What a true Brent Venables defense could mean for Oklahoma in 2023

After a hiccup in his first season on the job, Brent Venables could have Oklahoma contending for the Big 12 in 2023.

At least On3’s JD PicKell thinks so, with one caveat. PicKell believes if the Sooners’ defense can play up to snuff, it could be a fantastic sophomore season for Venables as the Oklahoma head man.

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“This is a very, very high impact unknown, because if the defense at Oklahoma resembles more of a Brent Venables kind of defense, they could win the Big 12,” explained PicKell. “Because I don’t have as many reservations about the offense. I mean, they scored over 30 a game last year. Dillon Gabriel’s back. Jovantae Barnes is a dude. I think they’ll have somebody step up on the outside and be explosive for them. Like I think Oklahoma’s offense is going to be good enough.

“But if the defense, with the personnel they’ve added, can just do a 180, they’re going to have a chance. They’re going to have a very legitimate chance.”

While Venables’ scheme is as good as it gets in college football, PicKell continued to explain that personnel is where we really have to look when it comes to the Sooners.

“The personnel is where we’ve really got to look. Because I don’t think the scheme is the problem. I think the scheme and what you’re asking your players to do is the big variable there,” added PicKell. “You added Dasan McCullough. He’s long, he’s fast. He’s going to be able to rush the passer. He’s going to be able to cover. You know, we’ve talked about this a few times, they’ve got some freshman that I think are going to contribute this year. Peyton Bowen. Five-star kid playing safety. Adepoju Adebawore. Some call him PJ. We’ll probably call him PJ from here on out because that’s less of a tongue twister, but dude is an absolute dawg. We’ve better get used to saying his name a lot. Better figure out how to say his name clearly, because he’s going to be someone we talk about for years to come in Norman. There’s some pieces defensively. If they’re able to mesh with what they brought in from the portal, and the players are able to be more comfortable in that scheme, they’re going to be a force in the Big 12.

“You probably look across and see Texas, and that’s the one school that you think has a chance to challenge as well. Obviously anybody can challenge, but those are the schools, from a roster and talent standpoint. Texas offensively, can present some issues for you. They did last year. But if that defense, going back to that question, if that defense improves, Oklahoma is going to have a very legitimate chance to win the Big 12, and then we’ll see what happens after that.”

Time will tell, but Oklahoma’s resurgence in Year 2 of Brent Venables looks like it makes a lot of sense, the Sooners just have to make good on it.