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Adepoju Adebawore details where he's made the most improvement
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- Adepoju Adebawore details where he's made the most improvement
Adepoju Adebawore details where he's made the most improvement
When former five-star Adepoju Adebawore committed to the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2023 class, it signaled a major early win for Brent Venables and his staff. The Kansas City native was one of the physically gifted EDGE defenders in the class.
He was ranked as the No. 4 overall player, according to On3 . However, his time in Norman hasn't quite lived up to the hype. He has battled injuries and has totaled just 27 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks in his first three seasons. He's mainly been used as a role player along the defensive line.
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Despite him not having quite the production Venables and co. have been looking for, Sooner EDGE Taylor Wein feels Adebawore is in for a breakout season, similar to what Wein had last season. Adebawore said after practice on Friday that he thinks he has that potential.
"Definitely," Adebawore said via OU Insider. "That's always the goal for everybody to have a breakout year. Yes, sir, I do see myself doing that."
When asked why he feels he could break out this season, Adebawore said it's due to how he's transformed his body.
"Just my body," Adebawore said. "Trying to just transform my body more and more as much as I can. Trying to get back healthy and get my body ready for the season because it's a long season. So, you've got to be healthy."
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Health has been one of the biggest obstacles preventing Adebawore from becoming the player many expected when he arrived in Norman. Now entering his fourth season, he finally has an opportunity to turn his elite physical tools into consistent production.
With R Mason Thomas now in the NFL, Oklahoma needs another pass rusher to emerge alongside Wein. If Adebawore can stay healthy and capitalize on the opportunity in front of him, he has all the traits to become one of the Sooners' biggest breakout players and help keep Venables' defensive front among the nation's best.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Adepoju Adebawore details where he's made the most improvement
