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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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STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 28 : Cornerback Jordan Thomas #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs past Pistol Pete after an interception and touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys November 28, 2015 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 58-23.(Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 28 : Cornerback Jordan Thomas #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs past Pistol Pete after an interception and touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys November 28, 2015 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 58-23.(Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

Defensive Backs

Starting cornerbacks: Jordan Thomas, Jordan Parker
Backups: Parnell Motley, Justin Broiles

There’s nowhere to go but up from last year’s 111th-ranked passing defense which also sat at 8th in the Big 12. The Sooners were horrid against the pass, but returning are two of the better cornerbacks in the conference, Jordan Thomas and Jordan Parker. Thomas, a senior, was sixth on the team in tackles last season and ad two interceptions and an eye-opening 17 pass deflections.

On the other hand, Parker, a sophomore, broke out as a freshman with the team’s ninth-most total tackles and added three pass deflections. These two guys will combine to give opposing quarterbacks nightmares in 2017 — or so Riley hopes. Sophomore Parnell Motley played sparingly as a freshman and first-year corner Justin Broiles looks to make an instant impact.

Starting safeties: Steven Parker, Will Sunderland
Backups: Khalil Haughton, Chanse Sylvie

The defensive side of the ball could be much improved in 2017 and may not hold the Sooners out of the playoff, especially if the returning starters live up to their potential. Senior safety Steven Parker is back as a starer following a campaign in which he put up 63 total tackles, two interceptions and four pass deflections. He will be joined by junior first-year starting safety Will Sunderland.

The latter was a top recruit in the Sooners’ 2015 class and he’s finally getting his turn to prove that he can play with the big boys. He had an interception in limited action last year. Khalil Haughton and Chase Sylvie with both look to secure bigger roles in 2017. They combined for 20 total tackles in 2016.

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