Football is a team game, but it’s made up of individual performances that enhance the whole. This season, the Sooners are playing well on both sides of the ball and have a top-five scoring offense and defense.
But what’s happening in 2023 is a change of pace from years past.
[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]
Of the Sooners’ top 15 highest-graded players, according to Pro Football Focus, nine of them are on the defensive side of the ball. Oklahoma has an elite offense but looks like they have an elite defense to match for what feels like the first time in forever.
Minimum Offensive Snaps: 99
Minimum Defensive Snaps: 89
Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 73.1
Snaps: 188
Key Lawrence has been great this season. His ability in both pass and run defense has been incredibly impactful. The coverage bust against Iowa State aside, the Sooners are getting a career year out of Lawrence.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 74.3
Snaps: 97
Isaiah Coe may not show up a ton on the stat sheet, but he’s made a huge impact on the interior for Oklahoma’s run defense.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 74.5
Snaps: 119
Jonah Laulu’s move to defensive tackle has been fantastic for the former Hawaii transfer. His quickness on the interior has been difficult for guards to handle. He’s tied for second on the team in total pressures in 2023.
Nathan Fish, The Oklahoman
PFF Grade: 75.3
Snaps: 224
Drake Stoops has been as steady a player as the Oklahoma Sooners have on their roster. He’s first in receptions and second in touchdown receptions. He’ll likely be called upon heavily again this week against Texas.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 75.4
Snaps: 144
Gentry Williams has four tackles for loss this season and two interceptions. His aggressive mentality has provided a huge boost to the Sooners secondary. We’re watching a star in the making.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 75.8
Snaps: 173
While a lot of attention is going to Danny Stutsman and members of the secondary, Ethan Downs is quietly putting together a strong season. He leads the Sooners in total pressures and is tied for third in Pro Football Focus “stops” metric.
Nathan Fish, The Oklahoman
PFF Grade: 76.2
Snaps: 151
Marcus Major’s led the Oklahoma Sooners in carries each of the last two weeks against a pair of stout run defenses. It’s been tough sledding, but Major has shown great burst and wiggle in the open field.
Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
PFF Grade: 76.4
Snaps: 173
Oklahoma’s five-star safety has been incredibly impactful through five games of his Sooners career. He’s been fantastic on both defense and special teams and his stock is only trending upward.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 79.1
Snaps: 115
The Oklahoma Sooners have one of the better run defenses in college football. They’re rotating their defensive tackles, with none earning more than 33% of the snaps. Jordan Kelley is second among interior players and has recorded the second most quarterback hurries and stops at defensive tackle.
Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 79.5
Snaps: 235
Oklahoma’s leading receiver didn’t do a whole lot against Iowa State, but he didn’t have to. The Sooners moved the ball at will through the air. They’ll need him to be a big-time factor this week in the Cotton Bowl.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 81.2
Snaps: 156
As Gentry Williams has dealt with some minor dings here and there, Kani Walker has stepped up to fill the gap and played really well. Though he didn’t play in Oklahoma’s win over Cincinnati, he’s been effective at cornerback in a rotational role. He’s allowing a reception on just 53.3% of his targets.
Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 81.4
Snaps: 275
There isn’t a defender in the Big 12 playing as well as Danny Stutsman is for the Oklahoma Sooners. One of the best things about the way Oklahoma has won is that it hasn’t required Stutsman to be on the field for 100% of the snaps. He’s leading the Big 12 in stops and is tied for third among linebackers with 10 pressures.
Nathan J. Fish-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 82
Snaps: 131
Nic Anderson saw his largest snap count of the season in the win over Iowa State, seeing the field on offense for 45 snaps. He’s become an integral part of the wide receiver rotation and he leads the Oklahoma Sooners in touchdown receptions.
Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade: 82.3
Snaps: 103
Everyone’s favorite running back, Tawee Walker, has provided a physical presence every time he’s touched the football. A significant part of the running back room, Walker could be called upon this week to set the tone for the offense.
Nathan Fish, The Oklahoman
PFF Grade: 84.2
Snaps: 333
There are few quarterbacks in college football playing as well as Dillon Gabriel is right now. His 400 total yards of offense and five total touchdowns was an incredible day that could have been even bigger had the coaching staff not called off the onslaught in the fourth quarter.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.