One of the biggest position battles this upcoming season for the Oklahoma Sooners is between Adepoju Adebawore and Danny Okoye. The two are vying for the EDGE spot opposite Taylor Wein. Adebawore is a former five-star recruit who hasn't quite lived up to the expectations up to this point in his career. He's totaled 27 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks in his career. This last year was his breakout season, where he became one of the better run defenders in the SEC. Okoye is a former four-star recruit who has flashed freakish athletic ability. His role has been limited up to this point, totaling just six tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks in his career. He opened up about some of his struggles early in his career in an interview on Friday. "I was not the most coachable freshman," Okoye said via SoonerScoop. "I'll say that. So kind of minimizing myself and maximizing the team… perspective drives performance. And once my perspective shifted, my performance shifted as well." Okoye's comments are particularly interesting because they show that his development hasn't just been physical. He recognized that his approach had to change, and that becoming more willing to put the team ahead of himself ultimately allowed him to get more out of his coaching. That could be a major turning point as we enter 2026. Okoye has the physical tools to become a difference-maker, but this season will be about turning that potential into consistent production. If his shift in perspective leads to a change in performance, Oklahoma could have another young EDGE ready to emerge. And with a starting job opposite Wein available, Okoye has perhaps his best opportunity yet to show that he's ready to become a major piece of the Sooners' defense.
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