The Oklahoma Sooners concluded spring ball with a bang at the spring game. The first-team offense put on a show, led by a dynamic running game and a big-play passing game. The first-team defense had its way with the second-team offense, but there were a few second-teamers who stood out to put themselves in a position to earn roles in 2026.
The Oklahoma Sooners want to use a rotation at a number of positions, especially on the defensive side of the ball. There are still position battles that won't be settled until fall camp and could spill over into the season, but the Sooners have a strong roster that will be capable of contending in 2026. Here's how we're projecting the depth chart to shape up after spring ball.
Visit umafrika.club for more information.
Quarterback
- John Mateer
- Whitt Newbauer
- Bowe Bentley
The circumstances weren't great for the white team quarterback in the spring game, but Whitt Newbauer proved capable of holding up under fire. At least for this year, he's John Mateer's primary backup and could have a headstart on the starting quarterback gig in 2027. But don't let one spring game sour your impression of Bowe Bentley. The kid has all the tools to one day be the playmaker Oklahoma saw him as coming out of high school.
Running Back
- Lloyd Avant
- Xavier Robinson
- Tory Blaylock
- DeZephen Walker
- Jonathan Hatton
We had questions heading into spring ball about the running back position. We still have questions but only because without Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock practicing, Oklahoma didn't miss a beat. Lloyd Avant, DeZephen Walker, and Jonathan Hatton all had really nice springs and played well in the spring game. This will be one of the most competitive position battles Oklahoma will have in fall camp.
For now, we're going to roll with the back that got the start in the spring game, Avant, and assume that Robinson and Blaylock will be back in the mix in fall camp, with the potential that the Sooners will look to redshirt Walker and Hatton.
But I'd expect more shakeup to the running back depth chart before week 1.
Wide Receiver
- X: Parker Livingstone, JerMichael Carter, Manny Choice
- Slot: Isaiah Sategna, Jashiear Rogers, Jacob Jordan
- Z: Trell Harris, Mackenzie Alleyne, Elijah Thomas
Like running back, the wide receiver corps was missing a guy projected to be a starter for them in the fall, Trell Harris. But there are still big expectations for Harris, who had over 800 yards receiving for Virginia last season.
Beyond the starting lineup, the Sooners have really good depth heading into 2026. Rogers was the lone bright spot on offense for the white team during the spring game with five receptions for more than 70 yards. His speed and quickness will give him an opportunity to earn snaps as a true freshman.
Mackenzie Alleyne and Manny Choice were the big winners on the outside for Oklahoma during the spring. Both players have made a strong case for snaps in the wide receiver rotation this fall.
Tight End
- Hayden Hansen
- Rocky Beers
- Jack VanDorsalaer
They're calling tight end the most upgraded position group on the roster, and in the spring game, that looked to be the case. Oklahoma has the talent to play multiple tight ends with Hayden Hansen and Rocky Beers. Either one of them could start for the Sooners and Beers has the biggest upside with his speed, athleticism, and prowess as a receiver.
Offensive Line
- LT: Michael Fasusi, Deacon Schmitt.
- LG: Eddy Pierre-Louis, Payton Joseph
- C: Jake Maikkula, Noah Best
- RG: Heath Ozaeta, Ryan Fodje
- RT: E'Marion Harris, Ryan Fodje
The Oklahoma Sooners offensive line brings back a ton of talent and players who gained a ton of experience in 2025. The depth is certainly a question mark, but Oklahoma has Ryan Fodje, who can play guard and tackle and brought in Georgia Tech transfer Payton Joseph who can also play both guard and tackle. True freshmen Deacon Schmitt and Noah Best have the opportunity to earn roles in Oklahoma's two-deep.
