Oklahoma

Analysis of the Oklahoma Sooners official depth chart for the 2023 season

Published

1 year ago

August 29, 2023

Analysis of the Oklahoma Sooners official depth chart for the 2023 season

Game week one of the 2023 college football season is upon us. With that comes the 2023 depth chart for the Oklahoma Sooners.

If there’s one thing that’s evident about this depth chart this offseason, it’s there’s an emphasis on the word “depth.”

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We heard from the coaching staff during OU Media Day that they had more “competitive depth” on the roster. Now that we have our first depth chart of the season, it’s clear the team has more depth. Now, how that translates to wins and losses will reveal itself throughout the season.

As Oklahoma gets set to take on Arkansas State in just a few days, here’s a look at the Sooners depth chart.

Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Dillon Gabriel

Jackson Arnold

Davis Beville

As expected, it’s Jackson Arnold backing up Dillon Gabriel to start the season. If Gabriel’s as good as he can be, Arnold will be relegated to late-game duty for the Oklahoma Sooners. However, given his size and ability to run the football, you could see the former five-star quarterback inserted down near the goalline.

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Marcus Major OR Tawee Walker

Jovantae Barnes OR Gavin Sawchuk

The Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff has spoken highly of Marcus Major and Tawee Walker this fall. The two veteran players run hard and are physical at the point of attack. Talent has never been the issue for Major, it’s availability. If he can stay healthy this season, he might be on the verge of a breakout campaign.

While they may be listed first, still expect to see a lot of Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk in week one and throughout the season.

Bryan Terry-USA TODAY NETWORK

Austin Stogner

Blake Smith

Josh Fanuiel OR Kade McIntyre

It’s no surprise to see Austin Stogner at the top of the depth chart. He’s the most experienced player at the position, bringing plus athleticism at tight end. He’ll be an impact player in the passing game and could have a career year in 2023.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Andrel Anthony

LV Bunkley-Shelton OR Jayden Gibson

Andrel Anthony is someone that Brent Venables spoke highly of during fall camp. The Michigan transfer adds a downfield element to help replace Marvin Mims production from a year ago.

Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Walter Rouse

Cayden Green

Jacob Sexton

How do you replace a first round draft pick at offensive tackle? You go get a guy with nearly 40 starts under his belt in Walter Rouse.

Backing up Rouse to star the season is four-star offensive tackle Cayden Green. Green got a lot of work in spring ball and continued to impress in the summer and fall.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Savion Byrd

Nate Anderson

There’s been a ton of buzz about Savion Byrd since his performance in the Cheez-It Bowl. If he can take that work and translate it to 2023, the Sooners have a great player on their hands.

Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Andrew Raym

Troy Everett

Andrew Raym is the most tenured player on the Oklahoma Sooners offensive line. If he can take his game to another level, it will provide a boost to what’s been a good group in Norman.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

McKade Mettauer

Caleb Shaffer

The Sooners have a pair of experienced transfers at right guard in McKade Mettauer and Caleb Shaffer. Mettauer returns after starting for Oklahoma last year and Shaffer provides an experienced backup to help keep Mettauer fresh.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Guyton

Jake Taylor

Aaryn Parks

Expectations are high for Tyler Guyton after some strong spot starts in 2022. He’s a great athlete with fantastic size. He has a chance to be taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft if this season goes according to plan.

Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports

Drake Stoops

Gavin Freeman

Jaquaize Pettaway

Drake Stoops is a key leader in the Sooners wide receiver room. His penchant for clutch plays will help Oklahoma win games this year. Freeman and Pettaway offer big play ability and give the Sooners a lot of options in the slot.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Jalil Farooq

Nic Anderson

D.J. Graham

After a strong season in 2022, it’s no surprise to see Jalil Farooq’s name at the top of the depth chart. Nic Anderson’s had a strong fall camp for the Sooners and D.J. Graham was arguably the most impressive wide receiver in the spring game.

That’s a strong group right there.

Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Rondell Bothroyd

R Mason Thomas

Adepoju Adebawore

This group of players might be the most exciting depth chart on the roster. Rondell Bothroyd brings experience and production from his time at Wake Forest. Over the last two years, Bothroyd collected 13 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss for the Demon Deacons.

