Oklahoma has always counted on its linebackers.
Taking on offensive linemen and running stride for stride with running backs are both part of the job. The ability to accomplish both tasks are difficult to find in any one player, but the Sooners always seem to find at least three who are up to the job.
This season is no different.
OU brings back two starters in weakside linebacker Rufus Alexander and Zach Latimer in the middle. Both are coming off solid seasons and were the Sooners’ top tacklers a year ago.
Latimer had 84 stops, including six behind the line of scrimmage. He proved he could handle the rigors of OU’s defense.
But Alexander is the star of the group.
Since 2001, OU has claimed two Butkus Award winners in Rocky Calmus (2001) and Teddy Lehman (2003). Defensive coordinator Brent Venables believes Alexander is on their level.
“Rufus has a chance to be in the company of the awfully good linebackers that we’ve had since we’ve been here,” he said.
The senior from Baton Rouge, La., made himself a fan favorite with his knack for making plays at critical times. Chants of “Ruuuufus” have become as commonplace as “Boomer Sooner” over the last three seasons.
Last year Alexander paced OU with 102 tackles, including 17 for losses. He also amassed five sacks, an interception and broke up nine passes. The effort made him an All-Big 12 selection.
But more is expected in his final season. Alexander was named the Big 12’s preseason defensive player of the year and will compete for the Butkus Award.
He’s appreciative of the accolades, but he knows he has to earn everything on the field.
“It feels good that people think of you that highly, but it’s all predictions,” Alexander said. “You can’t go off that. You have to produce, play and execute.”
It’s a pretty sure bet he will, and Latimer is sure to be better after a season of experience. He was the new guy last season.
“Everyone has to do it,” Latimer said. “The guys that step right in and play are few and far between. It’s good to wait and learn and finally step in when it’s your turn.”
The only question mark is at the strongside spot. Clint Ingram held down the position for the last two seasons and his departure left a gaping hole.
However, it could turn into a golden opportunity for Demarrio Pleasant. The junior has been waiting for two seasons to get on the field.
He battled Ryan Reynolds for the spot in the spring and impressed the coaching staff along the way. His solid play has continued this preseason.
“I think he’s more than capable of being an awfully good football player,” Venables said. “He has all the physical traits and he has great instincts and range.”
The Sooners put even more stock in Pleasant after Reynolds suffered a knee injury last May. Reynolds is expected to redshirt this season and his unavailability him has made depth an issue.
Curtis Lofton is battling Latimer for playing time in the middle and Lewis Baker can step in and play at either the weak or strong spot.
Venables admits losing Reynolds for the season hurts, but likes what he has at the linebacker spots.
“Depth is a question. We saw that take a hit when Ryan got hurt,” Venables said. “But Rufus is going to be one of the great players in the nation this year, so we don’t lack for playmakers there.”
John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
Related Photos
-
Photo by Jerry Laizure
Discussion
Rufus will lead
But depth could be an issue for Sooner linebackers
- OU Sports
-
-
Schedule easing up for Sooners
For some time, the Oklahoma women have been done no favors by their schedule. That may still be the case, but not for much longer....
-
Sooners using roller-coaster season as motivation
Oklahoma’s women’s gymnastics team has been anything but consistent. After dominating its season opener, the Sooners fell to No. 7 Oregon State and No. 9 Nebraska before trouncing then-No. 2 Arkansas....
-
Sooners open season with World Series aspirations
The Sooners haven’t even taken the field yet, but there is already talk of a national championship floating around the Oklahoma locker room. The Sooners will take the first step toward that goal when they open the season at 1:15 p.m. ...
-
Sooners have to eliminate mistakes that are costing them wins
It was a typical practice for Oklahoma on Thursday. The long workout had a lot of energy and precision. It mirrored many it has had over the last three months....
-
Move to Big 12 is chance at stability
Maybe this Internet thing’s really going to make it after all. Maybe even as a news source....
-
Sooners struggling to make climb
Oklahoma left the Lloyd Noble Center floor feeling an emotion that has become far too common on Monday. The 71-68 loss to Missouri was another tough loss in a season that’s getting tougher every day....
-
Sooners quartet needs help from teammates
How well did Oklahoma play Monday night? So well, even after missing 14 of 23 free throws, Steven Pledger, one of the nation’s best sharpshooters, had an open 3 to send the Sooners into overtime against No. 4 Missouri....
-
Sooners good enough everywhere but the free throw line
Steven Pledger sank to the floor with his face in his hands as the buzzer sounded. He couldn’t believe the 3-pointer he took with about 1 second remaining didn’t go through the net. It wasn’t the only thing running through his mind after ...
-
Last season ended in first trip to College Word Series since 2004
Hunger. Passion. Those were the two words most often repeated at the Oklahoma softball squad’s Media Day on Monday. And it’s those two traits that the Sooners are bringing to the 2012 season, which kicks off on Friday....
-
Campbell has another big night when Sooners needed her to step up
Scoring Oklahoma’s last nine points in a narrow victory over Texas Tech, freshman Sharane Campbell had been instrumental in front of the home crowd in one victory already this season....
- More OU Sports Headlines
-
Schedule easing up for Sooners
