Crimson Countdown: No. 44 Kelvin Gilliam
The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2023 Oklahoma football season. It’s the second season under head coach Brent Venables and expectations are high once again. The Sooners are looking to rebound from the uncharacteristic 6-7 season in 2022.
Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 98 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Crimson Countdown: No. 44 Kelvin Gilliam
2022 stats: Played in nine games registering five tackles with a tackle for loss and quarterback hurry.
2023 outlook:
Will this be a breakout season for Player X? It’s one of those questions that fans ask this time of the year. Junior defensive tackle Kelvin Gilliam hopes to be the answer to that question. Physically, there’s a lot to like as Gilliam heads into his second season with defensive line coach Todd Bates.
“But when you talk about Kelvin Gilliam – if we went in and put him in today, if somehow he was cleared, he would execute to a tee. He’s getting the mental reps, too. I hear him talking behind me and it’s like what I would say to the guys that aren’t in,” said Bates this past spring.
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“And that’s what I told him what he’s supposed to do. When he ain’t over there doing some rehab or prehab trying to get his shoulder back with the trainers, I said, ‘be back there, be my second set of eyes’ and that’s what he’s done.”
Now Gilliam’s time on the field has come. Sooners fans are hoping his third season in Norman is a productive campaign.
2023 defensive tackle outlook:
There’s plenty of opportunity for any of the interior defensive lineman this season. Gone is the production from Jalen Redmond and Jeffery Johnson. Now it’s open game after you get past the veterans of the group in Jordan Kelley and Isaiah Coe. Jonah Laulu move inside has been a positive addition as has the additions of Davon Sears and Jacob Lacey from the transfer portal. Kelvin Gilliam returns after missing the spring following off-season shoulder surgery.