R Mason Thomas is an incredible athlete with great speed and quickness off the edge. He’ll win in a hurry and create havoc for opposing offensive tackles.

Adepoju Adebawore is one of the more highly anticipated freshman additions in some time. His athleticism and length are going to cause problems for teams.

This group literally goes three deep with pass-rush talent.

Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Jonah Laulu OR Jordan Kelley

Jacob Lacey

Gracen Halton OR Davon Sears

Jonah Laulu’s move inside has been a good one for the former Hawaii transfer and defensive end. He’s an athletic player that is quick off the snap and works his tail off. Laulu combined with Jordan Kelley gives the Sooners a pair of players that will be effective in both the run and pass game.

Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Isaiah Coe OR DaJon Terry

Kelvin Gilliam OR Ashton Sanders

The Oklahoma Sooners made a concerted effort to add size up front this offseason. Isaiah Coe put on the weight to hold up better at nose tackle and Oklahoma brought in DaJon Terry from Tennessee. Both players are more than 310 pounds and will provide a dynamic duo at nose tackle.

AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz

Ethan Downs OR Trace Ford

Reggie Grimes OR Marcus Stripling

Taylor Wein

Ethan Downs finished the 2022 season strong and was Oklahoma’s lone preseason All-Big 12 selection. He and Trace Ford will split snaps as Oklahoma’s primary defensive end opposite Rondell Bothroyd.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Jaren Kanak

Konnor Near

Kobie McKinzie OR Phil Picciotti

Jaren Kanak showed flashes a year ago but had little experience at the position. Going into year two, expectations are high that the former four-star prospect will have a breakout season.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Danny Stutsman

Kip Lewis

Lewis Carter OR Shane Whitter

Owen Heinecke

Danny Stutsman is one of just three returning starters for the Sooners defense that doesn’t have an OR designation. The Big 12’s leading tackler from a year ago is hoping to build off of a breakout season.

Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Justin Harrington

Dasan McCullough

Samuel Omosigho OR Shane Whitter

Though Dasan McCullough was considered the favorite to win the Cheetah job this offseason, it looks like Justin Harrington will get the first shot. Oklahoma’s staff will rotate the spot like many on the defense, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see McCullough get snaps at EDGE in pass rush situations.

Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Gentry Williams

Kendel Dolby or Makari Vickers

Jacobe Johnson

This cornerback spot was up for grabs this offseason and it looks like Gentry Williams has made the most of his opportunity thus far. He’s athletic, fast, and physical at the catch point, looking to make plays on the football in the air. His attitude and aggressiveness will be one of the biggest signs of a new era of Oklahoma Sooners’ defense.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Billy Bowman

Peyton Bowen

Daeh McCullough

The Sooners have a bunch of fast, athletic players at safety heading into 2023. Between Billy Bowman and Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma should experience little drop off as they utilize their depth to keep everyone fresh.

Notably, in just a few months, Daeh McCullough earned a spot on the initial depth chart. He only enrolled this summer.

Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Reggie Pearson OR Key Lawrence

Robert Spears-Jennings

Safety is one of the deepest spots on the team. Reggie Pearson and Key Lawrence bring a playmaking ability to the back end. Their veteran leadership will help the Sooners in coverage and their physicality will provide a boost in run support.

Don’t sleep on Robert Spears-Jennings either. The former four-star showed flashes when given a chance last year. He’s fast, athletic, and physical.

Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune-USA TODAY Sports

Woodi Washington

Jasiah Wagoner or Kani Walker

Jayden Rowe

There were few spots on the roster as solidified as Woodi Washington’s spot at cornerback. Though the Sooners have added a lot of talent at the position over the last two offseasons, Washington’s veteran presence and coverage ability made him a shoe-in to start for Oklahoma.

Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Schmit

Gavin Marshall

Redi Mustafaraj

In his first year kicking for the Sooners, Zach Schmit was okay. He hit just 67% of his field goal attempts He was 7 of 9 between 40 and 49 yards, which is pretty good. However, he was just 3 of 5 from 30-39 yards. That’s an area that has to improve.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Plaster OR Luke Elzinga OR Ashton Logan

The Sooners have experienced options in Josh Plaster and Luke Elzinga, but if neither is proving effective, they won’t hesitate to give Ashton Logan a shot.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Schmit

Redi Mustafaraj

Josh Plaster

Zach Schmit was second in the Big 12 and 14th in the FBS in 2022 with just 22.8% of his kickoffs returned. He was also eighth in the FBS in total touchbacks last season.

