100 Days to Football Time in Oklahoma 2025: #99 Markus Strong
Posted on: May 23, 2025
Player Profile
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 303
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Seasons at OU: 2
Hometown: Raiford, Fla.
Previous School: Union County HS
The Path to Norman
Markus Strong had a relatively short recruitment with the Sooners. A defensive lineman out of Florida, Strong received his OU offer in the fall of 2022.
After a great talk with @CoachToddBates Iβm blessed to receive an offer from Oklahoma University π€πΎ! @CoachVenables @soonersonly @OU_Football @rileyreeduf @C_Mart1353 @austindukes54 @Andrew_Ivins #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/HM4drGuZJP
β Markus Strong (@Markus_Strong2) October 30, 2022
The big man also received offers from UCF, West Virginia, and Louisville. Less than two months after his Oklahoma offer, the Sooners got a signing day commitment.
Chosen for your humility and strong work ethic. Welcome to the Oklahoma family @Markus_Strong2!
𧬠https://t.co/c6SmB6geYT#OUDNA | #CHO23N pic.twitter.com/jYP5ImwZOO
β Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 21, 2022
Career so Far
Strong took a redshirt season in 2023, but took the chance to play in the season opener against Arkansas State.
In his second year at OU, Strong played in two games – the season opener and the Armed Forces Bowl – and notched a pair of sacks against Temple in the opener.
Stats
Years: 2024 | 2023 | Career
Games Played: 2 | 1 | 3
Tackles: 2 | 1 | 3
Sacks: 2 | 0 | 2
Stats via Soonersports.com
Highlights
Markus Strong bringing the heat on the last two plays of the game. π±#OUDNA | #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/PD8TARfSSr
β πΊπππππππ ππ. πΏππ πππππ (@soonergridiron) August 31, 2024
This Season
The interior defensive line was one of the brightest groups for the Sooners in 2024. A lot of pieces are returning for 2025, including Damonic Williams, Jayden Jackson, David Stone, and Gracen Halton. Markus Strong flashed in his limited action against Temple last fall, logging two sacks in just three snaps, but didn’t see the field again until the bowl game. He will once again work to find snaps among a crowded group and make the most of the opportunities he gets this season.
