By John Shinn
Oklahoma returns all its starters from last season’s secondary, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some new positions this season.
In the spring, Reggie Smith switched from strong safety to cornerback and the coaching staff hopes having more experienced safeties will allow Smith to stay there.
But two of last season’s cornerbacks also have moved. D.J. Wolfe moved to strong safety in the spring. Wolfe, who has started 14 games over the previous two seasons, looked solid in March and April. His improvement has continued into August.
“He’s a guy with a physical presence to cover and make plays,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said.
The surprise move for the start of preseason practice is the shift of Lendy Holmes from cornerback to free safety.
Venables said Holmes has taken to the new position like a fish to water.
“He covers a lot of ground and has a lot of range. He’s had hands all over the ball,” Venables said. “He’s really transitioned well in knowing where he needs to be and playing well in space. He does a great job of reading the quarterback.”
Holmes, a junior, was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection last season and started 11 of the Sooners’ 14 games. He finished with one interception, two fumble recoveries and one sack.
“He’s very wiry and he’s very physical,” Venables said. “He’s not Roy Williams, but he is very competitive. That’s what we’re looking for.”
Venables said Holmes is being used as a safety during five- and six-defensive back alignments. But his role could be expanded.
The Sooners needed some added depth at the safety spot for the preseason. Darien Williams started 11 games there last season, but is out for another few weeks due to a knee injury.
Moving Holmes to safety provides another option.
Currently, Smith and Marcus Walker hold down the starting spots at cornerback. Nic Harris is working as the No. 1 free safety and Wolfe holds down the top spot at strong safety.
Things could change over the next four weeks. Venables said the major goal with the secondary is simple.
“We are trying to figure out a way to get our best players on the field.”
Easier to identify
OU’s players will be easier to identify this season. Their last names will be on the back of their jerseys this season after going unnamed last season.
It seems like whether or not names would appear on the jerseys was the second biggest question surrounding the 2007 season, behind the who would be the starting quarterback.
OU coach Bob Stoops said it wasn’t a big deal to him.
“It helps make the players more identifiable for the fans,” he said. “I don’t care, you guys make too much of that.”
Too much heat?
Freshman quarterback Keith Nichol has a strong arm. According to a couple of wide receivers, it might be a little too strong.
“Arm strength is a thing that I have had since I was a little kid,” Nichol said. “I can’t really explain it and I don’t really know how I got it.”
Stoops was asked what needed to be done to corral the freshman’s velocity. The coach said it’s the receivers’ problem.
“They need to learn to catch it,” he said.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
