Oklahoma Sooners Football: Could Tragedies Halt the Sooner Schooner?

The University of Oklahoma football team has had its ups and downs since the Sooners defeated the UConn Huskies in the Fiesta Bowl in January.

The high points all came early with announcements by wide receiver Ryan Broyles and linebacker Travis Lewis that both would forgo the lure of NFL money and return to the team for their senior seasons.

These much-anticipated declarations brought elation to the Sooner Nation and prompted most prognosticators to anoint Oklahoma as the team to beat in 2011.

Since that point, the news coming from Norman has mostly been bad...and worse.

It wasn't long before Oklahoma suffered its first blow with the news that starting defensive back Jamell Fleming was no longer enrolled in school and that his return to the team was uncertain. The All-Big 12 cornerback's five interceptions led the team last season, and his departure further depleted a Sooner secondary that had lost both starting safeties to the NFL.

But while the loss of Fleming was a potential setback, it was not insurmountable considering the talented players waiting on the Oklahoma sidelines. Fleming may yet return to the team but may be pushed for playing time by younger players like Aaron Colvin, who stepped up during his absence in spring ball.

The news over the last few weeks has been much more tragic.

First, starting middle linebacker Austin Box suddenly passed away, leaving the program and fans in mourning for a young man who had persevered despite adversity throughout his entire career.

Austin's return to the starting lineup in the 10th game was a major reason Oklahoma's defense played much better as it ended the season on a five-game win streak.

Box was a fan favorite and, along with Travis Lewis, was expected to be a defensive team leader.

The very next day, defensive coordinator Brent Venables learned that his older brother had died unexpectedly in Colorado at the age of 43.

Sooner Nation was just coming to grips with this news when it learned that popular former Sooner defensive back Brandon Everage had drowned while swimming with friends near his hometown of Granger, Texas.

Everage was an All-American safety for OU and was known for his vicious hits on opponents who strayed to close to the former high school quarterback.

Losing a player to suspension is one thing, but the sudden death of three people connected to the Sooner program is a hard pill to swallow.

The question now for Oklahoma, with proper respect to those personally affected by the tragic loss of a loved one, is what effect will all of this horrible news have on next year's team?

Can the team overcome the adversity and pull together despite the devastating loss this cruel offseason has offered it?

Or will this accumulation of heavy blows be too much to overcome and derail what could have been a promising year before the season has even started?

While it may be comforting to believe that Bob Stoops and his staff will rally the troops to success, it is not known for certain what the lingering effects may be.

This question may not be fully answered for many long months.