During the Oklahoma Sooners' press conference ahead of fall camp, OU head coach Brent Venables said the team has position battles across the board, but some are certainly more heated than others.
The Sooners will kick off the 2025 season against Illinois State on Aug. 30, but before then, OU's season-opening depth chart will have to take shape during fall camp, which started Thursday.
Sooners' most crucial fall camp position battles
Offensive line
There could be an entire post dedicated to all the battles needed across the offensive line. Heading into fall camp, it seems Febechi Nwaiwu is the only one who has locked in a spot at right guard.
Next to Nwaiwu at right tackle, veterans Derek Simmons and Jake Taylor should go at it. Taylor won the same position battle last year, but then injuries derailed his season. However, Simmons also wasn't around then. He just transferred from Western Carolina with a lot of experience, but is still unproven against FBS talent. You also can't count out former five-star recruit Michael Fasusi here either.
Center will be another battle between a former starter and new transfer with Troy Everett and Jake Maikkula, who came from Stanford. Everett had the job last year, but then an injury to Everett caused a carousel for the Sooners at center.
On the other side, Jacob Sexton and Heath Ozaeta both started at left guard last season. Sexton also made starts at left tackle, so throw him into the mix with Logan Howland and maybe even Fasusi again at the other tackle spot.
Wide receiver
Deion Burks is the solidified starter at the slot, but other than that, OU's receiver group is made up of unknowns between transfers and players recovering from major injuries, including Burks.
Jayden Gibson should get a starting spot on the outside, but he also missed all of last season with an injury, so it depends on how he's recovered and how rusty he'll be after a year away. Transfers Javonnie Gibson, Jer'Michael Carter and Isaiah Sategna have fall camp to show what they got. Gibson looked to be the most likely of the group to start, but then he broke his leg during spring camp after transferring from Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
There's also last year's bunch of freshmen who were thrown into the fire because of injuries, including Ivan Carreon, Zion Kearney, Jacob Jordan and Zion Ragins. Freshman Elijah Thomas has also already raised some eyebrows.
Tight end
Other than the offensive line, tight end is the Sooners' next biggest question mark. Without being there for fall camp, it's basically a guess who will start here with nothing but unproven talent.
The Sooners already had redshirt junior Kaden Helms, who is a former four-star recruit, but has caught only three passes at OU. Will Huggins, Carson Kent and John Locke Jr. transferred in, but none have proven themselves at this level. Linebacker Jaren Kanak also converted to tight end to maybe help bolster the position.
Cornerback
It seemed at least Eli Bowen was a for-sure thing at cornerback, but now he'll miss at least the beginning of fall camp and already missed spring ball because of an injury. Now, someone else is might have to also step up for that spot, at least early on.
Gentry Williams was a starter here last season before an injury ended his season early. If Bowen is healthy Week 1, then it'll be Williams competing for his old job and the only open spot against Jacobe Johnson, Devon Jordan and maybe even freshman Courtland Guillory, who Venables already hyped up at SEC Media Days.
Venables also said Kendel Dolby will play some corner this season after primarily playing cheetah the last two years.
Cheetah
Dolby playing more cornerback means a battle at cheetah is even more likely. This had been Dolby's spot, but then he missed most of last season with an ankle injury. Sammy Omosigho then stepped up there with Dolby sidelined. But now, Oklahoma State transfer Kendal Daniels should also be in the mix after starting at safety and linebacker for the Cowboys.
However, who gets the nod here could also depend on matchups and situations on a week-by-week basis.
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