Weekend Open Post | August 28th – 30th
Posted on: August 28, 2026
Quick Takeaways After Fall Camp Wraps Up
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 23, 2026
Fall camp has concluded and the Sooners will shift their focus to game prep and installation over the next two weeks.
It is time to let you all know where my head is at after speaking to sources throughout the entirety of camp and bringing you all the notes.
Let’s get to it!
QB: John Mateer had a solid camp and he displayed great leadership and accountability. He was not the star of camp, though, as Mateer’s story will be told on the field during games and not on the practice fields. Whitt Newbauer was all the rage, and he received the lion’s share of accolades as it feels like the Sooners finally have a competent backup QB at the very least. Freshman Bowe Bentley did close camp on a positive note, which is exactly what you want to hear and I would expect both Newbauer and Bentley to get a few snaps when the opportunity presents itself.
RB: Lloyd Avant was the steadiest, XRob was the most consistent producer when healthy and Jonathan Hatton was the most explosive when healthy. The three guys mentioned will be the top options for the start of the season and if OU has their way, Hatton and XRob stay healthy and should provide the backbone of an improved run game.
WR: This one was a bit of a roller coaster, but Isaiah Sategna and Parker Livingstone were very consistent and available throughout the entire camp. Manny Choice shined early, Elijah Thomas closed hard, and Trell Harris was perhaps the most dynamic WR when he finally got out there. Your top 4 wide receivers will come from the names mentioned above and you can also expect Jer’Michael Carter and maybe even Mackenzie Alleyne to have some sort of role. Freshmen Jayden Petit and Jahsiear Rogers had their moments and so did Zizi, so there is a lot of talent in that room.
TE: Solid camp for the revamped TE room and while we didn’t hear a ton about dynamic plays from the group, we did hear a lot about their contributions in the blocking game and protection. While Hayden Hansen will be the likely number one, both Jack Van Dorselaer and Rocky Beers will be welcome additions to the offense this season.
OL: The Sooners were hit with an injury at their thinnest position along the line as center Jake Maikkula went down with a knee injury. Maikkula will return at some point relatively early in the season and in the meantime OU is looking for his main replacement. Caleb Nitta, Ryan Fodje and freshman Noah Best (Best was the offensive freshman MVP of camp, IMO) will compete here over the next two weeks for C1 in Maikkula’s absence and right now, I would actually give the inside track to Ryan Fodje (Fodje is my overall offensive MVP of camp). Elsewhere, the line looks to be in good shape with Fasusi, EPL, and E’Marrion Harris as mainstays and Best and Heath Ozaeta looking to carve out roles.
DT: As it was in the spring, the depth behind Jayden Jackson and David Stone got a lot of reps and they got better because of it. Trent Wilson, Nigel Smith, Bishop Thomas and Tank Carrington are the main guys behind the starters and each of them had some moments where they stood out. For the Sooners, it will all be about mitigating the drop-off from Stone and Jackson and hopefully finding the guys who can be productive during their snaps.
EDGE: Taylor Wein came into camp as the unquestioned E1 and he exits camp in the same position. Opposite him, a battle has raged with Danny Okoye and PJ Adebawore as the main combatants. I expect those two to basically split reps throughout the season and there is a lot of excitement about what that could mean for the Sooners as they both are very talented, just have to hope the light comes on. Behind Wein, Kenny Ozowalu and Wyatt Gilmore were working to secure that spot and right now, I give the edge to Gilmore but I do expect Ozowalu to see time in the rotation as well. Expect true freshman Jake Kreul to play a lot in game one and likely make some big plays as they will allow him to pin his ears back and do what he does best in getting after the QB.
LB: Cole Sullivan was all the rage and he earned my MVP for camp on the defensive side of the ball. Funny thing is, Cole Sullivan will basically be a backup (at both ILB and Cheetah) as Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke will be the starters at ILB. James Nesta is a guy we talked about as having a breakthrough and then that was confirmed by Heinecke and BV late in camp, so that is something to be excited about. OU has one of the better linebacker rooms in the country and they are poised for a dominant season.
Secondary: What a wild turn of events when looking back over the years as the Sooners secondary may be not only the deepest it has ever been in Norman (think about the gravity of that statement) but it very well may be one if, if not the best, secondaries in the country. OU has playmakers and future draft picks at ever position in the secondary and throughout camp, the talk is that they have built some competitive depth at safety which was badly needed. Peyton Bowen, Mike Boganowski, Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory are your starters but guys like Omarrion Robinson, Markel Ford (My freshman defensive MVP of camp), Jacobe Johnson, and Trystan Haynes are surging.
Overall, the Sooners had a relatively major injury-free camp, which is the most important aspect (fingers crossed leading up to game one) and they developed some depth at areas that needed to be addressed. Successful camp, if you ask me.
