The Oklahoma Sooners are doubling down on what worked in 2025-trusting their youth in the secondary-and they're not backing off that strategy heading into 2026. After a 10-win season and a College Football Playoff appearance that few saw coming, Brent Venables and his staff are sticking with a homegrown approach on the back end of their defense.
Last year’s leap came on the heels of a quiet offseason in the transfer portal, particularly in the defensive backfield. The Sooners added just one transfer DB-Reed DeQuasie from Oklahoma State-and instead bet on internal development.
That gamble paid off, especially at cornerback, where true sophomore Eli Bowen and true freshman Courtland Guillory emerged as starters by the end of the season. Now, both return to those starting roles in 2026, giving Oklahoma some rare continuity at a position often in flux.
This offseason, the Sooners did dip into the portal for reinforcements, bringing in Oregon transfer Dakoda Fields and Mississippi Valley State’s Prince Ijioma. But even with those additions, the plan remains the same: build from within.
That’s no small feat considering the secondary lost several key contributors, including Gentry Williams, Devon Jordan, and Jaydan Hardy to the portal, and Robert Spears-Jennings to graduation. Still, the Sooners believe they’ve got the talent and depth to reload rather than rebuild.
The youth movement continues with the 2026 recruiting class. Oklahoma added four defensive backs, the latest being three-star corner LeBron Bauer out of Allen, Texas.
Bauer became the 25th signee in the class when he inked his letter of intent on Wednesday. He joins Markel Ford, Nike Jandreau, and Derrick Johnson II as the new faces in the DB room.
Ford and Jandreau are expected to line up at safety, while Johnson and Bauer project as corners.
What’s particularly notable is that Bauer signed without a cornerbacks coach currently in place-Jay Valai was just hired by the Buffalo Bills earlier this week. Even with that uncertainty, Oklahoma’s defensive backfield remains in a solid spot. The Sooners are expected to fill the coaching vacancy soon, but in the meantime, they’ll lean on returning experience and promising young talent.
At cornerback, Bowen and Guillory will headline the group, but they’re not alone. Jacobe Johnson is back and figures to play a significant role again.
Fields could push for playing time on the outside, while Jeremiah Newcombe and Trystan Haynes are also in the mix. Newcombe’s versatility could see him move between corner and the cheetah position, depending on how the depth chart shakes out.
And don’t overlook Ijioma, Johnson, or Bauer-they’ll have a chance to compete for snaps early.
At safety, Brandon Hall returns as position coach and will once again work with Peyton Bowen, who’s back as a starter. But the Sooners will need to replace the leadership void left by Spears-Jennings.
That’s where Michael Boganowski comes in. The hard-hitting safety played meaningful snaps as a true sophomore last season and is poised for a bigger role.
Omarion Robinson, coming off a true freshman campaign, is another name to watch. Ford and Jandreau represent the next wave, and if depth becomes an issue, Oklahoma has some flexibility-Reggie Powers III, likely the starting cheetah, could slide around the back seven to help where needed.
The 2025 defense was the best Oklahoma has fielded in years, and that resurgence started in the secondary. With a mix of proven returners, intriguing transfers, and high-upside freshmen, the Sooners are once again putting their faith in youth and development. If this group takes another step forward, Oklahoma’s defense could be the backbone of another playoff push in 2026.