NORMAN — When Oklahoma released its depth chart, weakside linebacker Travis Lewis didn’t even pay attention. The All-American candidate, obviously, topped the list at his spot. It didn’t matter to him who he was lining up next to.
That’s defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ decision. The faith Lewis has in his coach doesn’t waiver.
“I’m confident that whoever coach V puts out there will be pretty good,” he said. “I’ll feel confident in whoever he puts out there.”
Venables’ track record for always coming up with quality linebackers makes Lewis easy to believe. It’s been over a decade since the Sooners didn’t have an All-Big 12 performer in the group, and Lewis is expected to assume that honor this season.
But its his impact on those around him that needs to be felt this season. Because, aside from Lewis this is a transition season for the group. Ryan Reynolds and Keenan Clayton are gone after holding down the middle and weakside linebacker spots, respectively, the previous two seasons.
With junior Austin Box expected to miss at least the season opener with a back injury, Lewis is the only starter whose experience predates last season.
So Lewis is adding a little coaching to his resumé.
“Travis is a guy that demands perfection,” redshirt freshman linebacker Tom Wort said. “If I do something wrong, he gets on me right away. It’s good. It’s making me better.”
In terms of talent, most believe the sky is the limit for the Sooner linebackers this season, even though they have to replace two longtime starters. What’s coming up has cooled concerns about a drop off.
Wort was competing with Box for the middle spot until Box’s injury.
The spot is now his, but it’s not like Wort hasn’t earned it. Venables has been high on Wort since last preseason. A knee injury kept him off the field last season. But he’s fully healed.
“He really came back strong that way,” Venables said of Wort.
The strongside doesn’t have a ton of experience either. But it does have a player there who’s many believe could be the Sooners’ most exciting defender.
Sophomore Ronnell Lewis earned a reputation as a vicious hitter on special teams last season. He earned his only start in the Sun Bowl and showed his potential is bright. Venables spent the spring and summer devising ways to exploit those talents.
In OU’s base 4-3 defense, Lewis will be at strongside linebacker. But he’ll also play some at defensive end in passing situations.
“We’re going to look at ways to get him on the field and put him in a playmaking position,” Venables said.
Versatility is the key to any group of linebackers. They have to bang with offensive linemen against the run and run stride for stride against slot receivers against spread offenses. Joseph Ibiloye and Tony Jefferson, a freshman, both started off as safeties before moving into the mix at linebacker. Both are fighting for the nickel spot, which is a linebacker/safety hybrid the Sooners use a lot to match up with spread offenses.
“That is just the nature of the game. We play a lot of teams with three, four and sometimes five wide-outs so we are going to match up personnel,” Venables said. “We have a 3-4 defense, too, and we can get into a 3-4 out of our base personnel, too, so we have some flexibility there, and obviously we are going to try to match-up and get our best personnel on the field in certain situations. We can get into a lot of different things, but it is all based on the matchup.”
It takes versatile linebackers to do all of that. Venables believes he has more of them waiting behind his starters. Sophomore Jaydan Bird is currently the No. 2 in the middle. Ibiloye is behind Lewis at the strongside.
Freshman Corey Nelson has moved in behind Lewis and most believe he’s too talented to keep off the field this season.
“He is an athlete,” Lewis said of Nelson. “He’s really picking up the defense incredibly fast. He’s at about where I was at the end of my sophomore year. It’s amazing at how fast he’s picking it up. He’s making a lot of plays and he’s going to be a great replacement. He’ll be on the field this year. He’s a real player.”
When it comes to OU’s linebacker that tends to be the case. Each year one or two move and each August someone steps up to take their place. The group’s play stays the same.
“We go out there and play with a chip on our shoulder every day,” Lewis said. “Doesn’t matter what the preseason accolades are or what the individual awards, we go out there and prove ourselves every day to each other. I think we’ve done that.”
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
