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Oklahoma Football: 5 players trending up after spring 2019

By Connor Muldowney

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 29: Defensive lineman Neville Gallimore #90 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a quarterback sack against the Baylor Bears at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 29: Defensive lineman Neville Gallimore #90 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a quarterback sack against the Baylor Bears at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 09: Neville Gallimore #90 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates with fans after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 31-16 at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 09: Neville Gallimore #90 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates with fans after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 31-16 at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Alex Grinch is in town so you can bet Lincoln Riley is taking defensive changes seriously. The Sooners had one of the worst defenses in college football last season along with each of the past two years he’s been in charge, so Riley went out and landed one of the top defensive coordinators on the market, hoping it pays dividends immediately.

Although the spring game was mostly dominated by offensive stars, such as the two pass-catchers previously mentioned, defense showed some promise.

One defensive star, in particular, looked like he’s taken that next step. Neville Gallimore was already one of the better defensive tackles in the Big 12, but he has thinned up and is now much leaner than he was last season which should give him more explosiveness up front.

According to Grinch, the defensive line has been the most improved defensive group and he’s “incredibly excited” about the progress of Gallimore.

The senior tackle finished with 50 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks last season but you can at least count on those tackles for loss and sack numbers to increase.

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