Weekend Open Post | October 30th – November 1st
Posted on: October 30, 2026
Post Game Thoughts | Mississippi State
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 24, 2026
***Oklahoma got out of Starkville with a 23-15 win over Mississippi State, and at the end of the day, that’s what matters. But man, this game should not have been as close as it was.
***The good: John Mateer had a solid day, completing 22 of 29 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. OU finished with 467 total yards, including 184 on the ground, and the running game was a huge part of the offense, finally looking more balanced. The Sooners had success running the ball, and it opened things up for Mateer through the air. Which makes you wonder what took Ben Arbuckle so long to commit to the run game after spending the previous five weeks seemingly trying everything else. Maybe there’s a lesson in there somewhere.
***Peyton Bowen was the best player on the field for Oklahoma today. He was all over the place, making plays and bringing the kind of presence this defense needs. His interception was huge, and he was a difference-maker throughout the game.
***The bad: OU left way too many points on the field. A dropped touchdown reception hurt, but missing three field goals is inexcusable if this team wants to compete with the better teams on its schedule. You can’t move the ball for 467 yards and come away with only 23 points. The nine penalties for 75 yards didn’t help, either, and the defense gave up 352 yards, including 166 on the ground. Add in a lost fumble, and there were plenty of ways this game could have gotten away from OU.
***Another thing worth watching is what happened late when Bowen got banged up and had to leave the game. The defense looked a little shaky without him out there. That’s not a knock on the other guys, but Bowen’s impact was obvious, and OU needs him healthy because he brings a different level of playmaking to that defense.
***The bottom line: Take the win and get out of town. Winning on the road in the SEC is never easy, and there were some real positives, especially Mateer’s efficiency and the Sooners’ commitment to the running game. But OU made this a lot harder than it needed to be. The offense moved the ball but didn’t finish drives; the kicking game was a problem, and the penalties have to stop. Bowen was a huge bright spot, but the Sooners still have plenty to clean up before next week.
Sunday Brunch | Riding This Rollercoaster Together
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 25, 2026
Oklahoma is 4-3, and if we’re being honest, this season has tested the patience of Sooner Nation. We’ve watched an offense struggle to find its identity, seen opportunities slip away, and spent far too many Saturdays wondering why this team can’t just make things a little easier on itself.
Saturday’s 23-15 win over Mississippi State was welcome, but nobody should be popping champagne just yet. The Sooners missed three field goals, made a game that should have been more comfortable than it was, and still have plenty to figure out. One win doesn’t erase the frustration of the first seven games.
But it does give Oklahoma something it desperately needed: another Saturday to look forward to.
And that’s something worth remembering, especially when the football isn’t always pretty.
We wait all year for these Saturdays. We count down the days, plan our weekends around kickoff, put on the crimson and cream, and settle in hoping this is the week everything finally clicks. Sometimes it does. Sometimes we’re yelling at the television, questioning play calls, and wondering how a team with this much talent can make the game so difficult to watch.
That’s college football. The highest of highs, the lowest of lows, and somehow we’re right back at it the following Saturday.
Because this game is special. It’s the traditions, the rivalries, the road trips, the stadiums shaking, the unbelievable finishes, and the moments that remind us why we love it in the first place. Every week, somewhere in college football, there’s another game that leaves us shaking our heads or jumping off the couch. Yesterday gave us plenty of reminders that this really is the greatest game ever.
And no matter how frustrating Oklahoma makes it, there’s nothing quite like watching the Sooners play football.
Now, back to business.
OU has five games left to give this season a different ending. South Carolina comes to Norman next weekend, followed by a trip to Florida. Then Ole Miss and Texas A&M visit the Palace on the Prairie before the Sooners close the regular season at Missouri.
There are opportunities here, but Oklahoma has used up most of its margin for error. The offense needs an identity, and Saturday offered a pretty good clue about where to start. The Sooners ran for 184 yards and finished with 467 yards of total offense. John Mateer looked more comfortable, and the ground game finally got the commitment it’s needed for weeks.
Funny what happens when you stop treating the run game like an emergency exit.
Now the question is whether Ben Arbuckle will stick with it.
Arbuckle has to build on that instead of abandoning it the moment something else catches his eye. The defense has done enough to keep this team in games. It’s time for the offense to give it some help.
At 4-3, this isn’t the season Sooner Nation expected. The losses to Michigan, Georgia and Kentucky still sting, and there are legitimate questions about where this team is headed. But five games remain, three of them at home, and there’s still time to make this season mean something.
