NORMAN — Now that the winter transfer portal window has closed, it’s time to take a look at OU football’s roster heading into the spring.
The Sooners made significant moves in the portal, particularly on offense where they added their expected 2025 quarterback, a handful of wide receivers and tight ends and a couple of offensive linemen.
On defense, the moves were less dramatic but the Sooners did add a significant piece up front and snagged a versatile defender from inside the state.
With a 105-player roster limit anticipated to be a part of the NCAA’s antitrust settlement, which is expected to come down in the spring, OU coach Brent Venables has trimmed his roster.
But that doesn’t mean the Sooners won’t be active, in one or two key spots, in the next transfer portal window.
The portal opens for 10 days beginning April 16.
But while the 2025 roster might not be firmly set in stone, it’s fair to say the roster isn’t too far off from what it will be when OU opens the season Aug. 30 against Illinois State.
Here’s a look at the position-by-position breakdown of the OU roster, focusing primarily on scholarship players and a few walk-ons who are in position to earn a spot on the 105-player roster:
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Quarterback
Returning players: Michael Hawkins Jr., So.
Newcomers: John Mateer, RJr.; Cole Gonzales, Sr.; Jett Niu, Fr.
The story: With the hiring of Ben Arbuckle as offensive coordinator and the departure of Jackson Arnold to Auburn, the Sooners were in a spot where they had to bring in an experienced quarterback.
They landed Mateer, who excelled in Arbuckle’s offense at Washington State in 2024, throwing for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns with seven interceptions and running for 826 yards and 15 scores.
Mateer not only gives them a front-line quarterback but also a conduit for the rest of the offense to grow quickly in Arbuckle’s system.
But the Sooners needed more than just a front-line starter, even with Michael Hawkins Jr. returning.
They added that depth piece in Western Carolina transfer Cole Gonzalez, who threw for 2,543 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and ran for 212 yards and two scores.
They also picked up a late flip on signing day with Jett Niu.
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Running back
Returning players: Gavin Sawchuk, RJr.; Jovantae Barnes, Sr.; Taylor Tatum, So.; Xavier Robinson, So.; Sam Franklin, RSr.
Newcomers: Tory Blaylock, Fr.
The story: The running game was largely a disappointment in 2024, but there’s no shortage of talent in the group and it was hard to tell how much was on the running backs vs. how much was on the offensive line.
Gavin Sawchuk was the biggest surprise, rushing for just 128 yards and a touchdown after rushing for 744 yards and nine touchdowns the year before despite a slow start due to injuries.
Jovantae Barnes and Xavier Robinson were bright spots early and late. Barnes led the Sooners with 577 yards and five touchdowns but didn’t play after Nov. 2. Robinson was expected to redshirt but those plans changed after his emergence coincided with Barnes’ injury. He finished with 233 yards and four touchdowns on just 49 carries.
Taylor Tatum might be the most intriguing of the bunch. He showed promise, averaging 5.0 yards per carry on 56 carries, but he struggled with ball security and Robinson overtook him late.
Blaylock figures to be headed toward a redshirt, but as Robinson showed, those plans can change quickly if the need arises.
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Tight end
Returning players: Kaden Helms, RJr.; Davon Mitchell, So.; Kade McIntyre, RSo.
Newcomers: Will Huggins, RSr.; Carson Kent, RJr.; John Locke, RJr.; Trynae Washington, Fr.
The story: Gone are Bauer Sharp, the Sooners’ leading receiver last season, and Jake Roberts.
The Sooners desperately need more production out of the position this season.
They’ve brought in three transfers at the position. Kennesaw State transfer Carson Kent had 18 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns, Pittsburg State transfer Will Huggins had 22 catches for 395 yards and two touchdowns while Louisiana Tech transfer John Locke had just one 2-yard catch.
Davon Mitchell came into Norman with high hopes of contributing quickly but he didn’t see the field at all after struggling with the offense. Mitchell still has plenty of athletic upside but needs to make significant progress in the offseason.