Defensive Line
- DE: Taylor Wein, Kenny Ozowalu, Wyatt Gilmore
- NT: Jayden Jackson, Trent Wilson, Bishop Thomas
- DT: David Stone, Nigel Smith, James Carrington
- DE: Danny Okoye, Adepoju Adebawore, Jake Kreul
The defensive line lost a lot of talent from last year's team, but it's a depth chart that still has a ton of talent. With Taylor Wein, Jayden Jackson, and David Stone, the Sooners have an experienced and incredibly disruptive trio to work with. Then there's Danny Okoye, who looks primed for a breakout season in 2026. Also at defensive end, Adepoju Adebawore will see significant snaps for the Sooners. He's impactful in the running game and will be a force for Oklahoma's defense this year. Beyond my projected starters, Nigel Smith, Trent Wilson, and James Carrington made a ton of noise this spring and will factor into the defensive tackle rotation.
Linebacker
- MIKE: Owen Heinecke, Cole Sullivan, James Nesta
- WILL: Kip Lewis, Marcus James
- Cheetah: Reggie Powers III, Cole Sullivan, Jeremiah Newcombe
The return of Owen Heinecke was as big as any transfer portal addition made across the country this offseason. Heinecke and Kip Lewis give the Sooners one of the most impactful and disruptive linebacker duos in the country. Throw in ascending cheetah Reggie Powers, and the Sooners have a fast and physical starting lineup at the backer position.
Cole Sullivan was a huge pickup for the Sooners. With the return of Heinecke, Sullivan gets a year to acclimate to Brent Veables defense before taking the reins at middle linebacker in 2027. James Nesta and Marcus James were both creating buzz this spring and will earn a role in the Sooners' defense in the linebacker rotation.
Cornerback
- Eli Bowen, Jacobe Johnson
- Courtland Guillory, Trystan Haynes
Oklahoma has one of the best cornerback duos in the country for 2026 in former freshman All-Americans Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory. Bowen is a playmaker at corner and Guillory proved he's got the potential to be a shutdown corner with his aggressiveness and sticky coverage skills.
Safety
- Peyton Bowen, Omarion Robinson
- Michael Boganowski, Niko Jandreau
Peyton Bowen was arguably the MVP of the final month of the season for the Oklahoma Sooners defense and will be expected to have another big year leading the Sooners secondary. Michael Boganowski takes over for Robert Spears-Jennings and brings a fast, physical presence to the Sooners defense.
Omarion Robinson will be the first safety off the bench for the Sooners. Last year at SEC media days, Brent Venables mentioned Robinson when asked about freshmen who had stood out to that point and he hasn't slowed down his ascendancy.He's likely to take over for Bowen in 2027, so 2026 will be a big year to get his first real run at the collegiate level.
Kicker
- Tate Sandell
- Liam Evans
- Trace Rudd
Oklahoma brings back Lou Groza Award winner Tate Sandell for 2026. Without Sandell's proficiency from beyond 40 yards the Sooners probably don't make the College Football Playoff. Of his 27 attempts last season, only nine of them came from within 40 yards. With improvement from the offense, Sandell shouldn't be relied upon as much, and he'll get more opportunities to kick from inside the 40-yard line.
Punter
- Grayson Miller
- Jacob Ulrich
Grayson Miller didn't take over the punting job until Jacob Ulrich suffered an injury. Miller was really good for most of 2025, but had a couple of bad moments in the playoff game against Alabama that opened the door for a competition this offseason. The Sooners should feel comfortable with both players punting the ball for them.
Kick Returner
- Lloyd Avant
- Jacob Jordan
The Oklahoma Sooners only returned two kickoffs for 16 yards last season. They brought in Lloyd Avant to help add some potential to the kick return game. In two seasons, Avant has accumulated 660 return yards on 25 attempts, averaging 26.4 yards per return during his college career. He won't hit a big one every time but if he can help give the offense some short fields, it would be huge for the Sooners.
Punt Returner
- Isaiah Sategna
- Jashiear Rogers
Isaiah Sategna was one of the most important players on the Sooners in 2026, not only because of what he did as a receiver but because of his work in the punt return game. He averaged 13.3 yards per return and had a long return of 43 yards. Sategna has the potential to flip the field for the Sooners and create short fields for Oklahoma's offense.
Long Snapper
- Ben Anderson
- Seth Freeman
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Post-spring depth chart projection for the Oklahoma Sooners