Oklahoma Sooners news: Depth chart surprises, injury insights, Jalen Hurts Top 100

Depth chart surprises

Oklahoma on Monday released its first depth chart of the 2025 college football season ahead of the Sooners' season opener against Illinois State at 5 p.m. CT Saturday in Norman. It featured a lot of "ORs" and a few surprises.

The biggest position that raised eyebrows was running back, where last year's RB1 Jovantae Barnes was listed as the starter, followed by freshman Tory Blaylock. Most expected top Transfer Portal addition Jaydn Ott to immediately lead the backfield, but he was listed as RB3 with an "OR" alongside Xavier Robinson.

Barnes and Blaylock were the only running backs who were healthy all of fall camp, resulting in them topping the depth chart for at least Week 1.

The depth chart also showed there were still no certainties along the offensive line, with Febechi Nwaiwu listed as the only lone starter at right guard. Both tackle spots included position battles between three players each.

Injury insights

The first depth chart also revealed the Sooners will be without some key contributors because of injury, at least to start the season. Defensively, expected starters cornerback Eli Bowen and cheetah/corner Kendel Dolby were absent. Jayden Gibson and Javonnie Gibson were also nowhere to be found at any of the wide receiver spots.

Their absences all but confirm none of those players will play on Saturday.

Jalen Hurts in NFL Top 100

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts became the eighth and likely finally Sooner to be included on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025. Hurts took a disrespectful drop from No. 15 to No. 19 in the rankings despite finishing last season as Super Bowl MVP. However, voting for the list was done before the previous regular season was even over.

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