Lofton chases starting spot at linebacker

NORMAN - The pounding sound in Curtis Lofton’s head is opportunity.

It keeps knocking and he keeps answering the challenge.

In the last two weeks of practice, Oklahoma’s sophomore linebacker has played his way to the top of the list for a potential starting spot on the strength of his athleticism and versatility.

The Kingfisher product doesn’t wish an injury on anyone, but when it happens to someone around him - and it has - Lofton has been the first in line to fill the void.

Depth at linebacker took a hit when sophomore Ryan Reynolds likely was lost for the season with a knee injury after spring practice had concluded. Lofton stepped in and began learning a second linebacker position.

When Demarrio Pleasant recently missed some practice time with a hip flexor injury, Lofton showed defensive coordinator Brent Venables that he’s ready to make a serious contribution to this team.

Not that any of this was really a surprise to the coaching staff. Lofton played on special teams and as a reserve linebacker as a freshman last year.

“To play as a true freshman, particularly at linebacker or safety - those are probably the two most difficult positions to learn in our defense - says a lot about the individual, physically and mentally,” Venables said.

The mental part carries the heavier workload for Lofton right now as he tries to learn the details of both the Mike and Sam linebacker positions.

Staying focused

In team meetings, when discussions drift away from his original Mike linebacker spot, Lofton must keep up with what Venables is telling the other players, so that he isn’t falling behind at that position.

“I think being able to play two positions is a benefit to the team,” Lofton said. “If somebody goes down, then I’m the next best option. I can go in there and play either one.”

And while his flexibility is a bonus as a backup, Lofton might solidify himself as a starter before the season opens Sept. 2 against Alabama-Birmingham.

“He might be one of our two best ’backers,” Venables said. “He’s pushing a couple guys, but it’s helped the other guys, too.”

Currently, only one starting linebacker role is known in Venables’ defense, that being the one held by preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Rufus Alexander.

The other two are open, and Lofton could have a shot at either as he battles with Pleasant and Zach Latimer.

Unseating Latimer could be a chore. The senior started all 12 games last year and was second on the team with 96 tackles.

But Lofton isn’t star-struck by the talented players ahead of him.

“Everybody, when you come to OU, you see that,” Lofton said. “I’m a competitor, so I’ll go out there and give it my best and let the rest fall in line for me.”