Which true freshman could have an impact for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2021?
The Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff has done a great job of identifying talent on both sides of the football. It has done such a great job there have been times, like in 2020 with Marvin Mims, that a true freshman breaks through the log jam on the depth chart to have a significant impact for the Sooners. Marvin Mims led the Sooners in receiving in 2020, and he has a shot at improving significantly for 2021 with a full offseason. Looking ahead to 2021, several incoming players have a chance to make an impact. Recently on the Locked On Sooners podcast, OU Insider recruiting analyst Parker Thune mentioned Ethan Downs as a potential Day 1 contributor. But 247 Sports Josh Pate has a different EDGE rusher for your consideration: Linebacker Clayton Smith. Lets go to Oklahoma, linebacker position  going to be talking about defense a whole lot with Oklahoma this year  great opportunity for a young man by the name of Clayton Smith. Hes a linebacker, as I just told you, coming into Oklahoma. The 247Sports composite had this kid nearly in five-star territory. I mean, he was in the 37-38 (overall prospect) range. So he was right there. But hes got a great opportunity cause Oklahomas defense under (defensive coordinator) Alex Grinch  theyve got a ton of returning talent. I mean, they got a guy in (fourth-year junior) Nik Bonitto, for instance, at linebacker that could end up being an All-American and put up untold amounts of sacks this year.  Josh Pate  Pate believes the talent is there for Smith, who was on the fringe of being a five-star recruit coming out of high school. Given Grinchs preference for rotations on the defensive side of the ball, Smith could work his way into the rush linebacker rotation. His length and athleticism will allow him to be disruptive from Day 1 with the Sooners. Even with Nik Bonitto and Isaiah Thomas working as the primary edge rushers, the Sooners will work other guys in as well. Smith will have to work his way past Marcus Stripling and Brynden Walker, but opportunities will be given for Smith to show what he can do in practice against the Sooners first-team offensive tackles. If he shows he can hang with some of the best that Oklahoma has to offer, then it will not be long before hes allowed to showcase his talents on Saturdays.