Oklahoma’s depth chart has been drawing plenty of attention in the lead-up to UTEP, but the real intrigue on Friday night may come from the players who have spent most of the summer out of the spotlight. With the Sooners likely to build a big enough lead to rotate freely, several younger or less-heralded names should get a real chance to make a case for bigger roles.
On the offensive line, the return of Ryan Fodje and Jake Maikkula to the practice field this week changes the picture a bit, with both working toward being back to full strength for next week’s trip to Michigan. For this game, though, the emphasis is straightforward: execute, get off the field, and let the backups accumulate valuable snaps.
That puts even more weight on Heath Ozaeta, who is now the oldest and most experienced lineman on the roster. His toughness, leadership and versatility are setting the tone for a group that includes younger players like Caleb Nitta and Noah Best at center, along with transfer E'Marion Harris at right tackle.
Ozaeta’s background - more than 1,000 offensive snaps across his previous two seasons - gives him the kind of steadiness that can help those newer faces settle in.
A similar opportunity is waiting on defense, where Oklahoma needs young depth to emerge behind Peyton Bowen and first-year starter Michael Boganowski. Omarion Robinson is one of the names to watch.
The second-year safety was honest during the offseason about how hard it was to leave a mark as a freshman, but he’s had a strong offseason and should see the field well before the second half. Brandon Hall needs more pieces to develop on the back end, and Robinson has the kind of ball skills that can change a game in a hurry and help Brent Venables’ defense create turnovers in 2026.
Another player who has quietly worked his way into the conversation is Mackenzie Alleyne. His transfer from Washington State didn’t make as much noise as the arrivals of Parker Livingstone and Trell Harris, both former Power Four stars, but Alleyne has drawn repeated praise since arriving in Norman.
The junior already has a built-in connection with John Mateer and Ben Arbuckle from their season together in Pullman, and that showed in OU’s 2026 spring game in April when Alleyne caught a touchdown from Mateer. With Oklahoma expected to win by several touchdowns, the Sooners should have room to spread the ball around at receiver, and Alleyne has a chance to prove he belongs in the regular rotation if he turns in a strong outing against the Miners.
The cornerback spot could also offer a showcase for a player who has stuck around and waited his turn. Johnson has appeared in 37 games with two starts in his OU career and has remained with the Sooners rather than chase a larger role elsewhere.
That patience may pay off now, especially with depth behind Courtland Guillory and Eli Bowen still unproven at the college level. Johnson already has three career interceptions, and UTEP should give him plenty of chances to flash that playmaking ability.
If he performs at a steady level, he could become a major part of Oklahoma’s secondary in his senior season.
And then there’s Lloyd Avant, a starter who still feels like an under-the-radar name because so much of the buzz around the running back room has centered on Xavier Robinson’s return, Tory Blaylock’s availability, and freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. Avant has put together a quietly steady camp, and Friday night should give him a chance to show why. Oklahoma wants the ground game to look sharper, and Avant is in position to get a healthy workload with the starters while showing the full package - running, receiving, and pass protection.
If the Sooners handle business the way they expect to, UTEP should become less about the score and more about the auditions. For a handful of players, this is the first real chance to turn practice buzz into something visible on the field.
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Danny Saili Is Already Forcing His Way Into Oklahomas Plans
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What has stood out most inside the building is how seamlessly Saili has fit in with the group. Coaches and teammates have pointed to his experience and the way he adds competition and depth, the kind of presence that can matter over the long grind of a season. For Oklahoma, the early signs suggest this was more than just a routine transfer addition. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Is Counting On Reggie Powers In A Crucial Defensive Test
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Powers is expected to move into the starting cheetah spot, a bigger job on a unit that wants to stay strong without Daniels presence. He has already shown excitement about the expanded opportunity, and Oklahomas confidence in the defense will depend in part on how quickly he can translate that promise into steady play. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahomas Season Opener Said Plenty About This Team Fast
UTEPs season opener in Norman turned into a long afternoon almost immediately, with the Miners falling behind early and never finding a way to make Oklahoma uncomfortable in a 51-0 loss to the No. 10 Sooners. Scotty Walden spent his postgame remarks sorting through the obvious setbacks, with special teams standing out as a particular problem, even as he tried to keep the bigger picture in view for a roster still trying to take shape.
There was at least some encouragement for UTEP on the offensive side, and Walden said he sees room for the group to keep developing after a game like this. The schedule does not offer much time to ease into that process, either, with Michigan, Texas Southern and Oregon State all still ahead in non-conference play, so the Miners will need whatever lessons they can carry out of Week 1. [Read more 🡒]