Projecting Oklahoma’s depth chart vs. Georgia with the roster decimated by injuries

In what has become a tradition in Norman, the Oklahoma Sooners are dealing with a lot of injuries.

The initial availability report that was released on Wednesday already ruled out five OU players for the Sooners' SEC opener at No. 2 Georgia on Saturday. Of the five, four would be in the starting lineup if they were healthy. There's also starting defensive tackle David Stone, who's listed as questionable.

That makes the Sooners' depth chart far from ideal, but what could it look like against Georgia with so many replacements?

OU's projected Week 4 depth chart vs. Georgia without at least 4 starters

Quarterback
John Mateer (5th)
Whitt Newbauer (JR)

As much as some fans might want a change here, John Mateer will be QB1 going forward because there's no one behind him worth a replacement. Now, if the season really goes downhill, then maybe we could see freshman Bowe Bentley get the reins early or even Whitt Newbauer get a chance to show what he has.

Running back
Lloyd Avant (JR)
Tory Blaylock (SO)
Jonathan Hatton Jr. (FR)
Xavier Robinson (JR)

There haven't been any injuries to the Sooners' backfield, but it still might be getting shaken up the most after Week 3.

Lloyd Avant is obviously RB1, but against New Mexico, freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. was the second running back to touch the ball and finished with the second-most carries. Hatton missed some assignments, though, so running backs coach Deland McCullough might not trust him enough yet in a road game against Georgia.

Last week was also Tory Blaylock's first game back fully healthy, so his time could increase going forward, with a chance to assert himself as RB2. Then there's Xavier Robinson, who went from fighting to be RB1 to getting only two carries a week ago.

Wide receiver

Isaiah Sategna III (5th)
Mackenzie Alleyne (JR)

Elijah Thomas (SO)
Parker Livingstone (JR)

Trell Harris might be out for the rest of the season, and Jer'Michael Carter, listed as questionable, could be sidelined again this week. Elijah Thomas will be the main receiver who will need to step up while Harris is out. Mackenzie Alleyne will also see more time, and maybe even Manny Choice if Carter is out.

Tight end
Hayden Hansen (5th)
Rocky Beers (5th)

Don't fix what's not broken, and right now, tight end is the only bright spot on OU's offense.

Offensive line

LT - Ryan Fodje (SO), Peyton Joseph (SO)

LG - Heath Ozaeta (SR), Eddy Pierre-Louis (SO)

C - Jake Maikkula (5th), Caleb Nitta (SR)

RG - Noah Best (FR), Eddy Pierre-Louis (SO)

RT - E'Marion Harris (SR), Deacon Schmitt (FR)

The Sooners have yet to be healthy up front this season, so that means more shuffling again, with left tackle Michael Fasusi already being ruled out. It's not as easy as just plug-and-play for Bill Bedenbaugh's unit either.

Ryan Fodje will likely fill in again at left tackle and still hasn't played his usual spot at right guard yet this season. Freshman Noah Best will be at right guard again for his fourth career start.

The biggest shake-up could then be at left guard. The offensive line has been struggling, so Bedenbaugh needs to try something new. Eddy Pierre-Louis has been underwhelming at left guard, so Heath Ozaeta could start over him as a veteran presence in a hostile road environment if there's any extra change.

E'Marion Harris could also eventually lose his job at right tackle, but until everyone is healthy again, there's really no one else to start over Harris.

Defensive line

DE - Taylor Wein (SR), Wyatt Gilmore (JR)

DT - Trent Wilson (SO), Braxton Fely (5th), Bishop Thomas (5th)

DT - Jayden Jackson (JR), Nigel Smith II (JR)

DE - Adepoju Adebawore (SR), Danny Okoye (JR)

The biggest question mark for this entire depth chart is who will replace David Stone at defensive tackle if he's out. There are really four realistic options: Trent Wilson, Braxton Fely, Bishop Thomas, and Nigel Smith II.

I'm leaning Wilson to get the start, but it will probably be a heavy rotation. Fely just joined the roster right before the season started as a 5-in-5 addition from Boise State, but if he's caught up, he could also start (and should).

MIKE LB
Owen Heinecke (5th)
Dane Bathurst (FR)

WILL LB
Kip Lewis (5th)
James Nesta (SO)

SAM LB
James Nesta (JR)
Jaydon Southard (5th)

Cheetah
Reggie Powers III (JR)
Jeremiah Newcombe (JR)

Kip Lewis' likely return is massive for the Sooners. They're still thin, though, without Cole Sullivan. That means James Nesta will still get a lot of time, and Owen Heinecke might not come off the field. Reggie Power III could also be out there a lot in his cheetah role instead of the Sooners using another linebacker.

Strong safety
Peyton Bowen (SR)
Markel Ford (FR)

Free safety
Omarion Robinson (SO)
Niko Jandreau (FR)

With no Michael Boganowski, Omarion Robinson should get the start again at free safety. What's a little scary is that the Sooners' safety depth relies on two freshmen while going on the road to Georgia.

Left corner
Courtland Guillory (SO)
Trystan Haynes (SO)

Right corner
Eli Bowen (JR)
Jacobe Johnson (SR)

Thankfully, no changes or concerns here. This will help make up for the Sooners being banged up everywhere else on the defense.

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