NORMAN - Oklahoma’s preseason camp gave media its first look at practice Friday morning, and the open stretch offered a few clear takeaways before the Sooners moved on with the day.
The biggest concern came at running back, where Tory Blaylock and Kristan Moore were not participating. Blaylock, who apparently suffered an injury earlier this week, would be a major loss if he’s sidelined for any length of time. He led Oklahoma in rushing last season with 120 carries for 480 yards and four touchdowns.
That position group still has bodies, but it’s not exactly overflowing with certainty. Xavier Robinson is back, though health has been a problem for him and he missed a significant chunk of spring.
Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant has already earned strong reviews from new running backs coach Deland McCullough, and Oklahoma also added Jonathan Hatton Jr. and DeZephen Walker in December. Hatton, the freshman who looks best equipped for the SEC grind, stood out with a smooth glide.
Avant was first in line on several of the running back drills.
Moore, a freshman linebacker from Selma, Ala., was seen in a brace and on crutches as he left the field.
Elsewhere, several players were working in a limited capacity. Wide receiver Trell Harris, who wide receivers coach Emmett Jones recently said had suffered an injury setback, was dressed like the rest of the receivers but didn’t do much drilling. Instead, he handled some light one-on-one work and spent time watching as he continues his return.
Defensive back Jeremiah Newcombe, who is expected to factor in at cheetah or cornerback, also spent most of the session on the sidelines.
One encouraging sight came with sophomore linebacker Marcus James. After spending most of the spring in a blue no-contact jersey, he was back in the standard white defender jersey and looked physically imposing at 6-foot-3, 234 pounds.
At quarterback, John Mateer looked steady, if not especially eye-catching, during the limited portion of practice that was open. That was hardly a surprise given the lack of full-speed opportunities.
The more interesting note was behind him, where Whitt Newbauer, who transferred from Mercer before last season, was working second. Newbauer and freshman Bowe Bentley are competing for the backup job behind Mateer.
Up front, Oklahoma’s defensive interior appears set at the top with David Stone and Jayden Jackson forming what looks like one of the nation’s best interior pairings. The issue after that is depth, and there isn’t much proven behind them. Still, Trent Wilson and Nigel Smith continued to build on the offseason buzz surrounding them, with Wilson drawing repeated praise from defensive tackles coach Todd Bates during position work.
Bishop Thomas, listed at 6-foot-1, 297 pounds, also looked the part after drawing praise earlier in the week from defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis.
On the edge, senior Adepoju Adebawore flashed a few strong forearm moves, kept his man in place and then burst toward the ball carrier. He looked powerful and fluid, matching the offseason attention he’s already received.
Special teams brought one more positive note. After winning the Lou Groza Award last season and then struggling in the College Football Playoff loss to Alabama, kicker Tate Sandell looked sharp again, drilling every kick he tried from 30 to 40 yards.
In the punt return work, Peyton Bowen looked the most comfortable of the group, which also included Jahsier Rogers, Jacob Jordan and Isaiah Sategna.
In Other News...
Adrian Peterson Just Put Oklahomas Running Back Battle Under Pressure
Adrian Petersons comments landed with the kind of force only an Oklahoma legend can deliver, and they put the Sooners backfield under a sharper spotlight heading into the 2026 season. The former stars point was plain: the run game has not lived up to the standard that helped define Oklahoma football for so long, and the numbers have backed up the concern, with the Sooners averaging 118.5 rushing yards per game last season and not producing a 1,000-yard rusher since 2022.
Now the conversation shifts to whether a new season, a returning group of key players and offensive linemen, and a new running backs coach can finally change the story. Deland McCullough has already made clear that the competition is open, and Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant is one of the names drawing attention in fall camp as Oklahoma tries to find the kind of burst Peterson says has been missing. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Hatton Jr. Is Making Oklahoma's Backfield Battle Much Harder
Freshman running back Jonathan Hatton Jr. has already started to turn heads in Oklahoma camp, and not just because of his recruiting pedigree. Isaiah Sategna III has pointed to Hattons blend of speed and size as one of the first things that stands out, which helps explain why there is already chatter about the newcomer carving out a role in a backfield that includes returning players and transfer additions.
Hatton arrived with the kind of profile that naturally invites early expectations, especially after flipping back to Oklahoma before signing day and drawing comparisons to Adrian Peterson based on his build. For the Sooners, that only makes the running back picture more interesting, because every flash from a freshman like Hatton raises the pressure on an already crowded competition. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahomas Linebacker Shakeup Just Put Cole Sullivan In A Tough Spot
A quiet positional meeting turned into a sudden personnel jolt for Oklahomas linebackers when word spread that Owen Heinecke had been granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA by a local district judge. The ruling cleared the way for Heinecke to return for a sixth season with the Sooners, adding another familiar body to a room that had already been sorting out roles and reps.
For Cole Sullivan, the timing made the news especially relevant. The transfer linebacker was among the teammates caught in the ripple effect of Heineckes return, with the linebacker room now facing a reshuffled depth chart and a little less clarity than it had a day earlier. In August, that kind of surprise can change the feel of a meeting fast, even before anyone steps back on the practice field. [Read more 🡒]