Crimson Countdown: No. 27 Jayden Rowe
The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2023 Oklahoma football season. It’s the second season under head coach Brent Venables and expectations are high once again. The Sooners are looking to rebound from the uncharacteristic 6-7 season in 2022.
Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Crimson Countdown: No.27 Jayden Rowe
2022 stats: Played in three games in a reserve role on defense and special teams.
2023 outlook: The Tulsa Union graduate heads into his second season in Norman with high expectations. He got a taste a season ago playing in a reserve role before a series of injuries sidelined him for the rest of the season.
First there was a concussion at the beginning of the season. Then a shoulder injury. Now Rowe just needs to stay healthy. There’s a lot to like physically.
Oklahoma cornerbacks coach Jay Valai is high on Rowe for a variety of reasons. The most obvious being size and speed.
“He’s a freak athlete,” Valai said this past spring. “And he knows once I get down the details that I’m 6-3, 230 and I ran a 10.38, that’s pretty good. Once he understands when to be fast, when to control my speed, when to get my foot placement right, just understanding the details of the craft. Just love having guys that have that want to. He was at home sending me videos of him working out and grinding and working.”
Rowe participated in most of the Sooners spring and should be a player to keep an eye on adding depth at cornerback this season.
2023 cornerback outlook:
Jay Valai has a decent problem. He has a number of bodies vying for just two spots on the field. Redshirt senior Woodi Washington returns as the elder statesman of the group. Gentry Williams seems to have the inside track on the other side. That’s where this position group gets interesting with JUCO transfer Kendel Dolby, Kani Walker and Rowe battling for more snaps this season. Jasiah Wagoner and Makari Vickers impressed as early enrollees this past spring. Freshman Jacobe Johnson will also be in the mix.