Saturday was a step. Now Oklahoma has to take another one.
So enjoy the win, take a breath, and get ready for next weekend. We can criticize the coaching, question the play calling, and demand better from a program with Oklahoma’s expectations. We should. That’s part of being invested in this team.
But let’s not lose sight of what we get to do every fall.
We get another Saturday. Another chance to watch the Sooners. Another chance for something special to happen. Another opportunity to interact, console, commiserate, celebrate, bellyache, and ride that emotional roller coaster with each other.
And as frustrating as this season has been at times, I’d take that opportunity every single time.
Five games left, Sooner Nation. Let’s see what these Sooners do with them.
Position Group Progress Report | Week Seven ’26: Mississippi State
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 26, 2026
Checking out how the position groups performed in the Sooners’ 23-15 road win against Mississippi State.
This will be the seventh progress report of the season.
I will include the previous week’s ranking at the top of each position group’s report in all subsequent progress reports!
Let’s see how things shook out against Mississippi State.
QB: 4* (Last week: Nebula)
This was the John Mateer OU needed all season. Didn’t do a ton of spectacular things (did have one special play) and, more importantly, didn’t do any disastrous things. Mateer had a solid stat line, and it could have (should have) been even better with a little help from Rocky Beers, among others. Well done, John.
RB: 4* (Last week: 2*)
In my bold predictions for the week, I predicted that OU would have a running back break the century mark. While that did not happen, OU did have two backs who carried the ball more than John Mateer and it paid off as the commitment to the run game opened up the offense, and everyone watching could see that. Tory Blaylock had the longest run of the year, finishing with 71 yards on 12 carries, and Lloyd Avant was his steady self, averaging over 4 YPC on 13 carries.
WR: 5* (Last week 2*)
This 5* is based on one man. Isaiah Sategna. Sategna hauled in 8 catches for 164 yards and a TD and he had 3 carries for another 24 yards. No other Oklahoma wide receiver had more than one catch. OU needs to be more diversified and distribute the ball to more WRs, but Sategna had one of those special days.
TE: 1* (Last week: 3*)
Rocky Beers had 4 catches for 64 yards and one touchdown…but…he also had an unforced error with the fumble and the disputed dropped TD reception. On top of that, on the initial watch, and after going back and reviewing some of the game, both Beers and Hansen struggled in the blocking game. It was just not a great outing for the TE room, and it easily could have been a stellar day with some ball security and a bit more attention to the assignments.
OL: 4* (Last week: 2*)
Very good in pass pro aside from the right guard spot, and they paved the way for 184 yards rushing. Getting Mike Fasusi back and on the field obviously gave them some juice, and now I am really looking forward to the return of Ryan Fodje. Expect him to be a game-time decision this week, but Heath Ozaeta should be available and he will likely play RG if Fodje is not ready. Solid outing, did a good job overall. Thought Caleb Nitta came in and did a good job when Maikkula went down as well.
DT: 4* (Last week: 4*)
David Stone looked like a cheat code on one play where he got off the ball before the ball was even off the ground and still in the center’s hand and he was in the backfield blowing up the play. He finished with 1.5 sacks. That’s the kind of talent that makes one a first-rounder. Thought Jayden played a big role in limiting the Miss State offense as well. Good work from Bates’ group.
EDGE: 3* (Last week: 5*)
Felt like it was gonna be a big day for the EDGE guys as PJ started off really strong and notched 1.5 sacks on the day, but they kind of faded and lost some contain as the day wore on as a group. I thought Taylor Wein was ‘OK’ and Danny Okoye and Kenny Ozowalu were solid in their opportunities. Jake Kreul had some freshman issues, though and overall, what started as a promising day kind of turned into just a basic day. I may be shorting them here a bit, due in part to the number of snaps BV went with an odd front, but overall, I thought they were just average for what they can be.
LB: 3* (Last week: 3*)
Felt like the backers were a half step off most of the day and hearing about the flu could be a contributing factor. Kip and Owen were ‘solid’ but not spectacular. They weren’t bad, just lacked the juice we are used to seeing from them and just barely missed a few tackles and fits. Reggie Powers was having a heckuva game before he went off after getting dinged up. OU needs him to be healthy cause Jeremiah Newcombe still has some growing to do at the Cheetah spot.
