As Oklahoma’s Defense Looks for Continued Improvement, New Leaders Must Step Up.
The Oklahoma Sooners football team has long been known for its high-powered offense, but in recent seasons, one of the team’s biggest shortcomings has been its defense. For years, the Sooners have found themselves in shootouts, relying on explosive offensive plays to outscore opponents. However, as the program strives to return to its previous heights and contend for national championships, it’s become clear that the defense needs to significantly improve to take the next step.
Under the leadership of head coach Brent Venables, a defensive mastermind known for his ability to build elite defensive units, Oklahoma’s defense has already begun to show signs of improvement. However, the road to dominance is long, and with key players from previous seasons either graduating or moving on to the NFL, new leaders will need to step up in order for the Sooners’ defense to continue its upward trajectory.
In this article, we’ll explore the state of Oklahoma’s defense, the players who need to step up to lead the charge, and what the Sooners must do to continue their defensive improvement.
Brent Venables’ Vision: A Return to Defensive Dominance
When Brent Venables took over as head coach in 2022, one of his primary objectives was to restore Oklahoma’s defensive identity. Venables, a former defensive coordinator at Clemson, has a well-earned reputation for crafting tough, disciplined defenses that can consistently make plays. During his time at Clemson, Venables helped build one of the best defenses in college football, and he knew that turning Oklahoma’s defense around would be crucial for the program’s long-term success.
In his first season, the Sooners made noticeable improvements on defense, particularly in the areas of tackling, discipline, and overall defensive scheming. Despite not having all of his recruits in place, Venables’ philosophy began to show its impact. Oklahoma’s defense was more aggressive, more physical, and better at creating turnovers. However, there were still growing pains, as the team was prone to allowing big plays and struggled at times against high-powered offenses.
Venables understands that building a championship-caliber defense takes time, and while 2022 showed progress, 2023 was expected to be a critical year in the rebuilding process. Despite more improvements, the Sooners still faced struggles against elite competition, and they ultimately failed to reach the level of elite defenses like those of Alabama, Georgia, and other championship-caliber teams.
As Oklahoma prepares for the 2025 season, it’s clear that continued improvement is necessary. For the Sooners to truly contend for a College Football Playoff spot and challenge for national titles, their defense must become one of the top units in the country. With key players departing, it will be up to the next wave of Sooners to lead the defense forward.
The Need for New Leadership
As Oklahoma’s defense looks to continue its ascent, it is crucial that new leaders emerge to help push the unit to greater heights. While the Sooners have a strong foundation of talented players, leadership on defense will be essential in maintaining consistency and ensuring the unit can perform at a high level week in and week out.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key players who will need to step up as leaders on defense in 2025:
- Danny Stutsman – Linebacker
Danny Stutsman has already proven himself as one of the most talented linebackers on the Oklahoma roster. In his first two seasons, Stutsman demonstrated the instincts, physicality, and intelligence necessary to be a key contributor. Now, as a junior, he must take on an even larger leadership role.
Stutsman is one of the most well-rounded linebackers on the team, capable of both rushing the passer and dropping into coverage. His ability to read offenses and make plays in the open field is a valuable asset for the Sooners. However, as the leader of the linebacker corps, Stutsman will need to step up his communication and elevate the play of those around him. If he can consistently play at a high level while leading the defense with his veteran presence, he will be a pivotal figure in the Sooners’ defensive success in 2025.
- Jaren Kanak – Linebacker
Another linebacker to keep an eye on is Jaren Kanak. Kanak, a former five-star recruit, has shown flashes of brilliance in his early years at Oklahoma, but he has yet to fully establish himself as a leader on defense. With the departure of older players, Kanak now has an opportunity to step into a more prominent role.
Kanak’s speed and playmaking ability make him a major threat on the field. His ability to cover ground quickly and be an impact player in the backfield will be crucial as Oklahoma looks to improve against both the run and the pass. If Kanak can harness his natural athleticism and continue to develop his football IQ, he has the potential to be one of the best linebackers in the Big 12 and a true leader on defense.
