Tag: McKade Mettauer

ESPN’s Chris Low picks OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby as most sought after assistant coach in next coaching cycle

ESPN’s Chris Low selected Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby as his assistant coach to watch in next year’s coaching carousel.

If ESPN reporter Chris Low’s prediction comes to fruition, then Oklahoma fans just might be popping champagne when it’s all said and done. Slight exaggeration maybe, but it would no doubt be a great sign for how the 2022 season played out for the Sooners.

Low selected Oklahoma offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jeff Lebby as the most sought after assistant coach for the next coaching carousel.

Baseball fans love the long ball, and football fans love offenses that are entertaining and can light up scoreboards. Jeff Lebby, who will be in his first season as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator, has shown at both Ole Miss and UCF that his offenses can be balanced, creative and innovative. And with the game being as quarterback-centric as it’s ever been, Lebby’s ability to develop quarterbacks will also make him a hot commodity.

Matt Corral blossomed last season at Ole Miss under Lebby and Lane Kiffin, and while it was Kiffin’s offense, Lebby is the one who actually called the plays during the games and has a knack for calling plays at lightning speed based on formations. If UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel comes in and keeps OU’s offense rolling, Lebby will find his way on several coaching short lists following the 2022 season. – Low, ESPN.

It’s not at all difficult to envision Lebby being one of the top head coaching candidates nationally if he turns Gabriel into a Heisman Trophy candidate and Oklahoma’s offense resembles Lebby’s last three. In 2019 with Gabriel as his starting quarterback, Lebby’s UCF offense ranked second nationally in total offense averaging 540.5 yards per game and fifth nationally in scoring offense with at 43.4 points per game.

Then, at Ole Miss in 2020, Lebby and quarterback Matt Corral ranked third nationally in total offense averaging 555.5 yards per game. Corral led led the nation with his 384.9 yards of total offense per game and ranked fifth in the country with his 333.7 passing yards per contest in 2020. Ole Miss also broke the SEC record for total offense in league play during the 2020 campaign, averaging 562.4 yards per game.

Ole Miss finished No. 6 in the nation in total offense in 2021 after averaging 492.5 yards per game. Corral passed for 3,349 yards and 20 touchdowns against five interceptions in 2021.

All of that is to say that Lebby arrives at Oklahoma with quite the reputation. It will be regarded as highly impressive if Lebby can turn the Sooners’ 2022 offense into one of the nation’s best after replacing the starting quarterback, losing its leading rusher, four of its top five receiving yardage leaders and a pair of starting offensive linemen from last season.

At the quarterback position, Gabriel is a proven starter that has thrown over 8,000 yards and 70 touchdowns in his college career. OU is searching for depth at wide receiver and doesn’t have a bonafide No. 1 running back entering 2022, though.

Running backs Eric Gray and Marcus Major return and will be granted every opportunity for starring roles. OU also signed a pair of four-star running backs in Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk that will have the chance to see the field from day one if it doesn’t click with the aforementioned two running backs.

At wide receiver, Oklahoma is bolstered by the return to good health of five-star signee Theo Wease. The Sooners bring back one of the country’s best in Marvin Mims. Jalil Farooq showcased in the Alamo Bowl that he is perhaps ready for an increased role within OU’s offense. Drake Stoops, Brian Darby and Trevon West return as well. All of those receivers will be joined by four-star signees Nic Anderson and Jayden Gibson.

On its offensive line, Oklahoma brings in Cal transfer offensive lineman McKade Mettauer who made 28 starts at right guard over the last three seasons. His presence will be a key addition along with OU’s returning starters up front in left tackle Anton Harrison, center Andrew Raym and right guard Chris Murray.

There’s some questions to be answered with this offense, but OU has good options to step in and take over leading roles.

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5 newcomers to watch for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2022

As the Oklahoma Sooners inch closer to spring ball, here are five newcomers to keep an eye on for 2022.

Roster turnover hits every team in college football. The ones that stay consistently good are the ones that can build depth through their recruiting classes and, in recent years, the transfer portal. That’s how the Oklahoma Sooners have maintained their high level of success over the last 20 years.

