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To replace its defensive captain and top tackler from each of the last three seasons, Oklahoma is turning to a first-time starter who enjoys writing poetry and sings in the church choir.
But Corey Nelson can play football, too.
The sophomore linebacker was coach Bob Stoops' star of spring practice, and the Sooners opened training camp trying to find ways to get him on the field. When three-year starter Travis Lewis broke a toe this week in practice, there was no more need for experimentation.
Nelson will now be forced into duty, filling in for the Big 12 preseason defensive player of the year who is out for up to eight weeks.
''The guy played just incredibly well a year ago as a freshman, and everybody heard me rave about him in the spring. So he's up to it and he'll meet the challenge. He has that kind of personality and that kind of makeup,'' Stoops said Wednesday. ''There's no way around it. It's an incredible blow to us. I'm not going to deny that. Travis is a great player, so it definitely makes a difference, but Corey's a guy that has the kind of ability to step up and play there and play well for us.''
Nelson steps in after playing in all 14 games last season, on special teams and in backup duty. The Dallas native initially committed to Texas A&M but switched to Oklahoma after the Aggies' defensive coordinator, Joe Kines, retired.
When he's not hitting somebody on a football field, he's been known to tap love poems into his cell phone or sing bass in his church choir.
''Corey is a little shy but once he gets out on the field and makes a play, he'll start yelling and get excited,'' middle linebacker Tom Wort said. ''He loves to play the game, he's a hard worker and it just all adds up with that determination. He's going to be good.''
Oklahoma had been tinkering with having Nelson play at strong side linebacker while moving Tony Jefferson from that position to free safety. That all changed when Lewis broke a bone in his left big toe during practice Monday.
''It's a very, very big challenge ahead of me,'' Nelson said. ''I have to stay focused, have to stay humble, have to stay hungry. If I can have that mindset, then I feel like I'll be able to fill those shoes.''
Nelson said he has spent his time with the Sooners learning by emulating Lewis during practice. He has jumped around from position to position and said he believes he's ''about to master the defense.''
''I want to be just as good as Travis while he's gone,'' Nelson said. ''I want to make it seem as if the defense hasn't skipped a heartbeat.''
The Sooners are left with a relatively inexperienced linebacking crew with their most veteran player sidelined. Lewis had started all 41 games over the last three seasons, and the injury lessens his chances of becoming the first player to lead the Sooners in tackles four years in a row.
Wort started the first nine games of last season at middle linebacker before yielding the spot to Austin Box, who died in May of an overdose on prescription painkillers. Jefferson, who will play the other outside linebacker position that doubles as a nickel back, is a sophomore who started every game last season.
''We're not going to miss a beat,'' Wort said. ''He's definitely a playmaker and he's a big-time guy, but we've got Corey stepping in there and he's also that kind of guy.''
Nearly as much as his play on the field, Oklahoma will be trying to replace Lewis' leadership. He was among the most vocal players on the team and was elected as a captain last season.
''I run the show now. I've got to make all the calls, all the checks, know the situations, communicate everything,'' Wort said.
Wort said he got the news Monday night when Lewis called after he got the results from an MRI, and his teammate has remained vocal at practice even though he can't play.
''He called me saying that he wasn't going to be able to ball with me against Florida State and that he broke his toe. That's hard to hear and it's sad, it's disappointing, but he's motivated to get back,'' Wort said. ''He told me he's giving me a four-game lead on trying to lead the team in tackles. He's giving me a head start.''
