As the 2025 college football season approaches, few position groups at Oklahoma are under the microscope more than Brent Venables’ linebackers. For three years, the Sooners had the luxury of leaning on Danny Stutsman, a sideline-to-sideline enforcer whose impact reached beyond tackles and sacks. Now, with Stutsman off to the NFL and several projected contributors exiting through the portal, the linebacker corps is facing a major test — both in depth and identity.
Let’s start with the obvious: replacing a player like Stutsman is never simple. Not only was he a consensus All-American, but he also led the team in tackles for three straight seasons, became a cornerstone of the defense, and personified the grit and leadership Venables preaches. His departure leaves both a physical and emotional void in the middle of the field.
But Stutsman isn’t the only loss the Sooners are dealing with. The offseason saw an exodus of talent from the linebacker room, including highly-regarded defenders Dasan McCullough, Lewis Carter, and Phil Picciotti. These were players who were expected to take the next step in 2025, and their sudden exits have forced Venables and new linebackers coach Nate Dreiling to speed up the developmental process with younger or less proven talent.
That said, there is still reason for optimism. Oklahoma’s starting trio of Kip Lewis, Kobie McKinzie, and Samuel Omosigho has the potential to be one of the most productive linebacker groups in the SEC — if everything clicks.
Lewis, now a redshirt junior, enters 2025 as a known commodity and a fan favorite for good reason. His breakout season last year included 63 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two interceptions — both of which were returned for touchdowns in critical games against Auburn and Alabama. Those high-impact plays helped Oklahoma secure key wins and earned Lewis a national reputation as a clutch performer.
His production was matched by consistency. In 470 defensive snaps last season, Lewis missed only 12 tackles and posted a solid Pro Football Focus grade of 68.5 overall. He takes advantage of his undersized frame by playing with quickness and leverage, consistently beating blockers to the spot and cleaning up plays in the open field. Now entering his fourth year in Norman, he’ll be asked to take on a larger leadership role in the absence of Stutsman.
Next to Lewis is fellow fourth-year junior Kobie McKinzie, a thumper in the middle who brings a more physical presence to the linebacker corps. McKinzie made progress in 2024, logging 337 defensive snaps and finishing with 30 tackles, three tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. While his role dipped down the stretch — playing 24 or fewer snaps in four of the final five games — there’s still a belief that his size and experience give him the inside track to secure the starting MIKE linebacker job this fall.
The wild card in this group might be Sammy Omosigho, who transitioned to the cheetah position last season after starting his career as an inside linebacker. Omosigho played in all 13 games in 2024, with three starts, and registered 40 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. He showed versatility by lining up in coverage and against the run, and his late-season performance, including a strong showing in the bowl game against Navy, has coaches excited about his growth.
But even if the starting trio looks solid on paper, the reality is this: depth is a major concern. And in a league as physical as the SEC, having only three reliable linebackers is a dangerous place to be.
The hope is that Kendel Daniels, a transfer from Oklahoma State, can provide some of that much-needed depth and flexibility. Daniels played all over the field in Stillwater, lining up as a safety, hybrid linebacker, and even as a pass rusher. His experience could allow Venables to deploy him situationally — possibly at cheetah or even as a rotational WILL or MIKE backer. But that versatility also raises the question: will Oklahoma use him where he’s most effective, or where they need him most due to depth?
Complicating the situation further is the health of Kendel Dolby, who was arguably Oklahoma’s best defender through four weeks last season before a fractured ankle ended his season prematurely. If Dolby returns to form this fall, the Sooners will have a proven starter at cheetah, which could allow Omosigho and Daniels to be utilized at other linebacker spots. If Dolby is limited or unavailable, however, the pressure increases on both Omosigho and Daniels to fill roles they may not be fully optimized for.
Then there’s Jaren Kanak, the former five-star athlete who made nine starts at linebacker in 2023 but has officially transitioned to tight end. Kanak’s athleticism was never in doubt, but he struggled with run fits and missed tackles in key moments. With his switch to offense now confirmed, any hope of Kanak contributing defensively in 2025 is gone.
That leaves James Nesta and Marcus James as potential depth options. Nesta, a sophomore, wasn’t needed much last year but has reportedly taken a step forward this spring. Marcus James, a highly touted freshman, won’t arrive until the summer and likely isn’t expected to contribute early — but long term, he’s a name to remember.
It all adds up to a linebacker room that feels top-heavy: experienced, productive starters with intriguing skill sets, but with very little behind them that’s proven or reliable. In that sense, the 2025 linebacker unit might mirror Oklahoma’s team as a whole — talented enough to win big games, but vulnerable if injuries or inconsistency strike.
Ultimately, Brent Venables and Nate Dreiling will have to get creative. Whether it’s cross-training players across multiple positions or leaning on defensive backs in hybrid roles, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here. But if Lewis, McKinzie, and Omosigho can stay healthy and if Dolby and Daniels contribute as expected, the Sooners could field a linebacker unit that surprises people.
Still, the margin for error is razor-thin. One injury or slow start could throw everything into flux. And in a conference as competitive as the SEC, linebacker play often determines whether you’re surviving… or contending.
For Oklahoma in 2025, the talent is there. But the question remains: is there enough of it?
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