How Kendal Daniels became exactly what OU's defense needed

NORMAN — Before the season began, Kendal Daniels was already excited to be a Sooner.

Through 11 games, it’s been everything Daniels hoped for, and more. And for the Sooners, he’s fit in even better than they could’ve expected.

The fifth-year senior has been vital for OU’s defense all season, cementing himself as the team’s starting cheetah. He’s started every game this season and ranks fifth on the defense in total snaps (458). But the playing time isn’t the reason why Daniels believes it was the right choice for him to leave Oklahoma State for Norman.

“It’s been everything,” Daniels said Monday. “It’s been the best decision I made in my life up to this point. I feel like it’s prepared me — everything I’ve been through, I wouldn’t change it, not one bit. I wouldn’t change where I am right now. I wouldn’t change where I started at or how it went. I’m right where I’m supposed to be, and I’m thankful for Coach Venables and everybody reaching out to me and bringing me here.

“I’m thankful for the players, and I’m not ready for it to end. It kind of hurts and bittersweet, you know, we’re getting into playoffs and everything at the end of the season, but it’s like — time is my enemy.”

The Sooners were confident when they brought Daniels over from Oklahoma State. His versatility and his skill set for multiple positions made him a potentially great fit in Brent Venables’ defense. But there was certainly room for skepticism with Daniels, who had a productive final year with the Cowboys but sometimes struggled to stay motivated on the field.

But Venables has praised Daniels’ mindset and fit since arriving last spring, and that has carried through to late November.

“It’s really pretty remarkable for a first-year guy to be able to do that,” Venables said. “Haven’t seen that a lot — leaving as an all-American, four-year starter, came here, somewhere not in the front of the line. And he endeared himself to his teammates through not having a whole lot to say. Good juice, good energy. But embraced whatever role that we had him to do. Learned multiple positions. Busted his butt every single time he had an opportunity. So there was never any assumption or conversation about, ‘hey man, you’re going to be the guy.’

“He just had a mindset, I’m going to get what I earn. I’m going to create opportunity for myself. I’ve got a lot to work on, from a language barrier and scheme standpoint, and that’s all he’s done.”

It’s showed on the field. He’s tied for fourth on the team in tackles (42) and tied for third in tackles for loss (9). At the cheetah spot — a hybrid position blending linebacker and defensive back responsibilities — the Sooners have put him everywhere. He’s lined up 80 times on the defensive line, 164 times as a linebacker in the box, 51 times as a free safety and 162 times as a corner.

But as much as he fit in on the field, he’s fit in off the field, too. That isn’t always a given in the modern age of college football, where a lot of players enter the transfer portal each offseason.

“He’s a really simple guy,” Venables said. “Loves ball, really natural at it. He earned a lot of respect from his teammates by the way he handled the transition. It’s a competition. A guy who has a nice career on a stat sheet but he never came in here with a presumptuous mindset. I think he endeared himself. I think that’s been incredibly important to the success he’s had. He’s going to play this game for a long time.

“He’s had an outstanding year, but his emotion, energy, enthusiasm, friendships he’s worked real hard to create – that’s how he has impacted this team.”

This week has been an opportunity for both Daniels and Venables to appreciate how well this season has worked. But the season’s not over yet.

The Sooners can likely earn a College Football Playoff spot if they beat LSU in the regular-season finale (2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, ABC). They’ll likely have to lean even more heavily on Daniels, with Reggie Powers missing the first half due to a targeting penalty.

It’ll also be senior day for the Sooners. That’ll include Daniels, who has endeared himself to the Sooners in a short amount of time.

“It’s my last year playing in Oklahoma, so it’ll be bittersweet just because I grew up here, and I never lived anywhere else,” Daniels said. “It’ll be fun Saturday to go out there and put on a show.”

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