The Oklahoma Sooners have had the fourth-highest winning percentage in college football in the last decade. That’s due, in large part, to their ability to recruit and develop players. They’ve also become quite adept at utilizing the transfer portal to fill significant short-term needs while waiting for their younger guys to develop.

Heading into the spring, the Sooners have added several key players in both their recruiting classes and in the transfer portal that should have significant impacts in 2022. Let’s look at five newcomers to watch for the Oklahoma Sooners this year.

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ESPN includes Oklahoma as one of 10 teams that lost the most in the portal

ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren included Oklahoma among his 10 college football teams that lost the most in the transfer portal.

In an ESPN+ story, Tom VanHaaren explored which college football teams lost the most in the transfer portal. Oklahoma was one of his 10 schools that lost the most in the portal and he explored how the Sooners replaced that talent with the portal.

Despite losing a handful of really talented football players to other programs, OU head football coach Brent Venables actually managed it well by adding players from the portal to offset those departures. In fact, just a few short weeks ago VanHaaren had Oklahoma at No. 5 on his list of college football teams that were most helped by the transfer portal.

Van Haaren wrote this about the players that OU saw depart through the transfer portal in his “who’s leaving” section of his breakdown.

The Sooners didn’t see the quantity of players leave as some of the others on the list, but there were plenty of contributors who left the program.

The biggest name was freshman quarterback Caleb Williams, who’d supplanted Spencer Rattler as starting quarterback. Williams joined Lincoln Riley at USC, as did receiver Mario Williams, who was also a freshman at Oklahoma this past season.

Rattler and tight end Austin Stogner both transferred to South Carolina, and receiver Jadon Haselwood left for Arkansas. Haselwood is a former five-star who led the Sooners in receiving touchdowns this past season with six. The staff also saw defensive back Latrell McCutchin follow Riley to USC. – VanHaaren, ESPN.

Now, to the part that should excite Oklahoma fans. VanHaaren was pretty positive about what the Sooners have added in his “who’s coming in” breakdown.

When the number of players transferring out was first reported, it looked almost insurmountable for the new staff to replace all the departures. But Brent Venables and the coaches have done an excellent job replacing key players.

Replacing Williams at quarterback would be difficult no matter whom the coaches brought in, but Venables and new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby added UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel. Lebby and Gabriel were together at UCF and have a level of comfortability, which is a big piece of the puzzle under center.

In addition to Gabriel, the staff also brought in offensive linemen Tyler Guyton and McKade Mettauer, as well as tight end Daniel Parker Jr. On defense, the staff added defensive backs C.J. Coldon, Trey Morrison and Kani Walker, as well as linebacker T.D. Roof. Hawaii defensive lineman Jonah Laulu and Jeffery Johnson were also added in what ended up being a big haul for the Sooners. – VanHaaren, ESPN.

In addition to Oklahoma’s 2022 signing class which ranks No. 8 in the team rankings on 247Sports, On3 and Rivals, the Sooners brought in players to help them out in a lot of different areas both offensively and defensively through the transfer portal.

“Well, I mean, we wouldn’t have brought them in—I’ll be honest, all nine of them—we wouldn’t have brought them in had we not felt the need for immediate help at those positions. Offensive line the depth there. Tight end, Parker being a really a devastating blocker. Looking at defensively, starting on the defensive line. Both inside and outside, having the chance with Jonah and Jeffery both being able to contribute right away. Being physical guys, guys with some tremendous experience. McKade on his side was a three-year starter, Jeffery I believe was a four-year starter. Just tremendous experience with all of them. Tyler Guyton, just a freshman last year, but played as a freshman for TCU. Really showed his athletic ability, what he was able to do as both an H-back and an offensive lineman. Looking at defensively, second and the third level. T.D. Roof, he’s been a tremendous player at the couple of the schools he was at. Just a great leader, coach’s kid that really the game comes easy to him. Just looking at again the secondary, Kani, Trey Morrison, both those guys give you a lot of versatility, some immediate depth with both some guys that left and guys that graduated both at safety and at corner,” Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables said of his transfer additions on national signing day.

