This week, the Oklahoma football program learned that veteran defensive tackle Jacob Lacey will most likely miss the 2024 season.
Lacey announced this week that he will medically retire due to a recurrence of blood clots that endangered his health and threatened to destroy his career a year ago.
The Oklahoma redshirt senior said on social media: “I’ve had two pulmonary embolisms in less than a year. Both times, I was informed I was fortunate to be alive.
“That’s a devastating blow to us,” stated head coach Brent Venables. “We were really counting on not only his leadership, but he is a very good player.”
I’ve have two pulmonary embolism incidents in less than a year. Both times I was told I am lucky to be alive. The game I love was taken away from me, but I refuse to let it define me. S⭕️⭕️ner nation, thank you for everything you have done for me and my family. God has a plan🙏🏾. pic.twitter.com/tDDP3HL3vD
— Jlacey.M©️🩸 (@JacobLacey6) February 29, 2024
Lacey, a transfer from Notre Dame, played a significant part on the Sooners’ defensive line last season and announced in December that he will return for his final season of eligibility in 2024. Lacey, along with Da’Jon Terry, a fellow transfer from Tennessee who joined the Oklahoma squad last season, was expected to anchor the OU defensive line next season, providing experience and leadership to a young OU D-line that is talented but inexperienced.
Oklahoma lost key defensive linemen following last season, but they will begin to rebuild with a talented 2024 recruiting class that features five-star recruit David Stone and four-stars Jayden Jackson and Nigel Smith II.
Lacey started 11 of the Sooners’ 13 games as a defensive tackle last season and led all OU interior linemen with 385 snaps in 2023. He finished the season with 17 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble.
Venables stated that OU had one of the top havoc ratings in NCAA football last season, and that the Sooners lead the nation in plays resulting in either tackles for loss or tackles for zero net gain. Lacey was an important part of that, he said.