Kani Walker making waves in OU cornerback room
It has been a process for OU under head coach Brent Venables. As much as you wanted it to happen overnight, that hasn’t been the case.
Venables preached competitive depth heading into the 2023 season. But it wasn’t quite there, definitely not there at every position.
Cornerback was a glaring example. Just an injury here or there, and OU had to move safeties into the spot. That wasn’t competitive depth.
Give it another year, though, and things feel different. We’ll find out if it actually is, but there is belief that are a lot more options.
“Guys that can go out there and line up and play corner, they’re fearless, confident, still learning,” said Venables on Tuesday. “But that’s the group of guys, top to bottom, we’re better at corner than at any time that we’ve been here.”
There is confidence in Woodi Washington and Gentry Williams. But there are questions, too. Will Washington play more safety or slot corner? Will Williams be able to make it through the entire season?
There has to be more guys. Sounds like there is, beginning with Kani Walker. Now in his third year in the program, Walker sounds like the guy making the leap.
“Kani Walker, he may have been our most consistent so far at corner,” Venables said. “Woodi can play in lots of spots. But Kani has really picked up where he left off late in the year last year, he’s playing really well, had a great spring. He’s had his best eight months since he’s been here.”
If Walker becomes that guy, that becomes a huge sigh of relief. OU has attempted to build the room in other ways, too. However, if Walker becomes a legit dude, the ceiling for the room changes.
The other corners know it, too.
“Let’s start with Kani Walker,” said Williams last week. “He played a lot of snaps because of my mishaps last season. He’s definitely stepping into a bigger role. I’m happy to see him maturing.”
Malone finding that comfort
One of the ways OU fought to make the room better was bringing in former San Diego State cornerback Dez Malone.
It took him a spring to get acclimated. Time to go to work now.
“Oh yea, I feel way more comfortable compared to the spring,” Malone said. “When I first got here, I didn’t know what to expect; I never transferred or anything like that before. It was kind of different for me. I felt kind of like a freshman all over again, but once I got the feel of it, now I feel way more comfortable inside the scheme.”
Johnson making strides
Being good in special teams one season could lead to more defensive opportunities the next one. Venables always says that about safety Robert Spears-Jennings, now expected to really shine.
Might have the same type of progression from someone like sophomore Jacobe Johnson. His athletic ability has been touted for a long time.
“Jacobe Johnson is having a really good camp,” Venables said. “We know Jacobe’s really long and aggressive. Was a fantastic special teams player a year ago, and that really helped his confidence as he’s learning how to be a corner and he’s making improvement daily there.”
Here come the freshmen
Even though Venables loves to say he isn’t quick to anoint anybody, he does notice freshmen. It is to be determined what impact these guys will make in 2024, but they’re putting their best foot forward to begin 2024.
“Eli Bowen has been a guy that’s been a really good football player, nothing’s too overwhelming for him, the moment’s never too big for Eli,” Venables said. “He’s got great instincts. Super good technique. Then Jeremiah Newcombe, he’s been a dog in camp. He’s been aggressive and tough and super knowledgeable. Well-skilled. Devon Jordan, same thing.”
Newcombe and Jordan both were not mid-year enrollees, but it sounds like they’ve been able to adjust in their initial months.
Final word
“We have a great group. All of our guys can go. Real good solid group, have a lot of different flavors. We have speed, size, smarts. We have everything. I love our group.” – Malone
The post Kani Walker making waves in OU cornerback room appeared first on On3.