Venables also made it clear that all of the transfers were players he and his staff felt could contribute.

“I would be surprised if all nine of them don’t contribute right away. So, that’s the thinking really is, you know, you’re not bringing them in from an emergency standpoint. You’re really bringing them in to help you where you’re just a little light in your numbers. And again, these are guys that we also believe that can fit. Philosophically who they are as people, as leaders, just have maturity, experience. To me, really important that these are guys that were good players where they were at and bright futures where they were at. Maybe the right stop, but they looked at the Oklahoma opportunity as a very unique opportunity to be able to play at a place like Oklahoma where again there might be a position of need,” Venables said.

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ESPN: ‘Turnover on offense’ is Oklahoma’s biggest question mark entering 2022

ESPN’s Chris Low writes that “turnover on offense” is Oklahoma’s biggest question mark entering the 2022 college football season.

ESPN ranked Oklahoma No. 17 in its 2022 Way-Too-Early top 25 rankings. Now, ESPN is digging into the biggest question marks for each of the teams listed within that top 25.

For Oklahoma, ESPN’s Chris Low identified “turnover on offense” as the Sooners’ biggest potential pitfall entering 2022.

The combination of the coaching staff overhaul and exodus of talented players on offense could make for a challenging transition for new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and his staff. With quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Spencer Rattler both gone via the transfer portal, Lebby will reunite with UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel. Lebby coached Gabriel in 2019, when he passed for 3,653 yards and 29 touchdowns. Some of the biggest question marks for the Sooners will center around the players trying to make plays for Gabriel. Running back Kennedy Brooks is off to the NFL after rushing for 1,000 yards in three different seasons for OU. This is a big opportunity for Tennessee transfer Eric Gray to step up as the go-to running back. Leading receiver Marvin Mims returns, but Jadon Haselwood (Arkansas) and Mario Williams (USC) both transferred. Theo Wease is coming off a 2021 season in which he barely played after being injured in the preseason, and tight ends Jeremiah Hall (NFL draft) and Austin Stogner (transfer to South Carolina) have both moved on. – Low, ESPN.

There’s no arguing that Oklahoma will have a different signal-caller in 2022. The great news for the Sooners is it happens to be Gabriel who has thrown for over 8,000 passing yards and 70 touchdowns during his college career.

He’s also familiar with Lebby, which should help jumpstart Oklahoma’s transition into Lebby’s offensive system.

“I think that the great thing about him walking in the door right now…there’s a couple of things, but, one is the production. The guy’s averaging over 300 yards a game, three touchdowns a game in 26 starts, so you can’t argue that piece of it, but I think probably the thing that I’m most excited about is this guy knows how to operate. He knows how to walk in the building every single day have great ownership in how he’s going to operate, how he’s going to take command of the offense and what it means to be a quarterback. To me, that is huge and that is critical as we set the tone and the standard of how we’re going to do things,” Lebby said.

Oklahoma will be replacing a pair of starters on its offensive line as left guard Marquis Hayes and right tackle Tyrese Robinson both declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. OU added TCU transfer Tyler Guyton and Cal transfer McKade Mettauer to go along with four-star signees Jake Taylor and Jacob Sexton on its offensive line to help withstand those departures.

“I feel good about it. Those guys have really done a nice job as well. We’ve got two in, obviously midyear. Both those guys have been working their butt off, but when you look at it, we’ve got a talented group. We’ve got some guys that are young, that can’t be young anymore. Again, offensively, being a little new, being different than what they’ve been, looking for great maturity from the old guys, guys that have played a bunch of ball that continue to push that group, lead that group,” Lebby said.

At running back, it is a big opportunity year for Gray. Gray finished the 2021 season with 412 rushing yards on 78 carries and had 229 receiving yards on 23 receptions. Marcus Major will factor in at running back, too. Then, there’s the two four-star freshmen: Jovantae Barnes out of Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas and Gavin Sawchuk from Valor Christian High School in Littleton, Colo.

