The Oklahoman & NewsOK

NewsOK: Oklahoma City News, Sports, Weather & Entertainment

OU football: Sooners' CB depth much better, Roy Manning says

Ryan Aber
by Ryan Aber
Published: Wed, August 26, 2020 9:44 PM Updated: Thu, August 27, 2020 12:58 PM

NORMAN — When he arrived last season, OU defensive coordinator Alex Grinch talked about the “shocking” lack of depth in the secondary.

That played out at cornerback last year as only three players were regularly used at the position — Parnell Motley, Tre Brown and Jaden Davis.

Sooners cornerbacks coach Roy Manning said he feels much more comfortable about depth this season, even after losing Motley to graduation.

“Playing three guys the whole season wasn’t fun,” Manning said. “That’s why we recruit. I feel a lot better.”

Manning said the Sooners’ recruiting approach under him and Grinch figures to help depth, because they are bringing aboard players who can play multiple spots in the secondary.

He listed a number of freshmen — D.J. Graham, Joshua Eaton, Justin Harrington and Kendall Dennis among them — who can play in various spots depending on need.

In addition to that group, the Sooners also have Tre Norwood back after he missed all of last season following an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

Norwood has played corner, safety and nickel while at OU.

“He’s healthy, feeling good, running around, flying around,” Manning said of Norwood. 

Related Photos
Oklahoma cornerbacks coach Roy Manning speaks to the media in Norman, Okla., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma cornerbacks coach Roy Manning speaks to the media in Norman, Okla., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Roy Manning watch drills as OU's Tre Brown and Miguel Edwards line up during a University of Oklahoma spring football practice in Norman in 2019. [Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman]
<figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-52d2ebfefe9c9de302078a41bcd57bcc.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma cornerbacks coach Roy Manning speaks to the media in Norman, Okla., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma cornerbacks coach Roy Manning speaks to the media in Norman, Okla., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma cornerbacks coach Roy Manning speaks to the media in Norman, Okla., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-dd90d9a95406d751840e12f28f0d5060.jpg" alt="Photo - Roy Manning watch drills as OU's Tre Brown and Miguel Edwards line up during a University of Oklahoma spring football practice in Norman in 2019. [Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman]" title="Roy Manning watch drills as OU's Tre Brown and Miguel Edwards line up during a University of Oklahoma spring football practice in Norman in 2019. [Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman]"><figcaption>Roy Manning watch drills as OU's Tre Brown and Miguel Edwards line up during a University of Oklahoma spring football practice in Norman in 2019. [Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman]</figcaption></figure>
Ryan Aber

Ryan Aber has worked for The Oklahoman since 2006, covering high schools, the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the Oklahoma City Barons and OU football recruiting. An Oklahoma City native, Aber graduated from Northeastern State. Before joining The... Read more ›

Comments