Shieldnight Wants to be Coached Hard by Sooners

WAGONER, Okla. – For years Brent Venables has built dominant defenses with great play along the defensive line. And during both his stints in Norman he has focused plenty of energy on recruiting in-state talent for the Sooners. Those two realities met near perfectly when Oklahoma made Wagoner pass rusher Alex Shieldnight a focus of their recruiting.

He spoke with SCOOPHD about his upcoming senior year and his relationship with Miguel Chavis and the Sooners.

This time last year many expected Shieldnight to end up in Norman but he says he wasn’t sure of much. Now he’s living in a very different place.

“Last year I had no idea bout anything, just started getting into the football thing. This year is completely different, I’m locked in with OU. Coach Chavis, coach [Todd] Bates, and coach Venables they’ve done a great job developing me as far as knowledge and technique. I’m looking forward to developing my game and taking it to the next level,” Shieldnight explained.

Shieldnight who says he has put on roughly 15 pounds of mass over the last year says that that physical growth is something he is very focused on as he heads to Norman.

“[Oklahoma is] big on that of course. You have to have that strength and size. When you add that technique to it, it will make you a better player,” he said. “That’s something I want to continue to get better on – strength, speed, and size – in that order. As far as technique too, that’s big.”

Another aspect that will be big in every Brent Venables team is his steadfast belief in a team is a lot like a family. Interestingly when talking about his relationship with Sooners defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis, Shieldnight made a family comparison.

“I grew up playing basketball and my mom and paw [were] always ripping me a new one after games. It’s real easy to take coaching and have someone in my face. I wouldn’t want it any other way, I want someone to coach me as hard as they can. Like I’m one of their own,” he said.

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