Weekend Open Post | August 29th – 31st
Posted on: August 29, 2025
Sunday Brunch | Accolades, Leaders, and Prediction
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 24, 2025
It’s game week!
Prior to the season, I wanted to take the time to drop some predictions for awards, statistical leaders on the team, and the season record.
Let’s get to it!
Offensive MVP: John Mateer
Defensive MVP: R Mason Thomas
Passing leader: John Mateer
Receiving Leader: Catches: Isaiah Sategna – Yards: Isaiah Sategna – TDs: Deion Burks
Rushing Leader: Jadyn Ott (Yds, Carries, TDs)
Tackles: Kip Lewis
TFLs: Kendal Daniels
Sacks: R Mason Thomas
All-SEC honors: QB John Mateer, RB Jadyn Ott, DL Jayden Jackson, DE R Mason Thomas, LB Kip Lewis
All-American performers: DE R Mason Thomas, RB Jadyn Ott – Freshman All-American: WR Elijah Thomas, OT Michael Fasusi
SEC Champion: Georgia – SEC Championship game: Georgia vs Alabama
Oklahoma 2025 season record: 8-4 (5-3 or 4-4 in conference) – I am sure this comes as no surprise to anyone in the community and to be completely clear, I have wavered toward either side of that record at different points in the offseason. Truth be told, I cannot point to four games on the schedule that I think OU will lose. The problem, for me, is that I cannot point to the eight games that I think they will clearly win. I will continue to say it…OU has the talent to win every single game on its schedule. There is a clear path to 10 (or more) wins should everything come together. There is also a clear path to six wins if things do not come together as fabulously as we hope. So, basically, I am playing the middle. I will add that Michigan and Auburn will tell us more about the ceiling of this team than the floor.
Working Visitor List | Michigan Game
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 25, 2025
The Sooners open the season this Saturday against Illinois State and they will have a number of regional guys pop in for visits.
However, the following week, when Michigan comes to town, OU is planning on hosting a massive list of visitors.
Most of the 2026 visitors of note will be OU commits, but LB Jacob Curry (Northwestern Commit) will be in town as the Sooners look to flip him.
The 2027 class will be well represented.
As always, this is simply a working list and just because you do not see a name you are expecting at this time, they could always be added once we confirm plans. Same goes for some of the guys on the list, who inevitably have a change of plans and end up not being able to make it in.
2026:
QB Bowe Bentley – Celina, TX – OU COMMIT
TE Ryder Mix – Frisco, TX – OU COMMIT
TE Tyler Ruxer – Lincoln City, IN – OU COMMIT
OL Deacon Schmitt – Windsor, CO. – OU COMMIT
DL Brian Harris – Jacksonville, FL – OU COMMIT
DE Jake Kreul – Bradenton, FL – OU COMMIT
DE Daniel Norman – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – OU COMMIT
LB Beau Jandreau – Chandler, AZ – OU COMMIT
CB Derrick Johnson – Murrieta, CA – OU COMMIT
DB Niko Jandreau – Chandler, AZ – OU COMMIT
K Trace Rudd – K – Overland Park, KS OU COMMIT
2027:
QB Peyton Houston – Shreveport, LA
RB Andrew Beard – Bogart, GA
WR Brody Knowles – Southlake, TX
WR Zerek Sidney – Goodyear, AZ
OL Ismael Camara – Gilmer, TX
OL Cooper Hackett – Ft. Gibson, OK
OL Kaeden Penny – Bixby, OK
OL Jackson Roper – Englewood, CO
OL Luke Wilson – Southlake, TX
DL Jalen Brewster – Cedar Hill, TX
DL Elija Harmon – Inglewood, CA
DL Zane Rowe – Denton, TX
DL Luke Starcevic – Kindred, ND
LB Jake Godfree – Lawrenceville, GA
LB Cooper Witten – Argyle, TX
CB Darius Johnson – Murrieta, CA
DB Eli Johnson – Cibolo, TX
DB Jaylen Scott – Mobile, AL – Auburn Commit
Position Group Progress Report | 2025 Baseline Grades
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 26, 2025
Once again, each week I will be posting the progress report for each position group following that week’s game.
