Oklahoma LB Kobie McKinzie Embracing Competition Between Sooners' Linebackers

“I told him, I believe it was two weeks ago, ‘If you want my job, then go and take it,’” McKinzie said. “I truly believe that because either way, it will make both of us better. The best man will win, however you see that.”

Someone else that can contend for playing time at linebacker is Oklahoma State transfer Kendal Daniels .

Daniels started 28 games over four seasons with the Cowboys and was named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2022, his redshirt freshman year. 

He played both defensive back and linebacker at Oklahoma State, making him someone that could play cheetah. But McKinzie doesn’t expect Daniels to stick to just one spot.

“He’s a plug and play guy,” McKinzie said. “You can put him anywhere you want to, and I think he’ll be able to succeed. He’s very knowledgeable; his skillset is unique. He can literally play anywhere you want him to.”

Though they likely won’t compete for starting reps early on, linebackers James Nesta and Marcus James have also impressed McKinzie.

Nesta and James are both inside linebackers. Per McKinzie, both of them will be quality backups for whoever wins the middle linebacker battle.

“Marcus James really wants to learn. He wants to know everything that he can before it even happens. That’s what’s impressed me the most about Marcus James,” McKinzie said. “And James Nesta, same way. He asks me probably the most questions of anybody in that room. That’s really exciting to see because there are a lot of guys in that room that are eager to get on the field.”

Oklahoma’s depth spreads far beyond just the linebacker position. There are position battles on the defensive line and the secondary, too.

And McKinzie believes the defense’s competitive nature will allow the unit to reach its full potential.

“You’re just as good as the man playing next to you,” McKinzie said. “If he evolves, I evolve.”