Ted Roof gives takeaways from linebacker play
Oklahoma defensive coordinator Ted Roof has seen a lot of improvement from the team’s linebackers so far — and that has made him happy.
“Fundamental, incremental improvements — whether it’s footwork, whether it’s pad level, whether it’s blow delivery, whether it was shedding blocks with their hands,” Roof said. “We got a long way to go, but I’ve seen a lot of improvement and I’m proud of that. We just got to carry it on and take the next step with it and continue to get better every day. I know that sounds (like) coach talk, but that’s the truth. That’s just the way it is.”
Danny Stutsman leads the linebacking core heading into the season after an outstanding 2022 season with the Sooners. He was named as an All-Big 12 honorable mention after leading the conference in tackles with 125. Stutsman also nabbed 10.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, five quarterback hurries and two interceptions.
Another expected leader in the room is Dasan McCullough, a highly-regard transfer from Indiana. Entering Norman, Okla., with just a single season under his belt, McCullough said that head coach Brent Venables is working on making him into a team leader.
“Since I’ve been here coach Venables has made it clear he wants me to be a leader,” McCullough said recently. “Just having him right by my side, just helping me out with all these little things, made me the best linebacker I could be. You can’t ask for any more. It’s great.”
McCullough was the No. 25 overall player and No. 2 EDGE in On3’s Transfer Player Rankings.
There are three freshman currently enrolled and in the linebacker room: Phil Picciotti, Avery Burow and Jozsef Pal. Picciotti was the No. 573 overall recruit in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking. The On3 Industry is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services. The On3 Industry Ranking is the most advanced, complete and unbiased rating and ranking measurement in the industry.
Roof said the team’s spring game last weekend was a job well done and he was happy that everyone on the team got to get reps.
“I think today was another step for us. We made some improvement, we never make enough, we never have, we never will no matter what year, what school, whatever,” Roof said. “But they’ve done a great job and we’ve come a long way, we’ve got a ways to go but I’m really proud of them and thought today we took another step.”
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