Former OU linebacker DaShaun White: ‘Brent Venables changed my life’
Former OU linebacker DaShaun White had a big-time decision to make following the 2021 season. Stay at OU, transfer or enter the NFL Draft.
He stayed, gave head coach Brent Venables a chance and has never looked back since. White was confused when Venables was on the hot seat entering this season.
But he’s laughing now and enjoying every step of the journey. White recently spoke with SoonerScoop about the OU days, Venables and watching the Sooners return to the College Football Playoff.
That feeling watching OU clinch CFP?
I’m just lit like it’s, I don’t know, it feels so good to see us like it’s almost like a reassurance thing, right? You see things, or you see potential in things, and whenever they check the box for you, it’s just a really, really good feeling, right? So just kind of knowing that BV always had it in him, and seeing how people would talk the first few years, and just always knowing that the page will flip, man, and seeing it? Feels good, without a doubt.
BV is legit, no phoniness or fakeness to him?
Man, honestly, I think I was one of the people that just kind of felt it off rip like I could feel that that’s who he was. But it was kind of interesting to see how the rest of my class took it, right? You had some guys who were literally on the fence the same position as I was about coming back or not, who were just like, I don’t know if I want to play for somebody like BV. And in my head, I’m like, y’all are crazy as hell. This is an opportunity of a lifetime, right? So I don’t know. it’s interesting to know, like, two different viewpoints.
Man, I never, I don’t even think twice about that decision. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Brent Venables, without a doubt, changed my life. So I’m very appreciative to that entire staff.
Realize BV was on the hot seat?
Yea, man, I’m telling you, I see the way they be talking about him, for sure. It’s kind of, and it’s almost like laughable at times for me, because it’s like, y’all just, I mean, you don’t get it yet, and you pray that things go right, because man, in this business, you just never know. And in the snap of a finger, anything happens. So I’m happy. I’m super happy that it’s going well this year. I hope that we freaking finish the deal so they can sign this man for a long-ass time. I can keep showing up the games, feeling like I’m at home.
The pride in watching this right now?
Man, it’s honestly, it’s a beautiful thing. I’m definitely someone that aspires to leave something behind, no matter how big or small. And so just to kind of know that I had my piece in building what was already a dynasty, right? But what will probably catch another pretty good hot streak here in these next few years, I’m hoping. But just knowing I have my piece in that, man is really big. It’s really big. It feels great. It’s nice to be able to talk trash and to be able to kind of get some payback on that, because I know last year I was betting on us and we were losing a little bit. Nah, man, it’s nice to be able to call myself a Sooner.
