NORMAN — Oklahoma linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo was lighthearted and relaxed for most of last Monday at Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas.
Okoronkwo flashed his broad smile and had fun with the questions.
But when Okoronkwo was asked about Jordan Thomas' omission from the Jim Thorpe Award watch list, the smile faded a bit and a serious mood set in.
The reporter didn't even finish the question about Thomas being left off before Okoronkwo nodded his head in understanding and launched into his defense.
“Because he's not a bad guy,” Okoronkwo said. “He just did some dumb stuff as a young kid.