How Defensive Line Depth Will Benefit Oklahoma's Production in 2023

NORMAN — After an ultra competitive fall training camp, Oklahoma's Reggie Grimes can't wait to finally hit someone in a different uniform.

That's what three weeks of battling teammates in the hot summer sun to see who starts and who comes off the bench will do to a player.

"Absolutely. That’s part of the grind," Grimes said Tuesday after practice. "You got fall camp where you are going against each other all the time. And you got this first week of school, which is the same thing and then you got next week and it’s a true game week and then you got Saturday, when you finally get to see someone in a different-colored jersey. We’re definitely there. We’re just relishing in the fact that we’re playing football soon. That’s the main thing."

The Sooners host Arkansas State on Sept. 2 to open the 2023 season, their last in the Big 12.

Grimes, a 6-foot-4, 278-pound defensive end who started 10 games for OU in 2022, is also thrilled about the depth along the defensive line. The unit was bolstered by the addition of six transfers, including Rondell Bothroyd (Wake Forest), Trace Ford (Oklahoma State) and Da'Jon Terry (Tennessee). 

"It's been great, man. There's not a drop-off between guys who are first, second and third because we can all play ball," he said. "That's from the oldest guy in our group to the youngest guy. 

"From Rondell Bothroyd to like, P.J. (Adepoju Adebawore), we can play. We can ball. It's been really fun to be a part of, this new ends group. It's been really fun to be a part of Team 129."

Grimes started quickly in 2022, registering four sacks in OU's first two games. He managed just a half sack after that. He and fellow defensive end Ethan Downs tied for the team lead with 4.5 sacks each.

Grimes said having a surplus of quality players along the defensive front will only make it easier for players to focus on playing the game of football.

"Yeah, and I think a part of that just comes with age," he said. "I'm a senior now, so all these lofty goals and expectations is one thing. Just go out there and play ball, is one thing I learned. 

"Don't worry about the depth chart or the goals and expectations you put on yourself. When the ball is spotted, go play. I think with the guys in our room, we all kind of realized that at the same time. And we all started playing significantly better. It freed us up. That's the main thing, playing free and being free. Being released from all these external factors and just playing football."

Bothroyd, a 6-foot-3, 273-pound redshirt senior, totaled 30 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in parts of five seasons at Wake Forest. Ford, a redshirt senior who battled injuries at OSU, finished with 8.5 sacks in Stillwater. Terry, a redshirt senior who  played two seasons at Kansas and two seasons at Tennessee, totaled five sacks for his previous teams.

“There's no substitute for experience in any line of work I don't think," defensive coordinator Ted Roof said following a recent practice. "But certainly to have some guys that have played a lot of meaningful snaps in ballgames that have been very competitive games. Some have been on top. Some of them understand what it felt like to not get it done and learned from all of it. That’s what we’re going to try to do.”

Defensive end Jonah Laulu said the addition of older players with multiple seasons of experience has motivated him and others to bring their best. 

"People sometimes tend to become complacent. They’re starting, they’re playing, so they kind of ease up," Lalau said. "When you have a guy that’s as old as you or has just as much experience as you, it pushes you every day because you’re really fighting to get that spot.