Oklahoma Football: Moving Tony Jefferson to Safety Will Prove Huge for Sooners

When Tony Jefferson spent time at SAM linebacker last season for Oklahoma, he recorded 74 tackles and proved to be a critical component of the Sooners' defense.

Unfortunately for the Sooners, Jefferson was kept away from where he could really help the team's struggling pass defense: safety.

Oklahoma gave up 243.6 passing yards per game in 2011, and Robert Griffin III's closing strike to receiver Terrance Williams on Nov. 19 still conjures up painful memories.

This season, it will be no different. Demontre Hurst will be the team's No. 1 cornerback, but who will challenge for the No. 2 spot opposite Hurst while Aaron Colvin recovers from shoulder surgery is anyone's guess. Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said last month that the young corners needed "a lot work," via ESPN.

That's why Stoops moving Jefferson back to safety this season will be huge for the Sooners. Not only does Jefferson have the instincts and tackling ability to excel in the secondary, he's become a leader and will serve as a critical protector down the field for the young corners.

Jefferson appears to be happy with the move and is accepting his role as the leader of the Sooners' defense.

Jefferson said, via ESPN, "It feels good. (Stoops) expects me to be a leader but I need to, not only lead these guys, [but] I have to play well.”

With Landry Jones returning, Oklahoma should once again be one of the top offenses in college football. The difference for the Sooners will be how they play against the pass. If their young corners develop quickly and Colvin returns from injury 100 percent healthy, Jefferson and Oklahoma have a good chance to make it to a BCS bowl next season.

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