“I think the first thing that sticks out with both of those guys, Jovantae and Gavin, is they can flat run. Those guys have great top end speed. They’re guys that can figure out how to take it distance from anywhere they’re getting it on the field, so that’s exciting for us. Jovantae’s done a really nice job getting going here in the first two and a half, three weeks and then, obviously, really excited about Gavin’s spring track season that he’s having and then as he gets here in June to get him going. Those guys are going to get counted on. We’ve got two guys back, but we’ve only got two other guys on scholarship that are going to be with us. I do think both are incredibly capable and are going to have great careers for us,” Lebby said.

As for the pass-catching departures, OU has its No. 1 wide receiver back in Marvin Mims, returns Theo Wease from injury and saw the emergence of Jalil Farooq in its bowl game win over Oregon. Plus, Oklahoma signed two talented wide receivers in Jayden Gibson and Nicholas Anderson.

The loss of Jeremiah Hall might be what the Sooners feel the most. OU did get good news in the form of tight end Brayden Willis announcing his return and the Sooners added transfer tight end Daniel Parker Jr. from Missouri as well.

There’s no doubt that OU will look vastly different offensively, and, if you’re looking for a question mark, then offensive turnover is a fair question mark to have. Skill positions isn’t where the concerns should be, though.

If Oklahoma’s offensive line comes together, then it’s hard to envision offensive struggles being what holds the Sooners back in 2022.

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The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel leaves Oklahoma out of his post-transfer portal early top 25 for 2022

The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel left Oklahoma out of his early top 25 for the 2022 football season in his post-transfer portal rankings.

The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel spent part of Friday defending his decision to leave Oklahoma out of his post-transfer portal early top 25 for the 2022 college football season.

Mandel didn’t think much of Oklahoma in his “too early top 25” back on Jan. 11 either. He had the Sooners No. 25 then, just behind No. 24 Kansas State.

Oklahoma has been revolving door since Riley left; 14 starters, most notably QB Caleb Williams, have either turned pro or entered the portal. But UCF transfer QB Dillon Gabriel is a nice Plan B. He should have Marvin Mims and Theo Wease as targets. Brent Venables will need to rebuild in the front seven, though LB Danny Stutsman had a promising freshman season. Cornerbacks D.J. Graham and Woodi Washington are solid. – Mandel, The Athletic.

Clearly, Mandel is putting more stock into Oklahoma’s transfer portal and 2022 NFL Draft defections rather than the Sooners’ transfer portal additions. That starts with freshman quarterback Caleb Williams who passed for 1,912 yards and 21 touchdowns in seven starts.

It includes OU’s leading rusher in 2021, running back Kennedy Brooks. Oklahoma is also set to replace four of its top-five pass catchers. Wide receivers Michael Woods, Jadon Haselwood and Mario Williams are gone. Tight end Jeremiah Hall is off to the NFL Draft, too.

Offensive linemen Marquis Hayes and Tyrese Robinson elected to forego their extra seasons of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft was well.

Defensively, the Sooners will be replacing three of their top four tacklers (linebacker Brian Asamoah, safety Pat Fields and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell) and its top three sacks and tackles for loss producers (outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, defensive lineman Isaiah Thomas and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey).

All of this is true. Leaving Oklahoma outside of the top 25 entirely and behind teams like Kentucky, USC, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Houston, Wisconsin and LSU feels a little crazy and a step too far, though.

Seemingly, Mandel doesn’t put much stock into Oklahoma’s transfer portal additions. UCF transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel is the Sooners’ starter and he’s passed for over 8,000 yards and for 70 touchdowns over the course of 25 career starts.

Gabriel has a No. 1 target in wide receiver Marvin Mims, Oklahoma’s leading receiver each of the past two seasons with 1,315 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in his two seasons combined.