Three Bold Predictions for 2026 | Team Offense
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 24, 2026
Let’s continue with the predictions as we get closer to the season!
This time, I will roll out three bold predictions for the team on the offensive side of the ball!
1*** Last season the Sooners offense finished 78th in the country in scoring with an average of 26.2 points per game. This year, my first bold prediction for the offense is that they will improve their ranking by over 35 spots and average 30 points per game, which should be good enough to be a top 40 scoring offense. I base this uptick on a QB playing without a broken thumb, an improved offensive line, and a competent and functional tight end room coupled with a more dedicated commitment to the run game.
2*** One of the biggest issues that led to such a poor scoring offense for the Sooners in 2025 was the inability to extend drives on 3rd down. OU was ranked an abysmal 81st in the country in 3rd down conversions. The Sooners only converted 38% of their 3rd down attempts last season. My next bold prediction for the OU offense this season is that they will improve their national ranking by over 40 spots and be a top 35 3rd down conversion team, as they will convert around 43% of their 3rd downs. I attribute the big swing to being in a position where they will have much more manageable 3rd down attempts based on the focus on the run game and better decision making at the QB position.
3*** Lastly, the offensive changes OU made in the offseason on the offensive side of the ball will pay dividends on the national scene. The hire of Jason Witten and the complete revamp of the tight end room, coupled with the addition of DeLand McCullough as the head of the running back room and the work John Mateer put in in regard to decision making, will result in the offensive line being a finalist for the Joe Moore Award. I do not necessarily believe OU will win the Joe Moore award (sometimes that one gets real political and you are rewarded a year after you have the best OL), but the key improvements elsewhere will help elevate the offensive line into one of the best in the country.
3 Reasons to Feel Good About Oklahoma Coming Out of Fall Camp
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 25, 2026
There are still plenty of questions surrounding Oklahoma heading into the 2026 season, but fall camp provided a multitude of reasons for optimism. Three stand out to me.
1. The offensive line could be a major strength
This has a chance to be one of the best position groups on the offensive side of the ball and the roster overall.
Michael Fasusi, Eddy Pierre-Louis and Ryan Fodje are among the names to watch. All three have valuable experience and the physical tools to develop into legitimate NFL prospects.
Fasusi has the look of a future high NFL Draft pick at tackle, Pierre-Louis has developed into a physical force inside, and Fodje appears ready to take another step forward as a versatile and elite offensive lineman.
Add Jake Maikkula when he returns and E’Marion Harris to the veteran mix, then throw freshman Noah Best into the equation after a strong camp, and Bill Bedenbaugh has plenty to work with.
If Fasusi, Pierre-Louis and Fodje make the expected Year 2 jump, OU could have multiple future high NFL Draft picks along the offensive line and one of the country’s strongest lines in 2026.
2. The young guys are forcing their way into the picture
Most expected Jake Kreul to be the freshman with the clearest path to early playing time and while he will see time, particular on special teams, he was not the biggest story of freshmen throughout fall camp.
OL Noah Best and DT Tank Carrington made sure they weren’t being overlooked.
Both have impressed with their raw strength and physicality, and both have pushed their way into the conversation for meaningful snaps.
That’s a big deal for OU’s depth.
Meanwhile, Cole Sullivan (1st season in Norman), and James Nesta have continued to make noise at linebacker; Markel Ford and Tystan Haynes have shined in the secondary, as has second-year safety Omarrion Robinson, giving Brent Venables even more options on defense.
Offensively, young Jonathan Hatton likely secured himself a spot in the rotation. Sources throughout fall camp praised his abilities on the field and his attention to detail in knowing and understanding his responsibilities.
OU doesn’t need these young players to become stars immediately. If several can become reliable contributors, this roster gets considerably deeper.
3. The defense remains the safest bet
This is the easiest one.
David Stone and Jayden Jackson give OU an elite interior defensive line, while Taylor Wein, Danny Okoye, Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke provide proven talent at the next level of the defense.
Then you add Courtland Guillory, Eli Bowen, Peyton Bowen and Mike Boganowski in the secondary, along with emerging players like Cole Sullivan, James Nesta and Tank Carrington, and Venables has plenty of pieces to work with.
The depth may be the biggest reason for optimism. OU doesn’t need the defense to carry the team every week. But if Stone and Jackson anchor an elite interior while the rest of the unit develops around them, this has the potential to once again be a top-tier SEC defense.
The bottom line: OU isn’t a finished product, but coming out of fall camp, this roster looks deeper, more physical and more talented than it did a month ago. That’s reason enough for Sooner fans to feel good heading into Week 1.
3 Remaining Questions Coming Out of Fall Camp for Oklahoma Football
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 25, 2026
Oklahoma wrapped up fall camp with plenty of reasons to feel good about this team. But no team enters a season without questions.
