Sooners 2-Deep Projection: Oklahoma may have a better first and second string in 2026 than they did in 2025

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to get back to the College Football Playoff in 2026.

The Oklahoma Sooners are trying to get back to the College Football Playoff. However, this year could be just as hard, if not harder than last year.

Of course, their schedule appears unrelenting in all respects. Then they obviously don’t have the same depth they had last season. They do, however, have as good, if not better, a starting unit as they did last season.

Sooners 2-Deep Roster Projection

Starters listed first, backups listed second. A * denotes a true freshman from the 2026 recruiting class

Offense

Quarterback: John Mateer, Bowe Bentley*

With Michael Hawkins gone, the Sooners believe that Bentley can be the backup next season, and maybe even play if Mateer gets hurt. Mateer is the bridge quarterback for Bentley, who many believe is the next star quarterback at OU.

Running back: Xavier Robinson, Tory Blaylock, Jonathan Hatton Jr.*

With how this season went, it's obvious that Robinson is the best RB they have when he is healthy. Blaylock, as a true freshman, showed a lot last season, and he will easily be the backup. Or, those two may even be flipped depending on health situations. This is a 2-deep projection, so I don't have to put Hatton on there, but I wanted to show that I think he will be in the rotation as a true freshman.

X Wide Receiver: Trell Harris, Elijah Thomas* OR Jayden Petit*

Harris, the transfer portal pickup, will be used similarly to how Deion Burks was. He's fast and a downfield presence. I think Carter showed a ton as the season went on, specifically in the last few games. He can be a guy for this offense at this position.

H Wide Receiver: Isaiah Sategna, McKenzie Alleyne

Yes, Isaiah Sategna is coming back. Last season, many times, Jordan was his backup at this exact position a few times. In 2026, we may see Jordan on the field a bit more.

Z Wide Receiver: Parker Livingstone, Jer'Michael Carter

Livingstone's ability to get into the end zone and get open downfield last season with the Texas Longhorns was enough for me to think he could be even better in 2026. He is the starter at that position. As the backup, I think another big-body receiver who's athletic and fast and can get downfield will be the second guy on the field behind Livingstone. That's got to be either Thomas or Petit.

Tight End: Hayden Hansen, Rocky Beers

You have all heard about these two by now. This should be the best tight end room the Sooners have had in some time, and certainly better than last season's.

Left Tackle: Michael Fasusi, Fred Hinton

This is one of the first position groups where I really can't think of anyone else who would be the backup behind Fasusi, given who has left in the portal and eligibility. Hinton seems to be the only other guy that can play that spot right now, but things could change with a true freshman.

Left Guard: Eddy Pierre-Louis, Heath Ozaeta

EPL is the obvious one here, but Ozaeta may fight for that other starting guard spot. However, I have Fodje winning it, and Ozaeta being a backup.

Center: Jake Maikkula, Caleb Nitta

Maikkula is the undisputed starter. However, they needed depth there at the center position, and they got their guy in the portal.

Right Guard: Ryan Fodje, Daniel Akinkunmi

The second-year guard will get the start here. Daniel Akinkunmi will be a good young player to have as depth, but they could certainly do better..

Right Tackle: E'Marion Harris, Peyton Joseph

I strongly believe that the Sooners brought Harris, a former starter for Arkansas, on to be a starter. Some think he will be a swing tackle, but why would he leave a situation as a starter in the SEC to not be a starter for another SEC school? Joseph, the former Georgia Tech OL, will be the backup.

Defense

Left Defensive End: Taylor Wein, Danny Okoye

Wein is the man now, and Okoye has some pretty crazy potential. Wein could end up having a huge season. He is the guy on the edge, and he won’t have to share as many reps with elite guys who are now in the NFL. At least, that’s the thought.

Defensive Tackle: Jayden Jackson, Bishop Thomas

Thomas, the new transfer portal acquisition, will be the backup. Jackson is, of course, the guy, along with David Stone. Those two may be in the NFL after next season.

Defensive Tackle: David Stone, Trent Wilson

Stone is one of the best defensive tackles in the country, and doesn't need to come off the field often. Wilson has been waiting for his turn, and he will be a great rotational guy when Stone needs a breather.

Right Defensive End: PJ Adebawore, Kenny Ozowalu

The Sooners are working to bring back Adebawore on a new deal. He's going to be the other guy across from Wein and is considered an elite run defender. Ozowalu projects as an edge rusher, but I can see the Sooners bringing him in at DT during obvious passing downs. Either way, he will play on the edge more than the interior, at least to start.

Linebacker (MLB): Kip Lewis, Cole Sullivan

Kip Lewis is back, which is huge news for the Sooners. Without him, this unit would look much worse than it currently does. Heim can be a solid backup in 2026.

Linebacker (WLB): Owen Heinecke, Taylor Heim

The Sooners have Heinecke back, which instantly makes the LB room one of their best position groups, when it was going to be one with a few question marks. Heinecke is in for a huge season.

Cheetah: Reggie Powers, Jeremiah Newcombe

It's really hard to see who else would play this position other than Michael Boganowski, who's the starting safety. Time will tell who the backup is, but I’m starting to think it will be Newcombe. He’s got the size and speed to play the position, but still needs some development.

Cornerback: Courtland Guillory, Jacobe Johnson

Guillory is holding this spot down, but Johnson, who played well last season at times, will play some significant snaps behind Guillory or Bowen, whichever comes off the field.

Cornerback: Eli Bowen, Trystan Haynes

Bowen is the star CB. He and Guillory are the two starters who are set in stone. However, Bowen has dealt with some injuries, so we could see Haynes and even Fields a good bit.

Strong Safety: Peyton Bowen, Omarion Robinson

The starter is obvious here. However, the backup is in the position in question. It feels like Robinson is a player who can make a significant jump and become a backup. If not, he can definitely become a player that's in the rotation, maybe in that Jaydan Hardy role from last season.

Free Safety: Michael Boganowski, Niko Jandrea* OR Markel Ford*

Boganowski played that third safety role last season, so I can see him moving into the starter spot.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos