As Oklahoma gears up for spring practice, let's dive into the specialists' group, a crucial yet often overlooked part of the team. Brent Venables, entering his fifth year as head coach, shared some exciting updates during his pre-spring press conference.
Venables highlighted the team's strong returning production across the board, but it was the special teams' consistency that stood out. "We return 100% of all our production on special teams," he noted. This is music to the ears of Sooners fans, as Oklahoma boasted one of the top special teams units last season, finishing 10th in efficiency according to ESPN’s Football Power Index and 33rd in special teams SP+.
Doug Deakin, in his third year as the special teams coordinator, has been instrumental in this success. Since joining the Sooners in 2024, Deakin has revitalized the unit.
Last season, he developed a Lou Groza Award-winning kicker, an All-SEC punter, and one of the nation's top punt returners. With the same talented roster returning, Deakin is poised to build on this momentum and elevate Oklahoma's special teams to new heights.
The Sooners' special teams have become a pivotal part of their overall strategy, and with this level of continuity and expertise, they are set to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.