The first big defensive question for Oklahoma in 2026 is sitting right on the edge of the line of scrimmage.
The Sooners open the season Friday against the University of Texas at El Paso Miners, ranked inside the top 10 and carrying College Football Playoff expectations. Even with all that buzz, the conversation before kickoff keeps circling back to one thing: who replaces EDGE R Mason Thomas, now in the NFL?
That spot looks like a straight fight between Adepoju Adebawore and Danny Okoye. Neither player brings a long résumé, but both bring plenty of upside. Former Oklahoma All-American Gabe Ikard thinks Adebawore is the one who will separate himself.
"I'm going to make my first bold predictions," Ikard said on 'The Oklahoma Breakdown with Ikard and Lehman.'"It feels even bolder after hearing you talk about the sack situation because you didn't even mention his name. PJ Adebawore will lead the 2026 Oklahoma Sooners in sacks."
It’s a big prediction for a player who hasn’t yet arrived as a proven force. Still, that’s what makes Adebawore such an intriguing piece of this defense.
Oklahoma already has a good read on several of its veteran defenders. What it still needs to find out is which younger players can step forward and become real game-changers for Venables.
Adebawore has that chance. If Ikard is right, Oklahoma wouldn’t just be filling Thomas’ shoes - it would be uncovering its next pass-rush centerpiece at the perfect time. The early stretch of the season should give the clearest answer, but for now, Adebawore is already one of the more interesting names on the roster before he’s played a meaningful snap in 2026.
In Other News...
Oklahoma May Have Finally Found A Way To Unleash CJ Nickson
Oklahomas 2026 roster brought a notable update for CJ Nickson, who has officially been moved from defensive end to tight end ahead of the Sooners season opener. The position change, first reported by SoonerScoop and later confirmed by the teams updated roster, gives the former four-star recruit a fresh runway after arriving from Weatherford High School with a reputation for handling just about anything asked of him.
For Oklahoma, the move is a reminder of why Nickson drew attention as a prospect in the first place. He was known for playing multiple spots on both sides of the ball in high school, and the Sooners are now betting that versatility can translate into a more natural fit on offense. Whether the change unlocks his best role will be one of the more interesting subplots as the roster takes shape. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Fans Need To See OUs Friday Game Day Traffic Plan
With the Sooners opening the season at home, Norman is bracing for the kind of Friday traffic that can turn a game week into a logistics test. The University of Oklahoma and Norman Public Schools both announced in-person classes will be closed that day, and OU has rolled out a new game day driving map along with traffic protocols it developed with local police to help keep cars moving around the stadium.
For fans headed to Oklahoma vs. UTEP, the message is simple enough: plan ahead and pay attention to the updated routes before you leave. The schedule release and ticket information may have the spotlight for now, but the traffic plan is the part that could matter most to anyone trying to get in and out of town without losing half the afternoon. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Finally Gets A Real Elijah Thomas Test In The Opener
Elijah Thomas is in line for a much bigger stage when Oklahoma opens against UTEP, and it comes at a time when the Sooners have already had to adjust their receiver picture. Listed as a co-starter at X, Thomas is expected to make his first career start with Parker Livingstone in concussion protocol, giving Oklahoma an early look at one of its more intriguing young talents in a real game setting.
Thomas arrived as a highly rated recruit and drew attention during fall camp, but his freshman year has brought only limited snaps at receiver so far. The opener now offers the Sooners a clearer read on where he stands, and on whether the promise he flashed in camp can start showing up when the lights come on for real. [Read more 🡒]