Oklahoma linebacker Kip Lewis will return in 2026

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Isaiah. Then John. Now Kip.

Oklahoma had a heck of a Thursday.

Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis joined wide receiver Isaiah Sategna and quarterback John Mateer in officially returning to Oklahoma for the 2026 season. Sategna announced early Thursday, while Mateer’s return was presumed after he was not listed among the NFL Draft early entrants. Shortly after that list came out, Oklahoma announced both the quarterback’s and Lewis’ return.

Lewis led the Sooners in tackles last season, registering 76, a career-high. He’s been a starter since about midway through the 2024 and will almost certainly keep that role going into the fall. Lewis recorded 10 1/2 tackles for-loss, five pass break-ups, four quarterback hurries and four sacks last year.

His return is especially good news considering fellow linebacker Owen Heinecke was named to the 2026 Senior Bowl on Wednesday night. Heinecke had been seeking another year of eligibility that would have required the NCAA granting him a hardship.

Oklahoma also lost linebackers Sammy Omosigho and Kobie McKenzie to the transfer portal and Kendal Daniels – whose position is similar to that of a linebacker – to exhausted eligibility, leaving the Sooners without four of their top five tacklers at the position going into 2026.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma’s leading tackler Kip Lewis set to return to Sooners

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