Oklahoma’s defense has made significant strides this season, with one standout player leading the charge on the defensive front—junior defensive lineman Gracen Halton. Once a promising 4-star recruit who struggled to make a lasting impact in his first two years with the Sooners, Halton has emerged as a key contributor in Todd Bates’ group, showcasing a remarkable transformation fueled by determination and offseason hard work.
During his freshman and sophomore years, Halton played limited snaps, with just 74 defensive plays in his first year and 91 in his second, according to Pro Football Focus. Despite showing flashes of potential, he struggled to consistently impress in practice, preventing him from earning a regular spot in the rotation. That all changed in 2024, as Halton’s hard work and resilience turned him into one of Oklahoma’s most productive defensive linemen.
In just the first two games of the season, Halton has recorded 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and even a safety, making his presence felt on the field. His standout performance in Week 2 against the Houston Cougars—where he notched two tackles for loss and one sack—earned him SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors, a stark contrast to his role as a benchwarmer in last year’s Alamo Bowl.
Huge play by Gracen Halton to help the #Sooners narrowly take down Houston 16-12. The celebration afterwards was pretty epic as well.
Full highlights up on https://t.co/WN3eFh9bWB pic.twitter.com/n4yh2HOKhz
— Randall Sweet (@RandallSweet5) September 8, 2024
Head coach Brent Venables emphasized Halton’s behind-the-scenes improvement, crediting his newfound success to a relentless focus on fundamentals. “Last year, he wasn’t even good enough to get in the game,” Venables said, reflecting on Halton’s past struggles. “Now, he’s the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. That’s what happens when you keep your head down and focus on getting better every day, working on the basics. Confidence comes from doing the right things in practice, over and over.”
For Halton, the turning point came during the 2023 Valero Alamo Bowl. Oklahoma built a two-score lead over Arizona but ultimately lost the game, leaving Halton sidelined and frustrated. “I was sick that game,” Halton recalled. “Watching it, knowing I could help but wasn’t out there—it really hurt. That feeling stuck with me, and I knew I had to fix my mistakes and get better.”
That offseason, Halton worked tirelessly with Oklahoma’s renowned strength coach Jerry Schmidt, undergoing a rigorous training program that helped him elevate his game. The 6-foot-2 defensive lineman transformed himself into one of the Sooners’ best interior players, earning regular snaps in a vastly improved defensive line rotation.
Oklahoma’s defensive tackle position has undergone a major overhaul this season, with the arrival of new talent such as 5-star recruit David Stone, TCU transfer Damonic Williams, and standout Jayden Jackson from IMG Academy. Despite the increased competition, Halton has managed to steal the spotlight through his quick first step, impressive strength, and refined technique, excelling as one of the team’s top pass rushers.
In the first two games of the 2024 season, Halton has posted an impressive 86.9 defensive grade from PFF across 53 snaps against Temple and Houston. His ability to disrupt the backfield, particularly in obvious passing situations, has given Oklahoma a much-needed edge on defense.
Looking ahead, Halton will be a crucial player for Oklahoma in Week 3 when they face their toughest challenge yet, Tulane. The Green Wave, with four returning starters on the offensive line, will present a tough test, but the Sooners’ defensive front, led by Halton, will also be a formidable obstacle for Tulane’s redshirt freshman quarterback.
With Halton’s continued dominance and Oklahoma’s defense clicking under Venables, the Sooners look poised to handle whatever challenge the Green Wave throws their way. As Halton’s story shows, hard work and perseverance can lead to dramatic improvement—and he’s now proving it on the field week after week.
