Oklahoma football: Five Sooners to keep a watchful eye on in 2021

Dec 30, 2020; Arlington, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey (8) rushes Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones (5) in the fourth quarter at ATT Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2020; Arlington, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey (8) rushes Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones (5) in the fourth quarter at ATT Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

With about a month to go before college football preseason practice sessions get underway around the country, the anticipation is beginning to build for what Oklahoma football fans believe could be a very special season.

Followers of the Sooners have good reason to be optimistic with starting quarterback Spencer Rattler returning along with an experienced offensive line and an arsenal loaded with offensive weapons and explosive playmakers. And then there’s also a stronger overall defense that returns eight starters from a unit that finished 29th in total defense and ninth in rushing defense last season.

This is probably the most complete Oklahoma team, solid in all phases, that Lincoln Riley has had in his now five seasons as head coach. And to add further perspective, we’re talking about four previous season in which the Sooners made three College Football Playoff appearances and won four consecutive Big 12 championships.

Here are five Sooners to pay particular attention to — who may not come immediately to mind when you think of the OU headline makers — and who we believe could be major contributors to Oklahoma’s success this season: