Reggie Powers III doesn’t have time to linger.
That was on display in the third quarter of Oklahoma’s 14-6 win over New Mexico in Week 3, when the junior defensive back came up short on a fourth-and-short stop near midfield. Powers got his hands on Kiefer Sibley, but the Lobos running back kept his balance, rounded the edge and briefly extended the drive as Powers lost control of the tackle.
Powers didn’t let the miss stick. One snap later, he buried New Mexico quarterback Luke Moga for a 13-yard loss, and the Lobos were forced to punt three plays after that.
“Something all our coaches say is next-play mentality, so I knew I missed a big play, but I knew if I just went hard the next play, anything could happen,” Powers said. “Obviously I was mad, but tried not to let it ruin the next play as well.”
That mindset has been part of Powers’ start to 2026, and the production has followed. Through three games, he ranks second on Oklahoma’s roster in total tackles with 16, solo tackles with 11, tackles for loss with four and sacks with two.
It’s a strong opening for a player who spent last season moving from backup to steady contributor. As a sophomore, Powers posted 31 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a pass breakup while backing up Kendal Daniels at the cheetah position. Daniels is now with the Atlanta Falcons, and the cheetah role in Brent Venables’ defense blends responsibilities of a defensive back and linebacker.
Now in a full-time starting role, Powers says the adjustment has come from how he prepares during the week.
“I would just say all season preparation, just taking every day, trying to get better, trying to get the others around me better as well, which is also helping me play faster on the field,” Powers said. “So just my preparation during the week, just making every day count.”
His best outing so far came in Oklahoma’s 17-10 loss to Michigan on Sept. 12. Powers finished with four solo tackles, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup, and his 73.1 Pro Football Focus defensive grade was the best of his season and fourth among OU defenders in that game.
“He's a guy that plays very consistently,” Venables said after the Michigan game. “He puts a lot of time in from a preparation standpoint. He practices the way he plays.”
Oklahoma’s defense has kept its edge early. The Sooners lead the SEC in scoring defense at 7.7 points allowed per game and in passing defense at 104.3 yards allowed per game after three weeks.
Still, there have been cracks. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood ran for 87 yards and a touchdown against OU, and New Mexico quarterback Toa Fa’avae broke off multiple rushes of more than 15 yards in the fourth quarter to give the Lobos one last chance to tie the game. PFF says the Sooners have missed 44 tackles in their first three games.
Powers knows perfection isn’t realistic. But with Oklahoma’s offense still struggling, he also knows the defense has to raise its level - especially with No. 2 Georgia coming to town Saturday.
“They have playmakers who can make 50-yard plus plays if just one guy's not in the right spot,” Powers said. “So just making sure we're all doing our job and not trying to make anyone else's play. Emotions may be high, but we know if we all just do our job and just play as a team, play together, we can shut anybody down.
“We still want to play to our standard, go hard every play, do what we're supposed to do and just shut down everybody we go against.”
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