MVPs, top play and more from Oklahoma's 2024 football season

There's some good worth praising even after a 6-7 football season.

Oklahoma's 2024 football season was overall a disappointment, but there were still some standout players and shining moments. Here's to looking at the positive and handing out some superlatives to the Sooners, from MVPs to top play.

Offensive MVP: Jovantae Barnes

To be honest, there weren't many candidates here, but running back Jovantae Barnes stood above the rest even after battling injuries.

Despite missing the final four games of the season, Barnes still led the Sooners in rushing with 577 yards and five TDs on 122 carries, averaging 4.7 yards an attempt. Only quarterback Jackson Arnold had more carries than Barnes.

Barnes exploded in his last outing of the season against Maine, going off for 203 rushing yards and three scores. He was injured during that game, though, and didn't see the field again.

Defensive MVP: Kip Lewis

It was hard not to put Danny Stutsman here, but linebacker Kip Lewis just always seemed to step up when needed most.

Lewis was the man behind the top play of the year (more later), then almost matched it with another pick-6 in the upset of Alabama. You can't ignore a player who was responsible for probably the two biggest plays of the season.

Statistically, Lewis was third on the team with 63 total tackles. He also had four TFLs, two interceptions and a quarterback hurry.

Newcomer of the Year: Damonic Williams

There was a lot of noise surrounding defensive lineman Damonic Williams committing to the Sooners last year after transferring from TCU. Then he quietly backed all that hype up.

Williams started all 13 games this season and will be back next year for one last season instead of heading to the NFL. This season, he recorded 36 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, one sack, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

With all that being said, had receiver Deion Burks played more than five games, he probably would have been a lock for this award.

Freshman of the Year: Jayden Jackson

This was a loaded category between a pair of explosive running backs, a handful of receivers who stepped up and an undersized cornerback who exceeded expectations, but ultimately, defensive lineman was at the top of his class for a reason.

Jackson set the tone early, starting Week 1 and becoming the first true freshman to start on the defensive line in a season opener since 2001 for the Sooners. His first season then concluded with Jackson earning Freshman All-SEC honors and being named a Freshman All-American by ESPN and On3.

While playing in every game, Jackson tallied 30 tackles, three TFLs, two sacks and a pass breakup.

Top Play: Kip-6

Down 21-16 to Auburn in the fourth quarter, Kip Lewis picked off Payton Thorne and returned it for a 63-yard touchdown to give his team a 24-21 lead with 4:06 left. The Sooners ultimately won 27-21 after adding a field goal later to secure their first SEC win in program history.