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Jacob Lacey’s football days appear to be behind him.
OU coach Brent Venables said Wednesday on the “Oklahoma Breakdown” podcast that the senior defensive lineman will “probably” be forced to medically retire due to blood clots. Lacey was hospitalized last spring and told by doctors he’d wouldn’t ever play football again.
He ended up being cleared before the Sooners’ first regular-season game and finished the 2023 season with 16 tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a sack in 11 starts.
“That’s a devastating blow for us,” Venables said. “We were really counting on not only his leadership, but he’s a really good player.”
Lacey announced his decision to stay in Norman for another season on Dec. 15, a day after Da’Jon Terry pledged to return. The two were expected to anchor the defensive line in 2024 and help lead a young group of linemen into the SEC, which will include highly-touted freshmen five-star David Stone and four-stars Nigel Smith II and Jayden Jackson.
The trio will now seemingly be expected to contribute sooner than expected. Venables mentioned Smith has been “really impressive,” while Jackson and Stone have been “outstanding.”
OU also lost veteran senior defensive linemen Isaiah Coe and Jordan Kelley, while Kelvin Gilliam Jr. and Reggie Grimes II transferred.
Lacey previously played four seasons at Notre Dame.
More: OU’s Baker Mayfield ranked by ESPN as top college quarterback of the 2000s
Defensive lineman Jacob Lacey goes through drills as the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) college football team holds spring practice outside of Gaylord Family/Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on March 21, 2023 in Norman, Okla. [Steve Sisney/For The Oklahoman]
Brent Venables on Zac Alley, Doug Deakin
During his appearance on the podcast, Venables also commented on the program’s recent staff changes,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ou-football-coach-brent-venables-235145986.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-02-28 23:51:45
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