The Football Brainiacs

The Path to Norman

Stokes went the JUCO route, playing at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. In December, 2018, Coach Thibodeaux started to contact LaRon. Although schools like Oregon and Oklahoma State made a push, the Sooners won the commitment of the lineman. 

BOOM! #Sooners pick up a commitment from 2019 JUCO DL LaRon Stokes (@LStokes35) who visited Norman the weekend!

Nice addition in the athletic big man! https://t.co/1iTdWShvtH pic.twitter.com/djZmJwSAH1

— TFB Sooners (@TFB_Sooners) December 17, 2018

Career so Far

LaRon came in and made an immediate impact for OU. He appeared in 13 games last season, starting in 10 of them. Stokes was able to help at several positions, using his size and strength to be disruptive. He was honored as the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year for the season. 

Current Profile

Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 276
Year: Senior

Stats

Highlights

LaRon Stokes wreaking havoc on 2nd down.#OUDNA | #BoomerSooner https://t.co/iCNwV47pFV

— 𝕺𝖐𝖑𝖆𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖆 𝖛𝖘. 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉 (@soonergridiron) September 15, 2019

LaRon Stokes with a sack on 1st down and then a nice tackle by Patrick Fields on 2nd down.#OUDNA | #BoomerSooner https://t.co/kHp4s2k8WT

— 𝕺𝖐𝖑𝖆𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖆 𝖛𝖘. 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉 (@soonergridiron) September 8, 2019

2020 Season

The 2020 defensive line will have quite a few players vying for playing time. Stokes seems set to play at defensive tackle this year; time at defensive end seems unlikely, but he certainly may help out at nose tackle given the lack of experience at the position. Jalen Redmond and LaRon Stokes will be the biggest forces at the defensive tackle spot. Look for Stokes to follow up his Newcomer of the Year season with a big season in 2020 as he sets his sights on the 2021 NFL Draft.