Crimson Countdown: No.94 Isaiah Coe
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. 94 Isaiah Coe
2022 stats: 20 tackles (12 solo), 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks.
2023 outlook: This is it. This is the year the Isaiah Coe‘s of the world return to school for. He’s the elder statesman. The leader. The needed playmaker. With the graduation of Jeffery Johnson and NFL departure of Jalen Redmond, Coe looks to become an anchor on the Sooners defensive line.
Coe’s second season in Norman saw his production increase significantly starting half of Oklahoma’s games, he doubled his tackle total (20) and tackles for loss total (eight) from 2021, making a career-high five tackles and two tackles for loss versus Oklahoma State.
If consistency is the key for Coe, look at his end of the year production after being sidetracked by a thumb injury at Iowa State. He closed strong, racking up nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack in the final three games.
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The leadership part should come easy for the third-year player.
“Experience. I know it’s easy to say but experience is probably the best weapon you can have. Going through what we went through. The ups and downs. Nobody wants to go 6-7 but I feel like we needed it in a way,” said Coe during the spring. “We needed it to know we have to put the work in on and off the field. We’ve got to really establish ourselves on what we want to be and how we want to do it.
“For the most part, we have everyone coming back so just the experience and having that knowledge. This is year two in the defense. Now we can get to rolling. Now we can really be the good defense we think and we know we can be.”
2023 Defensive Tackle Outlook
When Oklahoma went to the transfer portal this off-season one thing was clear: Todd Bates wants more playmakers on the interior. The news of former Tennessee defensive lineman Da’Jon Terry visiting Norman this week is just a reminder. They need more consistent playmakers every down, not just situational players. Jordan Kelley and Coe lead the way in terms of true returning production. Jonah Laulu transitioned inside from defensive end this spring. Jacob Lacey and Davon Sears arrive to Norman from the portal looking to add depth along with freshman Derrick LeBlanc.
