Damonic Williams – Syndication Server

Oklahoma Sooners captains against Missouri Tigers

The Sooners will be led by some of the biggest names on the team as captains against the Tigers.

The Oklahoma Sooners take the road this week, heading to Columbia, Missouri as they jump back into [autotag]SEC[/autotag] play. The 5-4 Sooners will look to win their second straight game, as they’ll visit the Missouri Tigers for a primetime battle away from home.

OU head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] has announced his game captains for this conference tilt, and his team will be represented by some of the biggest names on the roster in a pivotal contest. Quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Bauer Sharp[/autotag], defensive linemen [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and defensive back [autotag]Billy Bowman Jr.[/autotag] will lead Oklahoma into battle as captains in week eleven.

Arnold has gone from the heir-apparent, to the no-doubt starter, to being benched, to being re-inserted in the lineup, and now back to captain status in a whirlwind month and a half. The sophomore has looked more comfortable since regaining his starting spot, and his play will go a long way toward deciding this week’s game.

Sharp has shown some positive things at tight end, but there’s still plenty to work on for a player still new to the position. The coaching staff clearly trusts him to get the lion’s share of the reps, and he’s been more effective since the offensive coordinator change.

Williams was a big offseason addition for this team, and has been been reliable in the interior of the defensive line. He hasn’t been spectacular, but he’s helped one of the strongest units on the team consistently shut down the inside run game week after week.

Halton has improved so much over the last couple of seasons, and is really coming into his own as another great interior line option on this defense. He’s found a knack for getting into the backfield and making big plays, none bigger than his game-changing safety against Houston all the way back in week two.

Stutsman is the unquestioned leader of this team, and one of the best inside linebackers in college football. He hasn’t seen as many wins in his senior season as he’d like, but he continues to excel no matter how far back against the wall the offense puts the defense this year.

Bowman Jr. hasn’t matched his unbelievable production from a year ago, but he’s still a very good veteran player in the back end of OU’s defense. If he can return to his ball-hawking, turnover-causing 2023 form, it’ll help this team immensely over the final four weeks of the regular season.

The Sooners are putting some of their biggest stars front and center for this game. The noteworthy names, especially Stutsman, Bowman Jr. and Arnold will have to play like stars on Saturday, and the rest of the season, for Oklahoma to begin stacking wins in the SEC.

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Oklahoma Sooners name captains for Week 7 vs. Texas Longhorns

The Sooners announced their captains for a huge game against the archival Longhorns.

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns are just days away from renewing one of the greatest rivalry games sports has to offer. The [autotag]Red River Rivalry[/autotag] pits the undefeated Longhorns against the 4-1 Sooners in Dallas.

Oklahoma head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] has chosen six captains to represent his team in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday. Tight end [autotag]Bauer Sharp[/autotag] and offensive lineman [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag] represent the offense, while defensive linemen [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and defensive back [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] represent the defense.

https://twitter.com/OU_Football/status/1843426222828818746

Sharp, a transfer from Southeastern Louisiana, is making his first appearance in this rivalry. He’s been OU’s leading receiving tight end so far this season. While he’s struggled a bit with blocking, he’s been a reliable target over the middle in the passing game.

Nwaiwu is also a newcomer to this game, after transferring in from North Texas. He’s been a constant at right guard for OU this season, and has had his fair share of good and bad up front. Still, he’s been healthy and good enough to hold down the starting gig.

Williams is another new face in this matchup after arriving in Oklahoma from TCU via the portal. A big NIL and recruiting win for Venables, he’s been a strong starter on OU’s nasty defensive front. Sooner Nation is still waiting for Williams’ true breakout game, but he’s been very good in his first five games in Norman.

Downs is a Red River veteran, playing in his fourth game against Texas. He was one of the stars of this matchup a season ago, pressuring QB Quinn Ewers again and again. Downs is one of many players that OU rotates in and out at defensive end, but his veteran leadership and his technique are huge for the coaching staff.

Stutsman continues to serve as the leader of OU’s defense and is responsible for so much from play to play. His now-iconic quote before last year’s game is indicative of what he brings to the table for this team. He’s playing in his fourth Red River game and leads the Sooners in tackles so far this season.

Bowman is another veteran on this defense, also playing in his fourth matchup against the “Horns. He was another one of Oklahoma’s many defensive stars in this game last year, forcing an interception in the first quarter with a huge hit, and coming up with the defining fourth-down stop of OU’s legendary goal-line stand. He’s the leader of an excellent safety trio for the Sooners that will have to come up big once again in this game.

