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Oakman's return from suspension will give Bears defense big-time lift
Baylor's defense was shakier than anyone expected in its season opener against SMU. And there might be one giant reason for that.
Third team All-America defensive end Shawn Oakman was suspended for the game.
The monster sack artist will be back in action to make his season debut when the Bears open the home schedule Saturday against Lamar.
Baylor coach Art Briles suspended Oakman and safety Orion Stewart for the opener for unspecified violations of team rules. The Bears beat the Mustangs 56-21, but it was 28-21 at halftime, and questions about Baylor's experienced defense quickly began to surface.
“Oakman and Stewart, the thing that they bring to the table is just energy and excitement,” Briles said during his Monday press conference. “They’re great locker room guys, they have a lot of energy, they’ve got a lot of experience and they’re really good football players. So that will be the biggest key for them and for us.”
Oakman could have left for the NFL after his junior season and likely been taken in the first round. He entered this season as the Big 12 preseason defensive player of the year. Last year Oakman racked up 11 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss.
He's a game-changer rushing the edge, both in putting pressure on the quarterback while making life easier for the Bears' defensive backs.
And now Oakman is back for what most expect to be a huge year for him and as the leader of what could finally be a dominant unit under Briles.
(h/t Waco Tribune-Herald)
