Oklahoma junior defensive back Tre Norwood, who has started the past 19 games for the Sooners, will miss the 2019 season due to a non-contact knee injury, coach Lincoln Riley said Friday.
“One of those that you wonder,” Riley said in the Oklahoman. “You see guys make plays or movements like that all the time. Sometimes they happen.”
Norwood tied for fifth on the Sooners with 58 tackles last season, breaking up five passes with an interception against Texas in the final minute of OU’s victory in the Big 12 title game. He started the first 12 games at cornerback last season before moving to nickel back, which is where he was expected to start this year under new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.
Norwood has a redshirt season available.
“He’s such a valuable guy, can play so many positions, great experience,” Riley said. “Certainly we’ll miss him defensively, but also special teams too. He was a guy that was a jack of all trades for us.”
Oklahoma’s options at nickel back include sophomore Brendan Radley-Hiles (11 starts last season), junior Chanse Sylvie and freshman Jeremiah Criddell.
The Sooners has won the past four Big 12 titles and reached the College Football Playoff in each of the past two seasons. They were picked to win the 2019 Big 12 title in a vote of conference media last month.
