Oklahoma’s hopes in 2026 are going to live and die with a handful of players who don’t all fit neatly into a “best player” list.
The Sooners are heading into the season with SEC-sized expectations, and that means the margin for error is thin. If Oklahoma is going to hit the level it believes it can reach, it will need impact from a quarterback, a kicker, a rising cornerback, a veteran receiver and a defensive tackle who could become the next big name in the middle of the defense.
John Mateer sits at the top of that group, and it isn’t hard to see why. Oklahoma already learned last season how different the offense looks depending on Mateer’s health.
Now the Sooners need him available again, but they also need more than durability. To make 2026 a special year, he may have to perform at a Heisman-contending level.
He’ll have more help around him this time, including more weapons and a more experienced offensive line, but the job still comes down to cutting down mistakes and showing up when the game is on the line. Mateer said, “I’ve progressed as the camp went on,” Mateer said.
“I made some mistakes, of course, but I’ve done it aggressively, and I think I’m learning from it.”
The most intriguing defensive name on the list is David Stone. The former five-star recruit has the kind of preseason buzz that comes with big expectations, and Oklahoma is hoping this is the year he turns that into real interior disruption.
The Sooners have built a reputation around dominant defensive tackles such as Tommy Harris, Dusty Dvoracek and Gerald McCoy, and Stone has a chance to keep that tradition rolling. If he becomes the kind of force offenses have to build their protection around, his value will go far beyond the numbers.
Tate Sandell may be the surprise at No. 2, but in the SEC, that’s exactly the kind of player who can swing a season. One possession can change everything, and Oklahoma already saw last year how much a kicker can matter.
Sandell, the Lou Groza Award winner, helped the Sooners in several games, including a key outing at Tennessee. If more tight games show up on the schedule, having a reliable leg becomes a real edge.
Oklahoma may not need every drive to finish in the end zone if Sandell keeps doing his job.
At receiver, Oklahoma is counting on Trell Harris to give the offense another layer. Isaiah Sategna is already an established option, but Harris could make the passing game far more dangerous if he stays healthy and keeps flashing the burst he has shown in practice.
John Mateer was quick to point out what the veteran brings beyond speed, saying, “He runs hard. He’s smart.
He sets the tone. He’s always ready to go,” Mateer said.
If Harris turns that into production, Oklahoma could have a passing attack with multiple real threats.
Then there’s Courtland Guillory, who made his mark as a true freshman and now faces an even bigger test. The schedule is loaded with talented receivers, and a lot of those assignments could land on Guillory opposite Eli Bowen.
That makes his development a major piece of the defense’s outlook. Guillory isn’t shying away from the challenge, either.
“That’s why we play in the SEC, the best of the best,” Guillory said. “I want to show that I’m the best.
So that’s what I’m here to do, to play the best receivers every week and showcase my talents.”
For Oklahoma, these five players may not be the five most gifted names on the roster. But if the Sooners are going to reach the level they’re chasing in 2026, they may be the five that matter most.
In Other News...
OU Is Forcing A Tough Stadium Tradeoff Fans May Hate
The planned changes at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium are no longer just a vague idea, with Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny confirming the reduction of roughly 7,000 seats is moving ahead. The final design is still being evaluated, but the message to fans is already clear enough: this is a major stadium tradeoff, one driven by the schools push to keep the football program financially competitive while modernizing the venue.
For longtime season-ticket holders, the hard part may be less about the number of seats than where everyone ends up. Denny acknowledged the concern over relocations and said the department is working to make sure all season-ticket holders still have a place in the stadium, even as the seating map changes around them. For fans who have spent years with the same view, the coming reshuffle may be the part of the project that feels most personal. [Read more 🡒]
Sooners Legend Faces Health Scare As Fans Await Word On Recovery
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Holieways note also underscored how much his place in Sooners lore still resonates, even years after his playing days ended. The response from the Oklahoma community has been one of prayers and well wishes, with supporters hoping the former quarterback continues moving in the right direction in the days ahead. [Read more 🡒]
OU Fans Need To Know What Changed Before The Home Opener
With the home opener approaching, Oklahoma is trying to make the trip to Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium a little less chaotic for fans heading to campus. The universitys athletics department, working with Norman police and OU police, has released new game day driving maps and protocols aimed at improving traffic flow and making the arrival process safer and smoother.
The advice is pretty straightforward, but it matters on a crowded Saturday: plan parking in advance, leave early, expect delays near campus and use the official routing maps instead of relying on GPS. The school is also pushing carpooling and basic vehicle-security precautions, all part of an effort to keep the focus on the game instead of the headache of getting in and out of the area. [Read more 🡒]