ve done a great job of developing position versatility.
“So we’ve got several guys that are playing multiple positions to create depth, more opportunity. So when a guy gets banged up, you’re not limited with your options.”
More: OU football backup QB Jacob Switzer, grandson of Barry Switzer, enters transfer portal
In Alley, who was hired away from Jacksonville State to replace former defensive coordinator Ted Roof, Venables said the Sooners have a coach with "fresh ideas and a new voice, a new face." Alley worked alongside Venables at Clemson as a graduate assistant for seven seasons.
When the hire was announced, the comparisons of Venables to the younger Alley were noticed by fans on social media. However, Stutsman said those were blown out of proportion a bit.
"I think he's a different personality," Stutsman told The Oklahoman. "(Venables) was quick to really get on to you and Coach Alley is a little bit calmer but he's a phenomenal coach. He will get on you for sure but he really knows how to coach and how to teach a player."
With Alley on the practice field coaching the defense and linebackers, Venables has the freedom to step away and focus on being a head coach. While he's still involved with the defense, he has surveyed the entire team more this spring in practice than in the past, working with the quarterbacks and special teams unit.
It didn't take long for the players to quickly gravitate toward Alley.
More: Former OU football standout Caleb Kelly stars in pro wrestling docuseries 'WWE: Next Gen'
"It's been great," Stutsman said. "He's a phenomenal coach. It's great to see a young mind who is really hungry and really wants to be doing the extra, doing more than what is required and that's phenomenal and what you want to see. His scheme is really good and obviously it comes from coach Venables, but he's made a lot of tweaks, you get a younger mind and a different angle to look at it. He's bringing some of the plays he had at Jacksonville State, which is huge for us."
Stutsman agrees this is the deepest he's seen Venables' defense. It's been a strong start to the spring for second-year linebackers Lewis Carter and Samuel Omosigho, who are expected to contribute behind the veteran returners.
Backed by more depth, the fresh mind of Alley and Venables' flexibility to handle more tasks, Oklahoma's linebackers room could be special. Stutsman is just happy he gets another run with Venables and for the opportunity to be coached by Alley.
"Coach Venables has been building this roster and I think it's time, those three-year guys he's brought in have really started to come into light and show why they've been recruited," Stutsman said. "I think we have a great team that's been building. That's thanks to Coach Venables, thanks to (strength coach Jerry Schmidt) and thanks to the entire strength staff."
More: OU football coach Brent Venables likes improved OL depth but eyes more in transfer portal
Roster management
Who's in: Michael Boganowski, Fr.; James Nesta, Fr.
Who's out: Konnor Near
More: Why Peyton Bowen 'wasn’t bummed' Billy Bowman is back in OU football secondary
Depth chart
The starters
MLB: Danny Stutsman, Sr., 6-4, 241
WLB: Kip Lewis, R-So., 6-1, 214
Cheetah: Kendel Dolby, Sr., 5-11, 180
The reserves
Jaren Kanak, Jr., 6-2, 226
Kobie McKinzie, R-So., 6-2, 232
Lewis Carter, So., 6-0, 221
Dasan McCullough, Jr., 6-5, 222
Justin Harrington, R-Sr.*,6-3, 219
*-Super-senior
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football: Danny Stutsman, linebackers ready to compete in SEC
