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Oklahoma Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 10 : Fullback Dimitri Flowers #36 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks September 10, 2016 at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Warhawks 59-17. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 10 : Fullback Dimitri Flowers #36 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks September 10, 2016 at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Warhawks 59-17. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – NOVEMBER 3: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones rushes for yards as defensive end D.J. Ward #87 of the Oklahoma Sooners defends in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 3, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – NOVEMBER 3: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones rushes for yards as defensive end D.J. Ward #87 of the Oklahoma Sooners defends in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 3, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Starting ends: D.J. Ward, Mark Jackson Jr.
Backups: Arthur McGinnis, Kenneth Mann

Replacing four starters up front won’t be easy, but it might just be a much-needed change for the Sooners who ranked 55th against the run in 2016. Senior D.J. Ward is the veteran of the group, returning after recording 28 tackles and a sack last season. He’s projected to start at end along with sophomore Mark Jackson Jr. The latter played sparingly in 2016, but expects to have a much bigger impact in 2017.

Arthur McGinnis and Kenneth Mann provide youthful depth at the backup spots. Both are sophomores who didn’t see the field much in 2016. Both were mid-level recruits out of high school as McGinnis was listed as a linebacker, but has bulked up and made the switch to end. Mann is a behemoth at 6-foot-4, 277 pounds.

Starting tackles: Neville Gallimore, Matt Romar
Backups: Du’Vonta Lampkin, Marquise Overton

There’s another senior projected starter on the defensive line, for now, in Matt Romar. The defensive tackle enters his final season of eligibility looking to prove himself. His 305-pound frame can cause major havoc in the middle, but he needs to ramp up production after finishing with just 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2016.

Sophomore Neville Gallimore was a blue-chip recruit and had a fantastic redshirt freshman season for the Sooners. He finished with 40 tackles, four for loss and a sack. Expect him to have a breakout season at tackle in 2017. Sophomore Du’Vonta Lampkin and junior Marquise Overton have played sparingly through this point in their careers, but will have increased roles.

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