Brent Venables Discusses Oklahoma's First 2023 Depth Chart
NORMAN — Oklahoma’s two-deep for Saturday’s season opener against Arkansas State — announced Tuesday — includes a few minor surprises.
In maybe the most competitive position battle of the preseason, senior Justin Harrington has landed the starting nod at cheetah linebacker over sophomore transfer Dasan McCullough, although both spoke to the media on Monday night after practice and it’s apparent that both will play extensively when the Sooners host Arkansas State at 11 a.m. Saturday.
"Consistency," OU coach Brent Venables said of Harrington. "His work ethic, he’s a vocal leader, he competes at an incredibly high level. He’s been consistent with his body of work and understanding the details, And then has consistently made plays. … He’s long, athletic, explosive, super aggressive, he can tackle, he’s really starting to understand all of it, which is how he’s coming into his own as a player."
Justin Harrington
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For Harrington, it's the culmination of a long, strange road. He came to OU in spring of 2020 as a 4-star, junior college All-American safety, but needed knee surgery and redshirted. He moved to cornerback in spring of 2021, but shifted back and forth and only played in four games. He left the team and entered the transfer portal, but never got any takers and, after Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch went to USC, asked Venables if he could come back. Venables allowed him back as a walk-on, and he moved to cheetah linebacker and played in 13 games last year as a backup. Now he's the starter.
True freshman Jasiah Wagoner is listed as the backup cornerback behind senior Woodi Washington, meaning the other starting job has been won by sophomore Gentry Williams, who's backed up by junior college transfer Kendel Dolby and true freshman Makari Vickers. Former Louisville transfer Kani Walker is alongside Wagoner — "OR" on the depth chart. It's one of 21 positions where coaches have utilized "OR."
"Multiple starters, co-starters," Venables said, "that’s not a bad thing."
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Teammates and coaches have raved about Wagoner’s ability and fearless attitude — not just in August training camp, but going back to his arrival in spring practice. But Williams, who played well in short segments as a true freshman, won the job.
"I’ll be honest. It’s still really ongoing," Venables said of the corner spot. "I expect to play a lot of guys in the corner position. We've got tremendous youth there. We gotta get these guys grown up quickly.
"But Gentry, he cares, he responds ... he listens, he learns. He’s humble. Players love him. ... But when he does speak, he’s about the right stuff."
Corner and cheetah are the two position battles that have raged since spring practice. It would seem more attention has gone into those than other competitions.
"I don’t know if it’s more,” Venables said. “I think you should put the same intent in all of it. Really, it’s about making guys better. It’s about developing, teaching, coaching, strategizing with everybody. I think it’s more exciting for the players too. They understand the sense of urgency, that every play matters."
Elsewhere on defense, Wake Forest transfer Rondell Bothroyd is the starter at one defensive end ahead of R Mason Thomas. Consensus opinion from the open practices was that Bothroyd seems to be the Sooners’ best edge player. Returning starter Ethan Downs is the co-starter "OR" Oklahoma State transfer Trace Ford.
Another transfer, sixth-year senior Reggie Pearson, from Texas Tech via Wisconsin, is also listed as an "OR" candidate to start at safety along with returning starter Key Lawrence next to returning starter Billy Bowman. Pearson also spent time this month practicing at the hybrid cheetah position, although more as a safety than a linebacker.
Another competitive position, defensive tackle, also had an influx of transfers and includes two "OR" co-starters at each position, with seniors Jonah Laulu and Jordan Kelley at defensive tackle and seniors Isaiah Coe and Da'Jon Terry listed at nose tackle.
There were fewer question marks on offense, with one exception. As Drake Stoops and Jalil Farooq return at wide receiver, the Sooners had an opening for the No. 3 position. That has gone to Michigan transfer Andrel Anthony, who had a massive training camp and stood out in several scrimmages.
In perhaps one of the biggest surprises, senior Marcus Major "OR" junior Tawee Walker are listed as the starting running backs ahead of Jovantae Barnes "OR" Gavin Sawchuk.
"He's been really consistent, physical, available, which is your best ability, availability. He's been really dependable," Venables said of Walker, a walk-on. ". ... And he's always falling forward. Those are the reasons."
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