- Oklahoma’s defense remains its biggest strength: The Sooners enter 2026 with PFF’s No. 5 linebacker unit, No. 10 defensive line and a top-15 secondary.
- John Mateer’s rebound could define the season: Mateer earned a 50.3 PFF grade from Week 7 onward after his performance declined following a throwing-hand injury.
- David Stone anchors an elite defense: The 315-pound defensive tackle posted an 80.7 PFF run-defense grade and a 13.0% run-stop rate last season.
It’s been a roller-coaster four years for Brent Venables as Oklahoma’s head coach. After going 6-7 in 2022, the Sooners improved to 10-3 in 2023, fell back to 6-7 in 2024 and rebounded to 10-3 last season.
In 2025, Oklahoma made its first College Football Playoff appearance in six years before losing at home to Alabama in the first round. The defense fueled the Sooners’ success, ranking seventh nationally in EPA per play, while an offense that ranked just 100th in the same metric ultimately held them back.
Notable Transfer Portal Additions
- WR Trell Harris (Virginia)
- WR Parker Livingstone (Texas)
- OT E’Marion Harris (Arkansas)
- TE Hayden Hansen (Florida)
- TE Rocky Beers (Colorado State)
Notable Transfer Portal Losses
- WR Javonnie Gibson (Cincinnati)
- RB Jovantae Barnes (Kentucky)
- OT Jacob Sexton (Oklahoma State)
- LB Sammy Omosigho (UCLA)
- CB Gentry Williams (Georgia)
Biggest strength: Defense should remain elite
Oklahoma should once again field one of the top defenses in college football. The Sooners boast our No. 5 linebacker unit, No. 10 defensive line and a top-15 secondary.
The star of the group is defensive tackle David Stone, who enters the season as a projected top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Biggest question mark: Can they find greater consistency on offense?
Oklahoma’s defense did an incredible job of carrying an inconsistent offense last season, particularly after John Mateer returned from his hand injury. Mateer was one of the least accurate quarterbacks in the country after returning, while the Sooners’ running backs combined to average just 4.2 yards per carry and force only 23 missed tackles all season.
The offensive line and receiving corps also struggled to find consistency outside of Isaiah Sategna III. The offense needs more reliable production across the board in 2026, but if it can take a significant step forward, Oklahoma has the defense to emerge as a legitimate SEC title contender.
Quarterback: John Mateer
Before injuring his throwing hand last season, Mateer appeared to validate the hype that surrounded his arrival in the transfer portal. His loose, sidearm delivery and crafty rushing ability helped him earn a top-20 PFF grade nationally through Week 4.
His performance dropped off dramatically after the injury. From Week 7 onward, Mateer earned a 50.3 PFF grade, one of the lowest marks in the country. His accuracy was clearly compromised, while his footwork became increasingly unsettled behind a shaky offensive line.
If Mateer can recapture his early-season form, Oklahoma has the pieces to contend for a College Football Playoff berth. If his late-season struggles carry into 2026, the Sooners could fall well short of those expectations.
Offensive Player Spotlight: WR Isaiah Sategna III
Sategna returns as Oklahoma’s top receiver after leading the Sooners with 960 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last season. The former Arkansas transfer possesses blazing speed, reaching 22.5 mph according to player-tracking data, and that explosiveness makes him especially dangerous with the ball in his hands.
Sategna’s 524 yards after the catch ranked fifth among Power Four receivers, as did his 22 forced missed tackles.
Defensive Player Spotlight: DT David Stone
Stone is a freakish athlete at 315 pounds and one of the best defensive tackles in the country. His quick first step and natural violence make him a dominant run defender. His 80.7 PFF run-defense grade ranked 10th among qualified SEC defensive tackles last season, while his 13.0% run-stop rate ranked second nationally, trailing only Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald.
Many draft evaluators view Stone as the top interior defensive line prospect in the 2027 class. With more discipline and a more refined pass-rush plan, he has the talent to prove them right.
Bottom Line
Oklahoma’s defense should be good enough to keep the Sooners firmly in the top-15 conversation. How much the offense improves will ultimately determine whether they can take the next step and compete with the best teams in college football.
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