Can’t give up a big return if you can’t return the ball.

Emil Lippe/Getty Images

Billy Bowman OR Jalil Farooq OR Peyton Bowen

This could be situational for the Oklahoma Sooners or they could feature a rotation at kick returner. Billy Bowman started the year as the Sooners primary kick returner until he was injured against TCU. Jalil Farooq was dynamic in the return game last year. Peyton Bowen is too athletic and fast to keep off the field.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Gavin Freeman OR LV Bunkley-Shelton

Drake Stoops

The Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff is looking for ways to get Gavin Freeman on the field. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands and will have a chance to be a game-changing presence in the return game.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Anderson

Ethan Lane

Jason Llewellyn

Here’s hoping most Sooners fans don’t know Ben Anderson’s name by the end of 2023. If you don’t know the holder, then they’re doing their job well.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Plaster

Luke Elzinga

Can Josh Plaster make the same plays as Michael Turk, helping Oklahoma execute fakes in 2023?

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooners, Jeremiah Fears stun Michigan Wolverines in comeback effort

Published

5 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma Sooners, Jeremiah Fears stun Michigan Wolverines in comeback effort

The Oklahoma Sooners improved to 11-0 on the 2024-2025 college basketball season with an incredible come-from-behind win over the Michigan Wolverines in the Jumpman Invitational.

Jeremiah Fears dazzled with a career-high 30 points, including the game-tying three with 11 seconds remaining, and after being fouled on the three, put the Sooners ahead for good at the foul line.

The Oklahoma Sooners are 11-0 for just the second time in the last 10 years and are now 2-0 against top-25 opponents this season.

Sooners Battled

Porter Moser’s squad showed incredible toughness in the win over the Wolverines. Michigan boasts two of the better big men in the nation in Vladisl Goldin and Danny Wolf. The two combined for 41 points, including 27 first half points.

But Moser made adjustments, and the Sooners defense battled back in the second half to limit the two to just 14 points. Despite being undersized on the inside, Jalon Moore, Sam Godwin, Luke Northweather, and Glenn Taylor Jr. took the fight to the Wolverines impressive big men.

The Sooners overcame 11-point deficits on two different occasions in the second half to take a four-point lead late in the half. And even after they allowed Michigan to take over and go up three with just over a minute to play, Moser drew up a great play to get Fears just enough space to hit the game-tying three with just 11 seconds to play.

It was a resilient win for the Sooners. Through 11 games, Oklahoma looks like a team ready to make a tournament run.

Phenomenal Freshman

Jeremiah Fears has been impressive throughout the season, but he took his game to another level in the win over Michigan. He was 8 of 12 from the field, 3 of 4 from three, and 11 of 13 from the free throw line to lead the Sooners.

His previous career high came in Oklahoma’s other top 25 win of the season against the Arizona Wildcats. Fears has put together his best performances for Oklahoma’s toughest tests.

In the final five minutes of the Sooners’ comeback win, Fears accounted for seven of Oklahoma’s final nine points to earn the win.

He’s been sensational this season and looks every bit the part of a future NBA Draft Lottery Pick.

Three’s the Difference

The Oklahoma Sooners were outrebounded by six on the offensive glass, but they overcame Michigan’s edge on the boards with a really good night shooting from a distance.

Oklahoma was 12 of 25 from three, while Michigan was just 4 of 28 from downtown. Moore, Fears, and Duke Miles each hit three triples and Taylor added a pair off the bench.

If the Sooners can continue to shoot with consistency from three, they’ll be really tough to beat this season. Especially as Fears and Moore continue to finish in the paint.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

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Oklahoma transfer DB commits to Colorado

Published

13 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma transfer DB commits to Colorado

Oklahoma transfer DB Makari Vickers committed to Colorado, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Vickers spent two seasons in Norman, but took a redshirt this past year. He played in four games, totaling one tackle in that time. That came after eight appearances in 2023 when he had eight tackles and a pass defended as a true freshman.

