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!
— TFB Sooners (@TFB_Sooners) December 17, 2018
Nice addition in the athletic big man! https://t.co/1iTdWShvtH pic.twitter.com/djZmJwSAH1
Career so Far
LaRon came in and made an immediate impact for OU. He appeared in 13 games in 2019, 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.
Unfortunately, 2020 was not quite the season many had hoped to see from Stokes. He was expected to step in for Jalen Redmond, but was consistently banged up throughout the season. Stokes was still a solid contributor and started in five games for the Sooners.
Current Profile
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 272
Year: Senior
Stats
This Season
LaRon Stokes decided to return in 2021 given the blanket waiver on the 2020 season. Redmond will be the presumed starter at defensive tackle after sitting out in 2020. However, Stokes still has a great chance to contribute on the line as a veteran defensive player. Sooner fans saw him make a big impact in his first, and only uninjured, season; hopefully, the big lineman has a great last campaign for Oklahoma.