For this Progress Report, I will set a baseline for their rankings based on how I see each room prior to any games being played.
I will continue using a five-star system with five stars being the highest and 1 star being the lowest.
Here is to hoping there are none of the rare Nebula’s handed out this season.
QB: High 4*
The Sooners should be in much better shape this year at the QB spot as they went out and secured the top QB in the transfer portal in John Mateer. They also fortified the depth chart by picking up 3rd string Whitt Newbauer.
RB: Low 4*
When you land the top running back in the portal, you’re gonna have some expectations. Jadyn Ott transferred in from Cal as GM Jim Nagy made him a priority and spent a lot of money on him. Now…how will DeMarco Murray’s rotations affect that acquisition? Who knows. The youth in the room with X-Rob, Taylor Tatum (eventually) and Tory Blaylock help give this room a high ceiling.
WR: 2*
New year, basically an entirely new wide receiver room. There is a lot of upward opportunity for this group when compared to last year as 2024 was a season to forget for all involved. Deion Burks will be a focal point and he is backed up by a group of guys who are largely unknown to the OU fans. Isaiah Sategna, Javonnie Gibson (when healthy), Keontez Lewis, Jer’Michal Carter, and Josiah Martin are transfers who will have big roles. Then you have young guys like Zion Kearney, Elijah Thomas, Ivan Carreon, and Manny Choice who figure to make an impact.
TE: 1*
I mean, let’s face it, right now the room consists of a starter who was a LB for 3 years, and two transfers who were not exactly hot commodities in the transfer portal. Jaren Kanak earned the nominal start but transfers Will Huggins and Carson Kent are expected to have large roles. Anything you get from this group is a bonus, and their ranking obviously leaves them with ample opportunity for upward mobility.
OL: 3*
Much in the same vein as the wide receiver room, this group was looking for a reset after a dismal 2024. While we may see 5 guys who played last year run out for game one snap one, we never got a chance to see a steady 5 guys on the field last year due to injury. OU likely will start Sexton-Ozaeta-Everett-Nwaiwu-Howland in the opener, but they have a legit 2 and in some cases 3 deep at Bedenbaugh’s disposal. You have seasoned vets like Derek Simmons, who was one of the most coveted OL in the portal, Jake Maikkula, who transferred in from Stanford, and Luke Baklenko, who also transferred in from Stanford, as guys who have started a bunch of games.. But the real buzz is on the young guys like freshmen Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodje and redshirt freshman Eddy Pierre-Louis, each of whom have made a strong case to get extended opportunities this season. Much like with DeMarco Murray and his rotations, it will be up to Bill Bedenbaugh to pull the trigger and play the best five.
DT: 5*
Kind of unfair to give these guys nowhere to go but down, but when you have one of, if not the best group of interior defensive linemen in the entire country, expectations are lofty. When you look at the personnel in the IDL room, you really can’t go wrong with the 2-deep, which will be rotated liberally, and then you also have guys below that who will be able to hold their own at the very least. This is a monster of a room with Damonic Williams, Gracen Halton, Jayden Jackson and David Stone at the top end, especially when you realize Jayden Jackson was a freshman all-American and he is just scratching the surface of his career and then you add a motivated and hungry David Stone to the mix, who has more talent and better measurables than anyone in the room…man…it’s the good good.
EDGE: High 3*
The Sooners have one of the most dominant EDGEs in the country in their room in R Mason Thomas, but after that, it is a lot…I mean a LOT…of potential but very little production to this point. Marvin Jones Jr came over from Florida State via Georgia, and Taylor Wein has been one of the hot names in fall camp. PJ Adebawore is still searching for his groove and while Danny Okoye has been a bit of a freak show (in a good way) throughout camp with his athleticism, they are all guys who have yet to really make an impact. This initial ranking could be considered too low by some, but if things go as Miguel Chavis plans, they will use up the built-in upward mobility that I have built in.
