NORMAN — Special teams was among the biggest reasons Oklahoma made the College Football Playoff in 2025.

Kicker Tate Sandell was a late addition out of the transfer portal from UTSA who wound up being pure gold: All-SEC, All-American, and even became the Sooners’ first Lou Groza Award winner as the best kicker in college football.

Punter Grayson Miller, an even more out-of-nowhere acquisition from the portal, lost out on the job initially but took over after the first game and wound up averaging 45.8 yards and earning All-SEC honors.

All-SEC wide receiver Isaiah Sategna lived up to his reputation as a dangerous punt returner at Arkansas, averaging 13.2 yards on returns last season, including a key 42-yarder in the regular-season win over Alabama.

All three of those players return next season, setting up Oklahoma’s special teams for a promising 2026 campaign.

The biggest question among the main special teams spots now is at kick returner.

In the final post-portal depth chart projection, we take a look at the Sooners’ special teams.

Oklahoma returned just two kickoffs last season, easily a record for the fewest in program history: a 15-yarder from Peyton Bowen in the season opener and a 1-yarder by Jaydn Ott a week later against Michigan.

Bowen and Sategna were at the top of the depth chart on kick returns last season, and though Bowen is back in 2026 as well, the Sooners might’ve picked up their kick returner in the transfer portal.

Running back Lloyd Avant returned kickoffs each of the last two seasons.

Read More Oklahoma Post-Portal Depth Chart Projections

At Tulsa in 2024, in his first collegiate game, Avant returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Northwestern (LA) State.

He averaged 28 yards on 14 returns that season before transferring to Colorado State, where he averaged 24.4 yards on 11 returns last year. That experience and success might push him to the top of the depth chart at OU.

Sandell will be looking to rebound after a sour finish to the 2025 season.

After missing his first field goal of the season, he hit a school- and SEC-record 24 consecutive tries, including a 51-yarder to put the Sooners up 10-0 late in the first quarter against Alabama in the College Football Playoff.

But Sandell missed a pair of field goals in the final three minutes, helping end any chance for an Oklahoma comeback.

If Sandell can recover mentally from that finish, he figures to once again be a major asset.

He changed the way Ben Arbuckle called the offense at times, thanks to the near-automatic points on the board from even beyond 50 yards.

Jacob Ulrich was Oklahoma’s punter to start the season but when Ulrich had to miss the Michigan game due to illness, Miller took over and was fantastic.

Miller began his collegiate career as a soccer player at Lubbock Christian before transferring to UCO to play football. After two seasons there, he transferred to OU as an unheralded walk-on.

Miller averaged 47.8 yards on four punts against Michigan in Week 2 and the job was his.

Like Sandell, Miller had a bit of a rough ending to the season in the CFP loss to Alabama.

After a dropped pass that might have gone for a touchdown on third-and-long, Miller came in to punt, but dropped the snap, then scrambled to pick it up but his desperate punt attempt was blocked late in the first half.

Along with Sandell, Miller and Sategna, the Sooners also return their long snapper, Ben Anderson, who also earned All-SEC honors, as well as Ulrich, who served as Sandell’s holder on placekicks.

Projected Special Teams Depth Chart

Starters: Tate Sandell, RSr. (K); Grayson Miller, RSo. (P); Ben Anderson, RSr. (LS); Jacob Ulrich, RJr. (H); Lloyd Avant, So, (KR); Isaiah Sategna, Sr. (PR)
Backups: Trace Rudd, Fr. (K); Jacob Ulrich, RJr. (P); Seth Freeman, RFr. (LS); John Mateer, RSr. (H); Peyton Bowen, Sr. (KR/PR)

Boom News! | 2028 RB Micah Rhodes Commits to Oklahoma
By: TFB
Posted on: January 29, 2026

Oklahoma added an early cornerstone to its future offensive backfield with the commitment of Micah Rhodes, a highly regarded running back in the 2028 class. One of the top young prospects in the country, Rhodes gives the Sooners a major win on the recruiting trail well ahead of schedule.

Rhodes has earned national attention for his combination of quick acceleration, vision, and natural feel for the position. He’s a decisive runner who shows patience behind his blockers, yet has the speed and agility to create chunk plays once he gets to the second level. His ability to contribute as both a runner and receiver makes him a versatile offensive weapon as he continues to develop.

