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Oklahoma Freshman Linebackers Receive High Praise From Teammates, Coaches

Last Thursday, Sooners' linebacker Danny Stutsman and head coach Brent Venables both discussed how impressed they have been with three key members of OU's 2023 class.

Randall Sweet

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Freshman linebacker Lewis Carter committed to Oklahoma on this day one year ago. 

After an impressive high school career, Carter played in the Under Armour High School All-America Game, then arrived on campus this summer.

Carter has already begun to impress his coaches and teammates, earning praise from Brent Venables and company throughout the spring before he even got to Norman. During OU's breakout session at Big 12 Media Days on Thursday, the Sooners' head coach and star linebacker both continued to rave about Carter. 

The two also spoke highly of Bethany (OK) product Taylor Heim and former Crandall (TX) 4-star linebacker Samuel Omosigho at Big 12 Media Day.

"Taylor Heim, from Oklahoma, super fast, super talented," junior linebacker Danny Stutsman said. "Lewis Carter, he's a freak in the weight room. We were benching, he did 350 (pounds) for six reps. That's unheard of. (Former Sooners and current Minnesota Vikings linebacker) Brian Asamoah was doing that as a senior, if not even that much. Sammy, I'm not even going to try his last name but, you know he's a natural talent out there at cheetah." 

Carter graduated high school in May, so already hitting such impressive marks in the weight room is a good indication that the former 4-star recruit will be ready to make an impact early in his career at Oklahoma. After reports of an impressive spring from the Tampa native, fans have been clamoring to see the hard-hitting linebacker in action.

"My guy right now is Lewis Carter," Stutsman said. "He's a Florida boy as well. Every workout he's running next to me, he's getting reps next to me. I'm teaching him as much as I can about the playbook, tips and tricks that I know can help him when he gets his opportunity." 

Venables echoed Stutsman's sentiments, highlighting some of the younger members of the Sooners' linebacking core.

"Lewis (Carter) and Kobie McKenzie, along with all the new guys," Venables said when asked about the linebacker room. "Sammy Omosigho, you know, Taylor Heim, Lewis Carter, Phil Picciotti. We didn’t have any of those guys a year ago, now those guys are competing for some playing time."

Even prior to their arrival in Norman, Omosigho and Carter received praise from Venables. 

"I really like what Lewis Carter is going to bring to the table," the Sooners' head coach said after OU's spring game. "He’s very fast and super aggressive, very physical, he’s a 400-pound bench-presser right now, and he’ll be wide open when he gets here."

This wasn't the first time Venables had shined the spotlight on Carter since his signing last December. In February, the former Clemson defensive coordinator mentioned both Carter and Omosigho as players that the Sooners' coaching staff was excited about. 

"We’ll have a couple of other young guys that we feel great about in Sammy (Omosigho) and Lewis (Carter)", Venables said earlier in the spring. "Sammy probably at the cheetah, Lewis at the Will day one. Those are both guys that can run, can hit, they can cover. Got high football intelligence. Come from really good, strong programs. Guys that like to work. They’re good in the classroom. Just really good leaders. So excited about getting those guys as well at linebacker."

While praise from Venables and Stutsman may be setting very high expectations for two young players, Omosigho and Carter won't have too much pressure on them. OU's linebacker room has veteran players like Stutsman and Division II All-American and two-time national champion Konnor Near, who will likely take the majority of Oklahoma's defensive snaps this season, especially in big moments.

Despite the older players ahead of them, Heim, Omosigho and Carter's good first impressions in Norman will likely allow them the opportunity to earn game reps in relief of Stutsman and Near.

Hailing from Tampa Catholic, Carter was a 4-star recruit, ranked one of the top 10 linebackers in the 2023 class according to Rivals. Carter is listed at 6-foot and 213 pounds. 

Omosigho was also a 4-star prospect, rated one of the top five linebackers and top 52 players in the country per On3. The Crandall, TX, native is 6-foot-2 and 219 pounds. 

Heim was a consensus 3-star prospect coming out of Bethany High School, currently listed at 6-foot-6 and 202 pounds.

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Randall Sweet
RANDALL SWEET

Randall is a recruiting analyst and staff writer at AllSooners focusing primarily on OU Football and the recruiting trail. Working as a journalist, Randall has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and high school sports across the state. A 2022 University of Oklahoma graduate, Randall hails from Lubbock, TX. While in college, Sweet wrote for the OU Daily in addition to working with Sooner Sports Pad and OU Nightly. Following his time at OU, Sweet served as the Communications Coordinator at Visit Oklahoma City before leaving to join the team at AllSooners. The West Texas native has bylines in the Norman Transcript and is a Staff Writer for Inside the Thunder. Randall holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK. 

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