Why Oklahoma’s Gracen Halton Says Because of Todd Bates, ‘You’ll See Me in the NFL’

Regardless of an inconsistent season on the sector, falling method in need of the group’s preseason targets, Oklahoma’s younger items stay locked in for the lengthy haul.

It wasn’t the defensive resurgence anticipated by many in Brent Venables’ first season in Norman. Oklahoma received simply six video games, and the defensive issues of previous Sooner groups appeared to point out up all season lengthy.

After shedding a considerable amount of defensive expertise to the NFL final offseason, a steeper dropoff doubtless ought to’ve been anticipated in hindsight. With so many departures, although, among the gifted kids discovered methods to have an effect on the sector.

Regardless of the tough patches all through the season, the longer term nonetheless appears promising, particularly on the defensive facet of the ball. Struggles on the sector opened the door for early enjoying time. Gamers like freshman defensive lineman Gracen Halton, who discovered enjoying time at a number of positions and reaffirmed his belief in d-line coach Todd Bates and the remainder of the teaching workers, are a giant cause method.

“I will say the one phrase is belief,” Halton stated. “You understand, all these guys that got here earlier than me (at Clemson) trusted him. And he put them within the league. So I am simply trusting him. Coach Bates, two or three years, 4 years, you’ll see me within the NFL.”

After spending the previous few seasons with the Tigers, Bates developed fairly the popularity for growing defensive linemen and serving to his guys attain the subsequent degree. The addition of Bates was an vital rent for Oklahoma’s future plans to maneuver to the SEC.

Regardless that Oklahoma didn’t expertise the anticipated on-field defensive success this season, Bates’ monitor file continues to be robust and the extremely touted recruits from a season in the past have cause to imagine. Each Halton and fellow freshman R Mason Thomas progressed all through the season and earned extra snaps in the direction of the tip of the 12 months. Halton completed the season logging 73 snaps, whereas Thomas led all defensive freshmen with 212 snaps. Their enchancment all through this fall provides another excuse to belief Bates.

“He is aware of about ball,” Halton stated. “He is aware of in regards to the recreation, similar to, approach and every part else. So , every part that we run, , it is smart. It isn’t like I am watching movie and it’s like, ‘Oh, I do not perceive this, coach, I don’t perceive this.’ As a result of I am taking a look at it like, ‘OK coach, I get what you are saying.’ So I do know already, from the data that he has, he is gonna get me able to go.”

For Halton and the remainder of the line of defense, having a coach as educated as Bates is a good useful resource. He is aware of how Oklahoma’s protection operates, and the way to finest assist his gamers get to the subsequent degree.

“Oh, every single day,” Halton stated. “He is gonna inform me what to keep away from and what to do proper. You understand, every part is ‘Do every part proper,’ , attempt to do every part proper. If I do not do it proper, then he is on me. So that is what it’s. That is real love proper there.”

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