Spring ball is the time for competition to step to the forefront as the Oklahoma Sooners look to answer questions about the roster ahead of the 2024 season.
Heading into the SEC, the Sooners will have a new quarterback and a new offensive line. But they bring back a fantastic wide receiver room and an experienced defense. It’s a team that could make some noise in the SEC title race despite their difficult schedule.
But what are the most intriguing position battles to watch this spring? Here are some that we’ll be keeping an eye on.
The Oklahoma Sooners bring back two players that started a few games in 2023 in Jacob Sexton and Troy Everett. Still Bill Bedenbaugh and the offensive staff have the unenviable task of fielding a whole new offensive line heading into their first year in the SEC.
Bedenbaugh and the Sooners made significant additions in the transfer portal to bring in Febechi Nwaiwu, Michael Tarquin, Spencer Brown, and Geirean Hatchett. The Sooners also added a physically mature group of players in the 2024 recruiting class.
There are high expectations for guys like Sexton and Nwaiwu. Tarquin and Brown bring a lot of starting experience at the Power Five level. Ahead of the bowl game, Heath Ozaeta made some noise and this offseason, Brent Venables talked about the 2023 signee as one of the most athletic players on the roster.
Though they’re dealing with a lot of turnover, the Sooners have some really good options to figure out the best five ahead of the 2024 season. This position battle likely won’t be settled until the fall.
You may not be as concerned about the backup running back spot as other spots, but the Sooners will use multiple running backs throughout the season, even if there is a definitive starter.
Gavin Sawchuk returns after finishing the season with five straight 100-yard rushing efforts in 2023. He’ll be the odds on favorite to start after kickstarting Oklahoma’s running game once he returned from offseason injuries.
Oklahoma’s hoping they can get a healthy Jovantae Barnes for 2024. He was the Sooners second-leading rusher in 2022 behind Eric Gray. With his size and experience, he’ll have the opportunity to win the No. 2 job behind Sawchuk. OU added more competition in UT Martin transfer Sam Franklin, who was a dynamic runner at the FCS level.
Then there’s Kalib Hicks, the 2023 signee, who got a little run last season and has the potential to be an every-down back at the collegiate level. He’s a really good athlete that runs with power.
Emeka Megwa is still in the fold after transferring in from Oregon and the Sooners brought in Xavier Robinson in the 2024 cycle. Taylor Tatum will arrive in the summer and adds another dynamic runner to the room.
The Oklahoma Sooners have an abundance of riches at wide receiver. And that will make the competition this spring incredible.
Oklahoma’s leading receiver, Nic Anderson looks to build off of a breakout 2023 season. Jalil Farooq started all 13 games last year and had the best season of his career.
The Sooners also return Jayden Gibson who emerged in a rotational role last year. Speedsters Brenen Thompson and Jaquaize Pettaway hope to carve out bigger roles in the offense.
The Sooners also brought in Deion Burks via the transfer portal and Zion Kearney, Ivan Carreon, Zion Ragins, and K.J. Daniels through the recruiting class.
And at some point, Andrel Anthony will be back in the fold as he works his way back from a midseason ACL injury.
One would think Nic Anderson and Jalil Farooq return as starters for the Sooners. Deion Burks could take over in the slot. However, given the talent they have at wide receiver, they might let the wide receivers battle it out for playing time.
Defensive tackle was better in 2023, but the Sooners lost Jordan Kelley, Isaiah Coe, and Jonah Laulu to eligibility and Jacob Lacey to medical retirement. That leaves just Da’Jon Terry. Terry is the only returning defensive tackle that saw more than 100 snaps last season.
Terry will be your starting nose tackle, but when the Sooners want to deploy a four-man front, they’ll need someone to claim a significant role. Gracen Halton, Ashton Sanders, Markus Strong, Davon Sears, David Stone, and Jayden Jackson will have an opportunity to earn playing time.
It’s not often you see a freshman defensive tackle earn starter snaps, but the Sooners have a pair of guys that could pull off that feat.
The Oklahoma Sooners cornerback situation is an interesting one. They bring back Woodi Washington, who’s been a multi-year starter for the Sooners. Gentry Williams returns but will miss most spring ball after having shoulder surgery.
That leaves a lot of opportunities for guys like Kani Walker, Dez Malone, Jocelyn Malaska, Jacobe Johnson, Jasiah Wagoner, and Makari Vickers. Add in newcomers Jeremiah Newcombe, Eli Bowen, and Devon Jordan.
Cornerback was good for the Sooners in 2023, but it’s an area that can continue to improve. Oklahoma has a number of talented players ready to ascend into significant roles.
If cornerback is a spot that can get better, then tight end is a spot that has to get better. The Sooners got next to nothing out of that spot in the passing game. But in an attempt to fix it, they added veteran Jake Roberts and the uber athlete with potential Bauer Sharp. Additionally, the Sooners brought in one of the more physically impressive prospects in the 2024 signing class, Davon Mitchell.
Jake Roberts will likely get the first shot to take the reigns, given his experience and potential as a run blocker but Oklahoma will let the competition play out to see who earns snaps for 2024.
Ethan Downs will start at one of the defensive end spots. He provides too much as a run blocker and gives you enough as a pass rusher that he’ll get all of the early down work and a lot of the snaps on third down.
But Oklahoma has several dudes that will compete for snaps at defensive end. R Mason Thomas, Adepoju Adebawore, and Caiden Woullard all bring pass rush juice that can help elevate the Sooners defense in 2024.