College football teams have to deal with a large level of roster turnover every offseason. For the Sooners, every season during the Brent Venables era has been like that.
The offensive line took the biggest hit out of all the position groups. The five players that started for much of the season were gone. Even though they were able to rearrange the lineup by adding players through the transfer window, it will take months before we find out if those acquisitions are a success.
The offensive line took the biggest hit out of all the position groups. The five players that started for much of the season were gone. However, when you compare it to how a few positions appeared at this time last year, the Sooners appear to be in really excellent shape elsewhere.
They were able to restructure the lineup by adding players through the transfer site, but it will take months to determine whether those additions are successful.
These five position groups appear more favorable now than they did a year ago.
Probably the most significant uncertainty on the offensive line going into 2023 was at wide out. Drake Stoops was back, as was Jalil Farooq. However, before 2023, none had achieved significant success.
Through the transfer portal, Oklahoma acquired Andrel Anthony; however, his output at Michigan was restricted.
Although Jayden Gibson and Nic Anderson were considered blue-chip prospects, they had not played much.
In 2023, all the questions were addressed, though. Anderson and Anthony both had breakthrough years. Gibson’s production differed from his own, too.
Although Drake Stoops is gone, the wide receiver room has returned with everyone else, including the best wide receiver in the country, Deion Burks, and a fantastic class of wide receivers in the 2024 signing class.
The Sooners depth chart looks lot better now than it did a year ago, thanks to players like Anthony, Farooq, Anderson, Gibson, Burks, speedsters Brenen Thompson and Jaquaize Pettaway, and another year of development for Gavin Freeman.
In 2023, the tight end may have been improved. Although there was considerable enthusiasm with the signing of Austin Stogner, the production was not as high as it was in 2022 with Brayden Willis.
The depth at the position in 2024 makes the tight end room greater. A reliable starting tight end who can assist you in the pass and run game is Jake Roberts. Bauer Sharp is a talented athlete on the rise. With his athleticism, Kaden Helms may be a very effective player. He’ll be of great assistance if he’s well. Kade McIntyre will have a more offseason to bulk up his physique. Being athletic, he has the potential to be a dominant player in the passing game.
The x-factor is Davon Mitchell. Mitchell will have an opportunity to contribute as a true freshman if he can learn the playbook.
As we sit here in early 2024, the position has a greater floor and a much higher ceiling going forward.
Five elite players were added by the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2024 recruiting class. Even though it will be challenging to have an impact in the first year, it’s not tough to see Jayden Jackson and David Stone supporting the Sooners inside.
To assist at defensive tackle, the Sooners reassert Da’Jon Terry, Jacob Lacey, Gracen Halton, Ashton Sanders, and Markus Strong. The Sooners now have two formidable run defenders in Terry and Lacey. Someone who can consistently rush the passer from the interior is needed to emerge.
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