Stoops: Nila Kasitati, Austin Woods will be OK to play this season after health scares

NORMAN — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Saturday that offensive linemen Nila Kasitati and Austin Woods are both going to be OK to play this season after some offseason health scares.

Kasitati, a redshirt freshman, had surgery last week for a heart condition he’s dealt with for a long time, and Stoops said it is not life threatening.

“He’ll be able to continue playing,” Stoops said. “He had it for a long time, but no one knew it. He didn’t know it.

“It would just flare up at times. He’s only going to be out maybe a week.

“(The surgery) should correct the problem and he should be fine going forward.”

Woods has battled Hodgkins lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells, with chemotheraphy, but he is cleared to play. Stoops called his attitude and fight through the battle “remarkable.”

Woods will remain OU’s snapper on field goals, Stoops added.