Projecting Oklahoma’s 2025 two-deep depth chart after spring roster shakeup

The roster should be complete now.
Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

After some spring transfer portal additions and new general manager Jim Nagy's first touches, the Oklahoma Sooners' 2025 roster should be complete.

Since things are settled now, the Sooners' two-deep depth chart can also start to get sorted out before position battles really heat up after this summer during fall camp. Here's an early look at OU's possible lineup after a few additions and losses this spring.

Sooners’ updated two-deep prediction after key spring transfer portal additions

Offense

QB: John Mateer, Michael Hawkins Jr.

There was never any question John Mateer would be the Sooners' QB1 after transferring from Washington as the No. 1 player available in the portal to follow his offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle.

Michael Hawkins Jr. also makes for a reliable backup after starting four games last season as a freshman. However, beyond these two, the Sooners don't have much more at QB other than incoming freshman Jett Niu.

RB: Jaydn Ott, Jovantae Barnes

The Sooners' biggest portal addition this spring was Jaydn Ott, who was the No. 1 running back available after transferring from California. Before that move, it seemed Jovantae Barnes would lead OU's backfield again.

This is a crowded position, though. Xavier Robinson and Taylor Tatum could also get some carries, with Robinson even possibly surpassing Barnes on the depth chart.

WR-X: Javonnie Gibson, Jer'Michael Carter

There was a lot of hype coming out of spring camp about Javonnie Gibson after he transferred from Arkansas-Pine Bluff this past winter. Gibson then broke his leg and missed the Crimson Combine, but Brent Venables said he still expects Gibson to be back before the season opener.

If not, the Sooners added Jer'Michael Carter from McNeese this spring. At 6-foot-4, he added some needed size and could be a hidden gem from the FCS level.

Slot: Deion Burks, Isaiah Sategna

Deion Burks was OU's leading receiver last year before multiple injuries limited him to five games after transferring from Purdue. This season, he should emerge as Burks' top target.

Isaiah Sategna was a speedy new addition from Arkansas. Jacob Jordan also stepped up last season as a walk-on freshman when Burks was injured.

WR-Z: Jayden Gibson, Ivan Carreon

Jayden Gibson was poised for a breakout campaign last year before an injury during fall camp ended his entire season before it even got started. He's healthy now, though, so this should be the season he gets to the next level.

At 6-foot-6, Ivan Carreon is another massive receiver to fill in when Gibson comes off the field so Mateer always has a big target.

TE: Kaden Helms, Will Huggins

No player really stands out at tight end for OU and no one is proven, so this could be one of the key position battles during fall camp. It's also unknown how much Arbuckle will use a tight end in his offense.

Kaden Helms seems to have the most talent of the bunch as a former four-star recruit. Will Huggins has SEC size at 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds, but he's coming from the Division-II level. Carson Kent and John Locke Jr. didn't do much at their previous stops. Kade McIntyre is inexperienced. Jaren Kanak is converting from linebacker.

LT: Logan Howland, Michael Fasusi

Logan Howland took over the left tackle spot last year and started there the last five games of the season as a freshman. The Sooners' offensive line showed significant improvement after Howland and Heath Ozaeta took control of that left side.

This spot won't be handed back to Howland, though. Michael Fasusi was the top-rated recruit in OU's 2025 class and is expected to make an immediate impact, whether that's as a starter or coming off the bench (for now).

LG: Jacob Sexton, Heath Ozaeta

This was Jacob Sexton's spot until an injury ended his season, then Heath Ozaeta stepped up as a redshirt freshman. This will likely go to Sexton first since he won the job last year when healthy, but the Sooners have two guys here good enough to start.

C: Troy Everett, Jake Maikkula

Center was a carousel for the Sooners last year after Troy Everett was injured early on. He then started the last seven games, but Jake Maikkula could also compete for his spot after transferring from Stanford this spring.

RG: Febechi Nwaiwu, Eddy Pierre-Louis

Febechi Nwaiwu was the only constant on the offensive line last season for the Sooners while starting every game at right guard. Eddy Pierre-Louis will develop into a solid backup as a sophomore who appeared in only four games last season.

