NORMAN — Saturday’s season opener was removed from straight ahead for defensive lineman Jalen Redmond.

The 6-foot-3 playmaker from Midwest Metropolis needed to overcome a concussion early in fall camp to get again on the sphere, slowing his progress underneath defensive tackles coach Todd Bates.

Although it was labeled as a “slight concussion” by OU head coach Brent Venables early in August, Redmond mentioned the damage disrupted his movement in camp.

“You understand how concussions are, you by no means understand how lengthy you’re going to be out with it,” Redmond mentioned after observe on Monday. “Mine has type of caught round for some time. It was only a freak accident, a bit of damage. I’m again. I really feel good.”

Not solely did the damage value Redmond valued time on the observe discipline, however he wasn’t capable of sit in with Bates to look at movie.

“It was powerful as a result of I actually couldn’t even be in conferences due to complications and issues like that,” Redmond mentioned. “I missed a couple of conferences. I got here again per week after and began to battle by it. It was actually large and exhausting for me.

“We now have a whole lot of performs and never being in conferences or not even operating by it makes it powerful on you to recollect them.”

The setback got here at a nasty time for Redmond, as Venables mentioned he was placing collectively a very nice fall camp.

“He is had a wonderful summer season,” Venables mentioned. “His finest summer season, based on those who know. He is at the very best model of himself proper now. And he acquired banged up a bit of.

“… He is progressed, he is improved. His mindset is the place it must be, is way improved. He’d be the primary one to let you know that, you understand, (he) simply had a whole lot of rising as much as do, and maturing and love for the sport and love for the grind. Cannot simply play the sport. You bought to do the grinding, too. That is required. That is a part of that formulation. And so he is actually purchased into it once more, had a monster summer season.”

Regardless of the setback, Redmond was capable of make it again onto the sphere for the opener in opposition to UTEP.

The redshirt junior registered one deal with and one quarterback hurry whereas additionally tipping a cross on the line of scrimmage, however he wasn’t happy with the trouble.

“I really feel like I didn’t do the very best I might have performed Saturday,” he mentioned. “Missed a whole lot of performs. Kinda beating myself up over that. Working this week to get again and do higher on Saturday.”

Venables wasn’t as involved with Redmond’s play, as he was simply proud of how the veteran approached the scenario. 

“I didn’t see a man that was feeling dangerous for himself as a result of he wasn’t operating on the market with those,” Venables mentioned on Tuesday. “I used to be glad to see that he wasn’t pouty-faced. He got here in and labored and tried to get himself within the form he wanted to be so he might compete to his capacity.

“… We all know what he’s able to if he’s wholesome and he’s had a great period of time to work. However he acquired in and did some actually good issues. He’s disruptive and may rush the passer. He’s studying play higher in opposition to the run. He’s performed a pleasant job.”

Whereas Redmond was essential of his personal play, he was happy with the general manufacturing of the defensive position.

The Sooners held UTEP to simply 28 yards dashing whereas additionally racking up six sacks and 9 tackles for loss.

“I felt like we did good,” he mentioned. “Felt good, all the blokes did their half and acquired strain on the quarterback. We stopped the run. Been right here a couple of years, we haven’t actually performed that an excessive amount of. It felt good that we did.”

Defensive coordinator Ted Roof and Bates have been capable of platoon loads of completely different our bodies as effectively, because the defensive position nearly went three guys deep within the depth chart final Saturday.

Constructing that type of high quality depth early on will likely be key for the OU protection this season, Redmond mentioned, as that hasn’t all the time been the case since Redmond has arrived in Norman.

“It feels good,” he mentioned. “I don’t wish to discuss that and jinx ourselves.

“It felt good even after we didn’t have depth like this, and it was exhausting. But it surely was good getting guys out and in and rotating and staying contemporary.”

Redmond could have an opportunity for an improved efficiency by his requirements on Saturday when the Sooners welcome in Kent State.

Kickoff between OU and the Golden Flashes is schedule for six p.m., and the competition will likely be broadcast on ESPN+. 

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