Sooners defensive lineman Jacob Lacey announces medical retirement

Football isn’t life, and some things matter more than this game. For Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jacob Lacey, protecting himself and doing whatever is necessary to ensure he can live a long and fulfilling life matters more than what he could ever provide on the football field.

That is why, on Thursday morning, Lacey announced he would no longer be playing football due to issues with blood clots that have been an issue for a few years now.

Lacey was able to elevate past the issue and suit up for the Sooners last season, but there was doubt in the summer if he would even play. He found a way to be part of a much improved defensive line for Oklahoma that led the nation in plays that were either a tackle for loss or a net gain was zero.

He came to Norman from Notre Dame via the transfer portal and provided much-needed depth and leadership along the defensive line. He was expected to be a contributor this year for Oklahoma’s inaugural season in the SEC in what would have been his final year of eligibility. He had announced in December he’d return to Norman for his last season. Lacey started 11 games last year for Oklahoma and played more snaps (385) than any other interior lineman on the Sooners’ roster. He finished the year with 17 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, and one sack.

Now, Lacey is medically retired. It remains to be seen if Lacey will finish his degree at Oklahoma or go somewhere else. Still, whatever he does going forward, Lacey will have the support of the Oklahoma Sooners behind him.