Oklahoma football: 1 offensive and 1 defensive player poised to break out in 2021

David Ugwoegbu has serious star potential at linebacker for Oklahoma

After two seasons in Norman, it is time for linebacker David Ugwoegbu to fully tap into his potential. Many people saw him as a breakout candidate last year, but that did not prove to be the case. We can blame it on being a COVID year and all, but he only had 33 tackles, three for a loss of yardage and one sack in his sophomore season. However, he does have 21 games of experience.

According to the 247Sports Composite, Ugwoegbu was a four-star recruit coming out of Katy, Texas. He was the No. 25 player in the country at his position group, the No. 47 player from Texas and the No. 382 player in the 2019 recruiting class. Though he has to do a better job of getting after the quarterback, Ugwoegbu can benefit from playing for one of the best teams in the Big 12.

For Oklahoma to be able to win more than just the Big 12, they are going to need big-time defensive playmakers who can hold their own against the other college football blue-bloods who routinely reach the College Football Playoff. Oklahoma will have a quarterbacking advantage in every game it plays, but they are going to need a little more defense to win more than shootouts.

Ultimately, whoever wins the presumptive rematch between Iowa State and Oklahoma in Arlington will be battle-tested enough to get into the College Football Playoff as a one-loss, Power Five champion. Though Iowa State may not have the horses to beat a blue-blood or two, this is not untrodden territory for Oklahoma. If they cannot win it this year, will they ever win it?

Oklahoma has to be one of the four or five best teams in the country entering the 2021 season.

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