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Oklahoma

Crimson Countdown: No. 97 Alex Shieldnight

headshotby:George Stoia•05/25/25•

GeorgeStoia

2025 OK EDGE Alex Shieldnight4.jpg

The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2025 Oklahoma football season. Everybody wants to forget about 2024 and move forward.

Head coach Brent Venables and staff have attempted to do that. New face calling the offense (Ben Arbuckle). Venables calling the defense, it’s now or never for this regime at OU in the SEC. No beating around the bush.

Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.

Crimson Countdown: No. 97 Alex Shieldnight

2024 stats: NA

2025 outlook: Shieldnight will likely redshirt his freshman season. The Wagoner, Oklahoma, product suffered a season-ending broken fibula during the 2024-25 playoffs in his senior year. Shieldnight missed spring practice for the Sooners.

Shieldnight was rated as the No. 110 defensive end in the 2025 class by On3. He totaled 59 tackles, 26.0 TFLs and 5.0 sacks on defense and 18 receptions for 206 yards and three touchdowns on offense in 2024. He finished as Wagoner High School’s all-time sacks leader with 35.

The Sooners love the long-term ceiling of Shieldnight. So while he may not play a lot in 2025, there is hope OU found a future star in Wagoner.

2025 defensive end outlook

OU has a good mix of experience and talent at the defensive end position in 2025. R Mason Thomas is the unquestioned leader of the group, entering his fourth and final season for OU. Last season, Thomas led the team in sacks with nine. But OU does have a host of young guys looking to contribute and possibly start. PJ Adebawore, Taylor Wein and Danny Okoye feel like players who could have breakout seasons in Norman. And Florida State transfer Marvin Jones Jr. is sure to play a big role for the Sooners.

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