Kaden Helms has struggled with injuries during his Sooners career but if he can stay healthy, could have a significant chance to contribute in 2025.
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Wide receiver
Returning players: Deion Burks, RSr.; Ivan Carreon, So.; KJ Daniels, RFr.; Jayden Gibson, RJr.; Jacob Jordan, So.; Zion Kearney, So.; Zion Ragins, So.
Newcomers: Emmanuel Choice, Fr.; Javonnie Gibson, RJr.; Keontez Lewis, Sr.; Josiah Martin, So.; Isaiah Sategna, RJr.; Elijah Thomas, Fr.
The story: The Sooners’ wide receiver corps was hit hard by injuries in 2024, to the point where their leader in catches was Deion Burks with just 31 and nobody in the group had more than 315 yards receiving.
Burks was everything he was advertised to be but was limited to just five games, though that was more than Jayden Gibson, Andrel Anthony, Nic Anderson and Jalil Farooq played. Of that group, only Burks and Gibson return.
Gibson showed signs of significant progress in 2023 but suffered a season-ending injury not long before last season began.
The Sooners made the position a priority during the winter transfer window, adding Javonnie Gibson from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Keontez Lewis from Southern Illinois; Josiah Martin from Cal and Isaiah Sategna from Arkansas. Sategna had 37 catches for 491 yards and a touchdown last season for the Razorbacks.
Javonnia Gibson is perhaps the most intriguing of the group, having recorded 70 catches for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns at UAPB last season. All will get a chance to contribute quickly in Norman.
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Offensive line
Returning players: Josh Aisosa, RFr.; Daniel Akinkunmi, RFr.; Isaiah Autry-Dent, RFr.; Troy Everett, RSr.; Logan Howland, RSo.; Febechi Nwaiwu, RSr.; Heath Ozaeta, RSo.; Eddy Pierre-Louis, So.; Jacob Sexton, Sr.; Jake Taylor, RJr.
Newcomers: Darius Afalava, Fr.; Luke Baklenko, Jr.; Michael Fasusi, Fr.; Ryan Fodje, Fr.; Owen Hollenbeck, Fr.; Derek Simmons, RSr.
The story: The Sooners struggled on the offensive line in 2024, missing on several transfer portal additions and suffering injuries, especially at center. Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor were both severely limited by injuries as well. Heath Ozaeta and Logan Howland showed some improvement late in the season but still need to continue to grow plenty.
OU wasn’t overly active on the line in the portal, with the main addition being Western Carolina tackle Derek Simmons. Simmons figures to have an excellent chance to start at right tackle. The only other portal addition so far has been Stanford transfer Luke Baklenko, who can add depth at tackle.
Two of the most promising signees of the 2025 class came on the offensive line, in five-star prospect Michael Fasusi and four-star Ryan Fodje, both tackles. Freshmen haven’t often played for the Sooners up front under Bill Bedenbaugh but those two could be ready sooner rather than later.
Troy Everett returns for one more season at center while Febechi Nwaiwu returns at guard.
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Defensive end
Returning players: Adepoju Adebawore, Jr.; Danny Okoye, RFr.; Nigel Smith II, RFr.; R Mason Thomas, Sr.; Taylor Wein, RSo.
Newcomers: Marvin Jones Jr., Sr.; C.J. Nickson, Fr.; Alex Shielnight, Fr.
The story: The biggest coup of the offseason might’ve come among this group where the Sooners retained R Mason Thomas. Thomas had a team-high 11.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and 11 quarterback hurries.
The Sooners also added Florida State transfer Marvin Jones Jr. in the transfer portal as well. Jones started nine games for the Seminoles last season, with 25 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and a forced fumble.
OU needs more production from Adepoju Adebawore, who played in nine games last season with just four tackles. The Sooners added a pair of edge rushers in the signing class as well, in C.J. Nickson and Alex Shieldnight.
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Interior defensive line
Returning players: Gracen Halton, Sr.; Jayden Jackson, So.; David Stone, So.; Markus Strong, RSo.; Damonic Williams, Sr.