Oklahoma and Texas will kick things off on ABC on Saturday, and the game will begin at 2:30 p.m.

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3 keys that could lead to an Oklahoma victory over Tennessee

Three keys to the game as the Oklahoma Sooners get set to take on the Tennessee Volunteers.

It’s safe to assume Oklahoma’s preparation has intensified over the last week. The Sooners are preparing for a much more talented foe than they have seen at any point this season. No. 7 Tennessee presents an incredible challenge for OU on Saturday night, but that’s to be expected with the Sooners entering the SEC. The conference games will be more challenging than they were in the Big 12.

The rest of the college football world doesn’t give the Sooners a real chance to win this game. Brent Venables, a master motivator and no stranger to coaching in high-profile matchups over the last 20 years, knows what it will take for his team to come out on top Saturday night.

While Tennessee is the higher-ranked team, it is not invincible. Oklahoma has a path to victory. We took the time to highlight that path with our three keys to the game below.

1. Start Fast

It’s such a cliche statement, but it does hold a lot of weight in a football game. Especially in a game where one team has heard they were the underdogs and didn’t have a chance at winning. It’s a confidence thing that can boost one team and psychologically damage the other.

Oklahoma has had some decent starts to their games this season, but they’ve yet to carry it into the second quarter. And that’s where Oklahoma needs to hone in on Saturday. Play a complete first half, take a breather, and gear up to scrap in the second half because Tennessee will not go away if you come out swinging.

Oklahoma offensive coordinator Seth Littrell must get his young quarterback into a rhythm. Maybe start out with the short passing game and mixing in designed QB runs along with the regular run game to ease him in. As the results show and his confidence grows, Littrell can then start to open up the playbook even wider.

Up Next: More Keys to the Game

Pages: 12

3 key Oklahoma Sooners vs. the Tennessee Volunteers

The Oklahoma Sooners and Tennessee Volunteers are set for a big-time matchup on Saturday night and these three players will be key to victory.

The stage is set Saturday for a terrific ball game between the No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners.

The storylines are plentiful, with Josh Heupel’s return to Norman leading the way.

Oklahoma and Tennessee are in a spot where this game is the first serious test for either team this year. It also begins the conference slate for both squads.

Media and betting pundits have the Sooners as the underdog, with Tennessee the overwhelming favorite to win the game. With that in mind, which players will be the difference makers for Oklahoma and help them pull off the first major home upset for the Sooners since 2008 versus Texas Tech?

Danny Stutsman, LB

Picking [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] as a player to watch feels shallow, but there’s a specific reason. He is the team’s leader, and this is the season’s biggest game.

Tennessee’s running game is potent. They are currently the nation’s No. 3 rushing attack. Stutsman is at the center of the nation’s No. 22 run defense, and as a linebacker, he will be tasked with flowing to the ball and making tackles.

Da’Jon Terry, Damonic Williams, and Jayden Jackson will all play pivotal roles as well, but a team captain and the vocal leader of this defense needs to show up in a big way in what is a monumental game.

Nic Anderson, WR

Saturday is expected to be [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag]’s first game of the season. He fought injuries all offseason and is finally ready to contribute to an Oklahoma offense deprived of consistent playmakers.

He immediately slots back in as a starter, and play-caller Seth Littrell will open things up with a proven threat like Nic Anderson for Jackson Arnold to depend upon. How he responds to his first bit of game action will be vital, but if Anderson can provide one or two big plays, they could go a long way in helping the Sooners pull off an upset.

Jacob Sexton, LT

Jacob Sexton may have the single most challenging matchup on Saturday as he will likely be the tackle opposite of projected first-round pick James Pearce for most of the evening on Saturday.

It will not be easy, but Sexton will have to give Jackson Arnold a chance on Saturday. Tennessee boasts a ferocious and deep defensive line, so Sexton will face challenges regardless of who lines up across from him on Saturday night.

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Oklahoma Sooners captains for week four vs. Tennessee

Oklahoma Sooners announced captains for this week’s contest against the Tennessee Volunteers.

The Oklahoma Sooners have finally reached [autotag]SEC[/autotag] play, and their first conference game in the new league will come against none other than the Tennessee Volunteers.

Both teams are undefeated at 3-0 as we head into week four, but only one team can walk off of Owen Field unbeaten on Saturday night. The game of the week in college football has massive implications for both teams.

OU has announced their game captains for this prime-time matchup, as head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] has chosen six players to lead Oklahoma into battle at home.

