Oklahoma football: OU commitment Hatari Byrd says coaches told him he'll start as a f

[Jenni 5]

BY TRENT SHADID

NORMAN — Oklahoma must replace both of its starting safeties next season, and OU commitment Hatari Byrd told The Oklahoman one of the spots already belongs to him.

Byrd, a four-star prospect from Central High in Fresno, Calif., said Sooner coaches have told him that he's going to start as a true freshman.

“I'm going to come in and work really hard — that's the type of player I am — but they told me I'm going to be the starter,” Byrd said in a telephone interview.

“They told me it's my spot.”

Byrd didn't specify whether he'd be a strong or free safety in Norman, but did say he's more comfortable playing p**** defense.

“I can come up and stop the run, but I'm more of a cover guy,” Byrd said.

Byrd is one of two safeties in the Sooners' recruiting cl**** of 2013, along with three-star Miami prospect Ahmad Thomas, who graduated early and is already enrolled in classes at OU.


The Sooners' two safeties from last season — Javon Harris and Tony Jefferson — are gone.

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