In the wake of some defensive superstars like linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman or highly-coveted transfer defensive tackle Damonic Williams, you'd be forgiven for not assuming much about Sooners linebacker/safety Kendel Dolby coming into the season. 

However, after a stellar Week 1 performance against the Temple Owls, all eyes are on Dolby. Dolby's performance was arguably the best single performance of the game on either side of the ball. It should provide some encouragement for the depth and ability of the Sooners' defense this season.

A highly-ranked but not hotly-pursued JUCO prospect last season, Dolby was the #1 JUCO recruit in Oklahoma and one of the top JUCO recruits across all recruiting sites. Dolby chose the Sooners over Arkansas, Washington, Washington State, and in-state rival Oklahoma State. 

Great play from Kendal Dolby (DEF #15) to close, contest, and tip the quick game pass, but it's his reaction to not seeing the pick happen that gets me. pic.twitter.com/kQ3H0m6ONY

— AJ Schulte (@AJSchulteFB) September 4, 2024

Dolby started three games at the "Cheetah" position, a safety/linebacker do-it-all position, last year after Justin Harrington suffered an injury. He made some critical plays, snagging two interceptions (including one in the Red River upset over Texas) and making the crucial tackle for loss to seal the Sooners' win over UCF. 

He spent the offseason full-time at Cheetah instead of adjusting over from cornerback, and so far, looks poised to continue making plays. 

In the offseason, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables spent five minutes in a press conference praising Dolby's ability and competitiveness. 

---

I Meant Do-It-All

Dolby lined up at nine different alignments in the Sooners' Week 1 win over Temple. As a quasi-linebacker/safety, he spent most of his time in the slot or as an extra box defender. 

He finished the game with two tackles, a sack, and a PBU that led to an interception. Dolby flew around the field, cutting off cutback lanes and closing off passing lanes throughout the game. 

Zac Alley’s Creativity With Oklahoma Sooners’ Defense On Full Display Vs. Temple

The Oklahoma Sooners hired Zac Alley to serve as defensive coordinator this past offseason, replacing Ted Roof. Alley came over from Jacksonville State, where he helped coordinate one of the best defenses in college football last season. Alley's prior relationship with Brent Venables and success elsewhere earned him the trust of Venables, who turned over […]

He's not the biggest defensive back out there, but he more than makes up for it with his quickness, instincts, and physicality.

New Sooners defensive coordinator Zac Alley called Dolby a 'small but mighty' defensive back this week, following Dolby's outstanding first game. 

"He's really physical. He might not be the tallest, longest guy, but man, he's small but mighty. He's trying to come in and knock your head off. An elite coverage guy out there in the slot and can lock down anybody in the country."

Oklahoma could certainly use Dolby's ability to be an elite slot corner, considering the sheer volume of talented receivers on the Sooners' schedule. Dolby sustaining his level of play throughout the season would be a welcome boon for a defense still solidifying its ability against the pass.

While Dolby's arrival was unheralded, he's become the talk of the town after his first showing of 2024. If he keeps this play up, the Sooners' defense might just be better than many people anticipated heading into their first year in the SEC.