Two players will represent the offense, both coming from the offensive line. [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag] are first-time captains in Norman, and both transferred into the program this offseason.

Nwaiwu has been a staple at right guard after coming over from North Texas, serving as a reliable force on the offensive line.

Tarquin transferred in from USC and played tackle on both sides of the line through three games. He’s had ups and downs, but has been able to stay healthy, a desirable trait among OU offensive linemen right now.

Defensively, four players will represent the Sooners. Defensive linemen [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag] and [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag] get the call this week, along with defensive back [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag].

Williams was a big-time portal acquisition this spring, coming over from TCU He’s been a big part of a solid unit early this season for the Sooners.

Terry is a run-stuffing specialist up front for the Sooners, having been a part of the program for a couple of years now. He transferred from Tennessee in the 2023 portal cycle and spent time at Kansas. Terry will be facing a number of his former teammates on Saturday.

Halton is another interior defensive lineman who has popped this year for the Sooners, wreaking havoc in the backfield when he’s been in the game. His biggest play so far this season came on a safety against Houston in week two, providing the four-point margin that OU needed to win the game.

Washington is the longest-tenured member of the Sooners’ roster. He has moved around in the defensive backfield a lot this season, especially in the last two weeks. His best position still seems to be cornerback, and his veteran presence is key for the OU secondary.

Venables and the Sooners will kick things off against the Volunteers at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday night. The game will be broadcast on ABC.

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Oklahoma Sooners hang on to beat Houston Cougars

Oklahoma Sooners hang on to beat Houston 16-12 behind a strong performance from the Sooners defense.

The Oklahoma Sooners dealt with a much different Houston Cougars team than the one that lost to UNLV last week.

Houston had a much better gameplan than last week to help support quarterback Donovan Smith. The Sooners were marred by miscommunication and inefficiency in the passing game, lack of a consistent run game. and an uncharacteristic lack of discipline. But they got enough breaks, and the defense made enough stops to come away with a 16-12 win over Houston.

The Oklahoma Sooners took advantage of a ball tipped by the Houston Cougars return man to get great field position after a rough first possession. On the very next play, Jackson Arnold found Brenen Thompson to put Oklahoma up 7-0.

Houston then went on a 12-play drive that spanned 8:25 but had to settle for a field goal on their second drive of the game.

On Oklahoma’s first drive of the second quarter, Jackson Arnold led the offense on an eight-play, 81-yard drive, culminating in a touchdown pass to tight end Jake Roberts.

And that’s where the highlights ended for an offense that struggled to move the ball with much consistency in the second half. The Sooners only had 110 total yards and averaged just 2.1 yards per carry after halftime.

The defense had a communication breakdown on the first drive of the second half, which led to Houston’s lone touchdown and cut the lead to 14-12. But the Sooners defense came up with the stop on the two-point conversion.

Oklahoma had an opportunity to ice the game with a long drive, but after getting to midfield, Houston’s defense stymied Oklahoma on first and second down run plays, and then [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] was sacked on third down.

Luke Elzinga buried Houston at the five-yard line with a great punt and on Houston’s first play from scrimmage, defensive tackle Gracen Halton came up with the play of the game, burying Stacy Sneed at the goalline and earning the safety for the Sooners.

Oklahoma had visions of running out the clock, but an unsportsmanlike penalty on Joshua Bates gave Houston a little more time for one final desperation drive. Houston made a few plays, but the Sooners defense got one more stop in the game to close out the win and move to 2-0.

The Sooners offense struggled throughout, recording just 249 yards of total offense, including zero points in the second half.

Jackson Arnold finished the night 19 of 32 for 174 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also carried the ball 11 times for 28 yards.

[autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag] had nine receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown.

But this was a game that was about the defense. Though Houston was able to move the ball at times, Oklahoma’s defense held the Cougars to just 12 points and just five yards per play. OU held Houston to just 4 of 15 on third down and 1.7 yards per carry.

[autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] was an absolute monster for the defense, recording 15 total tackles, including 12 solo, and one for a loss. Robert Spears-Jennings came up big with five total tackles, a tackle for loss, and an interception in the second half that set up Oklahoma with great field position. Samuel Omosigho earned some extended playing time and came up with five total tackles and two tackles for loss.

Halton’s safety was the second tackle for loss he recorded in the game. [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] recorded two tackles and a sack.

The Oklahoma Sooners now hope to regroup and get ready for a Tulane team that took Kansas State to the brink of an upset on Saturday.

