OU hoping summer defensive portal trio more than just depth

ARLINGTON, Texas – The phrase of the day from OU head coach Brent Venables at Big 12 media days was competitive depth.

In explaining the logic behind the depth leading to better competitive stamina, it is now no surprise how active the Sooners were in the transfer portal post-spring practice.

Especially on defense.

OU added three names at defensive line and linebacker. Former Ferris State linebacker Konnor Near, former Tennessee defensive tackle Da’Jon (D.J.) Terry and former Utah State defensive tackle Phillip Paea are with the Sooners now.

But if you think they’re just depth pieces, think again. And if you think Venables and staff were reaching for someone like Near, well, think again.

LB Konnor Near

“You know the thing about Konnor Near is he’s a four-year starter,” said Venables on Thursday afternoon. “He’s an All-American, a captain. He’s a national champion. And really wanted to bring the right person, the right individual. The right player that fit our culture, our playing style. You know, that brought experience. I wasn’t just going to bring in an experienced guy. I wanted a guy that can line up and play winning football for us.

“And so Konnor is a guy that’s going to bring instincts, toughness, physicality. He’s gonna be able to lead a defense. He’s going to be able to communicate. Near is going to be able to perform under pressure. And he knows right from wrong. He understands standards, understands a locker room. He understands leadership, understands tough coaching, and he’s won at the highest level.”

Near was a two-time Division II national champion at Ferris State. His recruitment took off when he announced he was hitting the portal as a grad transfer. OU was one of many offers in a one-week span and clearly the one that mattered most.

DT Da’Jon Terry

Terry is another grad transfer where things came together very quickly. Terry was in Norman one day and committed to the Sooners not too long after.

“D.J. Terry, again he brings size and power up the middle of the defense that you’ve got to have,” Venables said. “Got great natural strength. I love his humility. Been an incredible, humble, hard-working guy. He’s fit right in because he’s low maintenance. He’s a hard worker, been doing two-a-days on his own since he got here.

“He has a sense of urgency about creating value for himself and an opportunity for himself. And you know, he’s got experience at playing the game. And he’s a heavy-handed guy that again, I just like his attitude, his toughness and his humility. He has no expectation other than he’s gonna show up every day and earn whatever it is that he’s given.”

DT Phillip Paea

Most thought OU was done with the portal. However, the Sooners still had no issues in bringing in Paea. It might be a while before Paea can really contribute for OU because of an injury. Still, there was no hesitation by Venables. 

“Phil Paea is another big, strong body guy that tore his ACL early in the year,” Venables said. “I think his best football is still in front of him, but he’s a big, strong, powerful body guy that hopefully we’ll get him in the right kind of shape where he can contribute, overcoming a knee injury from a season ago.

“Another guy that, you know, can play the game, particularly in the run game. We just felt like we needed to bring additional players inside that can create competition, that can create competitive depth and can bring something from a humility, a respect, a work ethic standpoint that would help make us better.”

No stone unturned. Venables searched high and low to build that competitive depth. And he believes he has a found a winner in his post-spring defensive trio.