Linebacker: Low 4*
You look at the OU LB group (which will include the ‘big’ cheetah, or as I refer to it, the SAM) and you see a lot of frontline talent, but a room that appears to be dangerously thin at this time. Expect a trio of Kip Lewis (WILL), Kobie McKinzie (MIKE) and Kendal Daniels (Cheetah) to start snap one game one and then after that, it’s really the Sammy Omosigho show with a side of Owen Heinecke. Yes, James Nesta and Taylor Heim are on the depth chart, but they are not guys you necessarily want to have out there facing live bullets. Again, I think Kip and the other three (Kendal, Kobie, and Sammy) are a very stout group, just keep the fingers crossed that they stay healthy.
CB: 3*
Ain’t gonna lie…this was the most difficult room to rank without seeing who and how they play. The major concern for me is the seeming fragility of the room in its current state, with Gentry Williams, Eli Bowen (who will most likely miss at least game one), and Kendel Dolby all coming off injury and/or currently dinged up. Yes, you have a tremendous group of athletes behind them with Courtland Guillory, Jacobe Johnson, Devon Jordan and Jeremiah Newcombe but none of those guys have shown the ability to be shutdown corners during a game or a season to this point. Gentry/Eli/Dolby all have shown they CAN be difference makers…that’s the stuff you need to succeed. As I stated previously, this room COULD turn out to be one to vie for the top spot in regard to room rankings on the defensive side of the ball, but right now, we need to see it on the field.
S: 4*
Right now, you have six guys who I wouldn’t be all that fazed to see run out there in most situations. From the top you have Robert Spears Jennings and Peyton Bowen. RSJ has been a little banged up, but you know what you are getting when he is healthy and I have not heard his injury will keep him down for long, and for the first time in his career, Bowen is healthy and should have a big year so long as he stays so. Then you have Reggie Powers who may have been the guy on the back end who received the most buzz this past camp along with Michael Boganowski. Powers will play a bunch of Cheetah and Boganowski will fill in for RSJ. Jaydan Hardy is a backup for both spots and he flashed plenty last season. Omarrion Robinson is a freshman who had quite a bit of buzz around him this fall camp, add a little seasoning to him and you are cooking with bacon grease.
ST: 3*
I like the kicker (Sandell).
I like the punter (Ulrich)
I like the returners.
Just don’t screw up.
Do your job and your ranking goes up.
2025 Season Predictions
– Super K – Posted on: August 27, 2025
***I’ll start with the Big 12. Last year I took Iowa State. They ended up in the Big 12 championship but lost to ASU.
ASU should be very good this year. I like Iowa State, as well. They’ve got a number of really good college QBs in that league this year.
Texas Tech spent a bunch of money on their roster. Funny enough, the folks buying that roster probably don’t realize that they might have bought Joey a team that’ll win him the Big 12 and win him his next job. That would be an unpleasant irony for them.
But I think I’ll stick with Iowa State. Though I could see ASU repeating and again Tech could make a run, as well.
***As you know, last year my prediction for OU’s old coach (Lincoln Riley) was that their fan base will be scratching their head by the end of the season. And boy was that prediction right.
Lincoln finally replaced his S&C coach. And I think that is going to make a difference. It hasn’t been long enough for it to make enough of a difference. Additionally, we all know Lincoln struggles against Big 10 style defenses.
But I still think getting that S&C change made is enough to give Lincoln an extra couple wins. So I’ll give him 8-4.
***So that covers predictions on OU’s former conference and OU’s former HC…
***As far as OU’s current conference, I think a lot of folks like LSU and that is probably the safe bet. However, I have heard that there are already some back door discussions between LSU and agents in case this season doesn’t go as planned. So, perhaps there isn’t as much confidence around the program as their roster would point to.
I like Alabama’s talent and I think their HC will have their QB ready but it might be a bumpy start.
I think the safe bet here remains UGA. OU is the dark horse. They have the talent to win it but I’m not predicting they will.
***Now for OU…
Like most of you, I’ve been thinking about this for months. And I’ve been pretty vocal about how much I like OU’s roster.
But this is the SEC and as I dug into the rosters of OU’s opponents, I realized, there is no easy lunch here.
LSU and Alabama probably have better rosters by a bit. But OU has the more seasoned QB when as compared to Alabama.
