The Oklahoma Sooners start fall camp practices on Wednesday heading into Year 5 under Brent Venables, and other than a few spots and depth needs, the next month will be more about preparation than figuring out a depth chart. And that's a good thing.
That makes the Sooners' depth chart pretty easy to predict, for the most part, especially with Venables' starting defense being made up of program guys (other than maybe one). Venables back in June already sounded like he had the starting defense figured out other than cheetah.
Here's what it looks like Oklahoma's two-deep will be heading into fall camp.
Read more: 3 position battles Brent Venables has to figure out during Oklahoma's fall camp
Sooners projected 2-deep depth chart for 2026
Quarterback
John Mateer (R-SR)
Bowe Bentley (FR)
Of note: John Mateer is clearly QB1 as the returning starter, but there will still be a QB battle during fall camp between freshman Bowe Bentley and redshirt sophomore Whitt Newbauer for the backup spot. Simply, Bentley is more talented than Newbauer and is the heir to the position. With the Sooners no longer having to worry about redshirting Bentley because of the new 5-in-5 rule, Bentley should assume the QB2 role to start gaining experience immediately when he can.
Running back
Lloyd Avant (JR)
Xavier Robinson (JR)
Of note: This felt like a backfield-by-committee between returners Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock, but after both were injured during the spring and Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant impressed during their absence, new running backs coach Deland McCullough said Tuesday that if the Sooners played today, Avant would lead the backfield.
Will that stick? Probably not. There's too much talent and Avant wasn't exactly spectacular even at Colorado State. Even if Avant gets the early nod, Robinson will still eventually take over, but still also watch out for Blaylock and freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr.
Wide receiver
Isaiah Sategna III (R-SR)
Trell Harris (R-SR)
Parker Livingstone (R-SO)
Mackenzie Alleyne (R-SO)
Elijah Thomas (SO)
Of note: Isaiah Sategna III returns as Mateer's leading receiver from 2025 and the Sooners brought in Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone to give Mateer more weapons. Beyond that, Mackenzie Alleyne has been a surprise after transferring from Washington State, where he walked on, and showing out in the spring. Elijah Thomas also has a ton of talent and fans are just waiting for him to finally get more opportunity.
Tight end
Hayden Hansen (R-SR)
Rocky Beers (R-SR)
Jack Van Dorselaer (SO)
Of note: The Sooners' new-look tight end room is finally loaded with talent under new position coach Jason Witten. Hayden Hansen already has SEC experience with 34 starts under his belt at Florida so he will slot in seamlessly. Rocky Beers will be a massive red-zone target for Mateer and Jack Van Dorselaer will get more experience before taking over the position next year.
Offensive line
LT-Â Michael Fasusi (SO), Peyton Joseph (R-FR)
LG-Â Eddy Pierre-Louis (R-SO), Daniel Akinkunmi (R-SO)
C-Â Jake Maikkula (R-SR), Caleb Nitta (R-JR)
RG-Â Ryan Fodje (SO), Heath Ozaeta (R-JR)
RT-Â E'Marion Harris (R-SR), Fred Hinton (JR)
Of note: The Sooners return four of five starters from 2025 between Michael Fasusi, Eddy Pierre-Louis, Jake Maikkula and Ryan Fodje. E'Marion Harris likely earns that fifth spot because of his prior SEC experience as a starter at Arkansas before transferring over the offseason. Heath Ozaeta could also compete for a starting job and will be a stellar backup.
Defensive line
DE-Â Taylor Wein (R-JR), Kenny Ozowalu (R-SO)
DT-Â David Stone (JR), Bishop Thomas (R-SR)
DT-Â Jayden Jackson (JR), Trent Wilson (R-FR)
DE-Â Adepoju Adebawore (SR), Danny Okoye (R-SO)
Of note: The only battle along the defensive line will be between Adepoju "PJ" Adebawore and Danny Okoye for the edge spot opposite of Taylor Wein. Although I think Okoye will eventually take control, Venables seems adamant on giving Adebawore, a former five-star recruit, a rightful shot first.
MIKE LB
Owen Heinecke (R-SR)
Cole Sullivan (JR)
SAM LB
Kip Lewis (R-SR)
Taylor Heim (R-JR)
Cheetah
Cole Sullivan (JR)
Reggie Powers III (JR)
Of note: With Owen Heinecke returning, he and Kip Lewis have the linebacker spots locked up. Cole Sullivan, though, transferred from Michigan expecting to start in Heinecke's place, so cheetah will be Venables' chance to get Sullivan in the starting lineup. Depending on matchup, Reggie Powers III will also likely get some starts there.
Strong safety
Peyton Bowen (SR)
Jeremiah Newcombe (R-SO)
Free safety
Michael Boganowski (JR)
Omarion Robinson (R-FR)
Of note: Peyton Bowen is a returning starter, but Michael Boganowski has the task of replacing Robert Spears-Jennings as yet another program guy on this unit.
Left corner
Courtland Guillory (SO)
Jacobe Johnson (SR)
Right corner
Eli Bowen (JR)
Trystan Haynes (R-FR)
Of note: It's been clear since last season that Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory would lock down the corners, but beyond Jacobe Johnson, the Sooners didn't have much depth there after a mass transfer portal exodus. OU added a few through the portal, but Trystan Haynes probably gets his chance here.
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