There’s been a lot of talk about David King’s move to defensive tackle, particularly after his breakout season a year ago. According to Defensive Ends Coach Bobby Jack Wright, the move makes perfect sense.
"All we are trying to do is get our four best people on the football field at the same time,” said Wright. “We've got some circumstances on hand right now where we needed to do a little shifting. We've got some other guys that can play and play at a high level at the defensive end position. So, we're going to move him in there and give it a go and see how we hold up.
"David is a versatile guy that gives us some flexibility and the ability to get four good players on the field at the same time."
With King’s move, that puts sophomore Chuka Ndulue in a position to be the Sooners new starter at end.
"He's a guy that's developed,” said Wright. “He's gone through the process and gotten better and better each year. Now, he's legitimately in the fray and I think he'll do well. The more snaps he gets the better he's going to be. The more he plays the more experience he gets under his belt and the better he'll be. He's a talented guy. He's got a great motor and high energy. He plays hard. He'll hold up fine in there."
According to Wright, the new rotation at defensive end includes R.J. Washington and Ndulue as the starters and Rashod Favors as the third guy in the rotation. The two freshmen, Charles Tapper and Mike Onuoha, round out the rotation as the fourth and fifth guys.
“Chaz [Nelson] is out for six weeks (knee injury),” said Wright. “So, we can't count on him. I obviously wish he was healthy. He'll have to rehab that for a minimum of six weeks. We're also missing P.L. Lindley; he's out with a high ankle sprain. So, we're pretty thin right now. But, even at that, we've still got some good quality guys."
