Greg McElroy makes bold claim about Oklahoma's defense
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The Oklahoma Sooners have quickly turned into one of the best defensive programs in college football. It took head coach Brent Venables just four years to turn around one of the worst defensive Power Four programs of the last decade.
The Sooners ranked top-10 in several categories, like total defense, scoring defense, rushing yards allowed, tackles for loss and sacks. But there is belief that Oklahoma could take another step in 2026.
Venables has stated this offseason that Oklahoma isn't a great defense because they haven't played a game yet, but others, like ESPN's Greg McElroy, are speculating it could be the top defense in the sport.
"A defense that is likely to finish at least top 10, maybe top five; they could very well be the best defense in college football," McElroy said on 'Always College Football.'
The biggest question entering 2026 is whether Oklahoma can maintain that production after losing several defensive contributors to the NFL. The Sooners lost players, including R Mason Thomas, Gracen Halton and Damonic Williams, but Venables still has significant returning talent.
Taylor Wein emerged as one of the SEC's best defensive linemen last season, while David Stone and Jayden Jackson are expected to play larger roles up front. Oklahoma also returns several key pieces at linebacker, like Kip Lewis, and at defensive back.
That gives Venables a chance to prove the 2025 defense wasn't a one-year peak. The Sooners have steadily improved defensively throughout his tenure, and their 2025 performance was the strongest of the Venables era.
Venables has been careful not to crown his defense before the 2026 season begins. That approach is understandable, especially after losing several NFL-caliber players. Still, the foundation is there. Oklahoma's defense was a major reason the Sooners finished 10-3 and returned to the College Football Playoff last season.
If McElory's prediction comes true, Oklahoma could have the defensive foundation necessary to survive one of the toughest schedules in the country and make another serious run at the College Football Playoff.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Greg McElroy makes bold claim about Oklahoma's defense
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