CB: 4* (Last week: 4*)
I really like Trystan Haynes, and when you pair him with a guy like Courtland Guillory, who may be the best CB to play at OU in the last 20 years, you have a dynamic pair. Guillory right now reminds me of Peyton Bowen from years past…the guy who is just on the top of the mountain of making big plays and when he starts to point his skis downhill, those plays are gonna come in bunches. I expect Eli Bowen to be available this week, so it will be interesting to see how the snaps play out.
S: 5* (Last week: 4*)
Peyton Bowen. Thats it.
Bowen took over the game from the safety spot in the second half and would not allow his defense to give up the ghost. Kid is a stud. Omarion Robinson played well also.
ST: 1* (Last week: 3*)
Could have been a Nebula rating, as Sandell missed three field goals, but, I have to give him some kind of score for making three field goals as well. Punt game had a few head-tilting moments, but overall it was ok. Nothing to speak of in the return game.
Finally Saw What We Hoped To See From the Beginning
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 26, 2026
The biggest difference against Mississippi State? Ben Arbuckle finally ran the damn ball, and John Mateer quit giving it away. Funny how that works.
OU ran for 184 yards and threw for 283. Tory Blaylock had 71 yards, Lloyd Avant added 55, and the offense finally looked balanced. The frustrating part? It took this long for Arbuckle to commit to what was working.
Mateer went 22-of-29 for 283 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions. He hit Isaiah Sategna for a 36-yard score and Rocky Beers for a 32-yarder. Much better decision-making, better efficiency and some actual explosive plays.
Was it perfect? No. Three missed field goals and a lost fumble kept Mississippi State in a game OU should have put away.
But this was a step in the right direction. Now the question is whether Arbuckle sticks with it. One good Saturday doesn’t erase the mess of the previous five weeks. But if OU can run the ball with the same level of commitment, and Mateer can protect it, there’s a lot more to work with than we’ve seen lately.
Checking In On the Sooners Passing Distribution
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 27, 2026
Earlier today in his presser, Brent Venables talked about the need to spread the wealth in the passing game.
The numbers are stark; John Mateer clearly has two targets he prefers:
1. Isaiah Sategna III — WR: 41 catches, 61 targets, 578 yards, 3 TDs
2. Rocky Beers — TE: 30 catches, 39 targets, 395 yards, 4 TDs
3. Lloyd Avant — HB: 10 catches, 10 targets, 57 yards, 0 TDs
4. Manny Choice — WR: 9 catches, 14 targets, 125 yards, 1 TD
5. Jonathan Hatton Jr. — HB: 7 catches, 7 targets, 47 yards, 0 TDs
6. Hayden Hansen — TE: 7 catches, 7 targets, 84 yards, 0 TDs
7. Trell Harris — WR: 6 catches, 11 targets, 104 yards, 1 TD
8. Parker Livingstone — WR: 5 catches, 6 targets, 51 yards, 0 TDs
9. Elijah Thomas — WR: 5 catches, 10 targets, 49 yards, 0 TDs
10. Mackenzie Alleyne — WR: 4 catches, 8 targets, 40 yards, 1 TD
11. Xavier Robinson — HB: 3 catches, 5 targets, 18 yards, 0 TDs
12. Tory Blaylock — HB: 3 catches, 3 targets, 14 yards, 0 TDs
13. Jacob Jordan — WR: 2 catches, 4 targets, 13 yards, 0 TDs
14. Jack Van Dorselaer — TE: 2 catches, 3 targets, 8 yards, 0 TDs
15. Jer’Michael Carter — WR: 2 catches, 5 targets, 14 yards, 0 TDs
Team totals: 136 catches, 193 targets, 1,597 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
Isaiah Sategna has been targeted by Mateer more than FOUR times as often as any other wide receiver.
The fact that Manny Choice is the second most targeted wide receiver and he only has 14 targets is kind of mind-boggling when you think about it.
This, in my opinion, is a direct reflection on the QB play and not Ben Arbuckle as a play caller. We have all seen these other guys wide open and running free at times.
Pretty insane stuff when you look at it.
Stop Sellers, Stop the Gamecocks
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 28, 2026
If OU wants to protect home turf in Norman and string consecutive wins together, it starts with containing LaNorris Sellers. The South Carolina QB has rushed for 507 yards and four touchdowns in seven games, averaging 72.4 yards per game. He’s not just a quarterback who can run. He’s a problem when he gets loose.
