Crimson countdown: No. 50 Phil Picciotti
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. 50 Phil Picciotti
2022 stats: N/A.
2023 outlook:
Now we’re getting an idea of what a Venables and Ted Roof linebacker class is going to look like. It didn’t take long to watch Picciotti during the spring and know the potential is there.
OU hasn’t been able to recruit that type of player at linebacker in a while, and we’ll see just how quickly Picciotti can pick up the schemes and understand everything.
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It’s hard to assume and tough to put pressure on Picciotti to be a guy in 2023, at least at linebacker. It wouldn’t be surprising if he gets some run on special teams, and then the coaches evaluate things from there.
He’s already made one bold move by going from Pennsylvania to IMG Academy for his senior season, so he’s clearly not worried about a challenge and working his way toward the top.
2023 linebacker outlook
Oklahoma isn’t lacking talent at inside linebacker. But it does lack experience. Junior Danny Stutsman returns as last year’s starter at WILL linebacker, while redshirt freshman Kobie McKenzie and sophomore Jaren Kanak battle for the MIKE spot. Sophomore Kip Lewis could also be a contributor after an impressive spring. And the Sooners added a linebacker in the transfer portal in Ferris State’s Konnor Near. This group has a lot to prove in 2023 – especially Stutsman – but it does appear to have the talent and depth to find success.
