He had 36 tackles and a sack in 2016. He will be joined by junior first-year starting safety Will Sunderland. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images), FORT WORTH, TX – OCTOBER 01: Kyle Hicks #21 of the TCU Horned Frogs is tackled by Caleb Kelly #19 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. At +1000 to win the title, there may be some value to that if you're a bigger believer in Stoops than I am. He had an interception in limited action last year. However, Terry looks like the favorite to win the job. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 58-23. Here’s the Oklahoma Sooners 2017 college football preview. This unit is young, but the potential is through the roof. NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 10 : Fullback Dimitri Flowers #36 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks September 10, 2016 at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. Activities offered by advertising links to other sites may be deemed an illegal activity in certain jurisdictions. Oklahoma Football: Where can Sooners turn after Nick Basquine injury. NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 10 : Fullback Dimitri Flowers #36 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks September 10, 2016 at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. Caleb Kelly is also a name to watch, as he came on strong late last year and should be the starter on the strongside. Steven Parker has been a quality safety the last three years for Oklahoma and has improved each season, while Will Sunderland is poised for a breakout season with more playing time. Oklahoma also still has a young offensive line led by Orlando Brown, Ben Powers, Bobby Evans and Erick Wren, but the Sooners were above-average at protecting the quarterback last season. Sports Writer . There’s nowhere to go but up from last year’s 111th-ranked passing defense which also sat at 8th in the Big 12. Regardless, the Sooners have all of the talent to not only win the Big 12 but also be a college football playoff team. Don’t sleep on Ricky DeBerry, either. Mark Andrews, Jeffery Mead and Jeff Badet will all be given a larger workload with Mixon and Dede Westbrook no longer around, which does raise some questions at the wide receiver spots. Ward, Kenneth Mann and Amani Bledsoe rotating. Penn State Football: 2017 season preview, predictions by Connor Muldowney Oklahoma Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017 by Connor Muldowney 2 years ago Follow @connormuldowney Starting safeties: Steven Parker, Will SunderlandBackups: Khalil Haughton, Chanse Sylvie. He put up some video game-like numbers, finishing second on the team with 71 tackles, but led the Sooners with 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks. The latter was a top recruit in the Sooners’ 2015 class and he’s finally getting his turn to prove that he can play with the big boys. Viewers are specifically warned that they should inquire into the legality of participating in any games and/or activities offered by such other sites. Senior safety Steven Parker is back as a starer following a campaign in which he put up 63 total tackles, two interceptions and four pass deflections. Outlook: I’m always hesitant on putting Oklahoma in the national title conversation because I have little faith in Bob Stoops coming through in big games. As a condition of viewing this website viewers agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from the viewer’s participation in any of the games and/or activities offered by the advertiser. Powered by Minute Media © 2020 All Rights Reserved. Oklahoma Sooners news from FanSided Daily, Auburn Football: Five reasons why Tigers will win 2017 national title, Penn State Football: 2017 season preview, predictions, Oklahoma Football: 2017 season preview, predictions, Building Best All-Time College Football Team, College Football Trivia: Test Your Knowledge, Big 12 Football: 3 reasons why the conference will collapse soon, Oklahoma QB Chris Robison, DB Ronnie LaRue Arrested for Public Intoxication, Oklahoma Football: Sooners' 2017 previews, predictions. There's 16 starters returning from last years squad, so maybe this is the year OU finally gets it together. The Sooners have a lot of promising players returning from last years squad and hope this is the season they can run through the Big 12 and get back to the college football playoffs. 43 Freshmen; 32 Sophomores; 23 Juniors; 19 Seniors; Roster Changes. Oklahoma Sooners 2017 College Football Preview, Schedule, Prediction, Depth Chart. Getting smoked by Houston and Ohio State in the first three weeks last season was a perfect example. Football Depth Chart Depth Chart: Headlines | Media Guide Printable Depth Chart | Updated Dec. 1, 2014. He’s going to have to hold off last year’s starter at outside backer, Emmanuel Beal. Jordan Thomas is an experienced cornerback who came away with two interceptions and 19 passes defended last season, which was tid for the most in the Big 12.