Brent Venables announces redshirts for Oklahoma linebackers Kobie McKinzie, Kip Lewis

No. 18 Oklahoma fell from the ranks of the unbeaten this weekend, unable to stop No. 25 Kansas State or quarterback Adrian Martinez. The Sooners were gashed on the ground, and coach Brent Venables sounded concerned about the depth at the position after announcing a pair of redshirts for Oklahoma linebackers in 2022.

He’s not planning on getting help from freshmen Kobie McKinzie or Kip Lewis, with both former four-star prospects redshirting this fall.

“Kobie’s redshirting,” Venables said. “Kip is redshirting as of right now, too. As I said earlier in fall camp, Kobie missed most of fall camp and so there’s a learning curve there. So unfortunately he’s got a ways to go from a mental standpoint like most freshman.

“And Kip same thing, he’s just got to functionally get stronger in the weight room. He needs a redshirt from that standpoint.”

That leaves Oklahoma searching for answers with the group of guys it currently has repping at the position. After Kansas State rushed for 275 yards in Saturday’s 41-34 win over Oklahoma, those answers need to come in a hurry.

Depth an issue for Oklahoma linebackers with redshirts now announced

While some had held out hope the younger players might be able to surprise and contribute earlier than expected, Venables revealed this week that won’t happen.

That news leaves the Sooners in a shaky position.

“Depth’s not great there,” Riley said. “Guys are going to earn their opportunities based on what they do on the field at practice. There are a lot of new things that they saw on the field last Saturday. No excuse, but it’s one thing for a guy that’s played a little bit to make adjustments on the fly, it’s another for young players to go in there and throw them in the lion’s den.”

Oklahoma currently ranks No. 86 nationally in rushing defense, allowing 157.5 yards per carry.

Saturday’s 275 yards surrendered on the ground to Kansas State was a season high by more than 100 yards. Oklahoma has trended steadily in the wrong direction after allowing just 28 yards on 31 carries in the season opener against UTEP.

The Sooners may not survive many more games like the one against the Wildcats.

“Couldn’t have been much worse,” Venables said. “It’s easy to say that now, but we’ve got to continue to develop the depth there.”