Tennessee lost their up and coming QB and I think their talent overall is down.
Auburn is scarier than I think folks are reckoning. That offensive line could completely nullify OU’s DL.
South Carolina is going to play defense like all the SEC teams can, but they’ve got a seasoned QB.
I could go on and on. Bottom line is, outside of three games, OU has no easy wins. This just isn’t the Big 12.
Even sources inside OU believe they’re going to have to win a lot of close games.
My problem with that is upgrades OU made at OC and QB might not quite be ready to win those close games. Why?
This is a big step up in competition for both of them. One source described Mateer as Baker Mayfield in year one at OU. While that’s very good, that still means there are some growing pains to be had.
Last year my prediction was a boom or bust season. But, I had my floor too low. I had the floor at 7-5.
I think both the ceiling and the floor are higher this year. So I think my ceiling is now 10-2. I think my floor stays at 7-5, but that’s up from last year’s results.
I’ll be honest, though, I’m leaning more in the direction of the floor than the ceiling. Why?
Four reasons…
***Schedule is very tough. I’m having a hard time seeing a guaranteed win (outside of the three layups), and if I’m pressed on that, I’d say Missouri and Tennessee, and both of those teams still have players. But if I give OU both of those, it’s guaranteed. I get five locked wins. Even if I give them Auburn (which I think is a scary game), that gets me six; let’s say I give them Ole Miss, as well. That gives me seven. Again, Ole Miss is reloaded, as well.
It’s not that OU isn’t talented enough to beat every team they play. It’s that they have play up to their talent every week or it won’t be enough. In the Big 12, they only had to do that once or twice per year.
***The jump for Arbuckle and Mateer. As I said, I feel like there could be some growing pains here.
***Injuries still concern me. OU has just been so snake-bitten the past year or so.
***Lastly, I’m just never sure what we’re going to get from Brent. That first half of the Texas game a couple of years back was amazing. It was what we always thought we’d get from Brent. A defense that was flying around and an aggressive offense. Then they let Texas come back. Then they gave the fans a drive for the ages to win it. The game captured the ups and downs of BV’s tenure. When all the excitement was over, the next week OU almost lost to UCF.
I think the great thing about this season is…
***The talent is there for a heck of a run and…
***If the Sooners falter, then there won’t be any doubt about what needs to happen because I think everyone around the program agrees, this is a heck of a roster.
***This season will, at the very least, give this program the clarity it needs. Either they have the right head man or they absolutely don’t.
Know Your Opponent | Game One: Illinois State
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 27, 2025
Not gonna do a full breakdown of Illinois State, with depth chart and all, as it really won’t matter who is out there.
Just gonna highlight their strengths and tendencies.
Here’s a breakdown of their key offensive strengths:
Quarterback Play: Tommy Rittenhouse, a senior and returning All-MVFC Honorable Mention quarterback, is a dual-threat leader. In 2024, he completed 259 of 390 passes for 2,840 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while also rushing for 480 yards and eight touchdowns. His ability to impact the game through both passing and rushing makes him a cornerstone of the offense.
Running Back Corps: The Redbirds have a strong backfield with two All-MVFC running backs returning. Wenkers Wright (what a name) led the team in 2024 with 1,123 yards and 11 touchdowns on 218 carries. Mason King, a 2023 All-MVFC First Team selection, returns after missing most of 2024 due to injury; in 2023, he rushed for 983 yards and 14 touchdowns. Additionally, Victor Dawson, a transfer from Cincinnati with prior FCS success (744 yards, 10 touchdowns at Merrimack in 2022), adds depth.
Wide Receivers: Daniel Sobkowicz, a two-time All-MVFC Second Team wide receiver, recorded 80 catches for 1,108 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024, following a 933-yard, 10-touchdown season in 2023. Eddie Kasper contributed 52 receptions for 440 yards and a touchdown in 2024. Kaevion Mack, a transfer from Western Michigan with 63 yards and two touchdowns in limited action, further bolsters the receiving corps. This group provides reliable targets for Rittenhouse.
