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The Oklahoma Sooners took part in Day 1 of SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida on Monday. Among the OU representatives was defensive lineman Taylor Wein, one of the team's breakout stars from a year ago.
After being a virtual unknown outside of Norman this time last year, the noise around Wein's name is much louder heading into the 2026 season. After bursting onto the scene with his play a year ago, Wein is focusing on staying consistent heading into his fourth year with the program.
"Yeah, as far as noise, it's definitely a little louder," Wein said. "But as far as football and habits and just staying consistent, that hasn't changed. That's just through a body of work, and that hasn't changed since I got here. So, yeah, as far as football, nothing's changed. Just put my head down and go to work, get better."
One thing that is different for Wein this year is his leadership role for the Sooners. With veterans on defense like Damonic Williams, Gracen Halton, R Mason Thomas, Marvin Jones Jr., Kendal Daniels, and Robert Spears-Jennings gone, Wein is one of the more looked-to leaders for OU's defense, along with players like Kip Lewis, Owen Heinecke, and Peyton Bowen.
Wein believes he's getting used to his leadership role, and his focus is on continuing to get the defensive line better.
"As far as leadership, it's something that I feel like I've naturally kind of gotten acclimated to, and I feel I've embraced it," Wein said. "It's really helped me as a player overall. Obviously, there's always room for improvement, and I just know I've got to continue to get better. But the biggest thing for me is just leaving this place betterthan how I got here. Guys before me did a very good job of that. Guys like R Mason Thomas and Ethan Downs, and guys that really poured into the system, and they made us better as a d-end group. That's my goal: pour into the young guys, and just so when it's their time, they're on the stage, they're ready to go."
As one of Oklahoma's longest-tenured defensive linemen, the redshirt junior will have plenty of young players to take under his wing. Wein is perhaps one of the best examples of head coach Brent Venables and his staff finding a diamond in the rough and then developing him into a standout player over the course of multiple years. He's leaned on other great leaders at defensive end like Downs and Thomas over the years, and now it's his turn to give back and take up the mantle of leadership on the edge.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma DL Taylor Wein says he's embraced new leadership role
