2026 SEC Media Day Series: Oklahoma Sooners

The Sooners didn’t have a great 2025 season. Injuries at quarterback and offensive line created a multitude of problems for this perennial blue-chip program, but the Crimson and Cream still put up double-digit wins and snuck into the college football playoffs. While last year’s performance was subpar, much more is expected from them in 2026. Their schedule is top-heavy and frontloaded, but Oklahoma fans can expect another shot at the playoffs if they can stay healthy.

Team Snapshot

Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Brent Venables
2025 Record: 10-3 Overall, 6-2 SEC
Key Games: Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M 

Season Outlook 

The Oklahoma Sooners have a lot to look forward to, including the healthy return of starting quarterback John Mateer, who will have a full offseason to recover from thumb surgery that hampered his 2025 performance, especially in the passing game. 

Their 2025 run game wasn’t much better, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry as the Sooners had to play underclassmen in the trenches. A more experienced offensive line, led by offensive tackle Michael Fasusi, should open more holes for runners, Xavier Robinson and Tory Blalock. A returning Mateer will have a bevy of targets to throw to, including returnee Isaiah Sategna III, along with transfers Parker Livington (Texas) and Trell Harris (Virginia Tech) to help carry the load.

The OU defense last season was one of the best in the country, allowing only 15.5 points per game and 272.5 yards per game. It had to be in the top echelon to carry an offense that was struggling. A few key pieces are gone from that exemplary unit, so a few new faces are expected to step up. The cupboard isn’t bare, though, as both leading tackler Kip Lewis and sacks leader Taylor Wein are back to anchor the front seven. In the secondary, the Bowen brothers, Peyton and Eli (no joke), are the leading ball hawkers, nabbing a couple of picks each last season. 

2026 Prediction: Projected Record: 8-4 Overall, 6-3 Conference
OU made a late-season run in 2025, winning their last four contests to secure an at-large berth in the CFP. To return to the postseason, Mateer needs to lead the offense to greater heights while the defense must continue to play at an elite level. An early-season trip to Michigan awaits them, then they dive into the SEC schedule at Georgia, followed by Texas (in Dallas). These tilts will be a barometer for Oklahoma and determine whether they are contenders or pretenders.

Top NFL Prospects

David Stone played all 13 contests in 2025. The 6’3”, 310-lb. junior defensive tackle is an elite run-stopper who can collapse the pocket with a strong pass rush. The Del City native isn’t just brawn, and plays with a high football IQ, and has been named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll. He could go as high as the middle of the second round in next year’s NFL draft.  

Kip Lewis started all 13 games at linebacker last year. The 6’1” and 227-pound senior was the leading tackler for the Sooners, registering 76, with 10.5 for loss along with 4 sacks. He added four pass breakups and five QB hurries, topping his season off with a forced fumble. Lewis is just as adept at playing downhill as he is in coverage, making him a late day two target in next year’s draft.

Tate Sandell returns to the Norman campus as the first Oklahoma winner of the Lou Groza Award, given to the best placekicker in college football. The 5’9”, 182-lb. senior converted an impressive 16-of-18 field goals from 40 yards and beyond as well as a phenomenal 8-of-9 from 50 yards or longer that led the nation. He’s the only kicker since 1995 to make 8 field goals of 50-plus yards in a single season, and he tied the FBS mark with three beyond midfield in one game. With another successful season, he could be a late third-day pick for a team chasing a new kicker to add to their ranks.

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