For Oklahoma, this is a forward-looking addition that speaks to the program’s long-term recruiting approach. Securing a commitment from a top 2028 prospect this early helps set the tone for the class and gives the Sooners a foundational piece to build around as future evaluations and recruiting efforts continue.

Normally, I don’t make a big deal out of commits this far out…but this is a pretty big deal.

In retrospect, Roger Kish didn’t mind not competing this weekend. 

A bye week was just fine with him as a record-setting winter storm rolled through Oklahoma, canceling University of Oklahoma in-person classes from Friday afternoon through Tuesday. 

“It was a blessing in disguise a little bit that these guys got a little extra time off to catch their breath and really focus on their wrestling,” the Oklahoma wrestling coach said. “Kinda a nice thing, too.” 

It was a well-received week of rest in time for a critical homestand against #3 Iowa State (7 p.m. CT Friday) and #14 Northern Iowa (7 p.m. CT Saturday). 

“Both programs are incredibly talented,” Kish said. “Both rosters. We are expecting some really good matches here come Friday and Saturday evening. What the keys are for us is being able to continue to identify our strengths.” 

The Sooners must continue to wrestle in their best positions and force opponents to wrestle in those spots, Kish said.  That includes finishing leg attacks, establishing hard rides late in matches and quickly escaping from bottom. 

“For us to find success, we’ve gotta find opportunities to take advantage of offense and the critical moments in matches where we can make the most out of it,” Kish said. “… A lot of key components, but at the end of the day, our guys are up for the challenge. They are excited for the weekend. It is going to be a fun weekend here in Norman.” 

Soaring Schubert 

Carter Schubert doesn’t just wish to become an elite wrestler.  

He lives it.  

The redshirt sophomore ranked #8 at 174 pounds ditched old habits, jumped two weight classes and is reaping the rewards more than two months after a Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invite title.  

“He has really just done a phenomenal job at living the lifestyle and letting it lead him to his day-to-day,” Kish said. “We are just really proud of him, man. Really proud of who he has become and how quick it took him to kinda figure some things out.” 

Schubert coasts into the weekend with five wins in his past six bouts, including decisions over then-#4 Lenny Pinto (Rutgers) and then-#21 Brody Conley (West Virginia). 

Only loss in that span? A 7-2 decision against then-#7 Alex Facundo (Oklahoma State). 

“Carter has been so unique and one of the most fun transitions I have watched a young athlete endure in terms of really embracing the concepts that we put forth day to day in our training, the expectations and the standards,” Kish said. “He has really taken that and took it all in.” 

The tests continue. 

Schubert will likely see #12 MJ Gaitan (Iowa State) and #13 Jared Simma (Northern Iowa) this weekend. 

“(Schubert) has been such a good leader for us here in how he does things,” Kish said. “He is really starting to see the benefits pay off for him right now and really getting a lot of confidence heading into this Big 12 season. Hopefully it runs through postseason. He has been phenomenal.” 

Regaining Health

Fans didn’t see Oklahoma’s lineup at full strength for the first few months of the season. 

They still won’t, as 157-pounder Rafael Hipolito received season-ending right foot surgery in early December. 

Peyten Kellar, a 165-pounder who earned 2024 157 All-American honors with Ohio, only returned to action Dec. 21. 

“(Kellar) has done a great job at getting himself in a good, healthy spot here,” Kish said. “Now it is just about being able to get some consistency as he competes and trains. Some more repetition along the way has been really nice to see. So, we are really excited for Peyten to get back in the full swing of it.” 

Virginia transfer Jack Gioffre (149) has yet to make his OU debut. 

“Gioffre, we are kinda playing by ear a little bit as he is still working through his recovery,” Kish said. “In terms of health-wise, I think the guys that are able and capable of wrestling, training and competing today are all in pretty good spirits. Their health seems to be in pretty good shape.” 

Hipolito’s injury made way for the emergence of redshirt freshman Layton Schneider from nearby Edmond North High. 

OU’s staff tested a “couple different athletes” at the 157 starting spot but have so far settled on Schneider.  

“Right now, we have been really happy with Layton Schneider,” Kish said. “He has been doing a good job. He has got a good attitude. He loves to learn. He loves to train. For the young man, it is just making sure that he finds confidence in some of those critical moments that he can find success in. He has done a really good job for us.” 

Schneider (7-9) won two Oklahoma 6A state titles and was a four-time state finalist. 

He will likely battle #8 Vinny Zerban (Iowa State) and RJ Weston (Northern Iowa) this weekend.