NORMAN — OU enters the 2024 season in transition.
The 16th-ranked Sooners move into a new conference, debuts new coordinators on both sides of the ball and Jackson Arnold takes over at quarterback.
Arnold is obvious, but who else joins the sophomore as the most important players on OU’s roster.
Before the season opener, set for 6 p.m. Friday against Temple at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, here’s a look at the 10 most important players to a successful Sooners season:
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10. Gavin Sawchuk, RB
Sawchuk came on strong last season after struggling through injury early. He recorded five consecutive 100-plus yard games to end the season. With Arnold settling into the quarterback spot and the Sooners’ offensive line in transition, he will be particularly important. While Jovantae Barnes will be a significant factor in the running game, Sawchuk’s power figures to make him the biggest factor in the run game.
9. Tyler Keltner, K
Keltner technically is listed as the co-starter at kicker with Zach Schmit, but Brent Venables has said the Florida State transfer will begin the season as the primary field-goal kicker after Schmit struggled in the role last season. With seven of OU’s 10 losses under Venables coming by a touchdown or less — five by a field goal — the ability to consistently convert field goals could be the difference between a successful season and a dreadful one.
8. Deion Burks, WR
Burks’ transfer from Purdue was an important one to adding to the depth the Sooners have at the receiver spot. Burks had 47 catches for 629 yards and seven touchdowns last season with the Boilermakers, but figures to be an even better fit in OU’s offense. While Jalil Farooq and Nic Anderson will be important pieces as well, Burks’ overall skill set from the slot position will give Jackson Arnold a security blanket but also an inside receiver who can stretch the field when needed.
7. Kendel Dolby, cheetah
Dolby was another player who came on strong late last season, playing admirably in the cheetah spot with Dasan McCullough. With McCullough now listed on the depth chart at weakside linebacker, Dolby figures to be asked to be more versatile in the position — though sophomore Samuel Omogiho will have a role to play there as well. Dolby says he’s much more comfortable in the role, one of the keys to making Brent Venables’ defense work, this season.
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6. Michael Tarquin, OT
Tarquin won’t be the last offensive lineman on the list for sure. But he’ll be tasked with protecting Arnold’s blindside. If the USC transfer, who has SEC experience playing for Florida, performs well, it will go a long way toward bringing the offensive line — the biggest question mark on the offense — together and making Seth Littrell’s first season as OU’s offensive coordinator much more successful.
5. Billy Bowman Jr., S
Bowman came on strong late last season, with four interceptions in the last six games and is the face of the Sooners’ secondary that — on paper — is the best they’ve had in quite some time. But in the SEC, Bowman’s playmaking ability will be tested in ways it wasn’t last season as he faces much deeper offenses. Bowman also starts the season listed as OU’s primary kick returner.
4. Branson Hickman, C
This could really be any of the Sooners’ starting offensive linemen, as the group — with the exception of Jacob Sexton who moved into the starting lineup late last season — is all new to starting at OU. Hickman was a late addition after expected starter Troy Everett was hurt in the spring. Brent Venables raved about the SMU transfer’s progress late in camp, but playing in the middle of Bill Bedenbaugh’s offensive line is a difficult task.
3. Damonic Williams, NT
Williams’ transfer from TCU might’ve been the biggest roster addition for the Sooners in the offseason, as he gives Zac Alley’s defense a versatile playmaker in the middle of the defensive front that OU has missed for quite some time. Williams will not only be asked to keep the linebackers free to make plays but will have plenty of opportunity to make plays himself.
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2. Danny Stutsman, LB
Stutsman’s importance was highlighted last season when he was hurt just before halftime against Kansas and then missed the Bedlam game. Stutsman led the Sooners in tackles last year with 104, 38 more than any other player on the roster. But Stutsman’s leadership also plays into it. He’s the unquestioned voice of OU’s defense and helps gives the group its identity.
1. Jackson Arnold, QB
Arnold has plenty of weight on his shoulders. He’ll be working behind a rebuilt offensive line, so his decision-making figures to be especially important early as Bedenbaugh’s group gets settled in. Arnold might be seen as having a much greater upside than the quarterback he replaced, Dillon Gabriel, but he’s still got plenty of improvement to show after a turnover-prone Alamo Bowl performance. With a true freshman, Michael Hawkins Jr., as the backup, the Sooners can’t afford Arnold to struggle or be injured.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Who is OU’s most important football player in 2024? Jackson Arnold
