It’s been well documented that the Oklahoma Sooners have struggled to find consistency at all three levels of the defense for years now. In 2020, the makings of a top-tier defense began to take shape as the defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage and the linebacker and secondary groups started to carry their end of the bargain.
At cornerback, in particular, Alex Grinch and the Oklahoma defense began to find some players that could help lock down their passing game and create turnovers. Woodi Washington took over as a starter at one cornerback spot, and the Sooners will have some turnover at the others. Tre Brown and Brendan Radley-Hiles are gone, leaving opportunities for others to step up and show out.
Enter DJ Graham, the sophomore out of Keller Central High School. In Graham’s freshman year with the Sooners, he only saw 240 snaps as part of the defensive back rotation. Of those 240 snaps, 162 came in coverage. In that limited action, DJ. Graham was really good.
In those 162 coverage snaps, Graham didn’t allow a touchdown, and his passer rating against was a mere 37.3, according to Pro Football Focus. He was targeted just 22 times in the passing game and allowed a reception just 10 times per PFF. That’s a 45.5% completion percentage against.
For reference, Radley-Hiles allowed a 57.1% completion percentage and a 77.2 passer rating.
Pretty good for a newcomer.
DJ Graham will compete for snaps with Jeremiah Criddell and Jaden Davis but has a chance to emerge as the starter opposite Woodi Washington.
Graham brings the length that Defensive Coordinator Alex Grinch covets on the outside, and in his limited snap count in 2020, Graham showed that he has a nose for the football. In his six games, he came away with one interception and one pass deflection.
When opposing quarterbacks threw DJ Graham’s way in 2020, they didn’t find much success. His length and coverage ability closed down passing windows and didn’t allow anything easy. He’s a player to watch as the Sooners prepare for 2021. His presence along with Woodi Washington will help the Oklahoma Sooners secondary take a big step forward, making the 2021 Sooners’ defense a force to be reckoned with.