We'll be looking at a few, key positions for the Sooners this week.
Today: Linebackers
Check out Monday's look at running backs:
Check out Tuesday's peek at the quarterback situation:
And here's Wednesday's breakdown of the receivers:
Last season at linebacker: Dominique Alexander was first on the team in tackles and Jordan Evans was second on the team and both were just sophomores, but the team was missing Frank Shannon, who sat out the entire season with a suspension.
Evans was impressive last season, starting all 13 games at inside linebacker and finishing with 56 solo tackles. Meanwhile, Alexander was a second team All-Big 12 pick by the Associated Press. He started all 13 games at inside linebacker, too.
Of course, the most-notable name at linebacker is Eric Striker. The senior to be has started the past 26 games and finished last season as a third team All-American and a first team All-Big 12 linebacker. Striker had 68 tackles and and nine sacks. His 15.5 sacks at OU are a school record for a linebacker.
The players: Striker, Evans, Alexander, Devante Bond, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Ricky DeBerry, Arthury McGinnis, P.L. Lindley, Curtis Bolton.
The starters this season will be: There's just no telling if Shannon will be back with the team or not, but if he is, the Sooners will be very experienced and very talented at the position. For now, pencil in Alexander and Evans on the inside and Striker and Bond on the outside. Bond is a senior. He started three games last season and played in 12 after transferring from Sierra (Calif.) Community College.
The player to watch this season is: Striker. Striker is the most-exciting player on the defense and it isn't even close and this season, his last at OU, could be really dynamic. Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops will also be coaching the outside linebackers, so we'll see if Striker is let loose.
Yes, Striker has dropped back into coverage some, but he does his best work when he lines up and rushes the passer. More of that in 2015 and Striker could be on the way to becoming a first team Al-American.
Notable: A couple of coaching switches for the Sooners at the linebacker spot. Not saying it's going to be a big deal, but it's certainly worth keeping an eye on.
Tim Kish, will focus on inside linebackers and Stoops will coach the outside linebackers as well as coordinate the defense. Kish was listed as the co-defensive coordinator last season. He's just listed as the inside linebackers coach in 2015 after working with all of the linebackers last season.
What will happen this season: Who knows if Shannon will return and if he does, the Sooners will have plenty of depth. Signs point to Shannon coming back for his senior season and that will help solidify the best position on the defense.
There's no reason to think Shannon, Alexander and Evans will have less than 80 tackles each and Striker should challenge for the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year.
Follow Andrew Gilman on Twitter: @andrewgilmanOK
