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Reports: Veteran Defensive Lineman Set to Return to Oklahoma in 2024

Yet another experienced piece of Brent Venables' defense is set to return next year as the Sooners make the transition to the SEC.

Ryan Chapman

Reports: Veteran Defensive Lineman Set to Return to Oklahoma in 2024
Reports: Veteran Defensive Lineman Set to Return to Oklahoma in 2024 /
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The numbers of Oklahoma defenders returning in 2024 continues to grow.

SoonerScoop.com’s George Stoia reported OU defensive lineman Trace Ford is returning to Norman next year, and the report was confirmed by the OU Daily and The Oklahoman.

Ford, who will utilize his sixth and final year of eligibility next year, got healthy and contributed to Brent Venables’ defense in 2023 after transferring from Oklahoma State.

He finished the year with 18 total tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.

Per Pro Football Focus, Ford played 335 defensive snaps for the Sooners, adding another 39 snaps on special teams.

Ford finished with an overall grade of 64.5 from PFF, and he was graded with a 67.4 pass rush grade and a 53.6 run defense grade.

Along with Ford, Oklahoma convinced key contributors in defensive linemen Ethan Downs, Da’Jon Terry and Jacob Lacey to return in 2024, linebacker Danny Stutsman, and defensive backs Billy Bowman and Woodi Washington.

Reports: Oklahoma to Hire Zac Alley as Defensive Coordinator

Oklahoma’s defense made noticeable improvements in 2023, finishing the season ranked 78th in total defense, tied for 46th in scoring defense and tied for sixth in turnovers forced.

Pair the returners with continued development from the likes of breakout linebacker Kip Lewis, cornerback Gentry Williams, safeties Peyton Bowen and Robert Spears-Jennings and defensive ends R Mason Thomas and Adepoju Adebawore, and the Sooners have the pieces to take another big stride forward in 2024. 

The Sooners will have a new voice helping in 2024 as well.

Jacksonville State defensive coordinator Zac Alley is reportedly set to take over for former OU defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof, though the Sooners have not officially confirmed the hire.

A longtime student assistant and graduate assistant under Venables at Clemson, Alley will be tasked with continuing to help Oklahoma’s defense improve after implementing Venables’s scheme at both Louisiana-Monroe and Jacksonville State. 

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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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