After a disappointing 2025 NFL Draft for the Oklahoma Sooners, next year already looks more promising.
As soon as the 2025 NFL Draft concluded with only two OU players getting selected, analysts immediately started looking to next year and 2026 prospects.
Although most aren't included in way-too-early mock drafts yet, some OU players are already emerging as 2026 NFL Draft prospects, including some new faces Sooner Nation will get to claim throughout their pro careers.
OU players already getting buzz as 2026 NFL Draft prospects
R Mason Thomas, a senior defensive end, already popped up as a first-round pick on CBS Sports' first mock draft for 2026. CBS Sports projected Thomas to go to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 19th overall pick. Obviously all that depends on needs and how next season goes in the NFL.
Thomas was an All-SEC Second-Team selection last season after recording 39 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
John Mateer will be part of what's expected to be an absolutely loaded quarterback class. Although there are high expectations for his first season at OU, Mateer could get washed out by how much talent is at the position. However, that could actually benefit the Sooners if Mateer is forced to stay another season.
This will be Mateer's first (and possibly only) season at OU after transferring from Washington State. He led FBS with 44 total touchdowns last season as a sophomore with his ability to throw and run.
In 2023, he backed up Cam Ward, who was just the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after starting his career as a zero-star recruit. New OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle has been an integral part of both Mateer and Ward's development.
The Sooners just landed Jaydn Ott, who was the No. 1 running back in the transfer portal this spring from Cal. Although an ankle injury hindered him throughout last season, Ott led the Pac-12 with 1,305 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. Based on that success, CBS Sports already predicted Ott to emerge as the top running back in the SEC.
Running back draft stock drastically varies and sometimes doesn't even seem to be based on production, though. Draft Network projects Ott to be a second- or third-round pick next year.
This wouldn't have to be Adepoju Adebawore's final college season, but based on early projections, it likely will be. NFL Draft Buzz already projects Adebawore is an early second-round pick, and he hasn't even started a game in college yet at defensive end.
The Sooners didn't even have a player selected until the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and right now, that's where NFL Draft Buzz has Robert Spears-Jennings going.
Spears-Jennings, entering his senior season, had 119 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, one interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries last year.
Another defensive back from OU's secondary, NFL Draft Buzz has Samuel Omosigho going as high as the first round as a safety. He, too, would have to forgo his senior season, which looks likely.
Omosigho is certainly versatile, having started three games at Brent Venables' hybrid cheetah position last season. He also has good size for a defensive back at 6-foot-1 and 234 pounds.
Although he lacks typical size for an NFL receiver at only 5-foot-9, Deion Burks will get looks because of his speed and ability to get open. The Draft Network has Burks as the last pick of the first round to the Philadelphia Eagles in its Way-Too-Early 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
Burks' first season at OU last year was shortened because of injuries, but in 2023, he led Purdue with 629 receiving yards and seven TDs.
This time last year, people were talking about Damonic Williams as a 2025 NFL Draft prospect. Instead, he's back for a second season with the Sooners after transferring from TCU last year.
Willliams, listed at 6-foot-1 and 320 pounds, has 95 tackles, 14 TFL, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 40 career games. Barring an injury, he will finish his career with over 50 games under his belt.
Read more about OU football