Woodi Washington opens up on Oklahoma's cornerback depth

As Oklahoma gets ready for the 2023 season a few things are beginning to become more clear on the depth chart. And while starters are not yet completely settled in the secondary, what’s becoming clear is Oklahoma’s cornerback depth should be pretty good.

Veteran Woodi Washington seems to have one starting spot locked up on the outside, but there are several others competing for the starting gig opposite him.

“We’ve got a lot of depth,” Washington said. “It’s competitive depth, so it could be a thing where you don’t know who starts on the other side of you or starts beside you. It’s really competitive.”

Among the handful of players vying to start opposite Washington are Kendel Dolby, Makari Vickers, Gentry Williams and Jasiah Wagoner.

Coach Brent Venables recently singled out two of them for their strong play in fall camp, adding to Oklahoma’s cornerback depth.

“Dolby’s a guy that has actually played some college football and he’s had a really good camp,” Venables said. “Had a better camp than he had spring. Makari Vickers is having a better camp than he had spring, not that that’s earth-shattering. But they’re making the improvement that you want guys to make.”

The continued competition is something Washington has been pleased to see. One of the veterans in the group, he wants the best player possible starting opposite him.

The competition should tease that out. But the added depth from the competition itself will also be a boon.

“That’s a great thing, because it forces guys that normally don’t get to play, they get to come in the game and play and try to take as many reps as they can,” Washington said. “The guys that do play a lot of minutes, they can kind of get a breather whenever they’re out there.”

The other thing that’s been nice about Oklahoma’s cornerback depth developing this fall is that the competition has allowed Washington to show off his leadership skills.

Because he’s out in front at one spot, he can be a real example for the rest of the guys.

“It’s been great,” Washington said. “It helps me out a lot knowing exactly what I need to do and just teaching them my mentality on how I prepare and how I come out to practice.”

Oklahoma’s cornerbacks will debut on Sept. 2 with a game against Arkansas State.