But here’s the good news for the Sooners: Sellers looks a whole lot less comfortable when OU keeps him in the pocket. Last season, the Sooners sacked him six times, held him to 124 passing yards, and limited him to minus-9 rushing yards in that 26-7 OU win. That’s what happens when the defensive front does its job.
OU can’t afford to get sack-happy and let Sellers slip out the back door. Keep him boxed in, win first down and force him to make throws from the pocket. His 2026 passing line is 1,546 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions, but his passing efficiency has been inconsistent.
The formula isn’t complicated: take away Sellers’ legs and make his arm beat you. The Sooners have already shown they can do it. Now it’s time to make him prove it again.
Know Your Opponent | South Carolina – 2026
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 29, 2026
Head Coach: Shane Beamer — 6th season
Offensive Coordinator: Kendal Briles — 1st season
Defensive Coordinator: Clayton White — 6th season
South Carolina enters Norman at 4-3 and riding a two-game winning streak after beating Florida and Tennessee. The Gamecocks average 36.1 points per game, led by dual-threat quarterback LaNorris Sellers. For OU, containing Sellers and forcing him to win from the pocket will be key to slowing down the South Carolina offense.
On offense…
South Carolina runs a tempo-driven, spread offense under Kendal Briles, built around a strong run game, wide receiver splits, and run-pass options (RPOs). The goal is to spread the defense out, create running lanes and hit explosive passes when defenders crowd the box. LaNorris Sellers’ dual-threat ability makes him the engine of the scheme. For OU, containing Sellers and forcing him to win consistently as a passer is the key.
#16 LaNorris Sellers — QB – The engine of South Carolina’s offense. Through seven games, Sellers has completed 133 of 219 passes for 1,548 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s also rushed for 507 yards and four touchdowns on 85 carries. His combination of arm strength and running ability makes him the biggest threat OU must account for.
#28 Matt Fuller — RB – South Carolina’s leading rusher, with 513 yards and five touchdowns on 90 carries, averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. He’s also caught 18 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. Fuller gives the Gamecocks a productive option between the tackles and in the passing game.
#1 Nitro Tuggle – WR – Listed as the starting X receiver. His season production has been limited so far, with four catches for 39 yards in five games. The transfer has room to become a bigger part of the passing attack as the season progresses.
#8 Nyck Harbor — WR – A former track standout whose speed makes him a potential home-run threat. Harbor has recorded 17 catches for 278 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 16.4 yards per reception. OU cannot afford to lose track of him downfield.
#3 Mazeo Bennett Jr. — Slot WR – South Carolina’s leading receiver by catches and receiving yards. Bennett has 31 receptions for 324 yards and three touchdowns through seven games. His 10.5 yards per catch make him a reliable underneath and intermediate target who can help move the chains.
#87 Brady Hunt — TE – The projected starting tight end. Hunt has 12 catches for 113 yards across six games. He has yet to record a receiving touchdown, but he gives Sellers another option over the middle and can contribute as a blocker in the run game.
#65 Jacarrius Peak — LT – Redshirt senior transfer listed first at left tackle. Peak provides veteran experience on Sellers’ blind side and will be important in protecting against OU’s edge rushers.
#62 Nolan Hay — LG – Redshirt senior who has logged 479 offensive snaps. Experience and consistency.
#50 Carter Miller — C – Redshirt senior transfer who brings workmanlike production.
#69 Emmanuel Kojo Poku — RG – Redshirt senior transfer listed atop the right guard depth chart. His matchup inside will be important as the Gamecocks look to establish the run and keep Sellers from facing constant pressure.
#77 Darius Gray — RT – Freshman who has played 471 snaps, approximately 89% of the offensive snaps in the available tracking data.
The big picture for OU…
***Keep Sellers in the pocket. His 507 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns make him a threat even when the original play breaks down.
***Limit Fuller on early downs. He’s averaging 5.7 yards per carry, so allowing him to set up manageable third downs would put OU in a difficult position.
***Don’t lose Harbor downfield. His 16.4 yards per reception show the potential for explosive plays.
***Make the passing game work underneath. Bennett leads the team in catches, while the other receivers have been less productive. Taking away easy throws and containing Sellers’ legs could force South Carolina to sustain longer drives.
On defense…
South Carolina runs a multiple-front, aggressive 4-2-5 defense under Clayton White. The Gamecocks mix four- and three-man fronts, lean on man coverage and use blitzes to pressure the quarterback. They want their defensive line attacking gaps and their edge rushers winning one-on-one matchups. For OU, protecting John Mateer and finding ways to counter the pressure will be key.
