Preseason award watch list season is officially in full swing.
It seems like almost everyday a new Sooner is popping up on a different watch list for some sort of postseason award that won't be handed out until December. These serve only as expectations based on last season and nothing more, but they're still notable nonetheless. Oklahoma players will also continue to be included on these lists, so here's one updated spot to keep track.
Every Sooner on a preseason award watch list
Award
Patrick Mannelly Award
A fifth-year senior, Ben Anderson is on basically the only watch list he can be on for the Patrick Mannelly Award, which goes to the best long snapper. He was a semifinalist for the award in 2025 and was also a Second-Team All-SEC selection.
Award
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
Tory Blaylock led the Sooners in rushing yards last year as a freshman and is fighting to lead the backfield in 2026, but the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award is also about succeeding off the field, going to the top offensive player who also exhibits the characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity
Award
Chuck Bednarik Award
The Maxwell Football Club presents the Chuck Bednarik Award to the defensive player of the year, and senior Peyton Bowen could certainly rise as that after getting Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2025.
Award
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
Michael Fasusi immediately started as a freshman last season and will have the left tackle spot again, so he could bring in a lot of hardware eventually as a former five-star recruit. He was also named a team captain as a sophomore, which shows why he's being watched for an award that also takes into account how players are off the field.
Award
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
Hayden Hansen transferred to OU from Florida already with 34 starts in the SEC under his belt, so he should just find even more success for the Sooners.
Award
Biletnikoff Award
Trell Harris was Third-Team All-ACC last year for Virginia before transferring to OU, so if the Sooners get him to a new level like they did Isaiah Sategna III, then he definitely could be in the running for the Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver in college football.
Award
Butkus Award
Owen Heinecke should make the most of his additional year and Brian Bosworth, who won the Butkus Award himself, already called that Heinecke should be considered one of the best linebackers in college football.
Award
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year
As a recruit, defensive tackle Jayden Jackson was selected to the 2024 Polynesian Bowl, and now heading into his junior campaign, he's up for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year. He'll be a three-year starter and has NFL-level talent.
Award
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Butkus Award
Chuck Bednarik Award
Linebacker Kip Lewis will be the heartbeat of the Sooners' defense in 2026, which should give him the stage for a big national spotlight and why his award list keeps growing. Last season, he led the Sooners with 76 total tackles, plus 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. If he levels up like expected, Lewis will win some hardware in 2026.
Award
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
After crossing the Red River and transferring from Texas, wide receiver Parker Livingstone has the traits and motivation from his Longhorn shun to elevate into one of the best receivers in the SEC in 2026.
Award
Rimington Trophy
After transferring from Stanford last year, Jake Maikkula took over as the Sooners' starting center and is now one of four returning starters along the offensive line in 2026. There weren't exactly high expectations for Maikkula for 2025 but there are now after 10 starts. That's rightfully landed him on the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, which goes to the most outstanding center.
Award
Maxwell Award
Walter Camp Award
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Davey O'Brien Award
Manning Award
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
Quarterback John Mateer was a Heisman Trophy front runner early in 2025 before a broken thumb that required surgery derailed the rest of his season. He still toughed it out and missed just one game while totaling 2,885 passing yards with 14 TDs and 431 rushing yards with eight TDs.
Now healthy and a year of SEC experience under his belt, plus what appears to be an extremely progressive offseason, Mateer should be even better in 2026 with even more weapons to bolster his play.
Award
Ray Guy Award
Grayson Miller surprised last season as a First-Team All-SEC punter after transferring from Division-II Central Oklahoma. He's now rightfully starting the season as one of the best punters in the country on the Ray Guy Award watch list.
Award
Wuerffel Trophy
This could be a breakout season for defensive end Danny Okoye and he'll eventually get respect for what he accomplishes on the field, but for now, he's getting recognized for his excellence off the field on the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, which recognizes student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and make a positive impact in their communities.
Award
Lou Groza Award
Obviously the reigning Lou Groza Award winner would be on the list again to be deemed the best kicker in college football. Tate Sandell last year became the first kicker to ever win the award after transferring from UTSA.
Award
Paul Hornung Award
Biletnikoff Award
Isaiah Sategna III was John Mateer's top receiver last season but also served as the Sooners' punt returner. On top of 965 receiving yards and eight TDs, Sategna also had 138 return yards. Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle also isn't afraid to hand the ball to Sategna on occassion.
Read more: John Mateer and Isaiah Sategna's greatest advantage gets dismissed in QB/WR duo ranking
Sategna being a do-it-all man has him on the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, which is for the most versatile player in major college football. He's also expected to be one of the best receivers on the Biletnikoff Award watch list.
Awards
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Lombardi Award
Outland Trophy
Chuck Bednarik Award
The hype keeps building for David Stone, which is evident by that long list of preseason recognition. He's a former five-star recruit who will finally take over as a starter.
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