A Look at the 2009 Oklahoma Sooners: Defense

(Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Ever since the arrival of Bob Stoops, Oklahoma has been known as a program with a very respectable defense—until 2008, that is.

In 2008, Oklahoma's defense was the poorest it has been in the Stoops era, finishing 68th overall.

Why is that?

Some say it was due to the injury bug. Some say it was due to playing against so many prolific offenses.

When Oklahoma finally got to the BCS Championship game, everyone was talking about how great their offense was and how weak their defense was.

Though Oklahoma did not win the BCS Championship against a very good Florida Gator team, they did show that their defense was better than the “experts” tried to portray them.

After holding the Florida Gators to season lows in points and yards, the Sooner defense looks like they could be once again among the top defenses in 2009.

Coming into the 2009 season, the Sooners return nine defensive starters. The only two positions that need to be filled—both safety positions—are very key in run support as well as pass defense.

Sophomore Sam Proctor and true freshman Javon Harris are battling for the chance to replace Nic Harris.

Proctor is the more experienced of the two, obviously. Redshirted his freshman year, Proctor saw action in every game last season in special teams, racking up a total of 10 special teams tackles and averaging over one tackle per game last season.

At 6'0", 208 pounds, Proctor could be a natural fit at the Strong Safety position.

Harris may lack experience of any kind in the college ranks, but he is not without talent. Harris was ranked as high as the No. 12 safety coming out of high school last year.

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