Why OU football coach Brent Venables thinks D-II transfer Konnor Near can 'lead a defense'

NORMAN — Everything was changing around Konnor Near.
The veteran linebacker shared a house with eight teammates while at Ferris State. But after completing his fourth season with the Division II program, he watched as his best friends began the next chapter of their lives.
Some guys transferred away. Others ran out of eligibility and began post-college adulthood. In total, seven of Near’s eight roommates were gone.
Meanwhile, Near found himself in the same cycle. Ferris State had just won its second straight Division II national title. And while Near enjoyed going 42-2 during his time with the Bulldogs, he was ready for a change.
“Honestly, the last two years there were like life on repeat,” Near said. “We lived the same thing. … I was just ready to experience something new.”
Near got his wish on May 4 when he transferred to OU.
The Division II transfer figures to have a considerable role with the Sooners, who are in need of linebacker play. Near is a former All-American who recorded 66 tackles (10.5 for loss) and three sacks in 15 games last season.
And while adjusting to the Power Five level is easier said than done, OU head coach Brent Venables is confident in Near’s abilities.
“I wanted a guy that can line up and play winning football for us,” Venables said. “Konnor is a guy who’s going to bring instincts, toughness and physicality. He’s going to be able to lead a defense. … High expectations.”
Near didn’t know how quick the transfer process would be when he entered the portal on April 20.
The Saint Johns, Michigan, native even had an agreement with Ferris State that he would return to the program if he couldn’t find a better fit.
But just 10 minutes after entering his name in the portal, Near received his first Division I offer from Washington State.
Other programs quickly followed suit. Utah State. Toledo. Bowling Green. Appalachian State. Texas Tech. Miami (Ohio). Cincinnati. Georgia Tech. Duke.
Near’s phone wouldn’t stop ringing during a nearly two-week period.
“The thing that took me by surprise the most was how quickly it happened,” Near said. “It just took me aback at how quickly this thing was going to go for me, more than anything.”
Near even received an offer from Michigan State, which is only about a 30-minute drive from his hometown.
It's an offer Near would've loved to have gotten during his time at St. Johns High, where he received some Division I interest but ultimately ended up at Ferris State.
Michigan State seemed to be an ideal landing spot for the Division II transfer, but that's when OU came into the picture. Near received an offer from the Sooners on April 29 and committed to them on May 4.
OU rose to the top of Near's list due in large part to Venables. He has helped produce seven finalists and three winners of the Butkus Award, which is given to the nation's best linebacker.
"There were a few things that played into the decision, No. 1 being Coach Venables," Near said. "As a linebacker in college football, you look back at the last 20 years and it's hard to argue with his success. He's who you want to play for."
Near also wanted an opportunity to see the field, and he'll get that chance at OU.
The Sooners lack experience at linebacker following the departures of DaShaun White and David Ugwoegbu. The latter served as OU's starting middle linebacker last season, and Near is in the running to claim that spot.
He'll have to earn it, of course. Near must compete with underclassmen Jaren Kanak and Kobie McKinzie, who are both former four-star prospects.
A starting role at OU would be a big change for Near after playing at the Division II level for his whole career. But change is exactly what he's looking for.
"The guy who played that position last year is gone, so the (starting) spot is there to earn," Near said. "I just saw an opportunity."