Oklahoma may already have its next defensive line name to know, and the endorsement is coming from one of the Sooners’ own veterans.
With Brent Venables heading into the 2026 college football season and Oklahoma carrying what looks like one of the nation’s stronger defensive line groups, the front is led by EDGE players Taylor Wein, Danny Okoye and Adepoju Adebawore, along with defensive tackles David Stone and Jayden Jackson. The depth chart looks especially solid on the edge, but behind Stone and Jackson, Todd Bates’ tackle room still has some openings to sort out.
Among the players in the mix for those snaps are Bishop Thomas, Nigel Smith II and Trent Wilson. But freshman James “Tank” Carrington has already made enough of an impression on Stone to draw a big-time prediction.
"Tank, he’s going to be special," Stone said via Sooners Illustrated. "I can’t lie. Tank is going to be a dude for this school."
Stone said the first thing that jumps out about Carrington isn’t just size or strength. It’s how quickly he processes what’s happening in front of him and how well he handles the technical side of the position.
"The biggest thing for me is the block (recognition)," Stone said. "Being able to recognize what you see and vocalize it.
You’re actually really processing the game. And his hands.
He plays with his hands very well. Very technical kid.
I noticed that right off the rip."
That’s the kind of praise that carries weight, especially because Stone wasn’t talking only about raw tools. He pointed to Carrington’s recognition, communication and hand usage - the stuff that usually separates a promising young lineman from one who actually sticks.
For a freshman, that’s a strong early sign. Oklahoma doesn’t need the 6-foot-2, 295-pound Carrington to become a centerpiece right away, with established players already ahead of him. But if he can carve out a role this season and keep developing behind Stone and Jackson, he could become an important part of the next wave up front.
And for a program that has built part of its identity on elite play in the trenches, that makes Carrington a name worth filing away now. If Stone’s read on him is right, Sooners fans may be hearing plenty more about “Tank” before long.
In Other News...
Brent Venables Tried To Ease Oklahoma Fears After Early Camp Absences
Fall camp has brought a little extra attention to Oklahomas injury room, but Brent Venables offered a calm update on the situation as practices rolled on. The Sooners coach said the teams status is on schedule, and he framed the recent absences as the sort of cautious handling that is common this time of year rather than a sign of something more serious.
Michael Fasusi and Heath Ozaeta were among the players who did not take part in recent practices, even while suited up, which naturally drew a closer look from observers tracking the offensive line. Venables message was aimed at easing those concerns, with no major red flags attached to the current camp situation as Oklahoma continues sorting through its early August work. [Read more 🡒]
Ryan Fodje Is Giving Oklahoma Exactly What This Line Needs
In a fall camp that has asked a lot of Oklahomas offensive front, Ryan Fodje has kept showing why coaches trust him to plug whatever hole opens up. Injuries have pushed him across multiple spots along the line, but the sophomore has already built a reputation for being the kind of player who can handle the shuffle without making it someone elses problem. He logged all 13 games as a freshman, starting at right tackle and right guard, and that experience has given the Sooners a useful kind of stability even as the lineup has been in flux.
Fodjes value goes beyond just surviving the move-around. He has embraced the idea that he can help anywhere, and that willingness matters for an Oklahoma line trying to find its best five. It is the same sort of flexibility that once helped Febechi Nwaiwu boost his own profile in Norman, and it is easy to see why Fodjes coaches keep leaning on him. The Sooners may still be sorting out exactly how the front will settle, but they already know one thing: Fodje is the type who makes the whole operation easier. [Read more 🡒]