Next Man Up: Bonitto And Ugwoegbu In For Injured Terry

The Sooners are 7-0 and the defense has played lights-out. With the hiring of Alex Grinch in the offseason, the hopes for many Sooner fans was that the defense

SB Nation

The Sooners are 7-0 and the defense has played lights-out. With the hiring of Alex Grinch in  the offseason, the hopes for many Sooner fans was that the defense would become better. So far, the jump to number 28 overall in total defense has many people believing again. The rise in rankings and performance has been keyed by health.

On Monday, the health factor took a hit as Lincoln Riley announced that Jon-Michael Terry will miss the remainder of the season due to an unspecified lower-leg injury. According to the head coach, Terry suffered the injury during practice in the week prior to the West Virginia game.

Per Lincoln, the non-contact injury will require surgery. 

Prior to the injury, the redshirt junior linebacker had started the first six games of the season. So far in the 2019 season, Terry has been credited with 16 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. 

Next man up. 

Nik Bonitto and David Ugwoegbu will now see time in place of the injured linebacker. Bonitto, a former four-star standout, played well in his first game as a starter, ending with five tackles in a win over the Mountaineers. Ugwoegbu, a former four-star himself, contributed with three tackles as well. The two have shown flashes of brilliance as they look to continue to improve. Both players have been flying around the field and are noticeable when watching the Sooners play.

Ugwoegbu was one of Grinch’s first real decisions upon arriving in Norman. The new defensive coordinator went down to Houston to meet with the four-star linebacker and convince him to come to Norman, prior to National Signing Day. The coaching staff thinks this kid has ELITE potential.

Remember, Bonitto and Ugwoegbu are young and now have one combined start between the two. The learning curve is going to come fast. How will they fair this week against a run-heavy offense in Kansas State?

- Austin Wood