Big 12 South Preview: Sooners, Longhorns Vie for a Title

The linebackers, though, are scary good. Their second string unit is full of guys who could be all Big 12 if they were starting. JUCO Mike Reed may be the starter in the middle. At 6'1 250 he provides plenty of size, and his quick enough to be a playmaker. On the outside some combination of Lewis Baker, Ryan Reynolds, Curtis Lofton and Demarrio Pleasant will team up to surround Reed. All four are all star caliber players, and all four will see playing time. THeir stats may not be impressive as the playing time will probably get spread out pretty evenly, but the depth will allow an impressive rotation and plenty of situational substitution to optimize matchups. They also need to find a place for freshmen Austin Box, he just might be too good to redshirt. Don't be surprised if the Sooner use Lofton and Pleasant as rush ends in passing situations, thus enabling them to get Baker and Reynolds on the field with them.

There's also a gluttony of riches in the secondary. Reggie Smith goes from safety to corner, and D.J. Wolfe goes to safety. Smith, in addition to being a dangerous return man, is a playmaker on defense. Either Marcus Walker or Lendy Holmes will be starting opposite him, and the Sooner can't really go wrong with either one. Holmes showed a knack for making big plays in run support with 5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage while Marquis Walker intercepted 3 passes and broke up an impressive 9 others. These two might rotate in and out based on situations in almost what you could call a platoon as they compliment each other well. While Wolfe is likely to nail down one starting spot, the other safety will be Nic Harries or Darien Williams. Like at corner, they can't go wrong either way, both of whom have All American potential. Williams, a senior, has started 15 games the past two years and recorded 110 tackles in that span, while Harris, just a junior boasts impressive size at 6'3 226, so much so he spent some time practicing at linebacker, where he might see some playing time if Ryan Reynolds can't go this year. Harris made 10 starts a year ago and 68 tackles, as well as 4 interceptions and 8 passes defended. Williams experience might give him an edge when it comes to starting, but whoever doesn't start will get plenty of playing time. Harris could be used at both safety spots, as a potential 4th cornerback, and at linebacker. His versatility gives coordinators Brent Venables and Bobby Jack Wright even more toys to play with on defense.

The Sooners have all the pieces in place for a championship run, including good special teams. Their incredible depth at linebacker should really show up with their kick coverage units, and their return game will be one of the most explosive in college football. Reggie Smith is a fantastic return man, and Juaquin Inglesias returned a kickoff for a score last year while averaging close to 26 ypr. Michael Cohen isn't spectacular, but he's a steady punter, and Garrett Hartley was a Groza finalist last year.

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