Kendel Dolby set to get cornerback reps this season, per Brent Venables

USA Today

5 days ago

The Oklahoma Sooners began fall camp on Wednesday, as the 2025 season is just one month away in Norman. One position group on OU's defense that will have plenty of eyes on it this year is the secondary, and head coach Brent Venables provided an important update to the media about a key player ahead of fall camp.
When Venables met with the media on Wednesday, he said that senior defensive back Kendel Dolby, who has primarily played the cheetah position at OU, will be playing some outside cornerback this season.
Dolby has played for Oklahoma since 2023, arriving in Norman via the junior college route. In his first season as a Sooner, Dolby played more and more at cheetah as the year rolled on, showing a knack for being around the ball and making plays. He started at cheetah to open the year in 2024, but suffered a season-ending injury in Week 4 against Tennessee.
Dolby returned for his senior season and was thought to be the starter again at cheetah. Now, however, it looks like he'll get plenty of reps at outside corner, a position where the Sooners are a bit weaker.
Eli Bowen and Gentry Williams figure to be the preferred starters at cornerback, but Bowen won't be ready for the start of fall camp due to injury, and Williams has had plenty of injury problems in the past. That would leave Jacobe Johnson, Devon Jordan, Jeremiah Newcombe, and now Dolby as the next guys up if one or both of Bowen and Williams can't go.
At cheetah, we could see plenty of Kendal Daniels, a veteran transfer from Oklahoma State or Reggie Powers III, a former four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class. Sammy Omosigho will be playing inside linebacker more this year, but he has played the cheetah position before.
Given Dolby's blitzing and coverage abilities, he could still see time at cheetah, as he's a natural fit for the position. His knowledge of the system and ability to tackle well in run support, combined with his ability to cover, make him a versatile player who can also play cornerback.
Dolby's veteran leadership and his ability to make big things happen for the defense were just a couple of the reasons the coaching staff was excited to get him back for one more season in Norman. Now you can add versatility to that list as well, as it looks like the senior will potentially be playing two different positions for Venables' defense in 2025.
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