At this point, with possible additions coming later in the Transfer Portal, the 2024 Front-Four looks like a combination of maturity and experience with youthful talent. Da'Jon Terry, Jacob Lacey, and Trace Ford played a lot in 2023, and will be playing their sixth (6th) season of college football in 2024. All have great experience and also have a full year in OU's defensive system, which puts them in a position to mentor the incoming freshmen.
Each "Grad" player listed below will be entering his sixth (6th) college football season in 2024.
Nigel Smith is listed at DE below, but has the capability to move inside.
(*1*) = One Year of Eligibility.
2024 DEFENSIVE LINEMEN as of December 17, 2023 (2024 Classification)
> 95 - Da'Jon Terry (6-3; 321; Grad) Meridian, Miss. / University if Tennessee (*1*)
> 54 - Jacob Lacey (6-1; 282; Grad) Bowling Green, Ky. / Notre Dame (*1*)
> 96 - Davon Sears (6-2; 283; Grad) Detroit, Mich. / Texas State (*1*)
> 56 - Gracen Halton (6-2; 283; Jr) San Diego, Calif. / St. Augustine HS (*2*)
> 55 - Ashton Sanders (6-1; 281; R-Fr) Pasadena, Calif. / Cathedral HS (*4*)
> 99 - Markus Strong (6-3; 278; R-Fr) Raiford, Fla. / Union County HS (*4*)
> ** - David Stone (6-4; 282; Fr) Bradenton, Fla. / IMG Academy (*4*)
> ** - Jayden Jackson (6-2; 295; Fr) Bradenton, Fla. / IMG Academy (*4*)
2024 DEFENSIVE END / EDGE PLAYERS as of December 17, 2023 (2024 Classification)
> 30 - Trace Ford (6-2; 252; Grad) Edmond, Okla. / Edmond Santa Fe / Oklahoma State (*1*)
> 40 - Ethan Downs (6-4; 265; Sr) Weatherford, Okla. / Weatherford HS (*1*)
> 32 - R. Mason Thomas (6-2; 239; Jr) Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Cardinal Gibbons HS (*2*)
> 34 - Adepoju Adebawore (6-4; 240; So) Kansas City, Mo. / North Kansas City HS (*3*)
> 90 - Taylor Wein (6-4; 248; R-Fr) Nolensville, Tenn. / Nolensville HS (*4*)
> ** - Nigel Smith (6-5; 260; Fr) Melissa, TX / Melissa HS (*4*)
> ** - Wyatt Gilmore (6-4; 250; Fr) Rogers, MN / Rogers HS (*4*)
> ** - Danny Okoye (6-5; 225; Fr) Tulsa, OK / NOAH Home School (*4*)