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3 freshmen to watch for Oklahoma Sooners against Houston

Oklahoma’s true freshmen stood out in a big way in week one can these three freshmen have another strong performance?

The Oklahoma Sooners look to improve to 2-0 on Saturday night. They’ll welcome the Houston Cougars to Norman at 6:45 p.m. after defeating the Temple Owls, 51-3, last Friday.

OU’s younger players received plenty of playing time in Week 1, as the home team was in control from the beginning. While Houston is a more talented team than Temple, the Sooners are expected to win in convincing fashion again.

Even if the opponent were a tougher one, Oklahoma would still need contributions from the youngest players on their depth chart. [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his coaching staff did an excellent job in the [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag]. Now they hope their hard work continues to pay off, beginning with a strong showing against the Cougars. Here are three freshmen players on OU’s roster to watch in Week 2.

1. Jayden Jackson, DT

Making history last week as the first true freshmen starter at defensive tackle since Tommie Harris in 2001, [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] starts again up front for Venables and Co.

Jackson’s size and strength on the interior of the defensive line will be tested more once the Sooners reach [autotag]SEC[/autotag] play, but against Houston, he should once again have a chance to make some noise.

He wasn’t the player up front that popped the most last week against Temple, but the defensive line dominated the game when he was in. Watch for Jackson to make plays stuffing the run against a porous Cougars offensive line while rotating with [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag], and [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag].

Up Next: Freshmen Playmakers Need More Snaps

Pages: 12

3 Freshmen to watch in Oklahoma’s matchup with the Temple Owls

Which three freshmen are we looking forward to watching when the Oklahoma Sooners take on the Temple Owls?

The Oklahoma Sooners open the season with the Temple Owls on Friday night, giving us our first glimpse of team 130. The Sooners have improved their depth over the three offseasons that Brent Venables has been in Norman.

Heading into the 2024 season, the Oklahoma Sooners have 18 true freshmen on their initial depth chart. The talented 2024 recruiting class will have an impact on both the present and the future, but we might get our first chance to see several of those impact freshmen this week when the Sooners take on a Temple team that went 3-9 in 2023.

Here are three freshmen to watch this week.

1. Michael Hawkins, QB

[autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag] earned the backup quarterback job out of fall camp and will have a chance to get some action against Temple. When he does see the field, Hawkins will be must-see television.

He’s got excellent athleticism and a really good arm. If the Sooners can generate a healthy lead by the second half, look for offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag] to get Hawkins some action.

2. Jayden Jackson, DT

In a surprise, [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] earned the starting defensive tackle spot next to [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag]. He’ll have to keep the role, but Jackson has the size, strength, and athleticism to be an impact player for the Sooners in year one.

Oklahoma will use a rotation, but Jackson is going to be a key piece to the Sooners’ success in 2024.

3. Zion Kearney, WR

The Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver depth has taken a hit during fall camp. Oklahoma will be down [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag] this week, and although [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag] will be available, they’ll make sure he’s safe as he makes his return to the field for the first time since last October.

The Sooners will need some of their younger wide receivers to play some this week, and that opens the door for a guy like [autotag]Zion Kearney[/autotag] to get an opportunity. He’s got really good speed and athleticism to be an impact player in the Sooners offense.

Other freshmen like [autotag]Reggie Powers[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Boganowski[/autotag] have made noise in fall camp and will certainly get a lot of playing time. A guy like [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] will get some run. He was listed as the fourth running back on the depth chart to start the season and has been impressive since arriving in the summer.

If everything goes according to plan, the Sooners should get an opportunity to see several freshmen this week.

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Pair of Sooners make ESPN’s list of top newcomers

The Sooners will be relying upon their portal class to help them win in 2024.

The Oklahoma Sooners were very active in the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] this offseason. In both the winter and spring windows, head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] made key additions to the team at multiple different position groups.

Two OU players were highlighted by ESPN in their list of the Top 100 newcomers in college football (ESPN+). Staff writers Max Olson and Eli Lederman compiled the 100 best players in the sport who changed teams via the transfer portal or are incoming true freshmen.

Two Sooners made the list. The first was wide receiver and Purdue transfer [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag], the star of the spring. He committed to Venables and wide receivers coach [autotag]Emmett Jones[/autotag] in the winter portal window and will start at slot receiver in Norman. Here’s what Olson and Lederman had to say about Burks, the No. 14 player on their list.

