“What we like is the competition that keeps everybody on edge, keeps everybody focused and everybody working to get better,” Wright said. Any time a player gets to a certain comfort level where he thinks he doesn’t have anybody that can take his spot or take his job, then you quit developing.

Jamell Fleming and Jonathan Nelson are expected to push for playing time at the cornerback spots. Sam Proctor and Quinton Carter are the backups at the safety spots.

Linebacker Keenan Clayton, a former starter at safety, has emerged as OU’s nickelback in five-defensive-back alignments. Harris played there the previous two seasons.

As is the case with any position at OU, the cupboard is far from empty. Still, the secondary will have to prove itself early to end any doubts.

John Shinn

366-3536

jshinn@normantranscript.com