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Oklahoma Sooners soar with top recruiting class, eyeing Cooper Witten to bolster defense and solidify playoff contention.

Deacon Schmitt, a highly-touted freshman guard, is making waves in Oklahoma Sooners spring football. With a thin depth chart due to injuries and transfers, Schmitt has a chance to secure a starting spot alongside fellow signee Noah Best. His size and skills could balance the line and ensure the Sooners dominance returns.

Oklahomas top-rated 2027 class could get even better with five-star linebacker Cooper Witten, son of former Volunteer Jason Witten, potentially committing to the Sooners. Witten, a top defensive prospect, has Oklahoma, Georgia, Texas A&M, Texas, and Tennessee in his top five. If he chooses Oklahoma, it would bolster head coach Brent Venables championship defense vision and potentially set up years of SEC contention.

The Oklahoma Sooners are set to bolster their roster with sixteen transfer portal players, with a focus on those who can make an immediate impact next season. Leading the pack is tight end Hayden Hansen from Florida, known for his edge blocking skills and experience. The Sooners also added offensive line beef with EMarion Harris from Arkansas, who could start at tackle. Rocky Beers from Colorado State brings firepower at tight end, while Trell Harris from Virginia is a top offensive get, known for his speed and leadership. On defense, linebacker Cole Sullivan stands out as a key addition, poised to start and lead tackles. With these veterans stepping in, Oklahomas roster looks stacked for a turnaround in 2026.

The Oklahoma Sooners are strengthening their coaching staff with a familiar face, hiring former NFL defensive lineman DeShawn Williams as a defensive analyst. Williams, known to head coach Brent Venables from their Clemson days, will likely work with the defensive line alongside analysts like Xavier Brewer and Rufus Alexander. This move brings pro-level experience to help maintain Oklahomas defensive prowess as they build for the future.

Oklahoma Sooners secure 25 signees for 2026 class, with key additions like Jake Kreul, Bowe Bentley, and Jonathan Hatton Jr. ESPN ranks them 17th overall, 8th in SEC. General manager Jim Nagys first full class, aiming to maintain momentum after 10-win season and CFP run in 2025.

DeShawn Williams, a former NFL defensive lineman, joins Oklahoma Sooners as a defensive analyst. Williams, who played at Clemson and had an eight-year NFL career, will work alongside Todd Bates and Miguel Chavis. This hire follows Jason Wittens addition as tight ends coach and precedes the search for a new cornerbacks coach. The Sooners, coming off a successful season, aim to build momentum for the upcoming twenty twenty-six campaign.

Lloyd Avant, a reliable running back, is transferring to Oklahoma after a successful season at Colorado State. Known for his tough yards and steady production, Avant rushed for 417 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He also excelled on special teams as a kick returner and showcased his pass-catching skills, hauling in 24 balls for 261 yards and a touchdown. Avants versatility and reliability make him an ideal fit for Oklahomas offense.

Oklahoma Sooners fans brace for a challenging 2026 football season, starting with early tests against UTEP and New Mexico, followed by a road trip to Michigan and SEC opener at Georgia. Midseason brings winnable games, but risks loom with a hot start crucial for playoff hopes. Key matchups include Michigan, Georgia, and Texas, with the season potentially hinging on early breaks and staying healthy.

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has announced a massive $1.03 billion payout for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with each of its 16 teams receiving an average of $72 million. Oklahoma and Texas, the newest additions from the Big Twelve, will receive their full share next year. The funds come from TV deals, bowl games, conference championships, basketball tournaments, and NCAA events. This significant payout highlights the SECs dominance and validates Oklahomas decision to join the league.

Oklahoma Sooners Quarterbacks: A Stable and Promising Lineup for 2026 The Oklahoma Sooners enter 2026 with a stable quarterback group, led by returning starter John Mateer and backed by Whitt Newbauer and Jett Niu. The team lost only one player, Michael Hawkins Junior, and added true freshman Bowe Bentley. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ben Arbuckle returns for his second year, along with key offensive analysts. This setup mirrors the Sooners successful offense in 2023, with Dillon Gabriel as starter. Fans and experts are optimistic about Mateers potential, ranking the quarterback room sixth in the SEC. The Sooners brass believes in Mateer, and hes set to be the first starting quarterback to finish his full career with Oklahoma since Jalen Hurts in 2019. With everyone returning in the same system, Sooner Nation hopes this formula sparks a big step forward against the tough SEC schedule.

Jay Valai, Oklahoma Sooners assistant head coach for defense and cornerbacks coach, is leaving for the NFL, joining the Buffalo Bills as their new cornerbacks coach. Valai, who played a significant role in OUs defensive improvement, is praised for his work with young talent like Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory. His departure, along with other staff changes, leaves the Sooners searching for a new tight ends coach ahead of spring football.

Oklahoma Sooners 2026 recruiting class, ranked 15th nationally, boasts a star-studded lineup. Five-star edge rusher Jake Kreul, top-100 running back Jonathan Hatton Jr., and quarterback Bowe Bentley lead the pack. Key flips and steals, like Jayden Petit, Deacon Schmitt, and Derrick Johnson, add depth. New tight ends coach Jason Witten inherits talents like Tyler Ruxer and Ryder Mix. Hidden gems and edge rushers round out the class, setting up Brent Venables for a strong future.

Kenny Ozowalu, a redshirt freshman from UTSA, had a breakout season in 2025, earning a starting spot and impressing with 17 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 3 quarterback hurries. He bulked up to 270 pounds, showcasing versatility in UTSAs three-man front. Analysts praised his Pro Football Focus grades, and hes now headed to Oklahoma in the SEC. Hell need a strong offseason to compete, as the SEC demands more speed and bulk.

The Oklahoma Sooners are doubling down on their youth movement in the secondary, adding three-star cornerback LeBron Bauer to their 2026 class. Despite losses to the transfer portal and graduation, the team is leaning on homegrown players like Eli Bowen, Courtland Guillory, and returning stars Peyton Bowen and Jacobe Johnson. With the defense clicking better than ever, the Sooners are betting on their young secondary to lead them back to the playoff spotlight.