Here are three areas that still give us some pause heading into 2026.
1. John Mateer’s Decision-Making
The talent isn’t the question. The decision-making is.
Mateer has shown throughout camp why OU believes he can be a difference-maker at quarterback, but there have still been those moments where he tries to make something happen instead of taking the easy play.
That’s something OU simply can’t afford against this year’s schedule.
The Sooners don’t need Mateer to be Superman. They need him to protect the football, trust the offense and consistently make the right decision. If he does that, OU’s ceiling gets awfully high.
2. The Wide Receiver Room Outside of Isaiah Sategna
Sategna is the known commodity. After that, there are still plenty of questions.
OU has talent in the room, but somebody has to emerge as a consistent number 2 and preferably a No. 3.
Parker Livingstone, Trell Harris, Manny Choice, Elijah Thomas, and the younger receivers have all shown flashes. The problem is flashes aren’t enough anymore.
Mateer needs dependable targets when defenses inevitably start taking Sategna away. If OU can get legitimate production from two or three more receivers, this could become a strength. If not, it could put too much pressure on Sategna and the running game.
3. The Running Game
This one is pretty simple: OU has to run the football better.
The Sooners have more options than they did a year ago, with Xavier Robinson, Lloyd Avant, Jonathan Hatton and others competing for carries. Hatton, in particular, has been one of the more intriguing young players in camp.
But potential doesn’t count for much once the games start.
OU needs a running game that can stay on schedule, control the line of scrimmage and take pressure off Mateer. The offense doesn’t need to become a 40-carries-a-game operation, but it does need to become more physical and dependable.
The good news is none of these feel like “the sky is falling” concerns.
They’re questions. And the first few weeks of the season should go a long way toward providing the answers.
Sourced | Word on the QBs out of Camp
– Super K – Posted on: August 26, 2026
I’ve been able to get a few takes on fall camp and where folks think the team is and what various position groups look like.
Not everyone agrees but one of the areas that there has been some consensus between multiple sources I’ve spoken to and separate sources that Charlie has checked with is the QB.
Here is the jist…
***Yes Mateer struggled a bit in the first scrimmage but overall was better this camp and the sense is that he has improved this year from last year.
***He is not fundamentally different in that he’s not going to be a stand in the pocket and throw it around guy. He’s still a backyard guy but he’s making less mistakes and giving you good off platform plays and using his legs to extend plays.
***The key, I’m told, is making sure he has a run game so that he doesn’t have to do everything. You want him to pick up the third three on a scramble but you don’t want him doing too much. That’s when mistakes happen. You’ve noticed this off-season, at the pressers, Brent has been pushing the run game as a big narrative.
***Have received additional confirmation that Whitt Newbauer really did have a good camp. I know we’ve talked about that but I spoke to someone who I’d classify as the moral skeptical or cautious type and said source did agree Newbauer has looked good. Said, Newbauer is basically a statue but he can throw the ball around and get it to guys so that they can make plays. I think this is critical because, again, the Sooners under BV have been really really poor at the back up QB spot.
Remember one of my criterion for a good program is you can win with your back up QB. In addition to other things, it indicates you’ve built the right pieces around the QB and that you are able to consistently identify and develop talent at a key spot.
***Lastly, continue to hear that young Bentley did struggle this camp. Nothing to be alarmed about right now. He’s young. But that’s where it’s at. I think things are just a little too fast at the moment.
TFB Randoms | Sourced RB Note and Name to Know in ’27 Class
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 25, 2026
Couple of notes to pass along that warrant mention but not necessarily a stand alone post, so I figured it was time for a ‘Randoms’ post
***First…We have been keeping tabs on Sooners RB Tory Blaylock since he aggravated a hammy early in camp.
The latest we have from sources is that…his return could be tomorrow, it could be a couple weeks from now, you simply do not know with hamstrings.
I asked a different source if they expected Tory to be out there and available for game one and they said: “He won’t be needed for that game, would imagine he works his way back by Georgia.”
I know it’s not a lot of info to go on, but my takeaway from it is that he simply is not ready right now and OU is in no rush to push him to get back at this time, which is good to hear.
***Second…as a name to know in the ’27 class, look no further than Waxahachie, Texas’ own Kentorion King.
King is a rising wide receiver prospect at Waxahachie who has picked up a lot of attention “thanks to social media” according to our own Darius, who himself is at Waxahachie.
DT says OU is among the teams who has initiated contact, and some folks may have noticed that OU staffer Stace Ford recently followed King on Twitter. Darius also noted that King is a Midlothian transfer into Waxahachie and he was former teammates of OU freshman OL Noah Best.
