Plenty of players were overshadowed last season because of all the stars on the Oklahoma Sooners' elite defense, but the spotlight could finally find one of those under-the-radar contributors in 2026.
PFSN's Cam Mellor recently pointed out that OU safety Michael Boganowski was tied among SEC safeties in 2025 for the lowest catch rate allowed. According to PFF stats, Boganowski had an impressive 40% catch rate allowed last season. No other SEC safety was better, while Mississippi State's Isaac Smith matched the number. Mellor also noted that Boganowski was second in the SEC with 0.29 yards allowed per coverage snap and in the top 6 for lowest passer rating when targeted.
Those overlooked stats, though, are just a glimpse at why Boganowski could be on the cusp of a breakout season in 2026.
Michael Boganowski quietly dominated SEC receivers last season
Lowest catch rate allowed, SEC safeties in 2025:
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) February 19, 2026
Isaac Smith, Mississippi State: 40.0%
Michael Boganowski, Oklahoma: 40.0%
Champ Anthony, Auburn: 50.0%
Wydett Williams Jr., Ole Miss: 51.1%
KJ Bolden, Georgia: 51.4%
Jelani McDonald, Texas: 52.6%
Jahron Manning, Mississippi State:… pic.twitter.com/QcBXGZsfm6
With Robert Spears-Jennings graduated and likely headed to the NFL, Boganowski is projected to take over as OU's starting free safety next season as a junior. Although Boganowski has just one start on his resume so far, he still has loads of experience with 26 career games under his belt while appearing in every game the past two seasons.
Boganowski got to OU in 2024 as a four-star recruit, according to Rivals, out of Junction City High School in Kansas. Despite not being an eye-popping prospect and being listed as a linebacker, Boganowski still impressed enough early that he immediately saw the field his freshman campaign as a reserve safety and on special teams. He had eight total tackles as a frosh.
Boganowski then actually started over Spears-Jennings in the Sooners' 2025 season opener against Illinois State as his lone career start. Even while backing up Spears-Jennings the rest of the season, Boganowski still reached another level while tallying 31 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. His best performance was a career-high five-tackle outing against Missouri as he stepped up down the stretch. There were also the unnoticed contributions like his insane pass coverage that was emphasized with the previously mentioned stats.
It will be Boganowski's time at free safety for the Sooners, and to this point, opportunity has really been the only ceiling for Boganowski, so with the roof now off, Boganowski could emerge as the next household name among Sooner Nation.