Newcomers: Trent Wilson, Fr.
The story: The Sooners are in good shape here with the return of Gracen Halton, Jayden Jackson and Damonic Williams. The trio combined for 56 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks last season.
While that trio figures to take up the majority of snaps on the interior defensive line for the Sooners next season, David Stone could see his role increase as well. Stone played in every game last season, appearing on 94 total snaps defensively.
The only 2025 signee at the position was four-star Trent Wilson.
Linebacker
Returning players: Kendel Dolby, RSr.; Taylor Heim, RSo.; Owen Heinecke, RJr.; Jaren Kanak, Sr.; Kip Lewis, RJr.; Kobie McKinzie, RJr.; James Nesta, RFr.; Sammy Omosigho, Jr.;
Newcomers: Kendal Daniels, RSr.; Marcus James, Fr.
The story: The Sooners have plenty of production and leadership to replace here with the loss of Danny Stutsman, but Kip Lewis became a big-play linebacker for OU last season with two of the most memorable defensive plays of the season, one against Auburn and another against Alabama.
Kobie McKinzie also showed much more consistency in 2024 and needs to continue to make strides.
At cheetah, Kendel Dolby returns after suffering a season-ending injury against Tennessee early last season. Before then, Dolby might’ve been the Sooners’ most consistent defender.
Oklahoma State transfer Kendel Daniels can be used in several different places, but cheetah might be the best fit.
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Cornerback
Returning players: Eli Bowen, So.; Jacobe Johnson, Jr.; Devon Jordan, So.; Mykel Patterson-McDonald, RFr.; Jeremiah Newcombe, RFr.; Gentry Williams, RJr.
Newcomers: Courtland Guillory, Fr.; Maliek Hawkins, Fr.; Trystan Haynes, Fr.
The story: Gentry Williams looked ready for a breakout season in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury in the second game of the season.
Eli Bowen became one of the best defenders for the Sooners by the end of the season, grading out at 81.9 according to Pro Football Focus. That was OU’s highest defensive grade among players who played at least 25 defensive snaps.
Jacobe Johnson wound up taking over at cornerback for much of the latter part of the season and had his moments but was largely inconsistent.
The Sooners brought in three corners in the 2025 signing class, but the majority of the production in 2025 figures to come from the returners. Trystan Haynes, a Carl Albert product, might have the best chance of seeing playing time quickly.
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Safety
Returning players: Peyton Bowen, Jr.; Michael Boganowski, So.; Jaydan Hardy, So.; Robert Spears-Jennings, Sr.
Newcomers: Omarion Robinson, Fr.; Marcus WImberly, Fr.
The story: Robert Spears-Jennings returns after playing 599 of the Sooners’ 872 defensive snaps last season. Only Billy Bowman — also a safety — and Danny Stutsman played more.
Peyton Bowen figures to take on an expanded role, likely being the starter at strong safety opposite of Spears-Jennings.
Michael Boganowski and Jaydan Hardy each played extensively on special teams last season and figure to be able to work into the rotation this season.
OU signed a pair of freshmen in the 2025 class, both four-star prospects who could have a chance to play as well, whether it be on special teams or at safety.
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Special teams
Returning players: Ben Anderson, RJr.; Liam Evans, RFr.
Newcomers: Grayson Miller, Sr.; Jacob Ulrich, RSo.; Austin Welch, RSr.
The story: Gone are punters Luke Elzinga and Josh Plaster as well as kickers Zach Schmit and Tyler Keltner. So the primary special teams spots will be newcomers in all likelihood.
Two of the three transfers came from Kennesaw State. Austin Welch was 14 of 18 on field goals last season, with a long of 49. Ulrich averaged more than 45.4 yards per punt last season with a long of 77 yards.
OU also added UCO transfer Grayson Miller, who averaged 43.2 yards on punts for the Bronchos last season.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football roster breakdown entering Sooners’ 2025 spring practice
