Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell Left Off Way-Too-Early All-America Team, Despite Lou Groza-Winning Season
You’d think bringing back the best kicker in college football would earn at least a preseason nod. But according to On3’s Way-Too-Early 2026 All-America Team, that’s not the case for Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell - and Sooner fans are rightfully scratching their heads.
Sandell, the reigning Lou Groza Award winner, was nowhere to be found on the list released Tuesday. Instead, Ole Miss kicker Lucas Carneiro got the first-team nod, despite not even being a finalist for the Groza in 2025.
That’s not just a curious omission - it’s a flat-out snub.
Sandell’s Historic 2025 Season
Let’s talk about what Sandell actually did last season, because it wasn’t just good - it was record-breaking.
After missing his first and last field goal attempts of the year, Sandell went on a tear, drilling 24 straight kicks in between. That streak set both an Oklahoma and SEC record.
His season totals? 24-of-27 on field goals and a perfect 35-for-35 on PATs.
That’s the kind of consistency coaches dream about.
But it wasn’t just about making kicks - it was how he made them. Sandell led the nation with four field goals from 55 yards or more, setting an Oklahoma career record in just one season. He also knocked down 16 field goals from 40-plus yards, smashing the previous school record of nine.
And then there was his performance against Tennessee. In that game alone, Sandell tied an FBS record with three makes from 50-plus yards and broke Neyland Stadium’s record - twice - with two 55-yard bombs. That’s the kind of leg that changes field position, flips momentum, and wins games.
For all that, Sandell became the first Sooner ever to win the Lou Groza Award, given to the best kicker in college football. He was also named SEC Special Teams Player of the Year, a First-Team All-SEC selection, and earned Second-Team All-American honors from multiple outlets. Even On3 - yes, the same outlet that left him off this new list - named him a First-Team All-American in 2025.
So what changed in a month?
Oklahoma Shut Out of Early All-America Team
Sandell wasn’t the only Sooner left off the list. In fact, no Oklahoma players made the cut - a surprising move considering the Sooners made the College Football Playoff last season and return a roster loaded with talent on both sides of the ball.
Among the most notable omissions: defensive tackle David Stone, who was ranked No. 20 on On3’s own way-too-early Top 100 players list for 2026. Stone, along with fellow defensive linemen Jayden Jackson and Taylor Wein, helped anchor one of the most disruptive fronts in college football last year.
Linebacker Kip Lewis and safety Peyton Bowen also return after strong 2025 campaigns, and wide receiver Isaiah Sategna - a First-Team All-SEC selection - is back as one of the top playmakers in the conference.
Yet, not a single Sooner made the preseason All-America team.
Reaction from Sooner Nation
Unsurprisingly, Oklahoma fans and analysts didn’t take the snub lightly. Social media lit up with disbelief, especially around Sandell’s omission. After all, we’re talking about the literal Lou Groza Award winner returning for another year - and somehow, that’s not enough to earn a preseason All-America nod?
The frustration wasn’t just about one player. It was about a program that made the Playoff, returns nearly all of its starters, and still couldn’t get a single name on the list. Meanwhile, rival programs like Texas had multiple players featured.
Looking Ahead
Of course, preseason lists are just that - early projections. They don’t win games, and they certainly don’t define legacies. But they do set the tone for national perception, and right now, Oklahoma’s being overlooked.
That might just be the fuel the Sooners need heading into 2026. With Sandell back to anchor special teams and a deep, experienced roster ready to run it back, Oklahoma won’t stay under the radar for long.
And if Sandell keeps booting 55-yarders like he did last fall? Expect his name to be back on every list that matters - whether it’s way-too-early or not.