Those who attend Oklahoma’s defensive ends meetings know they’re playing in a cut-throat world. Every practice, meeting or scrimmage is a chance to move up or down the depth chart.
“That’s why I like OU; you have to compete for your job,” defensive end Jeremy Beal said.
But how much competition can there be when both projected starters — Auston English and John Williams — are being held out of spring practices with injuries.
Plenty.
Beal learned firsthand last season how critical depth can be at the spot.
He was just a guy make the transition from linebacker last season and was a likely candidate to spend most of it sitting on the bench. Then Williams was lost for the season to injury and English was out for several games late in the season.
By the time the Big 12 championship game rolled around, Beal was a starter.
“It was weird, but you have to expect that,” he said. “(Defensive ends coach Chris Wilson) always tells us to practice like you’re a starter and expect to play. When it came I was ready for the opportunity.”
Finding out who’s next in line is the big focus this spring. The Sooners currently have four defensive ends going through spring practice. Beal and Alan Davis worked mostly with the first team in last week’s first spring scrimmage. Freshman Frank Alexander and sophomore Pryce Macon worked with the second team.
But things can always change. That’s what scrimmages like today at 1 p.m. at Owen Field and practices are for.
“Those guys are doing well,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “Jeremy Beal continues to come on and is exciting to watch. He made a bunch of plays out there today. Frank Alexander has come along and done a lot of good things. The guys you really need to get the snaps are getting them.
“We’ve had John Williams and Auston for a long time do well for us. In the end, this will be beneficial for these guys.”
Alexander could be the next defensive end poised for a breakout year. He redshirted last season, but has put on nearly 20 pounds since he first arrived and had a sack in last week’s scrimmage.
“Coach said if you have a position, it can be gone that same day if you don’t play hard or smart. He told me to get back into the playbook and learn the plays. I’m on the field right now, but it can be taken just like that.”
That’s life for an OU defensive end.
OU Sports
The life of a Sooner defensive end
Scrimmage today
- OU Sports
-
-
It’s a recipe for success
Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso was answering questions Saturday after her Sooners clinched another return to the Women’s College World Series when, without really meaning to, she began to make it clear her job has, sort of, become ...
-
Tigers deny Sooners’ Big 12 title hopes
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma wanted to win its first Big 12 tournament in 16 years on Sunday. Missouri needed to win it to get in the NCAA Tournament. Need topped desire at Bricktown Ballpark....
-
Sooners make winning look easy
As Oklahoma’s players locked arms around the pitching circle, coming together for what passed as a celebration following Saturday’s 7-1 NCAA Super Regional-clinching victory over Arizona, three gloves remained near second base....
-
There are no easy outs in the lineup
Looking for a gameplan to stop Oklahoma? Well, one may or may not be available, but walking two of the first three Sooners you face certainly isn’t part of it. Just ask Arizona’s Kenzie Fowler....
-
Sooners will play for Big 12 championship
OKLAHOMA CITY, — It’s been 16 years since Oklahoma won the Big 12 tournament. It’s closer now than its ever been to ending the streak. The Sooners rolled through Baylor, 7-2, on Saturday at Bricktown Ballpark to advance to the tournament’s ...
-
Sooners send five more to nationals
AUSTIN, Texas — Oklahoma track and field teams had five more individuals qualify for the NCAA Championship on Saturday evening at the NCAA West Preliminary. The men’s 4x100-meter relay team also advanced to the national semifinals....
-
OU sophomore Jao-Javanil wins NCAA golf title
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Oklahoma’s Chirapat Jao-Javanil made Oklahoma golf history Friday, becoming the first Sooner, man or woman, to win an individual NCAA national championship....
-
Pitching staff is exactly where Golloway wants it to be
When the Big 12 tournament began, Oklahoma felt like it had the pitching staff to make a deep run. Dillon Overton, Jordan John, Jonathan Gray and Damien Magnifico gave them four quality starters and a closer — Steven Okert — capable of ...
-
Sooners shut out Wildcats, need one more win for WCWS entry
Oklahoma might have scored more runs, not committed an error and starting pitcher Keilani Ricketts could have been just a little more efficient along the way....
-
Sooners send 4 more to NCAAs
AUSTIN, Texas – Oklahoma’s track and field teams added four individuals to the list of Sooners advancing to the NCAA championship Friday at the NCAA West Preliminary. In addition to the four new qualifiers, Brittany Borman advanced to the ...
- More OU Sports Headlines
-
It’s a recipe for success