RT: Derek Simmons, Jake Taylor

Derek Simmons, from Western Carolina, was the best offensive lineman OU got from the portal this offseason. He didn't allow a single sack last season at the FCS and should be able to immediately crack the starting lineup.

Jake Taylor started four games at right tackle last season so will compete with Simmons for this job.

Defense

LDE: Marvin Jones Jr., Adepoju Adebawore

Marvin Jones Jr., from Florida State, was OU's best addition from the transfer portal for the defensive side of the ball. However, Adepoju Adebawore has an extremely high ceiling as a former consensus five-star recruit and is looking to make his first start as a junior after backing up Ethan Downs.

DT: Jayden Jackson, David Stone

Jayden Jackson made history last season starting on OU's defensive line as a freshman. David Stone was just as highly recruited in the same class. This is a stacked position, where Gracen Halton could also rotate, as well.

NT: Damonic Williams, Gracen Halton

Damonic Williams was OU's biggest portal get in 2024 and started all but one game last season. Gracen Halton will get one of the backup spots behind Williams or Jackson, and he might even push Jackson for the starting job.

RDE: R Mason Thomas, Danny Okoye

While Jones and Adebawore battle it out at the other defensive end spot, this job solely belongs to R Mason Thomas, who is an early projected first-round NFL Draft pick. He's also the perfect guy for Danny Okoye to sit behind as a redshirt freshman.

MLB: Kobie McKinzie, Owen Heinecke

Kobie McKinzie gets the tall task of replacing Danny Stutsman at middle linebacker. It's his job to lose, but there's more questions than answers behind him.

WLB: Kip Lewis, Sammy Omosigho

Although McKinzie will start at middle linebacker, Kip Lewis will probably step up as OU's defensive staple with Stutsman gone. Lewis started all but one game last season at weak side linebacker.

Sammy Omosigho made three starts at cheetah last season, but is primarily a linebacker.

CHEETAH: Kendel Dolby, Kendal Daniels

Kendel Dolby had settled into the cheetah spot before an injury ended his season. Kendal Daniels was also built for this role after playing both safety and linebacker at Oklahoma State before transferring this winter.

CB: Eli Bowen, Devon Jordan

Eli Bowen became a star as a freshman last season. Devon Jordan could compete with Jeremiah Newcombe to back Bowen up.

SS: Peyton Bowen, Jaydan Hardy

The brother of Eli Bowen, Peyton Bowen shared the free safety spot with Robert Spears-Jennings last season. But with Billy Bowman Jr. now with the Atlanta Falcons, Bowen should slide over to strong safety so the Sooners' two best options can be on the field.

FS: Robert Spears-Jennings, Michael Boganowski

Robert Spears-Jennings started the last 11 games of the season at free safety after winning the job from Peyton Bowen. Now, it should be all his.

Michael Boganowski will also need to develop behind Spears-Jennings, because Spears-Jennings could be headed to the NFL after next season.

CB: Jacobe Johnson, Gentry Williams

This will be another battle during fall camp. This was Gentry Williams' spot before an injury ended his season, but Jacobe Johnson has been impressive when given the chance, even while playing corner and receiver last season.

Special teams

K: Tate Sandell, Austin Welch

OU just added Tate Sandell this spring from UTSA, where he set a couple of school records. Sandell will for sure get kickoff duties, but Austin Welch, from Kennesaw State, could get a shot as OU's place kicker.

P: Jacob Ulrich

Kennesaw State had one of the worst offenses in the country last season, which gave Jacob Ulrich lots of experience and a chance to emerge as one of the top punters in the country before transferring.

KR: Isaiah Sategna, Peyton Bowen

Isaiah Sategna might not get many chances at receiver, but he should still be a weapon for the Sooners on special teams.

PR: Isaiah Sategna, Peyton Bowen

Peyton Bowen returned punts for OU last season but struggled at times, so Sategna should take over these duties.

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