The Oklahoma Sooners are gearing up for the 2026 football season with sky-high expectations, and there's a good reason for that optimism. It's all about the talent they're bringing back, particularly a standout player who isn't the quarterback, John Mateer, but his top target, Isaiah Sategna.
Sategna, an Arkansas transfer, made waves in 2025, becoming a revelation for the Sooners. He finished third in the SEC with 965 receiving yards, snagging eight touchdowns on 67 receptions.
His impact didn't stop there; he also racked up 318 yards as a punt returner. Keeping Sategna out of the draft and the transfer portal was a massive win for Oklahoma, setting the stage for another thrilling season.
To put Sategna's performance in perspective, the last time an Oklahoma receiver surpassed his receiving yards and receptions in a single season was back in 2018, with stars like Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb. That year, the Sooners went 12-2, just a notch above their 2025 finish.
In ESPN's too-early Top 25, Oklahoma ranks No. 13 overall and fifth among SEC teams, trailing powerhouses like No. 2 Texas and No.
4 Georgia. They're one of eight SEC teams making the list, showcasing the conference's depth and competitiveness.
The Sooners will kick off their season at home on September 5 against Texas-El Paso, ready to prove that the hype is real and that they're a force to be reckoned with in the SEC.