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Reggie Powers embracing expanded role in Oklahoma's defense
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- Reggie Powers embracing expanded role in Oklahoma's defense
The Oklahoma Sooners possessed one of the best defenses in college football last year. While the defense is expected to be great again, it will have to replace some key pieces.
One of those was cheetah Kendal Daniels. The Oklahoma State Cowboys transfer had a great one-season stint in Norman. He totaled 53 tackles and nine tackles for loss. He ended up being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons. He will be replaced by Reggie Powers, who was a key role player for the defense last year. He had 31 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. He's expected to be the starter at cheetah this season.
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He told members of the media that he's excited for his expanded role this season.
"I'm looking forward to it a lot," Powers said via OU Insider. "You know, this is what I came here for: to be that guy and to be in the big-time games and play for my teammates. I got great guys I'm playing with, so I've got full confidence in others around me."
Replacing Daniels' production won't be easy, but Oklahoma doesn't need Powers to become Daniels overnight. The Sooners need him to take what he learned in a supporting role and translate it into consistent production as the primary cheetah.
So, Oklahoma's defense has enough returning talent to remain one of the team's biggest strengths, but maintaining that standard will require players such as Powers to replace production that left for the NFL. If he can turn his experience behind Daniels into a breakout season of his own, the Sooners may not experience much of a drop-off at one of the most unique positions in Brent Venables' defense.
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Bishop Thomas runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Michael Fasusi (56), Eddy Pierre-Louis (55) and E'Marion Harris (76) during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Eddy Pierre-Louis (55) and Darius Afalava (74) runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma players warm up during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten runs a drill with Jacob Jordan, left, during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Ace Hodges, right, and Gunnar Allen run a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Gunnar Allen (57), Ryan Fodje (70) and Caleb Nitta (60) during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Bishop Thomas runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Kenny Ozowalu runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) and Jett Niu (15) pass the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma players warm up during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, right, hands the ball offl to Jonathan Hatton Jr. during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) tosses the ball to Jonathan Hatton Jr. (20) during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Xavier Robinson carries the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s DeZephen Walker carries the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) and Jett Niu (15) pass the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) stretches during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Bishop Thomas runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Oklahoma's Ben Arbuckle embraces the challenge of Kentucky on Saturday
Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Michael Fasusi (56), Eddy Pierre-Louis (55) and E'Marion Harris (76) during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Eddy Pierre-Louis (55) and Darius Afalava (74) runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma players warm up during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten runs a drill with Jacob Jordan, left, during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Ace Hodges, right, and Gunnar Allen run a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Gunnar Allen (57), Ryan Fodje (70) and Caleb Nitta (60) during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Bishop Thomas runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Kenny Ozowalu runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) and Jett Niu (15) pass the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma players warm up during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, right, hands the ball offl to Jonathan Hatton Jr. during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) tosses the ball to Jonathan Hatton Jr. (20) during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Xavier Robinson carries the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s DeZephen Walker carries the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) and Jett Niu (15) pass the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) stretches during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Reggie Powers embracing expanded role in Oklahoma's defense