Vickers played high school football at Tallahassee (FL) Robert F Munroe Day School, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 83 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and X account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes have once again been active in the transfer portal so far this cycle. Makari Vickers marks the seventh commitment for Colorado and is the latest splash on Wednesday.

Colorado picked up a notable commitment from former Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter on Wednesday. He will join elite signee Julian Lewis in the Buffs’ quarterback room and arrives as the No. 11-ranked quarterback to hit the portal so far, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

This past season, Salter threw for 1,886 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 579 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground. That came after a breakout 2023 campaign when he had 2,876 passing yards and 32 touchdowns in the air to go with 1,089 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in the running game.

Over the course of four seasons, Salter had 5,889 yards, 56 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, a 58.7% completion percentage, 2,006 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. He will have one year of eligibility remaining as he makes his way to Boulder.

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No. 24 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners Preview: Not just bluffin

Published

20 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

No. 24 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners Preview: Not just bluffin

With just two losses on the season — by a combined four points — the No. 24 Michigan Wolverines are in a good place. Dusty May’s squad is on track for an NCAA Tournament berth but would like more, which means the Wolverines could use another solid non-conference win on the resume. The last opportunity for that is Wednesday in Charlotte, with the No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners the final Power Five opponent left on the schedule.

Like the entire SEC, the undefeated Sooners are making headlines this season. On its way to winning the Battle 4 Atlantis, Oklahoma has four wins over top-100 KenPom teams, the same total as Michigan. The Wolverines (23rd) sit higher in the analytics than the Sooners (37th), but the polls have the teams flipped. This should be a good one at the Jumpman Invitational.

No. 24 Michigan Wolverines (8-2) vs. No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners (10-0)

Date & Time: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 9 p.m. ET
Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
TV/Streaming: ESPN2

Oklahoma has been solid on both ends of the floor, with not many deficiencies in its profile. Freshman Jeremiah Fears, the No. 44 player in the 247Sports Composite, has been as advertised, averaging 16.7 PPG while leading the team with 4.7 APG. Fears and friends play with some pace, move the ball well, and like to take threes; this will be a test for the Wolverines after a couple rougher defensive performances.

The last time these teams met was in the Second Round of the 2008-09 NCAA Tournament as Blake Griffin’s squad took down the No. 10 Wolverines, who rejoined the Big Dance after an 11-year absence. Present day, this is the third edition of the Jumpman Invitational, completing one rotation. Michigan lost to North Carolina in 2022 and Florida last season, with both games coming down to the wire.

One Big Question: Where is the discipline?

I am not going to talk about turnovers every single game because unfortunately they do not seem to be going away. What I do think is worth mentioning is the general concept of discipline and patience, specifically against athletic teams that like to run. Against the Razorbacks, Michigan played right into their hand by rushing passes, leading to easy looks in transition off sloppy mistakes.

The Wolverines will need to lock down Fears on Wednesday, which becomes much more doable in the half court. Oklahoma has a top-50 eFG rate, so playing disciplined defense, but also smart offense, is essential to avoid yet another subpar defensive performance. The Sooners are not a great offensive rebounding team, but cleaning up the glass also remains an area where the defense must show more attention. Michigan has a solid defense (No. 15) already, and cleaning up its wild play will only make it even stronger.

One Thing to Watch: Play the percentages

Michigan ranks 39th in adjusted offense, but has the 15th-best eFG rate — and sixth-highest two-point shooting percentage in the country. The biggest reason for this gap is obviously turnovers, but even with this frustrating Achilles heel, the Wolverines have posted over 1.20 PPP in the last two games, mostly due to an insane 68.4-percent shooting mark inside the arc. Basically when the Wolverines get a shot off, good things are going to happen; it is those shotless, turnover-filled possessions that have been limiting this team.

The Sooners rank in the 200s in two-point defense, though many of those struggles were to begin the season. Still, the Danny Wolf-Vlad Goldin combo should feast again. Wolf has seen his turnover rate slowly drop, while Goldin is hitting 80 percent of his shots at the rim over the past four games after missing some bunnies earlier this year. Eventually teams will figure out how to stop this duo (or at least sell out to prevent it), but until that comes the Wolverines should continue hammering this advantage.

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