The energy around Norman right now is... a lot. If you walk into any coffee shop on Campus Corner, you’re going to hear two things: how loud the SEC is and whether or not Brent Venables actually knows what he’s doing with this roster. Honestly, the 2025 season was a rollercoaster that ended with a thud against Alabama in the playoff, and fans are still feeling the sting of that 34-24 loss.
But here’s the thing about Oklahoma University football players that most people are missing. The roster isn’t just "changing." It’s being surgically rebuilt for a league that eats finesse teams for breakfast. While the headlines are screaming about the guys who left—and yeah, seeing Taylor Tatum and Jovantae Barnes head for the portal hurts—the core staying behind is arguably the most "Venables-coded" group we've seen since he took over.
The John Mateer Gamble and the Return of the "Baker" Vibe
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the quarterback. John Mateer didn’t have the 2025 season he wanted. He threw 11 picks and dealt with a broken thumb that basically threw a wrench into the middle of the schedule. You’ve seen the armchair scouts on Twitter calling for a change, but they’re ignoring the reality of Ben Arbuckle’s offense.
Mateer is the closest thing this program has had to Baker Mayfield in terms of pure, unadulterated "it" factor. He’s a guy who creates out of structure. In 2025, even with the injury, he accounted for 22 total touchdowns. The decision for him to return in 2026—bypassing a potential mid-round NFL draft grade—is the biggest win of the offseason.
Why? Because for the first time in years, OU will have a third-year starter (including his time at Washington State) who actually knows where the check-downs are.
- The Sategna Factor: Isaiah Sategna III is back. He’s not just back; he’s switching his jersey to No. 1. If you know Sooner history, that number carries weight.
- The Deep Threat: Parker Livingstone, the former Arch Manning roommate who "betrayed" Texas to come to Norman, is 6-foot-4 and runs like the wind.
- The Slot Upgrade: Trell Harris coming in from Virginia is a massive get. He’s basically a bigger version of Deion Burks, and he’s coming off an All-ACC season.
Why the Defense is Suddenly Terrifying
If you watched the Alabama playoff game, you saw the problem. The Sooners were fast, but they got bullied in the trenches. That’s why the recent moves involving Oklahoma University football players on the defensive side are so telling.
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Kip Lewis is returning. That’s huge. He led the team with 76 tackles and double-digit tackles for loss. But the real story is the portal "monster" Venables just snagged from Michigan: Cole Sullivan.
Sullivan is a 6-foot-3 nightmare who can play sideline-to-sideline. He had three interceptions as a sophomore in the Big Ten. Pairing him with Kip Lewis gives Oklahoma a linebacker duo that actually has the size to stand up to an LSU or Georgia rushing attack.
The Trenches: Where Games Are Actually Won
You can have all the 5-star wideouts you want, but if the offensive line is a sieve, it doesn't matter. Bill Bedenbaugh has been under fire lately, and frankly, some of it was deserved. The 2025 unit was inconsistent.
However, looking at the 2026 projected starters, there’s a massive shift toward "grown man" football. Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodje are returning at the tackle spots. These aren't just kids anymore; they're SEC-tested veterans. Adding E’Marion Harris from Arkansas (24 starts in the SEC) and Caleb Nitta from Western Kentucky shows a desperate, necessary pivot toward depth.
Basically, the staff realized they couldn't survive another season where one injury at center ruined the entire offensive game plan.
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The "New Normal" for Recruits and Transfers
It’s kinda wild how much the identity of the Oklahoma University football players has changed in just 24 months. We used to be the school of the flashy 5-star Heisman QB and "just enough" defense.
Now? Look at the 2026 signing class.
- Jake Kreul (Edge): A 4-star kid from IMG Academy who looks like he was built in a lab to sack SEC quarterbacks.
- Bowe Bentley (QB): The future. He’s a 6-foot-1 gunslinger from Texas who chose OU over basically everyone.
- Jonathan Hatton Jr. (RB): The replacement for the guys who left. He’s a downhill runner who fits the "bruiser" mold Murray wants.
The mix of these high-upside freshmen and veteran portal adds like tight end Jack Van Dorselaer (a late "buzzer-beater" addition from Tennessee) shows a program that is finally learning how to balance the NIL era with actual roster construction.
Real Talk: The SEC Learning Curve
Let’s be honest. Oklahoma isn't "back" to the 2000s glory days yet. The loss to Texas in 2025 (23-6) proved there is still a wide gap in physical dominance. You can't just out-recruit the Longhorns or the Crimson Tide anymore; you have to out-develop them.
The retention of players like R Mason Thomas and David Stone is arguably more important than any flashy transfer. These are the guys who have to anchor the rotation. Stone, in particular, has the potential to be a top-10 NFL pick, but he needs that "leap" year in 2026.
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What to Watch During Spring Ball
If you're heading to the spring game, don't just watch the long passes. That's fool's gold. Watch the interior defensive line. Watch how Bishop Thomas (the Georgia State transfer) and Jayden Jackson handle the double teams.
If those guys can't hold the point of attack, the 2026 season will look a lot like the 2025 season—good, but not "playoff-threatening" good.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season:
- Track the TE Room: With Jason Witten joining the staff as the tight ends coach and the addition of Hayden Hansen (Florida) and Jack Van Dorselaer (Tennessee), the offense is going to use the middle of the field way more.
- Monitor the Kicker: Tate Sandell returning is a quiet but massive win. In a league where games are won by 3 points (like the Alabama win in November), having a reliable leg is non-negotiable.
- The Secondary Shuffle: Keep an eye on Oregon transfer Dakoda Fields. He didn't get much run in Eugene, but he has the "length" Venables obsesses over. If he wins a starting spot, the Sooners' ceiling on defense goes up significantly.
The era of Oklahoma University football players being defined by Lincoln Riley’s "basketball on grass" is officially dead. This is a bigger, meaner, and—honestly—more desperate team. Whether that translates to an SEC title in 2026 is anyone's guess, but for the first time in a while, the roster actually matches the rhetoric.
Next Steps for Fans:
Keep a close eye on the Winter S&C (Strength and Conditioning) reports coming out of the Everest Training Center. The physical transformation of the offensive line transfers—specifically Peyton Joseph and E'Marion Harris—will be the primary indicator of whether the Sooners can survive the gauntlet of a 12-game SEC schedule without another late-season fade.