SIP Ep. 204 | Oklahoma Recruiting Roundup: OU stays hot in 2026 class going into first game weekend
(by Josh Callaway) Going into the first week of high school football and Oklahoma's season opener coming up on Saturday, the Sooners Illustrated Podcast is back with a brand new episode. Sooners Illustrated's Josh Callaway and Collin Kennedy open things up by breaking down the latest commit for Oklahoma in 2026 with defensive...listen to podcast from Sooners Illustrated
Brent Venables isn't worried about QB John Mateer: 'He's always responded'
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — John Mateer doesn’t listen to the preseason talk or get caught up in preseason expectations. The good news for OU coach Brent Venables? He knows he doesn’t have to worry about that with his new quarterback. Venables thoroughly studied Mateer’s tape at Washington State before the Sooners added...read more from the OUInsider
3 true freshmen to watch for OU against Illinois State
(by Aaron Gelvin) Finally, it’s football time again in Oklahoma. The 2025 season kicks off for the Oklahoma Sooners against the Illinois State Redbirds in Week 1 at home in Norman. OU hosts their only FCS opponent of the season on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. inside Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Plenty of newcomers will be making...read more from the Sooners Wire
SoonerScoop podcast: How much will we learn about the OU offense?
(by Bob Przybylo) Check another box, OU fans. The final Unofficial 40 podcast before the first game of the season for the Sooners. And there is still a ton to talk about. Not just from a big-picture point of view. But getting down in the mud, as head coach Brent Venables would say, with what’s going on in 2025. Sounds like we’re going to hear from...listen to podcast from the SoonerScoop
How Oklahoma RBs Jovantae Barnes, Tory Blaylock Earned Top Spots on Week 1 Depth Chart
(by Carson Field) NORMAN — While Jaydn Ott rightfully generated a significant buzz when he arrived in Norman, he won’t start on offense in Week 1. Ott, who transferred to OU from Cal in April, is widely expected to lead the Sooners’ run game during the 2025 season. The running back rushed for more than 2,000 yards during his first two years...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
OU Announces Football Fan Experience Enhancements
(by OU Athletics Communications) NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department has announced a series of fan experience enhancements ahead of Saturday's home football opener against Illinois State. The expansion of offerings and upgrades to services range from pregame festivities to in-game engagement...read more from SoonerSports.com
Oklahoma Looking to Build 'Chemistry' Despite Offensive Line Battles
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Oklahoma still has plenty to sort out along the offensive line. The Sooners’ first depth chart of the season listed one entrenched starter, Febechi Nwaiwu at right guard, but position battles at the other four spots will continue into OU’s season opener against Illinois State. “Lot of great competition in fall...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Sooners on SI Podcast: It's Finally Football Time in Oklahoma
(by Ryan Chapman) Listen to the first Sooners on SI Podcast of the season! John Hoover, Ryan Chapman and Carson Field got together to preview No. 18-ranked Oklahoma's season opener on Saturday against Illinois State. Brent Venables held his first game week press conference of the season on Tuesday, and the guys recapped...listen to podcast from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
College football Week 1 watch guide for Oklahoma Sooners fans
(by Aaron Gelvin) College football returns with a bang Week 1. The Oklahoma Sooners will host Illinois State at 5 p.m. CT Saturday on ESPN+ for their 2025 season opener, but there will be a lot more college football than just those few hours for Sooner Nation to enjoy Week 1. Between future conference opponents, former rivals and players...read more from Stormin' in Norman
Oklahoma Sooners' 2025 coaching analysts are ready to help lead a bounce-back year
(by Aaron Gelvin) The Oklahoma Sooners did the work to rebuild their offense this offseason. After OU posted its worst offensive numbers since 1998, it made major changes to the leadership on that side of the ball, both on and off the field. Earlier this month, we went through each of OU’s coordinators and position coaches, walking through...read more from the Sooners Wire
Crimson Countdown: No. 3 Robert Spears-Jennings
(by Bob Przybylo) The safety room is officially his. Spears-Jennings has been able to watch in the background and see how you’re supposed to conduct yourself. On the field, off the field and everything in between. Now? He’s that guy. The one expected to set the example for the number of younger safeties in that room. Full of potential, now to bring...read more from the SoonerScoop
Brent Venables discusses special teams, Jaydn Ott's role at kick returner
(by Jesse Crittenden) Monday’s depth chart included “ORs” at multiple position groups on offense and defense for Oklahoma. But one of the areas where things were more concrete was special teams. Tate Sandell was listed atop the depth at kicker, with Jacob Ulrich at punter. Isaiah Sategna is the sole starter at punt returner and was...read more from the OUInsider
Column: Ever Steady in a Changing Landscape, Oklahoma's Brent Venables Draws Motivation from the Hard Times
(by John E. Hoover) There’s no doubt that Brent Venables has his finger on the pulse of Oklahoma football. Actually, as head coach, Venables IS the pulse of Oklahoma football. But long before his maiden season as the Sooners’ head man back in 2022, Venables knew what OU football was all about. As much as anyone this side of Bob Stoops, he...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma TE Jaren Kanak 'Earned' Starting Role, Per OC Ben Arbuckle
(by Carson Field) NORMAN — After only a handful of months on Oklahoma’s offense, Jaren Kanak will be a starter in Week 1. Kanak, a former linebacker, made the move to tight end after the 2024 season. He battled against three transfer tight ends and two returners for first-team reps during the offseason. And on the Sooners’ depth chart...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
New Orleans Saints announce former OU quarterback Spencer Rattler as starter
(by Josh Franklin) Former OU quarterback Spencer Rattler was named the starter for the New Orleans Saints. "Spencer Rattler's our starting quarterback (and) really, really excited for him,” Saints head coach Kellen Moore said in Tuesday's press conference. “He's done an awesome job this offseason. He's just been consistent. He's made some...read more from the OU Daily
(by Collin Kennedy) Yet another commitment is in for the Oklahoma Sooners. T-Ron Richardson out of Hopewell (Va.) High has announced via social media his official OU pledge. Richardson becomes the 18th member of Oklahoma's current 2026 commit class. He's the 10th defensive player to pledge and the sixth defensive line commit in...read more from Sooners Illustrated
Venables Vibes: New Faces Must Fit Into Brent Venables' Firm Vision at Oklahoma
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — The first game week of Oklahoma’s 2025 season brought with it Brent Venables’ first weekly press conference. Entering his fourth year, Venables expressed excitement for the journey his team is about to embark on in a media session that lasted nearly 45 minutes. He expressed confidence in quarterback...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Brent Venables just exposed how broken Oklahoma football really was under Lincoln Riley
(by Dekota Gregory) Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables just revealed some damning details about the state of OU football under Lincoln Riley before Venables took over. During his first weekly press conference of the 2025 season on Tuesday, Venables, while reminiscing at how far the Sooners have come heading into his fourth year, at least...read more from Stormin' in Norman
Notepad: Sooners OC Ben Arbuckle to call plays from the sideline
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — Ben Arbuckle prefers to be on the sidelines during games. That won’t change at Oklahoma. The Sooners’ offensive coordinator confirmed Tuesday that he will call plays from the sidelines this season, starting with Saturday’s season opener against Illinois State (5 p.m. ESPN+). OU analyst John Kuceyesk...read more from the OUInsider
Brent Venables praises freshman CB Courtland Guillory: He has a "dog" mentality
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — There were a few things that stood out about the Sooners’ depth chart for Saturday’s season opener. But one of the biggest things? Courtland Guillory being listed atop the depth chart at cornerback. The true freshman earned a co-starting position at right cornerback and has put himself in a position to run...read more from the OUInsider
