Oklahoma Sooners news: Sooners at SEC Media Days, more WR worries, Hugh Freeze on Jackson Arnold

Sooners at SEC Media Days

Now it’s the Oklahoma Sooners’ turn at SEC Media Days.

The Sooners get the spotlight on Day 3 of the four-day event on Wednesday. Quarterback John Mateer, defensive end R Mason Thomas and safety Robert Spears-Jennings are in Atlanta, Georgia, to represent OU with head coach Brent Venables.

OU will be the last team of the day to take the stage after Alabama, Mississippi State and Florida. Venables will speak at 1:45 p.m. CT while all will also do interviews throughout the day. Coverage of SEC Media Days is on SEC Network all day.

Growing WR concerns

More bad news keeps coming for the Sooners in their quest to get receiver talent to Norman.

OU has just one receiver committed from the 2026 class so far in four-star Daniel Odom, and on Tuesday, Rivals’ Adam Gorney reported that Odom plans to visit Colorado during this upcoming season. Odom already took official visits to Florida State and Washington this summer with growing concern he’ll flip before signing day.

The Sooners’ last lifeline, especially if Odom flips, is four-star Davian Groce. Multiple recruiting experts have recently predicted OU to land Groce. If not, OU will be down to just six offered 2026 WR targets that haven't made a decision yet. Of those six, though, four aren't even rated by 247Sports.

Freeze backs Arnold

Former OU quarterback Jackson Arnold was back at SEC Media Days, but this time representing the Auburn Tigers instead of the Sooners after transferring this offseason.

Of course Arnold was asked OU-related questions throughout the day,, and Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze was also asked plenty about his new QB. During an interview with SEC Network, Freeze blamed Arnold's situation at OU for his struggles last season and expects a turnaround from Arnold with a new program.

"They had a ton of injuries that I think really affected the play around Jackson," Freeze said. "And three different coordinators. That rattled his confidence. I think that's what he needed was just a confidence rebuild and a reset. And I think our receivers have helped him feel confident throughout spring practice. Knowing that I believe in him and our staff believes in him I think is what he needed to reset."

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