Competitive depth is one of the pillars of the Oklahoma football program under Brent Venables in his time as the head coach in Norman. It was a major factor in a 10-win season and College Football Playoff appearance in 2025. But what is that next step for this team, how can they improve and go further in 2026?
We have seen players elevate their roles on a yearly basis and this year should be no different. There are several positions on the roster that are looking for someone to make that leap into the next level in their career and who could make a massive impact in 2026.
Manny Choice, WR
Manny Choice, along with fellow freshman wide receiver Elijah Thomas, had impressive performances last fall camp, but a lot of their impact in 2025 was made on special teams. Choice appeared in nine games last season as a freshman and did not record any stats. But 2026 may be the year for the 6-foot-4, 210-pound sophomore to make his break.
"(He) had a great offseason,” Venables said during spring camp. “I expect some really big things from Manny.”
Alongside the returning Isaiah Satenga and transfer additions Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone, Choice could add an additional element to make the Sooners' offense more explosive.
Omarion Robinson, S
The departure of Robert Spears-Jennings to the NFL and Jayden Hardy transferring to Colorado opened up two spots at safety for transfers or underclassmen to claim, including Omarion Robinson.
I think the early front runner to take one of those spots is Robinson. The sophomore safety appeared in nine games and had three tackles in 2025. The former top-50 prospect has all of the play-making ability and can add even more game-breaking skills to the defensive backfield. Robinson can high point the ball and stay with receivers in coverage and also can come up and make a massive impact in the running game.
Read more: A way-too-early 2026 Oklahoma depth chart prediction after spring camp
Jonathan Hatton Jr., RB
Jonathan Hatton Jr. was one of the prized possessions for the Sooners in their 2026 recruiting cycle. The four-star running back flipped his commitment to Oklahoma from Texas A&M back in November of 2025 and hopes to make an immediate impact in his freshman campaign in Norman.
Hatton had nearly 4,000 rushing yards and 61 total touchdowns during his high school career at Cibolo Steel (TX). He is joining a loaded backfield with returners Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock, plus the added additions of Hatton and fellow freshman Dezephen Walker. That creates one of the most explosive backfields in the nation.
Hatton is the perfect alternative for when Robinson or Blaylock go to the sideline. He is an immediate goal line and close yardage back who could quickly grow into a bigger role by the end of the season.
Jack Van Dorselaer, TE
The final additions to this list is former Tennessee tight end Jack Van Dorselaer. Most Sooner fans know him as the guy who had a pass hit him in the face on fourth down last season in the Vols' loss in Knoxville, but there is a little more that fans will like to see from the young tight end.
Van Dorselaer spent his freshman season in a complimentary role as a backup for the Volunteers but there were some flashes, including a couple of catches against Florida and a touchdown against East Tennessee State. But where the Sooners really like him, especially early in the season, is as a blocker.
Oklahoma completely rebuilt its tight end room with the addition of Van Dorselaer and fellow transfer additions Hayden Hansen and Rocky Beers. All three can provide an outlet in the passing game but they also are excellent run blockers who look to help improve the Sooners' struggling rushing offense.
Some of the most successful offenses in Oklahoma history have used the tight end position as a major element of the offense and the acquisition of Van Dorselaer could be the beginning of the rebirth of that position at Oklahoma.
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