OU football head coach Brent Venables said Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles met with the Sooners on Tuesday with a clear direction: consistency.
“The GM of the Bears spoke to the team yesterday, and, right on cue, said that the one thing they value, as an organization with players, retention and drafting, is consistency,” Venables said after Wednesday’s practice. “You (have) to be good enough, but the guys that play at a high level consistently, they show up with the same mindset every day, know how to compete, don’t get too high, never too low (and) have the humility and respect to know what it takes to win. That was great affirmation for our guys.”
However, while it's valued at the highest level, the Sooner offense struggled with consistency in 2024. OU completed 665 yards in a 59-14 win over Maine on Nov. 2 and 329 in a 26-14 loss to University of Mississippi – a game the Sooners led at halftime – on Oct. 26 but 222 in a 25-15 loss to Tennessee and 237 in a 34-3 loss to Texas on Oct. 12. Ultimately, the team ranked No. 126 of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools in yards per game and finished with a 6-7 record.
The wide-receiver unit, in particular, contributed to the inconsistent play – partly from the injury plague, with five receivers unavailable against Alabama on Nov. 23). Redshirt senior wide receiver Deion Burks, in specific, played in merely five games last season, has been working his way back from health issues and only present for some of fall camp.
However, the Sooners added five wide receivers through the transfer portal, and in fall camp, redshirt junior wide receiver Isaiah Sategna, among other newcomers, has impressed with his consistency.
“When you need something done right, you look at Isaiah – mentally tough, (has) played a lot of football, just a guy everybody in the building trusts,” offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said at the opening press conference of fall camp on July 27.
Sategna certainly comes with experience, having played three years in the Southeastern Conference at Arkansas before arriving in Norman. He recorded 129 receiving yards in 2023 and 491 in 2024 (13.3 yards per catch). In a game against Auburn on Sept. 21, he finished with 85 yards on three receptions.
With maturity developed over the years, Sategna brings a sharp mindset, but he also credits redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer and Venables as inspirations for his character.
“I got to be consistent, got to be there for John, best quarterback in the nation,” Sategna said. “People have taught me (consistency is) one of the things I need to work on, and coach Venables, he preaches that every day – can’t be up and down, got to be right there. You got to be consistent, so I've been trying to take that to heart.”
The consistency noticed thus far does not end with the Arkansas transfer, though. Freshman wide receiver Elijah Thomas, a four-star recruit, has consistently performed in fall camp, earning praise from Venables despite his youth.
“He's confident, physically mature, hard working and (has) great humility,” Venables said. “... You got to show up every day; something's on the line. He’s showing up every day. He's competitive for a young guy.”
As Thomas builds with the Sooners, Keontez Lewis, another newcomer, brings a confident, consistent mindset as well. Lewis, a transfer from Southern Illinois, recorded 790 yards in 2024 and will be vital in 2025, as OU strives to shift the momentum of its offense.
Lewis, specifically, has provided excitement with his fundamentals.
“He's a dog, so y'all are going to see what I've already seen – great hands, just really good technique, really good route runner,” Sategna said. “That's my guy. Like I said, everybody's going to see what he can do pretty soon.”
The Sooners also brought in junior wide receiver Jer’Michael Carter, who had 537 yards at McNeese State last year, and he has quickly become acclimated to schemes despite committing on April 30, the latest a receiver committed.
“He did a really good job learning the offense,” Sategna said. “We have a lot of plays, but he did a really good job. … I've been trying to overcommunicate (to help him).”
Between Sategna, Thomas, Lewis and Carter, the Sooners are heading into 2025 with promise at wide receiver. However, no matter how much matters change, challenges are expected. Venables feels confident in the players’ mindsets, though.
“It's not about chasing perfection. It's all about developing and creating great habits that are going to be foundational for this football team,” Venables said. “If we don't have an elite mindset that loves to compete, loves to invest in the process and do all the little things, we're not going to have any kind of chance. But we got the right guys.”
