All Sooners

How Oklahoma's Young Defensive Backs Are Providing Depth and Competition

The Sooners have deployed many different faces on the back end of the defense so far, yet there hasn't been a real drop off in production through two contests.

Ryan Chapman

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NORMAN — Oklahoma’s young defensive backs have provided crucial depth through two games.

Frontline veterans in Woodi Washington, Billy Bowman and Key Lawrence have led the way, as has experienced transfer Reggie Pearson.

But the No. 19-ranked Sooners have gotten contributions from a number of young faces.

Sophomore Gentry Williams won the starting cornerback job opposite of Washington, and played well in Week 1.

When he exited the game early against SMU, Kani Walker was thrown into the fire in his second year in Brent Venables’ system.

Walker finished the 28-11 win over the Mustangs with five tackles and one pass breakup, making a couple of competitive plays in the secondary.

Oklahoma defensive back Kani Walker forced a fumble in OU's Week 1 win over Arkansas State.
Oklahoma defensive back Kani Walker forced a fumble in OU's Week 1 win over Arkansas State :: BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK

“Kani had some really good plays in the game,” Venables said on Tuesday. “He’s getting a little bit better. Excited for him. Excited for us.

“… Made a play on the ball. Those are really big plays when you talk about the development of that position and how that should continue to carry. Not that he’s expected to be perfect but I do believe that the experience and the confidence is a real thing and expect him to really come along and those are some really good plays so proud of him for that.”

Walker’s effort to help corral the SMU passing game came one week after he combined with true freshman Peyton Bowen to force a fumble against Arkansas State.

Though Walker got the strip against the Red Wolves, Bowen has made a number of plays in his own right.

The former 5-star recruit blocked SMU’s first punt of the game, and came up with a crucial fourth down pass breakup in the fourth quarter to help the Sooners assert themselves late.

“Football really makes sense to (Bowen),” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said on Monday. “He's very instinctive. He's got a lot of pride in his performance. The moment’s not too big for him.

“Just put me in coach. Tell me what to do and I'll do it. He’s that guy. He's got a high ceiling and a really bright future.”

FB - Peyton Bowen, SMU Mustangs
Oklahoma true freshman safety Peyton Bowen blocked SMU's first punt last Saturday :: Kevin Jairaj / USA TODAY Sports

Last year, OU’s options were limited on the back end.

Wyoming transfer C.J. Coldon emerged at corner after the Sooners were blown out by Texas, and super seniors in Justin Broiles and Trey Morrison represented the only real safety depth for Venables.

With Bowen, Pearson, Lawrence, Billy Bowman and Justin Harington all contributing, Oklahoma didn’t even really miss Dasan McCullough at cheetah against SMU.

Now, there may be another shakeup against Tulsa.

Venables said Harrington is “banged up” entering the weekend, meaning McCullough may return to the lineup or Pearson and Bowen may have to split time at cheetah against the Golden Hurricane on Saturday.

Reshuffling the deck could have crippled the OU secondary a year ago, but sophomore Robert Spears-Jennings is ready to take on a larger role after dealing with a shoulder injury in fall camp — adding yet another body ready to contribute.

“He came in (against SMU) and gave us a spark,” Roof said of Spears-Jennings. “And it was good to see. You know, I anticipate his role increasing and progressing as we go, as he earns it.”

Not only has the depth allowed the Sooners to move bodies around, the competition has simultaneously brought the best out of the secondary while helping to keep them fresh throughout the first two games.

“I don't even know how to explain it,” Lawrence said on Monday. “We just love rooting for each other. It's a real brotherhood.

“Whoever's out there, we're just going to cheer them on regardless because we're all capable of doing the same things.”

Still, the coaching staff has found plenty to clean up.

It’s understandable for the defense to exude confidence after only allowing 11 points through the first eight quarters of 2023, but Venables and Roof won’t be satisfied if Oklahoma once again dominates the non-conference only to fold in Big 12 play.

“You've got to fix the mistakes so you can take them off the tape,” said Roof, “because if you don't they'll be underlying issues that will haunt you every week and it will cost you games and those types of things.

“So we've got to take the bad stuff off the tape. That's the way it is. That's the process.”

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Ryan Chapman
RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is deputy editor at AllSooners and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City. Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more. Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com. Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK. 

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