2010 Super Early OU Preview: Linebacker

OU has the most turnover at LB than anywhere else on the defense with Reynolds and Clayton graduating. Doing the LB review is a little tough because it's hard to know which way Venables takes the defense.

Mike/Middle Linebacker:

OU's defense really works best when Brent has an elite Mike backer (Torrance Marshall, Teddy Lehman at times, Lance Mitchell, Curtis Lofton) who doesn't have to leave the field. Last year though, Brent rather than leaving Ryan Reynolds on the field to get abused by slot WRs moved Clayton to MLB against passing teams. So OU really had a running defense MLB and pass defense MLB. And this personnel group scheme really worked. However, there are two players on the Sooner roster that have elite potential to be an every down MLB for OU. The first player is easy based on watching him smash Cardinals during the Sun Bowl, Ronnell Lewis. Lewis is just a scary athlete quite possibly the best athlete at MLB since Torrance Marshall. Lewis is 6-3, 245 and probably still runs a 4.55. At one point, I think OU felt like Lewis might be a DE, but really after the Sun Bowl I cannot see Brent giving up Lewis. The other player at MLB is Tom Wort. If Wort had not gotten hurt in August, I honestly think he might have supplemented Reynolds at MLB some last year. Wort at 6-0, 220 would seem more suited to OLB but has the kind of physical play and coverage ability that would let him play every down at MLB. To what level Wort can contribute in Spring is unknown, but Wort is just too talented not to be in the mix somewhere. I think OU will try and redshirt Jayden Bird, but I can see him also being moved to Mike backer in spring as well.  Rashad Favors seems to have been recruited to play Mike, but he will redshirt as he adjusts to the position.

Will/Outside Linebacker:

I honestly thought that OU would be replacing all 3 LBs with Travis Lewis going pro. However, Lewis decided to return for his junior year. Honestly, I think most Sooner fans thought early on that Lewis had a better freshman year than sophomore campaign. Lewis has the speed and power to be a dominating force at OLB for the Sooners. Hopefully his 3^rd year will see everything click in place for Lewis and he can reach the Butkus award type potential that we all saw his freshman year. Ideally I think Brent will train Wort to play both Mike/Will to groom Wort to take over the outside spot after Lewis leaves. In addition to Wort, Austin Box at times this year played a very solid game at Mike but also has the potential to be the primary backup at Will. OU's verbal LBs Franklin and Lake both seem suited to the Will or Sam role. Lake sitting out last year will need to redshirt. Franklin of the 3 freshman LBs might be the most game ready but also needs to add some weight/strength.

Sam/Outside Linebacker:

Here's where things get really interesting. Last year OU used Keenan Clayton at this position, until the Texas game where they used Joseph Ibiloye at this spot going with one true LB in Lewis and two hybrid OLB/SS types in Clayton/Ibiloye. But against OSU and Stanford, OU used Austin Box and Ronnell Lewis at this spot for more of a run stopping look. In addition, we saw some of Daniel Franklin in the Sun Bowl when OU went with a 4 LB look. So who "starts" at SAM LB? I'm going with Joseph Ibiloye getting the early push at SAM giving OU a very athletic mobile coverage 3 LB base look. But I still think that Brent might sub in Austin Box here when he wants a bigger LB for run stopping production. Does OU try and move Sam Proctor here to replicate the move that worked so well with Keenan Clayton?

Projected Depth Chart:

Mike:  1) Ronnell Lewis 6-3, 245 Soph   2) Austin Box 6-2, 230  Junior 3)Jayden Bird 6-1, 230 Soph (redshirting?)

Will:   1) Travis Lewis 6-2, 235  Jr   2) Tom Wort 6-0, 220 Fr   3)Austin Box 6-2, 230

Sam: (Base look)  1) Joseph Ibiloye 6-3, 210  Soph   2) Sam Proctor 6-0, 210 Jr

Sam: (Run look)  1) Austin Box 6-2, 230  2) Daniel Franklin 6-2, 225 Soph

Redshirting:  1) Aaron Franklin 6-1, 210 Fr   2) Rashad Favors 6-2, 220 Fr   3) Jarrett Lake 6-2, 210 Fr

Wrapup:

I realize that there's a lot of repetition in the depth chart and outright speculation as well. Clearly, the prediction of Ronnell to start at Mike is something of a gamble but his star certainly seems to be on the rise, and he has the skills to be an awesome MLB. Austin Box would probably be the safe pick for Mike, but I just think Lewis is going to win the job in spring. Tom Wort's return from rehab could be a huge factor as well. He honestly could be an every down SAM backer with his coverage skills. Ibiloye did a great job when put into the starting lineup in OU's spread defense look. And if Lewis/Lewis provide great LB coverage/production (even potentially pass rush ability) does that allow Brent to go with a true 5 DB look? I mentioned OU might go with more of a 3 DL look, could OU play 3 LBs behind that and then go with a true nickel DB look behind that?

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