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Jeremy Beal isn’t one to brag. It’s just not in the Oklahoma defensive end’s nature. Truth is, the mere thought of talking about himself is enough to make him cringe. Beal would much rather let his actions and accomplishments — both on and off the field — speak for him.

The OU senior heads to the Fiesta Bowl needing just 2.5 sacks to become OU’s all-time leader in the category. The tackles-for-loss record — 57.5 — already belongs to him. That puts Beal up there with the program’s greats. Players like Lee Roy Selmon, Tony Casillas, Tommie Harris and Gerald McCoy are among the big names Beal passed along the way.

Sooner Spectator recently caught up with Beal and asked him to reflect on a career that rivals any defensive lineman’s in Sooner football history. Despite having reservations, he obliged.

Sooner Spectator: You’ve been a starter on teams that have won the Big 12 championship game three times in four years, played in a national championship game and won some other huge games. Do you have a favorite accomplishment over that period?

Jeremy Beal: Probably not losing at home. Or even better after that Oklahoma State game, not losing in the state of Oklahoma.

SS: You were recruited as a linebacker but were moved to defensive end in 2007. NFL scouts are projecting you as a linebacker. Are you glad you’ll be able to show them the tape of that Oklahoma State game where you were covering wide receivers?

Beal: I guess they’re projecting me as an outside linebacker, so that’s a good game for them to watch.

SS: OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables and defensive ends coach Bobby Jack Wright always rave about your ability to handle anything they throw at you. Venables said you were the key to being able to play that three-man against Oklahoma State.

Beal: I guess I was the guy for that outside linebacker position. I don’t know if it was the key or not, (but) I tried to do it to the best of my ability.

SS: The coaches said that was something that was basically installed the week of the game. Was it hard to pick up in that short a period?

Beal: It wasn’t odd at all. I played linebacker in high school, and when I first came here I was a linebacker, too, as a freshman. I’ve stood up the last couple of years in the Okie package (OU’s three linemen, three linebacker, five defensive back alignments). It wasn’t awkward. I will say it was different.

SS: Have you ever been asked to follow motion receivers to the outside of the formation in previous years? OU coach Bob Stoops said you were like a cornerback out there.

Beal: That was the odd part. When they went to empty, I had to go out there with a receiver. That was the only odd part of it.

SS: You’re the guy who is known for rarely making mental mistakes. Did you get caught in any against Oklahoma State?

Beal: It was difficult when you’re trying to jam him. That was one thing I don’t think you can get down in a week. But I’m not going to get mad if I miss because that’s not really what I do.

SS: You have already etched your name into the OU record books and your college career still has one more big game left. What comes to mind when you allow yourself to think about you’ve accomplished at OU?

Beal: The first thing is: those are some great players that are on those lists. I can’t believe I’m up there with those guys in sacks or anything. The sacks are OK, but I realize teams throw the ball a lot more now than they did back in the day and I’ve had a few more opportunities than some other guys. But tackles for losses is the one that really makes you say, ‘Wow!’ There’s some guys up there who are just fantastic players.

(Editor's Note: This is just a portion of the exclusive interview with Jeremy Beal that appears in the 2010 Bowl Preview Issue of Sooner Spectator. To read more or subscribe, call toll free 1-877-841-8877)