Theo Wease is set to return from injury and OU got a good sign for the future when wide receiver Jalil Farooq caught three passes for 64 yards in Oklahoma’s 47-32 win over Oregon in the Valero Alamo Bowl.

The Sooners added offensive linemen McKade Mettauer from Cal and Tyler Guyton from TCU to help offset the losses of Hayes and Robinson up front. Mettauer made 28 starts at right guard for Cal over the past three seasons.

OU also added an infusion of transfer portal talent up front defensively to help weather the losses of Bonitto, Thomas and Winfrey. Defensive linemen Jeffery Johnson from Tulane and Jonah Laulu from Hawaii. Johnson and Laulu combined for 77 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2021.

Oklahoma defensive tackle Jalen Redmond returns for the Sooners and he’s registered 21.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in his Oklahoma career. At linebacker, OU got good news when DaShaun White decided to come back to Norman for another season. Plus, David Ugwoegbu and Danny Stutsman will be in the mix there.

In the secondary, OU adds Wyoming transfer C.J. Coldon, North Carolina transfer Trey Morrison, and Louisville transfer Kani Walker. That’s in addition to the return of OU’s starting cornerbacks from 2021 in D.J. Graham and Woodi Washington. Defensive back Key Lawrence, who was one of the Sooners’ best players defensively for a stretch of last season, also returns.

Mandel has Baylor as the highest-ranked Big 12 team at No. 11 and Oklahoma State at No. 15.

OU will get both Baylor and Oklahoma State at home in 2022. Mandel had Kansas State in his “just missed” section of his rankings alongside the Sooners. Oklahoma plays Kansas State at home in 2022 as well.

Mandel probably isn’t creating his rankings with teams’ schedules for next season in mind, but, if he was, that would be another reason it’s just difficult to envision Oklahoma ripping off the type of 8-4 or 9-3 season it would take for the Sooners to wind up outside the top 25 when it’s all said and done.

In the time being, a little bulletin board material never hurt anybody.

Oklahoma begins its first season with head coach Brent Venables on Sept. 3 against UTEP from Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

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Athlon Sports names 5 priorities for Brent Venables’ first year as head coach

A deeper look at five personnel issues Brent Venables needs to focus on as the Sooners head into the 2022 season.

After a coaching search that almost had the entire state of Oklahoma in a complete state of panic, the Sooners finally found their man with a very familiar name. Brent Venables leaped from being a longtime assistant with stops at Oklahoma and Clemson to becoming the new headman in charge of the Oklahoma Sooners.

He takes over an Oklahoma program that was in disarray and reeling from the complete and utter shock of Lincoln Riley’s surprise departure following their final regular season against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Venables and the staff he’s assembled have plugged the leak in the 2022 recruiting class as they steadied the ship following Riley’s departure and the recruiting ramifications of that, they have used the transfer portal to their advantage to feel some holes left by the 11 starters that either transferred or declared for the NFL Draft and they have since started working on their 2023 class all while the current team begins offseason workouts under another familiar face in Head strength and conditioning coach Jerry Schmidt.

Athlon Sports posed some valid concerns about the Sooners’ personnel as Brent Venables inches closer and closer to OU’s first season under him as head coach.

Their five priorities were:

  • Scheme Development + QB
  • Develop the Receivers
  • Address the Offensive Line
  • Reload the Defensive Front
  • Secondary Concerns

All five points are very valid and hold significant weight as the Sooners begin to acclimate themselves. We’re going to grow through and take a look at each.

Sooners land commitment from TCU transfer OL Tyler Guyton

The Sooners continued to win via the transfer portal as the Sooners land Tyler Guyton, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman from TCU.

If there’s one phrase that’s followed the Oklahoma Sooners over the last month it’s this: “The portal giveth, but it also taketh.” Today, the portal giveth. The Sooners landed a commitment from TCU transfer Tyler Guyton who announced his new home via his social media in the video shown below.

Guyton is a redshirt freshman standing at 6-foot-7 out of Manor, Texas.  According to TCU’s website he played in eight games for the TCU Horned Frogs in 2021.

