Continuity, chemistry fueling OU's "hungry" defensive tackles

NORMAN — OU defensive tackles coach Todd Bates has an acronym he uses for his position group.

TEAM — “together even after meetings.”

That’s been the motto for the interior of the Sooners’ defensive line, which has become one of the closest position groups on the team. Part of that is the camaraderie — but most importantly, the DTs have a ton of returning production from a season ago.

Bates has seen that on display in preseason camp.

“I believe before you can be unblockable or unstoppable, you’ve gotta be inseparable and you’ve gotta build that chemistry and that cohesion,” Bates told OUInsider on Tuesday. “Those guys, they go out to eat together all the time… They’re putting in time together. They know each other. So they fight harder for one another.”

The interior of the defensive line made big strides last season, particularly with their consistency. The defensive tackles played a huge role in the Sooners finishing 24th nationally in rushing defense and 10th in tackles for loss.

The Sooners return 1,313 of the 1,690 snaps (78%) played by defensive tackles a season ago. The only notable departure was Da’Jon Terry, who recorded 22 tackles and five tackles for loss. But the Sooners return their top three snap-getters from a season ago in Damonic Williams, Jayden Jackson and Gracen Halton, who accounted for 1,205 snaps, 95 tackles and 14 tackles for loss.

Williams, in particular, has taken a bigger leadership role.

“He set a goal,” Bates said. “Every year you set goals for yourself, the things you need to improve on. His was vocal leadership and his pass-rush ability. Just (becoming) a more vertical player, getting up the field a little bit, jumping the ball. He’s done those things. He attacked it day one to day right now. Since the last second ticked off the clock of the season, he’s been very intentional about pouring into the young Trent Wilsons of the room and making sure they know what to expect and they meet the standard.

“He was already a leader by example. The lord showed him how to use his voice this offseason. It’s been amazing to see.”

While every position group is replacing at least one leader, the defensive tackles have a ton of production to build on from a season ago.

“They understand the scheme better and they not only know what they’re doing, they know why we’re doing it and when we’re gonna do it, and they’re working through it (with) the mindset of a coach,” Bates said. “That’s been great to see.”

Even with the departure of Terry, the Sooners are confident they have a replacement in David Stone. The second-year defensive tackle logged 94 snaps and appeared in every game as a true freshman. If the former five-star prospect can effectively step into Terry’s role, the Sooners’ defensive tackles could end up being the strongest position group on the team.

Stone has benefited from that continuity.

“It’s definitely different,” Stone said. “True brotherhood. We do a lot more stuff off the field with each other. Last night, we were going to the movies, but I think we’re going today. Things like that. Little things. Just spending extra time outside the football field, and when we’re on the field, we know we really have each other’s backs when it comes down to it. The twist games, the stunts, when it gets down to the nitty-gritty we’ve got each other’s back and it’s going to be real love in between those lines.”

The Sooners can confidently say they have everything at defensive tackle. They have fourth-year veterans in Williams and Halton who have experience, both on the field and at Oklahoma. They have a proven young player in Jackson, who started 10 games and finished as a Freshman All-American. And they have a former five-star prospect in Stone who is ready for a bigger role.

Now, they hope that translates into being the foundation of the defense.

“We’ve got a bunch of dogs that (are) hungry, ready to eat,” Jackson said. “A lot of guys trying to get out of here, trying to get to the league and then a lot of young guys trying to step up.”

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