A true No. 1 running back? Not likely for OU in 2026
(by Eric W. Bolin) The last time the Heisman Trophy committee named two running backs as finalists for the most prestigious award in college football was 2015. In the 11 years before that, it had happened in 2013, 2011, 2009 and 2004. Football has changed. The days of a majority of teams relying on one uber-dominant back are dwindling...read more from the Sooners Wire
How Oklahoma Kicker Tate Sandell has 'Elevated' Sooners' Special Teams Unit
(by Carson Field) NORMAN — Every member of Oklahoma’s 2025 team ended the season with a bad taste in their mouth. That sting was likely more painful for Tate Sandell. Sandell, who won the Lou Groza Award for his outstanding 2025 season, missed two field-goal attempts during the Sooners’ 34-24 loss to Alabama in the College...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Former Sooner stars lay out their goal this spring for John Mateer
(by Aaron Gelvin) Oklahoma Sooners starting quarterback John Mateer and his coaches have already spoken this spring about what he's working to improve on for his final season of college football in 2026. While the offense as a whole focuses on establishing a physical, punishing rushing attack, Mateer has been working to improve his...read more from the Sooners Wire
Focused Solely on Football, James Nesta is Working to Take a Major Step in 2026
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Things are getting serious for James Nesta. The linebacker is entering his third season at Oklahoma, and he let go of his baseball dreams to focus on growing under the guidance of Brent Venables. Nesta’s decision to focus solely on football wasn’t easy, but he’s already seeing the benefits. “It’s definitely made it...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma TE Kade McIntyre Looking to 'Control the Controllable' in Fourth Season
(by Carson Field) NORMAN — Kade McIntyre’s first two seasons in Norman haven’t gone as planned. A native of Fremont, NE, McIntyre enrolled at Oklahoma in 2023. He came to OU with high expectations, ranked the No. 24 tight end in the Class of 2023 by On3. But despite those expectations, McIntyre hasn’t consistently produced for the Sooners...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Transfer LB Cole Sullivan is Earning a Reputation as a 'Dog' Early in Oklahoma Career
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Six practices into his Oklahoma career, Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan is already earning the respect of his teammates. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound linebacker was brought in to play alongside returning star Kip Lewis, and he’s taken to Brent Venables’ defense nicely. “I love Cole. He's a gentle soul,” Lewis said...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma Hopes to Elevate WR Isaiah Sategna After 'Big-Time' Contributions in 2026
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Some recruitments are easier than others. The process of getting Isaiah Sategna back on campus for the 2026 season was pretty simple, at least for quarterback John Mateer. “We called a couple times, but he wanted to come back,” Mateer said of his offseason conversations with his top target. “I was like...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
SIP Ep. 260 | Oklahoma Recruiting Roundup: OU continues to add to already loaded 2027 class
(by Josh Callaway) With the calendar flipped to April, the Sooners Illustrated Podcast is back with a brand new episode. Sooners Illustrated's Josh Callaway and Collin Kennedy break down all the latest Oklahoma recruiting news after another addition was made to the 2027 class this week, a significant departure came in the 2028 cycle and...listen to podcast from Sooners Illustrated
Bowe Bentley's 'Maturity' is Allowing him to Play 'Confident' in First Spring at Oklahoma
(by Brady Trantham) NORMAN — In the days before this new era of player empowerment, there were non-negotiables a program must have in order to be in the running for the top-tier of talent out of high school. Maybe now, those old trophies and championship banners don’t carry the same weight. With NIL and the transfer portal, the gap...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma tight ends quickly see Jason Witten's NFL experience paying off
(by Dekota Gregory) It's pretty simple why new Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten is already having such an immediate impact in his new role: he's a pro. The Sooners added Witten to their staff over the offseason for his first coaching job at the college level after spending four years as a head high school football coach in Texas. It was...read more from Stormin' in Norman
How Oklahoma Freshman DE Jake Kreul's 'Mindset' has Impressed Older Teammates
(by Carson Field) NORMAN — Defensive end Jake Kreul showed why he was such a highly touted prospect during the first week of spring ball. Kreul is one of the 24 players from the Class of 2026 who signed with Oklahoma in December. Listed at 6-3 and 230 pounds, Kreul was rated as a 5-star prospect by ESPN, while Rivals and On3...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
OU offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis stepping into leadership role in offseason
(by Charlie DiVincenzo) OU redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis spoke to the media on Monday, eager to continue to grow heading into the 2026 season. Pierre-Louis, a former three-star recruit in the 2024 class, appeared in all 13 games during the 2025 season and made six starts at left guard. With two years under his belt...read more from the OU Daily
DE Danny Okoye is Attacking Spring Practice With Urgency Ahead of Year 3 at Oklahoma
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Danny Okoye is ready for a bigger role. The redshirt sophomore played in 11 games last year, totaling six tackles and two sacks, but he’s hoping to become more than just a situational guy in 2026. “I don’t even think I had a good year last year. This year, I’m just trying to focus on the little things. Making the game...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Bob Stoops shuts down idea that John Mateer issue is overblown
(by Dekota Gregory) One of the biggest storylines to come out of the Oklahoma Sooners' spring camp so far has been quarterback John Mateer trying to improve his mechanics with an emphasis on breaking his habit of throwing side-arm and instead going over the top. Such a minor detail making headlines could seem hyperbole to some, but...read more from Stormin' in Norman
SIP Ep. 259 | Takeaways from the first week of Oklahoma spring camp + Any concern with the injuries?
(by Josh Callaway) With the first handful of practices of spring camp in the books for Oklahoma, the Sooners Illustrated Podcast is back with a brand new episode. Sooners Illustrated's Josh Callaway and Tom Green break down their biggest takeaways from the first week of spring practice hitting all the biggest player standouts and if...read more from Sooners Illustrated
Ben Arbuckle 'constantly' looking to improve, evolve in Year 2 as OU's offensive coordinator
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — Ben Arbuckle doesn’t want things to feel stagnant. Even though he’s still early in his coaching career, Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator is always looking to improve and evolve things within his scheme. That’s been especially important over the last several weeks, as the Sooners look to improve an offense...read more from the OUInsider
Oklahoma adds three-star OL Isaac Coughran to its 2027 class
(by Parker Thune) Two Oklahoma visits in the span of three weeks was enough to seal the deal for Isaac Coughran. The three-star Katy (Texas) IOL picked up his offer from the Sooners on Feb. 17. He took his first trip to campus on March 7, then returned on March 28 for another unofficial visit. Some three days later, he’s officially on board...read more from the OUInsider
Observations from Oklahoma's Fourth Spring Practice
(by Brady Trantham) NORMAN — Oklahoma held another spring practice early Monday evening, and local media got a roughly 45-minute window to film and photograph. Here are some observations from the Sooners On SI staff: Injuries/Players Not Full-Participants Elijah Thomas was wearing a boot on his left foot and not participating...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
'Versatile' DB Jeremiah Newcombe can Carve Out a Role in his Third Season at Oklahoma
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Jeremiah Newcombe’s redshirt freshman year was cut short. He played in Oklahoma’s first two games in 2025 before seeing his year end due to an injury. The 5-foot-9, 192-pound product of Gilbert, AZ, was viewed as a versatile member of the OU defense throughout fall camp a year ago, splitting time at defensive...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
