The Oklahoma Sooners have the best defensive line in the country, and PJ Adebawore is a huge reason why.
The Oklahoma Sooners‘ defensive line could be even more dangerous than expected in 2026, and defensive end coach Miguel Chaviz just let everyone know why. Chaviz took to social media to hype up edge rusher PJ Adebawore, the former five-star recruit out of Kansas City who committed to OU four years ago over a host of big-time programs. The Sooners’ pass rush, already loaded with talent, may have another game-wrecker ready to emerge.
KREF Sports, a local radio outlet, posted a photo of Adebawore, and Chaviz responded with a statement that should get Oklahoma fans excited.
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“It’s his time. One of the reasons I love college football so much is because it’s such a developmental game. Blessed to know and coach you, PJ. Proud of your loyalty to OU and all your hard work and can’t wait to watch you SHINE this year,” Chaviz said.
Why 2026 should be Adebawore’s year
OU relied heavily on R Mason Thomas and Taylor Wein on the edge for the majority of the year. Adebawore got some snaps here and there alongside Danny Okoye and a few others. However, he was never the focal point. That changes now.
Adebawore is expected to step into the starting role on the edge opposite Wine. Based on everything coming out of Norman, he should be fully healthy and ready to go after recovering from an offseason procedure to address an injury sustained last year. When right, Adebawore is the kind of player who can affect both the run and the pass from the edge. He has the physical tools of a freak athlete and the development track of a player coaches have been grooming for years.
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What this means for the Sooners’ defense
The most telling part of Chaviz’s message is what it says about the depth Oklahoma has built along the defensive line. Adebawore is not even one of the first names fans think of when they consider the Sooners’ front. Players like Wein, David Stone, and Jayden Jackson tend to dominate the conversation. Some of the secondary players get mentioned before Adebawore does.
That’s what makes this so significant. When a position coach is publicly declaring “it’s his time” for a player who ranks behind three or four other household names on the same defense, it tells you just how loaded this unit could be. The Sooners are not counting on Adebawore to save them. They’re counting on him to elevate a group that’s already expected to be elite.
If Adebawore delivers on the potential that made him a 5-star recruit, Oklahoma’s defense moves from good to suffocating. A legitimate two-deep on the edge with Wein and Adebawore, combined with the interior presence of Stone and Jackson, gives the Sooners the kind of defensive line depth that wins championships.
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The development has been patient. The loyalty has been rewarded. Now, as Chaviz put it, it’s his time to shine.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Oklahoma Sooners position coach tells all regarding a player the entire fan base is waiting to see explode onto the scene
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