Burks landed in the portal after a breakout sophomore season at Purdue that saw him record 47 catches for 629 yards and seven scores. He arrives at Oklahoma as another new face in the Sooners’ offense as [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] steps in under center and first-year offensive coordinator [autotag]Seth Littrell[/autotag] takes charge. Burks is the complete wide receiver the Sooners were missing last fall after [autotag]Marvin Mims Jr.[/autotag] jumped to the NFL, and he should be a popular downfield choice for Arnold. – ESPN

The second player on the list was defensive tackle and TCU transfer [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag]. He committed during the spring portal window, representing a major [autotag]NIL[/autotag] win for Venables and defensive tackles coach [autotag]Todd Bates[/autotag]. He’ll see plenty of time at nose tackle, along with [autotag]DJ Terry[/autotag], and will be counted upon to help the defensive line get to the next level.

A 27-game starter and a 2022 national runner-up at TCU, Williams’ transfer to Oklahoma filled a critical hole up the middle for the Sooners this offseason. Brent Venables’ defense enters the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] down five upperclassmen defensive tackles from last fall, and in the 6-foot-1, 319 pound Williams, Oklahoma gained needed size and experience at the position. He’ll start at nose tackle next to true freshman DT [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag], a three-star signee who has earned high praise from Venables and his staff. Former Tennessee transfer Da’Jon Terry will feature heavily in the rotation, as could five-star freshman [autotag]David Stone[/autotag]. – ESPN

As Venables continues to rebuild the roster through both the portal and high school recruiting, he’ll be counting on players like Burks and Williams this season to help the Sooners try to contend in their new conference.

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College Football experts say Sooners freshman DT has a chance to start

Could a freshman defensive tackle be on the verge of starting for the Oklahoma Sooners?

The Oklahoma Sooners worked overtime to reestablish a defensive culture over the last several years. In particular, head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag], co-defensive coordinator and defensive tackles coach [autotag]Todd Bates[/autotag] and defensive ends coach [autotag]Miguel Chavis[/autotag] made improving the defensive line a top priority.

In their first two recruiting classes (2022, 2023), they made splashes, adding four-star prospects [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag] and [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag] (2022) and five-star defensive end [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag]. But the big recruiting win came in the 2024 recruiting class when they added five blue-chip prospects: [autotag]David Stone[/autotag], [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag], [autotag]Wyatt Gilmore[/autotag], [autotag]Danny Okoye[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag].

There’s a great deal of excitement about the defensive line that’s been put together, but it can be challenging to make the jump from high school football to playing in the SEC. A pair of college football experts believe one of those true freshmen could start up front for the Venables and [autotag]Zac Alley[/autotag]’s defense.

On a recent episode of “The Oklahoma Breakdown” with Sooners legends [autotag]Teddy Lehman[/autotag] and [autotag]Gabe Ikard[/autotag], the duo was asked what they thought the starting offensive and defensive lines would look like for Week 1. Lehman mentioned Jackson could start.

“Well I think defensive line, right now, I would say it’s probably going to be [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag]. Then, between [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] and [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag], I would probably say I slightly lean toward [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag].”

Ikard said he considered Williams, Jackson and Terry to all be “starters,” with [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag], [autotag]David Stone[/autotag] and [autotag]Davon Sears[/autotag] working in rotation roles for the Sooners.

There have been reports Jackson has been having a great camp, continuing the upward trajectory in his development over the last few years. The former IMG Academy prospect had a number of offers out of high school. With his unique blend of size, strength and quickness, Jackson has a chance to be a three-down defensive tackle, making an impact against the run and on passing downs. He plays with really good leverage, and his first step is special. He’s disruptive and does a great job holding his spot when double-teamed.

The Sooners upgraded their defensive tackle room significantly this offseason by adding transfer Damonic Williams. While the hope was their 2024 signees would make an impact, the possibility of Jackson starting signals the potential the class offers in 2024 and beyond.

Along with Williams and Jackson, both Ikard and Lehman agreed [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag] and [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag] would be the starting defensive ends for the Sooners Week 1 against Temple.

Downs has been the foundation of the Sooners defensive line over the last few years. His consistent ability as a pass rusher and run defender makes him invaluable along the defensive line. Entering his fourth season, the veteran will lead the way for the Sooners.

Thomas has special athleticism. Injuries have kept him from making a consistent impact, but when he’s been on the field, he’s flashed immense potential. If he can stay healthy this season, he’ll flirt with eight sacks.

The Sooners defensive line is better than what it was a year ago when they improved in short-yardage situations and really across the board. Now it’s only a matter of seeing how much better the defense will be as a whole with an improved unit up front.

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