2015 Oklahoma Sooners Football Preview | The Return Of Frank Shannon Boosts Oklahoma's Linebackers To Best In Big 12

With all three returning starters back from last season the linebackers were already going to be the strength of Oklahoma's defense but now that Frank Shannon has rejoined the team OU should have the best group of `backers in the Big 12 and one of the top in the nation.

If the Sooners do, in fact, shift back to a 4-3 front then they'll have an extremely difficult time deciding which of the four guys sits as a "rotation guy" and which of the three would serve as starters. Should the stay in a 3-4 then they will have the talent, and aggressiveness, to attack down hill. Regardless, this crew will be the staple of Oklahoma's defense.

Oklahoma Sooners 2015 Linebackers

You can't start talking about the Oklahoma linebackers without mentioning senior Eric Striker who is one of the most vicious pass rushers you'll have the opportunity to witness and serves as the vocal leader of the defense. In three seasons as a Sooner he has recorded 124 total tackles and 15.5 sacks. He's clearly in his final season at OU but the question is whether any of the trio of juniors would want to jump into the NFL early, following the season.

Dominique Alexander is the Big 12's leading returning tackler with 107 take downs in 2014. He has 187 total tackles in his career with 9.5 for loss. He could slide to the outside this year which would make room for Shannon to come back and play the middle in the 4-3 scheme. Shannon was suspended by the school for the 2014 season but was the team's leading tackles in 2013 with 92. He has 132 tackles to his credit as a Sooner and by all accounts he remains in his 2013 form and is hungry to get back on the field.

It looks as if the odd man out in the 4-3 scheme would be junior Jordan Evans who recorded 93 total tackles in 2014. That's a pretty nice option to have on the bench for whenever you need to bring someone in. Senior Devante Bond and freshman Tay Evans will provide additional depth when needed.

The need to combat the spread offensive attacks is the motivation for moving back to a 4-3 scheme but I wouldn't be shocked to see Oklahoma in a 3-4 at times just because of the talent they have with their top four backers. I would even expect to see it more often should the defensive line not develop to the level they need to be at, but even if they do I can see a scenario in which Evans comes in as an outside backer and Striker takes more of a defensive end position and speed pass rusher.

With the retooling of both the defensive line and the secondary the success of the linebackers becomes even more crucial in the grand scheme of things. Two guys that have led the team in tackles over the last two season, another who is one of the best pass rushers in the history of the program, and a seasoned veteran anxiously awaiting to see how he'll get on the field all point to the fact that this crew is more than capable of setting the tone and leading the defense because they can have an effect both on the opponent's rushing and passing attack.