One reason for the improvement of Oklahoma football this season – especially on defense – is the return of former strength coach Jerry Schmidt.

Linebacker DaShaun White has definitely noticed the difference.

“Physicality,” White said. “I know we’re not in pads, but it was getting intense in there. You can tell speed and physicality is there. The intention and purpose, those two words are really big things we’ve been working to focus on the last two weeks that you can tell were there in these first few days of practice.”

“The intensity,” Gray said. “The effort and intensity that we had, the accountability that we had coming from January all the way through spring, through summer, until now, you can definitely see it all over the field. The electric energy is influencing the entire team.”

Intensity seemed to be the summer theme in the workout rooms.

“It was very intense,” said defensive lineman Jeffery Johnson. “I saw a lot of guys come in day-in and day-out, put in the work so we come out here and get ready for fall camp and go into the season. Working out with Schmidty is a different mentality. He is on 10 all the time, so he’s going to push us to become our best. That’s what’s expected. He is going to love us on the field.”

Not only was it intense, but it was tough, said wide receiver Jalil Farooq.

“”It was a hard transition,” said Farooq. “Coming in with Coach Schmidty, everyone knows he makes us put in work and pushes us. We all had to keep our heads straight and have a ‘Mamba Mentality’ mindset and get that work in.”

Along with the physical workouts, players concentrated on skill sets in the offseason.

“I worked on a lot of my exploding off the ball, releases, finishing out the catch and getting as much speed as possible and attacking the ball while it’s in the air,” Farooq said.

“The biggest thing I’ve focused on this entire offseason is just being a leader,” said White.

“I feel like that was the one big spot in my game where I needed to improve the most. I made myself really uncomfortable this offseason, really leaned into what Coach (Brent) Venables and Coach (Ted) Roof wanted out of me for this team and I’m trying to do it the best I can.”

Gray wants to improve in every aspect of his game.

“I’m trying to make my game all-around, show everybody that I’m an every-down back, I can run in between the tackles, outside the tackles, catch the ball in the backfield, be great in pass protection, just trying to show everything I can do,” Gray said.

Johnson worked on rushing the passer.

“I think I am a really great run-stopper, but I think I can take it to another level,” Johnson said. “My pass rush has been as an interior guy. Not a lot of interior guys get a lot of sacks and pressure like that, so I think it will be effective to press the pocket and get pressure on the quarterback. Hopefully end up with double digit sacks this year.”

OU has a new head coach in Brent Venables, two new coordinators and a turnover in terms of players who left and those who transferred in.  But there is a unmistakable sense of optimism. What does White expect from himself and his teammates?

“Incremental growth every single day, getting better,” White said. “Taking one day at a time and when we get to the first game, win the opener. That simple.”

“Our goal is to win the opener,” Gray said. “That’s the only thing we’re worried about now. We’re less than 20 days from UTEP and just trying to get better each and every day.”

The energy of the coaches is rubbing off on the players.

“It is unexplainable. This coaching staff brings a lot of energy to the team,” said Farooq. “I feel like our team is closer than we have ever been. They bring the energy. The energy is going back-and-forth, so it is all coming in place.”

And they want to have fun.

“Really being around a great group of guys,” Johnson said.

“The D-line, offensive line making us better. Specifically, being coached by Coach (Todd) Bates. He is the guy that has the tools for our success, and I give praise to him. I’m looking forward to having a great fall with him.”