Offensive Line: The Redbirds return two full-time starting offensive linemen, Landon Woodard (6’5”, 330 lbs) and Jake Pope (6’7”, 310 lbs), who logged over 970 snaps each in 2024. Woodard ranked No. 20 in PFF pass-blocking grades among FCS guards, while Pope was No. 22 overall for FCS tackles. Micah Barnhart (6’4”, 305 lbs), who started six games and played over 440 snaps, adds further experience. This trio provides a strong foundation for both pass protection and run blocking.
Returning Production: Illinois State returns 100% of their passing, rushing, and receiving yards from 2024, giving them proven production and experience across the offensive unit. This high amount of returning production is significant in maintaining offensive cohesion and executing their game plan effectively.
Let’s take a look at the defensive side of the ball:
Due to attrition, the Redbirds’ defense in 2025 does not have quite the same firepower it did a year ago. They’ve got some holes to fill after losing a few key names, but the pieces that remain, and the ones stepping in, give them a decent foundation to build around.
In the Secondary, one of the notable returners is Amir Abdullah, who earned All-MVFC Honorable Mention last season. He piled up 53 tackles, picked off a pass, and broke up five more. Abdullah can disrupt the passing game, and his experience should give the Redbirds stability in an area that struggled at times in 2024.
The heart of the defense is the Linebackers. Tye Niekamp is back after leading the team in tackles last year with 92, along with 6.5 tackles for loss and a pick. He’s the kind of player who always seems to be around the ball. Jake Anderson returns after posting 58 tackles and four TFLs.
Up front, the defensive line did take a hit with the departures of Jalan Gaines and Steven Curtis, but there’s still some talent here. Jake Coleman showed flashes last year with 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, and he’ll be counted on to step up as a leader. The addition of Jacob Willems, a transfer from Western Illinois who started all 11 games last season, adds size and experience to the mix.
Coaching is one thing Redbird fans can count on regarding the defense, as it’s head coach Brock Spack’s defensive mind. Entering his 17th season, Spack has built a reputation for developing players and tailoring schemes to fit his roster. With so many new faces on defense, he may be considered one of the team’s biggest assets.
The big picture: Illinois State lost some key veterans, guys like linebacker LaVoise-Deontay McCoy and defensive back Keondre Jackson, who both made big impacts last year. That turnover, especially in the secondary, does leave question marks. But with proven playmakers like Abdullah, Niekamp, and Coleman returning, plus some new blood in Willems, the Redbirds have a core to lean on while younger players get up to speed.
With all that said…Oklahoma by one billion.
Weekend Visitors of Note
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 28, 2025
The Michigan game will be a big visit weekend, but the Sooners will still be hosting a couple of guys this weekend.
Here are a number of guys they are having on campus for the Illinois State.
2026 QB Bowe Bentley – Celina, Texas – OU Commit
2026 TE Ryder Mix – Frisco, Texas – OU Commit
2026 OL Noah Best – Midlothian, Texas – OU Commit
2026 K Trace Rudd – Overland Park, Kansas – OU Commit
2027 WR Brody Knolls – Southlake, Texas
2027 DB Trenton Blaylock – Humble, Texas
2029 OT Devin Smith – Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
2027 DL Josh Williams – Norman North, Oklahoma
Sooners “Firsts” for the 2025 Season
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 28, 2025
Let’s have some fun with it!
The Sooners open their 2025 season vs Illinois State on Saturday!
Let’s take a stab at some of the ‘firsts’ of the season that we will see!
Obviously, not all of these first will definitely happen in the opening game, but I think there is a good possibility they do!
1* First score of the year: John Mateer rushing touchdown
2* First TD reception: Deion Burks scores from 30+ out
3* First Rushing TD from a non-QB: Jovantae Barnes
4* First 100 yard receiving day: Isaiah Sategna
5* First 100 yard rushing day (Non-QB): Tory Blaylock
6* First tackle for loss: Damonic Williams
7* First sack: Marvin Jones Jr. (RMT too easy)
8* First forced fumble: Kobie McKinzie
9* First interception: Peyton Bowen
10* First defensive touchdown: Kendal Daniels
