Following up on reports from last week, Oklahoma confirmed it will be down a pair of defensive starters for the opener this weekend.
At his news conference Monday, head coach Bob Stoops confirmed that cornerback Cortez Johnson and defensive lineman Chuka Ndulue (pictured) have been suspended for the opener against Louisiana-Monroe for off-field indiscretions over the past eight months. Both Johnson and Ndulue have been running with the first-team defense at their respective positions.
Both players will return for the following weekend’s game, the conference opener at home against West Virginia.
Early last December, Johnson, along with OU wide receiver Jalen Saunders, was arrested on a marijuana possession charge. Johnson was sitting out the 2012 season, so the punitive measure carried over to the 2013 season.
In March of 2012, Johnson announced that he would be leaving Arizona, ultimately transferring to the Sooners in May of that year. After his appeal for immediate eligibility failed, Johnson sat out the 2012 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules.
Last season, Ndulue played in all 13 games and led the Sooners with five sacks. He was moved from end to tackle this spring.
Late this past June, Ndulue was arrested on a complaint of driving under the influence.