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Oklahoma Football: Way-too-Early 2022 Depth Chart Projection

By Jackson Caudell

OU football coach Brent Venables speaks to the crowd at halftime of the Sooner men's basketball game against Baylor on Jan. 22 in Norman.cover main
OU football coach Brent Venables speaks to the crowd at halftime of the Sooner men's basketball game against Baylor on Jan. 22 in Norman.cover main /
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Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders (3) scrambles as he is pressured by Oklahoma’s Jalen Redmond (31) in the first quarter of the Cowboys’ 37-33 win on Nov. 27 in Stillwater. jump main
Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders (3) scrambles as he is pressured by Oklahoma’s Jalen Redmond (31) in the first quarter of the Cowboys’ 37-33 win on Nov. 27 in Stillwater. jump main /

Defensive Line

Starting Defensive Tackles: Jeffrey Johnson and Jalen Redmond

Backups: Jordan Kelley and Josh Ellison

Starting Defensive Ends: Marcus Stripling and Reggie Grimes

Backups: Ethan Downs and Jonah La’ulu

This is going to be a position of change for the Oklahoma defense. Venables is known for running four-man fronts and that is going to be a departure from the three-man fronts that former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch ran. Oklahoma is going to have to replace two veterans on the defensive line in Perrion Winfrey and Isaiah Thomas.

Jalen Redmond is a guy that has production and experience and he will fill one of the starting defensive tackle spots. The other tackle spot will likely go to Tulane transfer Jeffrey Johnson. Johnson has the experience and he is going to fill a major need for the Sooners defense.

At defensive end, Reggie Grimes is a breakout candidate for the team this season. Like Redmond, Grimes has been playing a reserve role and has flashed what kind of potential he has when given the opportunity. Marcus Stripling was a highly-rated recruit coming out of high school but has yet to make an impact yet. He will likely get the first opportunity to be starting opposite of Grimes.

Ethan Downs has been playing a key role as a backup defensive end and will likely do so again this season. Jonah La’ulu is a transfer from Hawaii and he could also challenge for a starting spot and be a key rotational piece for the line.

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