Crimson Countdown: No. 17 Taylor Heim

The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2025 Oklahoma football season. Everybody wants to forget about 2024 and move forward.

Head coach Brent Venables and staff have attempted to do that. New face calling the offense (Ben Arbuckle). Venables calling the defense, it’s now or never for this regime at OU in the SEC. No beating around the bush.

Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.

Crimson Countdown: No. 17 Taylor Heim

2024 stats: Played in one game, no stats

2025 outlook:

Heim became a name uttered a bunch throughout spring practice. You could tell he was trying to make a bigger imprint compared to what he had done so far.

Heim has played in one game in his two seasons and hasn’t registered a tackle or any defensive statistic.

He, clearly, wants that to change this season. Heim has put in the work to try to make that happen. Now what we’ll find out is whether he’s good enough?

It’s not going to be easy, but he is showing strong perseverance. Time to see if that mindset is going to pay off in the end for Heim in Norman.

2025 Cheetah linebacker outlook

You’ve got a full-time coach for the position in Wes Goodwin. And nobody is going to know the position better than Goodwin, so a lot is expected here. Kendal Daniels immediately comes to mind. Have to have the skill set to play in the box and be physical. And then be able to drop into coverage and deal with receivers and tight ends. Daniels might be the first Cheetah during the Venables era that easily checks both boxes. There are other guys who can and will play the spot, but it feels like this is about Goodwin unleashing Daniels to the SEC world.