After months of assembling the 2026 roster using the transfer portal and 2026 signing class to join the talent already in Norman, an actual depth chart is finally closer than ever with the Oklahoma Sooners kicking off their season against UTEP on Friday, Sept. 4, in Norman.
Fall camp presented unexpected position battles and injuries that caused OU's projected two-deep depth chart for Week 1 to look a little different than it did at the start of practices. Considering all the buzz and who needs to be replaced, here's the best prediction for what the Sooners' first depth chart of 2026 will look like.
Sooners projected 2-deep depth chart for 2026
Quarterback
John Mateer (5th)
Whitt Newbauer (JR)
Of note: Everyone's known since December that returning starter John Mateer would be QB1 again in 2026, but there was a battle between junior Whitt Newbauer and freshman Bowe Bentley to be his backup. Bentley is still the heir of the position, but it seems Newbauer's experience and familiarity in Year 2 of the system will have him at least start the season as QB2.
Running back
Lloyd Avant (JR)
Xavier Robinson (JR)
Of note: Running back was the position battle that stole the spotlight during fall camp despite returning Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock. Blaylock dealt with an injury throughout the spring and fall so seems to be RB3 now after leading the Sooners in rushing yards last season. Robinson will still likely take control of the backfield eventually, but at least for Week 1, expect Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant to be considered RB1 after impressing new position coach Deland McCullough throughout the offseason. Don't be surprised if freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. also eventually emerges.
This is a position that's still far from settled.
Wide receiver
Isaiah Sategna III (5th)
Mackenzie Alleyne (JR)
Trell Harris (5th)
Elijah Thomas (SO)
Parker Livingstone (JR)
Jer'Michael Carter (SR)
Of note: Isaiah Sategna III returns to assume his position as the Sooners' No. 1 receiver, and over the offseason, OU brought in transfers Trell Harris (Virginia) and Parker Livingstone (Texas) to give John Mateer even more weapons.
Mackenzie Alleyne was the third quiet portal addition who has impressed despite being a former walk-on at Washington State, Jer'Michael Carter got to Norman via the portal last year and this should be Elijah Thomas' time to break out. All three should see consistent time in the rotation behind the Big 3.
Tight end
Hayden Hansen (5th)
Rocky Beers (5th)
Jack Van Dorselaer (SO)
Of note: The most revamped position on the roster under new coach Jason Witten, the Sooners now have three legit dudes at tight end. All were starters at their old programs, with Hayden Hansen (Florida) and Jack Van Dorselaer (Tennessee) even having SEC experience. All three will get plenty of action as Hansen leads the pack.
Offensive line
LT- Michael Fasusi (SO), Peyton Joseph (SO)
LG- Eddy Pierre-Louis (SO), Daniel Akinkunmi (JR)
C- Ryan Fodje (SO), Caleb Nitta (SR)
RG- Heath Ozaeta (SR), Noah Best (FR)
RT- E'Marion Harris (SR), Fred Hinton (JR)
Of note: This was a position group pretty set in stone at the start of fall camp with four returning starters, but then starting center Jake Maikkula was injured during a scrimmage and will likely miss at least the season opener, and probably more. Ryan Fodje, Caleb Nitta and Noah Best are the three options to fill that void. Fodje is the most talented and versatile of the trio, even without experience at center, and also still gives the Sooners an experienced O-line.
If Fodje slides from right guard to center, the shuffling would put Heath Ozaeta in the starting lineup at right guard. The rest would still be as expected, with Michael Fasusi at left tackle, Eddy Pierre-Louis at left guard and Arkansas transfer E'Marion Harris at right tackle. Even without Maikkula, every starting offensive linemen has already started multiple games in the SEC with this lineup.
Defensive line
DE- Taylor Wein (SR), Kenny Ozowalu (JR)
DT- David Stone (JR), Bishop Thomas (5th)
DT- Jayden Jackson (JR), Trent Wilson (SO)
DE- Adepoju Adebawore (SR), Danny Okoye (JR)
Of note: Taylor Wein has had one edge locked up, but Adepoju Adebawore and Danny Okoye have had to fight on the other side. As a senior, Adebawore should get the initial nod to finally prove himself as a former five-star recruit, but that doesn't mean Okoye can't eventually win the job there.
There's also no question about Jayden Jackson and David Stone starting on the interior. Freshman James "Tank" Carrington was a surprise standout during fall camp and could have earned a spot in the rotation, but most likely it will still be Georgia State transfer Bishop Thomas and Trent Wilson serving as backups.
MIKE LB
Owen Heinecke (5th)
Cole Sullivan (JR)
SAM LB
Kip Lewis (5th)
James Nesta (SO)
Cheetah
Cole Sullivan (JR)
Reggie Powers III (JR)
Of note: Owen Heinecke's sudden return gifted the Sooners another returning starter to go beside Kip Lewis, but it also forced Brent Venables to figure out what to do with Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan, who was expected to get to Norman and take over a linebacker spot. Sullivan is just too talented to keep off the field so has been practicing a lot at cheetah, but depending on matchups, Reggie Powers III could also start there.
Strong safety
Peyton Bowen (SR)
Jeremiah Newcombe (JR)
Free safety
Michael Boganowski (JR)
Omarion Robinson (SO)
Of note: Peyton Bowen is back after getting Second-Team All-SEC honors last season, but next to him, it's Michael Boganowski's time to shine while replacing Robert Spears-Jennings. Both Jeremiah Newcombe and Omarion Robinson have also proven to be solid backups over the offseason.
Left corner
Courtland Guillory (SO)
Jacobe Johnson (SR)
Right corner
Eli Bowen (JR)
Trystan Haynes (SO)
Of note: The Sooners return both starting cornerbacks in Courtland Guillory and Eli Bowen, but depth behind them is still a question mark, especially with the group so banged up throughout fall camp. Jacobe Johnson is the most experienced player at the position, and on the other side, it feels like Trystan Haynes' job to lose.
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