Crimson Countdown: No. 42 Konnor Near
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. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Crimson Countdown: No. 42 Konnor Near
2022 stats: 66 tackles (34 solo), three sacks, one fumble recovery. (At Ferris St.)
2023 outlook: Oklahoma’s 2023 season has a lot of question marks but no player has more truly unknown about him than Ferris State transfer linebacker Konnor Near. The talented linebacker was a May addition to the Sooners roster and few knew how he’d fit in. However, as time has gone on it has been made pretty clear that he’s a very real contender for Oklahoma’s vacant MIKE position.
Near is a player that comes in with more than two years of starting experience at Ferris State where he helped the Bulldogs to back-to-back national titles. After choosing Oklahoma over Michigan State, Duke and West Virginia, amongst others, Near got to Norman quickly and has made an impression. Don’t be surprised at all if he’s pushing for playing time in the near future for the Sooners.
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“The thing about Konnor Near, he’s a four-year starter, he’s an All-American, a captain, he’s a national champion,” Brent Venables said at Big 12 media days earlier this month. “My fear at linebacker we’ve got one player at linebacker who has ever started a college football game in Danny Stutsman. Really wanted to bring the right person, the right individual, the right player, that fit our culture, our playing style. (Someone) who brought experience (but) I wasn’t just going to bring in an experience guy. I wanted a guy who could line up and play winning football for us.
“Konnor is a guy who is going to bring instincts, toughness, physicality. He’s going to be able to lead a defense, he’s going to be able to communicate, he’s going to be able to perform under pressure. And he knows right from wrong, he understands standards, he understands a locker room, he understands leadership. He understands tough coaching and he has won at the highest level. I’m excited to bring in a guy like Konnor.
He’ll help expedite the growth of other players. Competition brings out the best in everybody.”
2023 inside 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, of course, added 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.
