All Sooners

Oklahoma DE Ethan Downs 'Pumped' to Kick Off Saturday After Whirlwind Offseason

Ethan Downs juggled taking on a leadership role on the field as he stepped into a new life off the field as a married man.

Ryan Chapman

In this story:

NORMAN — The offseason was far from straightforward for Oklahoma defensive end Ethan Downs.

While the Sooners were hard at work reforming the roster and trying to improve from last year’s 6-7 finish, Downs was also trying to juggle a wedding.

“I just got married in July,” Downs said on Monday. “She’s my everything. She’s my better half. To be able to go home, get a hug and a kiss, that’s the best. But being able to do life together, she challenges me.

“I feel more complete, more whole and, just outside of football, in life when you find a spouse, when you feel more filled up, more complete, more whole, more confident, more inspired in life, there’s more on the line. It’s not just my selfish desires now.”

The marriage has brought Downs plenty of joy, but it also has given the defensive end another layer of motivation and purpose headed into the 2023 season.

“Whether it’s every drill, or weight room or preparation for the games, if I cut down on a rep, it has a butterfly effect,” he said. “… If I’m cutting short or if I’m putting in extra time, it directly correlates to her and she’s going to feel the repercussions of all of that because we’re now sharing life together.”

Though the season doesn’t kickoff until Saturday when the Sooners host the Arkansas State Red Wolves, Downs has seen his hard work pay off in a small way already.

Tuesday, Brent Venables released OU’s initial depth chart, and Downs was listed as a co-starter alongside Oklahoma State transfer Trace Ford.

Read More:

The defensive staff brought in plenty of new bodies to compete, but Downs has held out his spot in the rotation on paper.

He’ll hope to improve on his 2022 mark of 38 total tackles and 4.5 quarterback sacks, but he’ll have some help to set the edge.

Ford and Wake Forest transfer Rondell Bothroyd provide experienced options, and the Sooners have a pair of talented youngsters in R Mason Thomas and Adepoju Adebawore.

Thomas flashed as a freshman, and Adebawore is one of the highest ranked defensive line commitments the Sooners have landed in some time.

Oklahoma will need each member of the defensive line to chip in and contribute, and Downs has found a passion in helping to bring his younger teammates along.

“After being around all these coaches and seeing how much they've changed the lives of the athletes here,” said Downs, “I would love to (coach).

“… Becoming a leader, you not only have to be able to pour into people, but you've got to be on top of your stuff. And it's helped me grow and be more accountable and disciplined.”

FB - Ethan Downs
Ethan Downs :: BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Knowing the kind of person Downs is, Venables wasn’t shocked one bit to see the Weatherford, OK product take an interest in helping his younger teammates along.

“He’s got a servant heart naturally,” Venables said on Tuesday. “And so that’s not a surprise to see him as one of those older guys, if you will, helping out the younger guys and trying to get them to the shortcuts.

“That’s what you want to build, from a stability standpoint on a roster, that’s what it looks like.”

Downs was Oklahoma’s lone All-Big 12 Preseason selection, but he said the entire team is prepared to prove a point and bounce back after last season’s lackluster run.

“We’re pumped,” Downs said. “I’m ready to see the crowd again. I feel the energy, the start of school, all the people around here.

“It’s really cool.”

Published
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. 

Home/Football