Oklahoma football: Ranking the 10 most important Sooners for 2021

1 of 11

NORMAN, OK – APRIL 24: Head coach Lincoln Riley of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the defense through some sprints after the team’s spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on April 24, 2021 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

A quick scan through the 2021 Oklahoma football roster reveals playmakers aplenty and a deep and talented complement of players in all phases of the game.

Many college football experts agree that this is the most talented and complete team the Sooners have assembled under head coach Lincoln Riley. It’s almost a given that the OU offense is going to be good — at least as long as Riley is there. The difference maker this year is the Sooner defense could easily be the best in the Big 12 if not one of the best in the country.

The Oklahoma defense this season is expected to be more reminiscent of the Sooners defenses in the early 2000s, just after Bob Stoops became head coach.

What makes this group of Sooners so special and different from most teams is that they don’t rely on just one or two superstars to get the job done. The dangerous nature of this team goes well beyond the star power of quarterback Spencer Rattler, who undeniably serves as the public face of the 2021 Oklahoma team.

We’ve taken the liberty of not only singling out the 10 most important players to the Sooners’ success this season, but ranked them as well, from one through 10, with one being the most essential to the team’s success.

Home/OU Football