- Reggie Grimes – Defensive Line
The defensive line is often the engine that drives a successful defense, and in 2025, Oklahoma will need to rely on veterans like Reggie Grimes to lead the charge. Grimes, a key contributor for the Sooners’ defensive front, has been a consistent presence on the field but must now take on a more significant leadership role.
Grimes has the talent to be a game-changer, both as a pass rusher and as a run-stopper. His ability to generate pressure on the quarterback and collapse the pocket will be essential to Oklahoma’s defensive success. As the Sooners face more dynamic and potent offenses, Grimes’ leadership in the trenches will be vital. His veteran presence, combined with his skill set, will be one of the keys to Oklahoma’s defensive rise.
- Gentry Williams – Cornerback
In the secondary, Gentry Williams is a player to watch. The young cornerback has already displayed an impressive blend of speed, coverage ability, and ball skills. As he matures and gains more experience, Williams could become one of the best cornerbacks in the Big 12 and a key leader in the defensive backfield.
Williams is known for his ability to lock down wide receivers, and with the increased emphasis on passing attacks across college football, having a shutdown corner will be crucial for the Sooners. In addition to his individual skills, Williams will need to step up as a leader on the field, directing traffic and making key plays in critical moments. His ability to help lead Oklahoma’s secondary will be essential to the team’s overall success.
Tackling the Weaknesses: What Needs to Improve
While Oklahoma has several talented players on defense, there are still areas that need significant improvement. For the Sooners to make a legitimate run at the College Football Playoff and compete for a national championship, these weaknesses must be addressed.
- Consistency in Coverage
Oklahoma’s secondary has often been a point of vulnerability in recent seasons. While there have been moments of brilliance, the Sooners’ defense has struggled at times with coverage, especially against high-powered passing attacks. In order to compete with the best teams in college football, Oklahoma must improve its pass defense, both in coverage and in the ability to generate pressure on the quarterback.
This is where leadership from players like Gentry Williams will be crucial. With better communication in the secondary and a more aggressive approach to forcing turnovers, Oklahoma’s defense can begin to eliminate the blown coverages and blown assignments that have plagued them in the past.
- Defensive Line Depth and Pressure
While Reggie Grimes and the defensive line showed promise in 2023, depth remains a concern. The Sooners need more consistent pressure from their front four in order to disrupt opposing offenses. Oklahoma must be able to create pressure on quarterbacks without relying solely on blitzes, which can expose vulnerabilities in the secondary.
Venables has historically favored a defensive line that can dominate, and as recruiting continues to improve, the Sooners need to develop more depth at this position. Stronger play from younger players and increased competition in the trenches will be key to the team’s success.
- Tackling and Fundamentals
One of the most important aspects of any defense is solid tackling. In 2023, Oklahoma showed improvement in this area, but at times, missed tackles led to big plays for opposing offenses. Venables will need to continue emphasizing tackling technique and fundamentals in order to ensure that the Sooners can consistently bring down ball carriers and limit yardage.
Looking Ahead: A Promising Future for Oklahoma’s Defense
As Oklahoma’s defense looks to continue its improvement, the pieces are in place for a strong 2025 season. With key players like Danny Stutsman, Jaren Kanak, Reggie Grimes, and Gentry Williams leading the charge, the Sooners are poised to build a defensive unit that can compete at the highest levels of college football.
However, success will depend on whether these players can step up and embrace leadership roles, while also continuing to develop their skills. The 2025 season represents an important opportunity for the Sooners to make their mark on the defensive side of the ball, and with the guidance of Brent Venables, Oklahoma has the potential to return to elite status on defense.
With a renewed focus on fundamentals, consistency, and leadership, Oklahoma’s defense could be on the verge of a breakthrough. The Sooners are building something special on that side of the ball, and with continued growth, they could soon become one of the top defenses in college football.
In the end, as Oklahoma moves forward into the next phase of its program, the defense will be the key to success. If the Sooners can develop into a complete team—one that can both score and stop opponents—they will be well-positioned for success in the Big 12, the SEC, and on the national stage. The future is bright for Oklahoma, and as new leaders step up, the Sooners’ defense could once again be a force to be reckoned with.
