Oklahoma will suit up for its season-opener against Temple at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, in Norman.
Before the Sooners release their first depth chart of the season, OU Daily assistant sports editor Louis Raser gives his prediction for what the depth chart will look like.
Sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold during open practice on Aug. 13.
Quarterback: Jackson Arnold
Arnold will undoubtedly receive the starting nod and keys to the program, the question is who his backup will be. While freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. is an exciting option, I expect OU will favor the experience sixth-year veteran Casey Thompson brings as the immediate backup.
Running back: Gavin Sawchuk
Considering the production Sawchuk had toward the end of the 2023 season, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be named starting back and why OU fans shouldn’t be excited for his redshirt sophomore season. Kalib Hicks stood out to me in spring camp, but I see a healthy Jovantae Barnes filling in as No. 2 on the depth chart followed by Hicks and freshman Taylor Tatum.
Wide receivers: Andrel Anthony, Nic Anderson
Jayden Gibson’s season-ending injury is a huge blow to the Sooners’ wide receiver room, but the three-headed monster consisting of Anthony, Anderson and Jalil Farooq on the outside still makes for one of the strongest receiving units in the SEC. I expect those three will be the main outside receivers with speedy junior Brenen Thompson and redshirt senior J.J. Hester, who had an impressive fall camp, also receiving touches.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Deion Burks during the OU football spring game on April 20.
Slot receiver: Deion Burks
After his electrifying spring game showing, Burks has garnered high expectations for his first season. He’ll likely be used in the same way the Sooners used Drake Stoops. Sophomore Jaquaize Pettaway is an exciting player to have as a backup.
Tight end: Bauer Sharp
Southeastern Louisiana used Sharp in various ways last year, and he said Tuesday OU has implemented him into its offense similarly. His past experience at quarterback and lining up as a wildcat quarterback last year makes me intrigued for what deceptive plays Seth Littrell could draw up for him. I expect a finally healthy Kaden Helms to take the backup spot with Baylor transfer Jake Roberts as the third stringer. I’m excited to see freshman Davon Mitchell get playing time in uncompetitive games.
Left tackle: Michael Tarquin
Offensive line will make or break the Sooners’ offense. I see an experienced Michael Tarquin taking the responsibility of protecting Arnold’s blindside. Tarquin played both right and left tackle in his five years at Florida and USC and has 18 career starts under his belt.
Sophomore offensive lineman Jacob Sexton during Walk of Champions on Oct. 21.
Left guard: Jacob Sexton
Sexton takes on a huge role this season. Last year, he played so well filling in for first-round draft pick Tyler Guyton he earned the starting role for the last few games. He can play all over the offensive line, and I think left guard is the spot where the Sooners most need him.
Center: Branson Hickman
Hickman was a huge pickup for OU in the offseason and makes center perhaps the deepest position on the offensive line. Behind Hickman is Troy Everett and Josh Bates, who Brent Venables has raved about throughout the fall.
Right guard: Febechi Nwaiwu
I think Nwaiwu will earn the starting nod at right guard after transferring from North Texas. Behind Nwaiwu and Sexton, the Sooners have plenty of freshmen like Eddy Pierre-Louis, Eugene Brooks and Josh Aisosa who could fill in at guard.
Right tackle: Jake Taylor
Right tackle, in my eyes, is the biggest question mark of the offensive line. I’ve heard a lot of positives about Jake Taylor in both the spring and in fall camp, which makes me favor him as the week one starter. I wouldn’t be surprised if multiple players rotate through this spot in the opening weeks of the season. Behind Taylor, I expect to see Michigan State transfer Spencer Brown and Heath Ozaeta.
Freshman defensive lineman Adepoju Adebawore sacks the quarterback during the game against Tulsa on Sept. 16.
Defensive ends: Ethan Downs, Adepoju Adebawore
OU looks very strong at defensive end, which makes this one of my toughest predictions. Ethan Downs is a leader on the defense and will almost certainly be one of the starters, but I can see Adepoju Adebawore, R Mason Thomas, Caiden Woullard and Trace Ford all competing for the second starting spot. While I see Woullard and Ford getting plenty of reps during the season, I think it’ll ultimately be either R Mason Thomas or Adebawore who earns the second starting spot. R Mason Thomas has shown incredible flashes when he’s been healthy, but I think the size, strength and freakish nature of Adebawore will be too much for Venables and Co. to overlook, making him the starter.
Defensive tackles: Da’Jon Terry, Damonic Williams
Damonic Williams was one of the most crucial pickups of the offseason and will be a force to be reckoned with on the interior. Combine Williams with a 323-pound Da’Jon Terry, who has SEC experience, and OU’s defensive line looks very powerful. I expect both Jayden Jackson and David Stone to receive plenty of reps on the interior, particularly in the early weeks of the season.
Linebackers: Danny Stutsman, Kobie McKinzie
Jaren Kanak’s poor play down the stretch last year opened the door for young linebackers Kobie McKinzie and Kip Lewis to step in and receive valuable playing time. I expect those two to be the main contributing linebackers behind Stutsman, with Kanak behind them. The position also gets a boost from sophomore Samuel Omosigho, a former consensus four-star recruit, Lewis Carter and more.
Junior linebacker Dasan McCullough during spring practice on April 2.
Cheetah: Dasan McCullough
After Justin Harrington transferred to Washington, the Cheetah spot seemingly cleared up for Dasan McCullough to take it over. McCullough seems to frequently battle minor injuries, but if he can stay healthy I expect him to have a huge role in OU’s defense. I think Kendel Dolby will be second in line behind McCullough.
Cornerbacks: Gentry Williams, Woodi Washington
Williams is another player who struggles to stay healthy. When he’s on the field though, he makes a huge impact at cornerback. I opted to go with him and Woodi Washington as the starting cornerbacks, but Venables has praised Kani Walker lately, and San Diego State transfer Dez Malone is certainly in contention for the job as well. I don’t think Oklahoma has had this much depth at cornerback in a long time.
Safeties: Billy Bowman Jr., Peyton Bowen
Bowen showed flashes of what he can do last season, and in a starting role this season his value will only grow. The duo of Bowman and Bowen is sure to cause opposing offenses plenty of distress.
Senior kicker Tyler Keltner during OU football newcomer availability on March 6.
Kicker: Tyler Keltner
Venables noted that the kicking competition was very close earlier this week. I think he’ll give Keltner the edge over Zach Schmit due to the past two seasons of inconsistent play from Schmit. Keltner was 17 of 23 on field goals and 38 for 38 on extra points in 2022, his last full season as a starter.
Punter: Luke Elzinga
Ever since he emerged as the starter during last season’s Red River Rivalry, Elzinga has been a pleasant piece of the Sooners’ special teams unit. I expect him to earn the starting nod for the 2024 season.
Kick returner: Brenen Thompson
Venables recently named Thompson, Billy Bowman Jr., Peyton Bowen, Gavin Sawchuk and Jovantae Barnes as the kick return candidates. Ultimately, I think Thompson’s speed puts him at a slight advantage over the others for the role of kick returner.
Punt returner: Peyton Bowen
Gavin Freeman transferring to Oklahoma State opened the door for a punt return competition. Although Bowen returned only one punt last season, he took it for a respectable 20 yards. I think he’ll be the punt returner this season, but I could also see Thompson moving to this position and Bowen returning kicks.