King (5’11 180) is currently committed to Colorado State but he is drawing a bunch of recent attention from a number of bigger schools. We will stay on top of this one.
Sourced Team Notes | August 26th
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 26, 2026
The Sooners got back out on the practice field this week as they begin game prep and scheme install.
***First, as I noted last night, there are no new significant injuries at this time. Yes, guys are banged up and sore from camp, but nothing long term to any of the impact players.
***The center position is going to be the one that is shrouded in secrecy and intrigue. Source tells me yesterday it was Ryan Fodje and Calen Nitta working with the 1’s at center, and as I noted on August 23rd, it is still my belief that Ryan Fodje has the inside track to start in Jake Maikkula’s absence. Once Maikkula returns, he will roll back to guard/tackle depending on needs for the upcoming game(s).
***Talked to source about the cheetah position a bit, and they noted that Reggie Powers takes the majority of the reps there, but they said “Look, Daniels got almost twice the reps last year (as the small Cheetah)…Sullivan is better than KD…he’s gonna be on the field”. Source added “Sullivan just changes the scene for the offense, he’s so big and athletic, fills passing lanes naturally”.
***Lastly for now, if I had to bet who takes snap one in game one at running back for Oklahoma, I would put my money on Lloyd Avant. I base that on Avant being rewarded for having a healthy and productive camp, kind of a reward. With that said, source did say they expect XRob and Hatton to get a ton of reps in game one to get things sorted out ahead of Michigan.
Run the Ball | BV Messaging | Sourced
– Super K – Posted on: August 27, 2026
I mentioned in yesterday’s post that sources noted that they feel like Mateer can be successful as long as the Sooners don’t make him do everything.
What does that mean? It means, they have to be able to run the ball.
The run game is also critical for at least three of other reasons that were mentioned to me…
***One, the Sooners tight end room is better but not faster. Meaning you’ve got guys who are better overall when you add in blocking but there isn’t an athlete in there like Kanak. So, to play to the strengths of these tight ends, you want to run the ball.
***Additionally, while the defense is more talented overall, there seems to be consensus that they don’t have the same depth. So you want to slow the game down a bit.
***Also, the wide room is better – again, that seems to be the consensus. But, I’m gathering that they don’t feel like they have some first rounder. So, to be successful in the pass game, they are going to need the run game. They’re going to need to give these guys more one on one situation and less bracket situations.
As I noted, BV has been telegraphing the emphasis on the run game for much of the off-season. He brings it up often in pressers.
I’m told that has been intentional. Similar to how at some point Bob basically was pushing Lincoln to run the ball in Lincoln’s early days, behind the scenes BV is pushing the same thing. It seems BV bringing it up in public is about reinforcing that message to the staff.
The more I hear about the goings on behind the scenes, the more I believe BV is evolving in a good way. This is another area where I imagine Bob has been a good mentor.
We’d all love to see them run the ball well. But for me, I just want to know that a head coach is going to make sure the air raid guys know they have to.
2026 Accolades, Leaders, and Prediction
– Charlie S – Posted on: August 27, 2026
We are just over a week away from the start of the 2026 season!
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: Taylor Wein
Passing leader: John Mateer
Receiving Leader: Catches: Isaiah Sategna – Yards: Isaiah Sategna – TDs: Rocky Beers
Rushing Leader: Carries: Jonathan Hatton – Yards: Jonathan Hatton – TDs: John Mateer
Tackles: Owen Heinecke
TFLs: Owen Heinecke
Sacks: Taylor Wein
All-SEC honors: QB John Mateer, OT Mike Fasusi, OL Ryan Fodje, WR Isaiah Sategna, DE Taylor Wein, DT David Stone, LB Owen Heinecke, LB Kip Lewis, CB Courtland Guillory, S Peyton Bowen
All-American performers: OT Mike Fasusi, DE Taylor Wein, DT David Stone, S Peyton Bowen
SEC Champion: Georgia
Oklahoma 2026 season record: 10-2 (7-2 in conference) – I am basing my prediction in large part on the breakdowns of all the rooms on all the teams in the SEC throughout the offseason that I went through, and I come back to it being OU and Georgia atop the conference. I see OU dropping a close game to Georgia in Athens and then stumbling in another game other than Texas as the season goes on…and I kinda feel weird about that as I value the personnel on OU’s roster so highly.
You know me, I am not a sunshine pumper, but when I take all things I know, and most of the things I believe…I just come out with OU being a very talented team and matching up well with their schedule.
Here is the rub…if OU does not go 10-2 or better…there is a very real scenario where they could lose five games. Obviously, I do not see that happening, but that is how thin the margin may be.
Last year I had OU at 8-4…they were 2 games better in the regular season, I would LOVE for that to be the case again this season…and to be fair, they do have the talent, on paper, to beat every team they are scheduled to face.