According to TCU’s official athletics website, he split time throughout the season between offensive tackle and H-back and even caught a pass for a touchdown against Iowa State. He visited Norman on January 15th and less than two weeks later is officially a Sooner.

Guyton figures to be a full-time offensive lineman for the Sooners and will have multiple years to acclimate himself with the Crimson & Cream. Guyton is the second offensive lineman the Sooners have landed this cycle via the transfer portal, joining McKade Mettauer who transferred from California.

The Sooners and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh return left tackle Anton Harrison, who started every game last season and figures to be the starter as the Sooners start offseason workouts. They will need a new right tackle, as starting right tackle Tyrese Robinson is headed for the NFL. Names like Savion Byrd, Wanya Morris, and Guyton will likely be a part of the competition to replace Robinson.

With his commitment, Guyton becomes the 10th transfer the Sooners have landed which has seen the Sooners do everything possible to land depth and starter caliber players to replace the sheer amount of talent that graduated, transferred, or went off to the NFL.

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Oklahoma Sooners 7th on 247Sports transfer portal rankings

The Oklahoma Sooners have done a nice job retooling their roster and find themselves 7th on 247Sports Transfer Portal Rankings.

The Oklahoma Sooners have been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the transfer portal over the last five years. Despite what Bleacher Report said the other day, the Sooners continued to benefit from the portal this offseason as they look to retool their roster for the 2022 season.

In any transition of leadership, there’s bound to be some turnover and the Sooners watched Jadon Haselwood, Austin Stogner, and Mario Williams find new homes. Spencer Rattler was likely out the door regardless of the coaching change and Caleb Williams doesn’t come as much of a surprise. However, the Sooners did a good job targeting players in the portal that would fit what Brent Venables and his coaching staff were hoping to accomplish on both sides of the football.

With the addition of Dillon Gabriel, McKade Mettauer, and Daniel Parker Jr. on offense and a group of defenders to help mitigate the losses via the NFL draft and the portal, the Sooners look well-positioned to continue to contend for the Big 12 title and make a push for the College Football Playoff. With their offseason in the 2022 transfer portal thus far, the Sooners found themselves seventh in Brad Crawford’s transfer portal rankings for 247Sports.

Here’s what he had to say:

Oklahoma’s roster could’ve capsized following the departure of Riley to USC, but Brent Venables quickly re-recruited several players who were leaning and landed eight players via transfer that should aid in filling holes left by players who entered the portal and did not return. Oklahoma will be one of the more interesting powerhouses to watch next fall with new faces at several key positions, including quarterback with UCF’s Gabriel coming in. – Crawford, 247Sports

Gabriel is the big get, but the additions of Jonah Laulu and Jeffrey Johnson are huge for the Sooners as well. Laulu and Johnson bring experience and production to the defensive line, which will help mitigate the losses of Perrion Winfrey, Isaiah Thomas, and Nik Bonitto to the NFL.

Despite the losses the Oklahoma Sooners suffered in the transfer portal after Lincoln Riley’s departure, they’re still the Oklahoma Sooners. They’re a team that will be in contention more often than not. With additions made, the Sooners seem more than capable of getting back to the Big 12 title game in 2022.

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Oklahoma lands at No.6 in USA TODAY Sports’ ‘Way to Early’ top 25 for 2022

After finishing 11-2 and losing their head coach in the process, the Sooners place 6th in USA TODAY Sports “way to early” top 25 for 2022.

Just mere days after the 2021 season ended with the Georgia Bulldogs staking their undeniable claim to the throne atop the college football world by beating Alabama in the national championship game, the world is already looking forward to the next season. Our friends at the mothership at USA TODAY Sports released an early top 25 for 2022 (subscription required) as we head into the offseason. Here’s What Paul Myerburg and Erick Smith had to say about the Oklahoma Sooners.

