Predicting which Oklahoma player will lead the Sooners in every major defensive stat in 2026

We already predicted which Oklahoma players will lead the Sooners in major offensive stats, so now it's time to do it for the defensive side of the ball.

Brent Venables' defense was one of the best in college football in 2025 while leading the FBS in tackles for loss and sacks per game, as well as being in the top 10 in total defense and scoring defense. The Sooners should be just as elite this season, meaning the guys leading the team in these major stats could be in All-American conversations.

Who leads OU in these defensive categories?

Total tackles: Kip Lewis

Linebacker Kip Lewis already led the Sooners with 76 total tackles last season, and he'll do it again in 2026. There's no reason to doubt Lewis after he already proved he can do this.

Lewis also tallied 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hurries and a forced fumble last year. All of those numbers should inflate even more in 2026, and I wouldn't be surprised if that total tackle number inches close to 100, so Lewis shouldn't just wrangle in tackles this season, but also national awards.

Tackles for loss: Owen Heinecke

It's hard to believe we're about to get our first full experience of linebacker Owen Heinecke.

Heinecke, a former walk-on, was a breakout star in 2025 while finally earning his way into the starting lineup and ultimately being named Second-Team All-SEC. He posted 74 total tackles, 12 TFL and three sacks. And he put up those numbers after beginning the campaign as an unknown reserve and not becoming a starter until the last five games of the season.

Now, Heinecke, for the first time ever, will hit the ground running with consistent playing time. He was already second on the team last year in TFL, so will be on top in the stat in 2026. He also has the best chance of surpassing Kip Lewis as the Sooners' total tackles leader.

There's a reason The Boz believes Heinecke could win the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in college football.

Sacks: Taylor Wein

Had future second-round pick R Mason Thomas not missed three games with a hamstring injury, he likely would have led the Sooners in sacks last year. Instead, it was Taylor Wein with seven during a breakout season in which he wasn't a staple in the starting lineup until the final six games.

Wein is now the pass rusher for the Sooners so will surpass that 2025 total and lead the team again. He also led Oklahoma with 15 TFL last season, so there's no denying he just has a knack for getting in the backfield.

Interceptions: Eli Bowen

Cornerback Eli Bowen missed four games last season because of injury and still was one of only three Sooners to tally two interceptions, joining his brother, Peyton, and fellow corner Jacobe Johnson. Two interceptions leading the team certainly isn't eye-popping, but Bowen is hopefully healthy this year and has even more experience under his belt to track down passes.

The only thing that might keep Bowen from stealing passes is if opposing quarterbacks just start refusing to throw his way.

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