#6 Dylan Stewart — DE – South Carolina’s premier pass-rushing threat. In just four games this season, Stewart has recorded eight tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and three forced fumbles. He’s a disruptive edge defender who can change a game when healthy.
#99 Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy — DT – A veteran defensive tackle who returned after recording 18 tackles last season, including one tackle for loss. He provides experience on the interior and will be tasked with helping South Carolina hold up against Oklahoma’s run game.
#13 Tomiwa Durojaiye — DT – One of South Carolina’s leading interior pass rushers. Durojaiye has three sacks through seven games, gives the Gamecocks an interior presence who can make life difficult for Mateer.
#40 Anthony Addison — DE – A young edge defender who has emerged as a productive pass rusher. Addison has three sacks through seven games, tied for the team lead. His ability to generate pressure opposite Stewart will be important for South Carolina.
#17 Justin Okoronkwo — WLB – He’s an important piece of South Carolina’s second level and will be responsible for helping contain Oklahoma’s ground game.
#0 Fred Johnson — MLB – One of South Carolina’s most productive defenders. Johnson has recorded 48 tackles, three tackles for loss and half a sack through seven games. He finished with 61 tackles last season and has continued to be a key presence in the middle of the defense.
#4 Vicari Swain — LCB – Swain has recorded a sack this season. He’ll be tested against Oklahoma’s receivers and must limit yards after the catch.
#31 Peyton Williams — SS – A veteran safety with experience stepping into the starting lineup when needed.
#9 David Bucey — FS – His range and communication will be important in preventing Oklahoma from connecting on deep passes.
#8 Judge Collier — RCB – An experienced cornerback who finished last season with 28 tackles despite missing time with an injury.
#12 Quay’sheed Scott — NB – His role will be especially important against formations that spread the field and create matchups with slot receivers.
What Matters Most for Oklahoma
The big picture for OU…
***Account for Dylan Stewart. He’s recorded two sacks and three forced fumbles in four games. OU must know where he is on passing downs.
***Don’t let the interior rush wreck the pocket. Durojaiye has three sacks, and pressure up the middle can disrupt Mateer’s timing.
***Make the linebackers tackle in space. Johnson and Okoronkwo are experienced defenders who will be involved in stopping the run and limiting short passes.
***Take advantage of the secondary. Swain and Collier have experience, but Oklahoma needs to create separation and capitalize on opportunities downfield.
***Protect the football. South Carolina has playmakers who can create turnovers, particularly Stewart, so OU must avoid giving the Gamecocks short fields.
Bottom line…
***Protect the Football. OU can’t afford to give South Carolina extra possessions. John Mateer and the offense need to eliminate costly turnovers and finish drives.
***Contain LaNorris Sellers. He’s dangerous with his arm and his legs, rushing for 507 yards and four touchdowns. Keep him in the pocket and make him beat OU as a passer.
***Keep Feeding the Run Game. OU finally found some traction on the ground against Mississippi State. Stick with it, help control the tempo and keep the offense out of obvious passing situations.
***Protect Mateer. South Carolina’s pass rush, led by Dylan Stewart, can wreck a game. The offensive line must hold up, and Mateer needs to get the ball out on time and avoid unnecessary sacks.
I’m Back | Some Thoughts on the Past Week or so
– Super K – Posted on: October 29, 2026
As you know I was out for a bit. But I want to throw a few thoughts at you since I haven’t been on much since the Kentucky game.
***I have to say that game still strikes me as such an absolutely unnecessary loss. Not only could OU have won that game, winning it would’ve put the Sooners at number two in the SEC right now and in control of their destiny.
The fourth quarters calls still blow my mind.
***Having said that, I’ll repeat what I said after the game, Brent has to win out. I know no one wants to get their hopes up but OU is not out of the race for the SEC game because of how much parity there is in the conference.
Right now the Sooners are sitting at number 8 in the conference and a ton of teams have two losses and I wouldn’t be surprised if both teams in the SEC championship this year end up with two losses.
The Sooners will have a chance to take out Florida. And assuming the Sooners beat Ole Miss and Missouri, then I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ll do some work on OU’s behalf against opponents currently ranked above OU. And of course Texas can do some work for OU as well.
Don’t know how the chips will fall in the end but, again, OU needs to win out.
***I missed the Miss. State game but a recap from Charlie. He mentioned how well the Sooners moved the ball but seem so often unable to put the ball in the end zone.
