The Sooners are set at linebacker for the next two years. But first-year position coach Tim Kish’s reputed recruiting prowess will soon be put to the test.

Kellen Jones, OU’s most promising young linebacker, has elected to transfer and already has been granted his release. Sources say Jones enjoyed his time in Norman, but the coaches he was closest to -- Brent Venables, Willie Martinez and Ryan Reynolds -- left the staff after the Insight Bowl, prompting the rising sophomore from Houston to consider the transfer.

With OU’s top four linebackers all being upperclassmen, it will be crucial that Kish restocks the position with quality in the upcoming recruiting class. Middle linebacker Tom Wort and weak-side linebacker Corey Nelson are both juniors. Joe Ibiloye, who is the favorite to start at nickelback, and OU’s most experienced reserve, Jaydan Bird, are seniors.

Frank Shannon and P.L. Lindley, who both redshirted last season, have shown promise, notably during bowl practices. But they, along with sophomores Rashod Favors and Aaron Franklin, remain untested and unproven.

The Sooners signed Florida prospect Eric Striker in this class, with the idea of possibly utilizing him in the nickelback position. But OU signed no other linebackers in its most recent recruiting class.

The heart of the OU defense under Bob Stoops has always been linebacker. Torrance Marshall, Rocky Calmus, Teddy Lehman, Curtis Lofton – the list goes on. OU’s top defenses have always had a difference-maker at linebacker. Jones, who was blossoming in bowl practices, seemed to possess the potential to become a player of that level.

With him now gone, Kish will be charged with developing at least one of the remaining young linebackers on the roster into a player of that caliber – and/or signing one or more in the upcoming recruiting class.