Crimson countdown: No. 55 Ashton Sanders
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. 55 Ashton Sanders
2022 stats: N/A.
2023 outlook: The freshman defensive tackle was a much-needed boost to Todd Bates’ position room when Oklahoma added him late in the recruiting cycle. Now it’s a wait and see approach as Sanders will need some time to develop.
“Ashton (Sanders), he’s going to be a great player, knows how to use his pad level,” said Bates this past spring.
The Los Angeles Cathedral product actually joined the Sooners program practicing with the team during Cheez-It Bowl prep in Orlando following a decorated high school career that earned him a U.S. Army All-American bid.
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“Ashton Sanders is super athletic inside guy, has a lot of bounce. He’s gonna be a really good player,” said head coach Brent Venables.
Sanders is projected to stay on the interior of the defensive line during his career but there will need to be some patience following the Sooners active year in the transfer portal.
2023 defensive tackle outlook:
There’s not one position that was more active in the transfer portal this past cycle. Notre Dame transfer Jacob Lacey and Texas State’s Davon Sears join fifth year seniors Jordan Kelley and Isaiah Coe. Jonah Laulu moves inside from defensive end and sophomore Gracen Halton flashed at times a season ago. More production from the interior of the defensive line is needed if Oklahoma wants to make a jump defensively in Brent Venables second season.