Transition season doesn’t even begin to describe the changes in Norman. Lincoln Riley is gone after his fifth season as coach and heralded freshman quarterback Caleb Williams is in the portal. Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables arrives with a different approach that should make the Sooners better at stopping opponents. There are enough pieces to quickly become one of the top units in the Big 12 with Jalen Redmond and Woodi Washington among the leaders. The challenge to continue the program’s offensive success starts with new coordinator Jeff Lebby. Dillon Gabriel, his former quarterback at Central Florida, arrives in the transfer portal. Marvin Mims leads what should be a strong receiving unit. The offensive line has several vacancies, but has been an area of disappointment and it could improve under the physical approach of Venables. – Myerburg and Smith, USA TODAY Sports

The two college football analysts bring some valid points to the discussion. Redmond and Washington are undoubtedly going to have to be leaders on the field for Oklahoma to be successful defensively. On top of that, they’ll need bigger presences off the field in the locker room too.

With Dillon Gabriel in Morman, Lebby has at least one quarterback he trusts and knows well. The Sooners have to replace their quarterback as it’s all but a foregone conclusion that Caleb Williams will not be returning.

The offensive line poses some of the biggest questions. Tyrese Robinson and Marquis Hayes are off to the NFL. There’s not a ton of experience to bring in to replace them. Incoming transfer McKade Mettauer figures to be a guy who fights for a real opportunity to start having been at California and starting 28 games in a row before he transferred. The Sooners are also competing for the services of two five-star offensive linemen in Josh Conerly and Devon Campbell.

Coming in at No. 6 seems a bit high but if things fall their way and they are able to maximize some opportunities in the transfer portal, heading into the season as a top 10 team isn’t that far off at all.

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Oklahoma ranked No. 17 in ESPN’s ‘Way-Too-Early’ top 25

The Oklahoma Sooners were ranked No. 17 in Mark Schlabach’s “Way-Too-Early” top-25 rankings.

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With Georgia’s 33-18 triumph over Alabama in the College Football Playoff’s national championship game in the books, the college football offseason is officially upon us.

That means it’s time to overindulge on rankings that don’t really matter outside of stirring the collective college football discussion pot.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach released his “Way-Too-Early college football top 25” and Oklahoma checks in at No. 17.

Schlabach wrote this about the Sooners’ 2022 season outlook.

The Sooners’ transition from former coach Lincoln Riley to Brent Venables might be a lot smoother if quarterback Caleb Williams sticks around. He has entered the transfer portal, although Williams said returning to OU remains an option. The Sooners weren’t taking a chance, however, and grabbed Gabriel, who threw for more than 8,000 yards with 70 touchdowns in three seasons at UCF. Freshman receiver Mario Williams also might transfer. Venables, who has never been a head coach, will have to address heavy losses on the line of scrimmage. Perhaps the team’s six best defenders are departing, along with the leading rusher and three of the top four receivers. The addition of Mettauer, who started 28 games at California, will help ease the losses in the interior offensive line. – Schlabach, ESPN.

Oklahoma has certainly seen its fair share of defections to the 2022 NFL Draft and to the NCAA’s transfer portal. Those departures probably aren’t done yet either as quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Mario Williams have been crystal-balled to wind up at USC.

It’s important to remember that there will also be more additions to the Sooners’ roster between now and the start of the 2022 season, too. Here’s our handy Sooners Wire transfer portal tracker to keep up to date with which players are going where.

Schlabach listed UCF transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Cal offensive lineman transfer McKade Mettauer, Hawaii defensive lineman transfer Jonah La’ulu and Missouri tight end transfer Daniel Parker Jr. among his key additions to Oklahoma.

Several 2022 signees were mentioned by Schlabach as key additions as well: running back Gavin Sawchuk, linebacker Kobie McKinzie and wide receiver Nicholas Anderson.

Schlabach’s “way-too-early” top five looked like this: No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Texas A&M and No. 5 Michigan.

Oklahoma State was the highest-ranked Big 12 team at No. 9, while Baylor slotted in right ahead of Oklahoma at No. 16.

Two other programs with Oklahoma ties found their way into Schlabach’s top 25. USC was ranked No. 22 and South Carolina snuck in at No. 25.

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