Why Konnor Near could be a key contributor for Oklahoma
When Konnor Near entered the transfer portal in April, he didn’t know what to expect — he certainly didn’t expect a call from Brent Venables and Oklahoma.
A two-time Division II All-American linebacker and national champion at Ferris State in Big Rapids, Michigan, Near didn’t even know if he’d get a Power Five offer. In fact, he told the Ferris State coaching staff that if he didn’t get a Power Five offer, he’d return to school and “be the best linebacker Ferris State’s ever had.”
Instead, the offers came rolling in. Washington State, Duke, Georgia Tech, West Virginia, Texas Tech, and, his favorite school as a kid, Michigan State. But then, after five days in the portal, Venables and Oklahoma called.
“It was probably the biggest decision I made in my life up until that point,” Near said. “I was expecting Division I offers, but I didn’t know how big it would go. You never do. It worked out for the best… When I go to bed at night, I picture it in my head – running out of that tunnel.”
Near might not just be running out of that tunnel at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. He could be a key contributor for this Oklahoma team, which searched for experienced players this offseason in the portal — no matter the level they played at.
He’s competing for a starting job along at MIKE linebacker with Jaren Kanak and Kobie McKinzie – two highly-rated members of the 2022 recruiting class. And while Kanak and McKinzie are the hopefuls to win the job, don’t count Near out.
“I would not bet against him being on the field early,” said Grant Caserta, Ferris State’s linebackers coach. “And it will sound crazy to the people on the outside but he’s got the physical tools to compete and I know he’s got the mental side, too. He has got game experience and even though it’s Division II, he has played a lot of football. So, situationally, he is going to be prepared that maybe some younger guys who have not played yet have to get up to speed with.”
And so far though, Near has made a positive impression on the Oklahoma coaching staff.
“He’s been fantastic,” Venables said after the second day of fall camp. “He shows up every day like a guy that has played a lot of ball, knows how to compete and respond and those things. He’s got a lot to learn, but he’s been working at it since May.”
From St Johns, Michigan — which has a population of just over 7,000 — Near’s dream of playing major college football was far-fetched coming out of high school. He was a two-time All-State honoree and three-time all-conference selection at St. Johns High School. But only received preferred walk-on offers from a few MAC schools before Ferris State offered him a scholarship.
His career at Ferris State didn’t start until his third year. He redshirted as a freshman and his sophomore season was canceled due to COVID-19. He started at outside linebacker in 2021, playing in all 15 games and totaling 27 tackles and two tackles for loss. And in 2022, he started the first six games at outside linebacker before moving to MIKE for the final nine games, which is when he saw his game take off. He totaled 66 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and one fumble recovery.
(photo via Konnor Near)
“We quickly realized he was our best linebacker and we needed to move him inside,” Caserta said. “When he moved to MIKE, he made a lot more plays. He was in on a lot of tackles. He’s like a field general. He knows everybody’s job. Very intelligent. Helps line guys up. So that was perfect for us to have a guy like that in the middle. And he really took off after that.”
Near, 22, says he’s always been that way, having a nose for the football. His coaches at Ferris State said he had one of the highest football IQs they’ve ever seen.
“I’d say it’s maybe more instincts than football IQ,” Near said. “I like playing inside. There’s a lot of room to make plays and a lot of room for error. But I like fitting gaps right, reading keys – that’s what I think I excel at the most as a player… I’m learning a lot this summer. And I’ve always been a decent student. That’s never been a problem. Coming into it though, a lot of coaches liked how I would see a puller and act a certain way and stuff like that – just natural football instincts.”
Venables and Oklahoma fell in love with Near’s tape at Ferris State. He offered not only experience, but he showcased the ability to learn quickly. And he doesn’t lack size, either, standing at 6-foot-1, 232 pounds — just one inch shorter than Kanak, the frontrunner to be the starting MIKE linebacker.
Some have already counted Near out of the race to start for Oklahoma because he played at a small school. And that will be an adjustment for Near, playing against bigger and faster competition, and in high-pressure situations. The largest crowd he has ever played in front of was 20,000 in the Division II national championship. Though, Near said it was “a smaller stadium and it’s packed. So it was a good atmosphere.”
But for those that have seen Near play, they believe he will help the Sooners. And for those who know Ferris State, they know it’s not your average Division II program – it’s currently the Georgia of Division II football, winning back-to-back titles.
“He’s all the things you want in a player – hard worker, smart, athletic, weight-room guy,” Caserta said. “And we’re not a typical Division II school. We’ve got talent and players that can play Division I football. It’s nowhere near in terms of the depth of really good players. There are a lot of really good players here, but nearly as many as on that level in terms of quantity. But I think he’s definitely physically and mentally capable of doing it.
“I know for sure he’s going to take the time to study and learn the plays. He is going to be prepared mentally and he is going to be locked into the game plan. And then knowing how he works in the weight room — I know his body is going to be ready.”
Watch Near during individual drills for Oklahoma and he looks no different than the rest of OU’s linebackers. And talk to him for five minutes and you can see why Oklahoma fell in love with him – not only for his intelligence but his confidence.
“I’m just as big and just as strong as everybody else in the room,” Near said. “I think we all stack up pretty evenly and it should be a fun camp.”
Still, few outside of Oklahoma believe Near will play meaningful snaps. And maybe that’s true. Maybe he’s a core special teams player or a third-string backer. And Near said as much, saying he’ll accept any role and that he wants “to contribute to this team the best way I can and try to obviously start with a win the first week. No numbers, nothing like that. Just gotta play football first.”
Near offers “competitive depth” for Oklahoma, which had none behind last year’s starters in Danny Stutsman and David Ugwoegbu, who has since transferred to Houston. Oklahoma played the third-most defensive snaps in college football last year, with Stutsman and Ugwoegbu playing over 90 percent of those snaps at inside linebacker. But Near isn’t just another body for the Sooners. He offers not just depth, but invaluable experience with football being his only priority.
“He doesn’t have any friends out there. His only friend is football right now until he gets to know the team better,” Caserta said. “He’s approaching this as if it’s his job. He has already graduated. He could go work for a big-time construction company right now and be a manager if he wanted to and he knows he’s got that in his future, so he’s putting all his eggs in the football basket right now.”
Near graduated from Ferris State with a degree in construction management and is pursuing a master’s degree at Oklahoma in intercollegiate athletics administration.
But make no mistake – Near came to Oklahoma to play. And while he recognizes guys like Kanak and McKinzie are the future of the program, he isn’t afraid of the competition.
“I think every person has something to prove when they go to a school like this,” Near said. “Regardless of their background, whether they’re 17 years old enrolling early or 22 and coming from a Division II school. Definitely feel like I have something to prove.”
So, when it comes time for Near to run out of that tunnel and play in front of 80,000 people, fulfilling a life-long dream, will he be intimidated? Or poised for the moment?
“I don’t think intimidation is the right word. I don’t know,” Near said, pausing as he thought of an answer. “I’d tell you I’m excited and I can’t wait and I’m eager to get out on that field in front of us this many people. It’s going to be one of the best experiences of my life no matter what happens.
“It’s been challenging, and it probably should be. If something’s not challenging, it’s probably not worth doing.”
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