This has always been the issue with an air raid that isn’t significantly modified. No deep commitment to a run game and the multiple use of the tight end position and things get tight as you get closer to goal.
I can’t say I am huge fan of what we hear about too many cook’s in the offensive kitchen but I will say it appears to me that BV knows there are things air raid guys typically don’t do that you have to be able to do if you’re going to have a chance to score in the red zone.
I know it isn’t working right now – perhaps because there is no real commitment to those things. You can tell from the last couple games that they are finding more rhythm but to take that next step and to win out, the Sooners have to be able to end some of these drives better.
You don’t need to be amazing, but just a little better would go a long way.
***I haven’t seen much of South Carolina this year but by the performances they’ve had, it looks like they might be cooking. Beat Tennessee and took Kentucky to the wire (though I still think OU should’ve smoked that Kentucky team).
Last year OU really dominated the South Carolina OL and made the day very very difficult for their QB. Let’s hope they can do the same. Given how much of a roller coaster ride the SEC is, every week the Sooners will is likely to move them up the conference rankings.
Defense All Starts In The Middle | We See The Proof
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 29, 2026
As you know, OU’s defense has some real dudes up the middle, and that’s a big part of this team’s identity. David Stone, Owen Heinecke, Kip Lewis and Peyton Bowen give Brent Venables a pretty salty foundation to build around.
David Stone is making his presence felt. The interior pressure is showing up, and his performance against Mississippi State was another big step. Seven tackles and 1.5 sacks from an interior defensive lineman will get your attention. When Stone is pushing the pocket, it makes life a whole lot easier for everybody else up front.
Owen Heinecke is everywhere. The guy leads OU in tackles and doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty; he plays smart and plays through injury. He had 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble against Mississippi State. He’s not just running around cleaning things up. He’s getting downhill and making plays.
Kip Lewis deserves a spot in this conversation, too. He’s another big reason OU has so much talent running through the middle of its defense. Lewis led the Sooners with 76 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2025, and he was productive enough that he had a legitimate opportunity to enter the NFL Draft before deciding to return for another season.
Then there’s Peyton Bowen. He’s the playmaker on the back end. The pick-six against Texas was huge, and he came up with another interception against Mississippi State. Bowen has a knack for showing up when OU needs a big play, and you can’t put a price on that.
Brent Venables always preaches about the need for the middle of the defense to be stout and his blueprint is showing up: Stone creates havoc up front, Heinecke cleans things up in the middle, and Bowen makes things happen on the back end. That’s a pretty good spine for a defense, especially in the SEC.
OU’s offense has made things harder than they need to be at times, but this defense keeps giving the Sooners a chance. If these three keep doing their thing, nobody is going to have an easy Saturday against Oklahoma the rest of the way.
The NFL potential is real as well; all four have a legitimate shot at playing on Sundays, and two of them could hear their names called pretty early.
David Stone has first-round potential. He’s already getting first-round buzz for the 2027 NFL Draft, with ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid projecting him in the middle to latter part of Round 1. Stone has the size, strength and ability to hold up against the run that NFL teams covet in an interior defensive lineman. If he continues to develop as a pass rusher, he could be a tough guy to keep out of the first round.
Peyton Bowen has a real shot at the first two rounds. His versatility, instincts and ability to create turnovers make him an intriguing NFL prospect. Current projections have him in the late second-day range, meaning the second or third round, with the potential to climb higher if he finishes strong and tests well. Bowen has the kind of playmaking ability that gets NFL scouts interested.
Heinecke has NFL potential, too. While he’s not generating the same early-round buzz as Stone or Bowen, his production and physical style give him a chance to hear his name called. He was previously projected as a possible fifth- or sixth-round selection, and a strong close to his season could help his stock and elevate him into the first-four-round discussion.
Lewis has already shown the production and physicality NFL teams look for in a linebacker. He may not have the same early-round buzz as Stone or Bowen, but he’s got a chance to improve his stock with another strong finish as well.
That’s four different defensive positions with four players who have a path to the next level. Stone could be a first-round pick, Bowen has a chance to go in the first two rounds, and Lewis and Heinecke have a legitimate opportunity to work their way into the top four rounds in the draft conversation.
That’s the kind of talent OU wants to build around and continue to pump out. And if these guys keep producing, the Sooners could have a pretty good showing when the NFL comes calling, and that impacts the future classes and recruits.
It all starts up the middle, and we are seeing the proof of that.
