With eight offensive and six defensive starters back, the Sooners boast formidable experience with a seasoned core aiming for SEC dominance in 2026
The Oklahoma Sooners enter the 2026 college football season with exactly that edge, returning a total of 14 starters, eight on offense and six on defense.
According to CBS Sports’ comprehensive breakdown of returning production across all FBS programs, this total ties Oklahoma for second nationally, trailing only the USC Trojans (15 starters) and matching elite programs such as Georgia, Notre Dame, Oregon, Maryland, New Mexico, and Virginia Tech.
A returning starter is defined as any player who logged at least six starts during the 2025 regular season and postseason. Oklahoma’s haul stands out in the ultra-competitive SEC, where the Sooners aim to build on their 2025 College Football Playoff appearance.
Head coach Brent Venables and his staff now have a proven core to anchor both sides of the ball, giving the program a significant head start as spring practice unfolds and depth charts begin to solidify.
Offensive Continuity: Eight Starters Back, Including the Quarterback
The Sooners’ offense returns a formidable group led by quarterback John Mateer. The dual-threat signal-caller, who guided Oklahoma back to the playoff in 2025, is back for his final season and enters 2026 on early Heisman watch lists. His presence provides instant stability at the most important position.
Running back Tory Blaylock returns as the lead back, offering proven production in the backfield.
At wide receiver, Isaiah Sategna III headlines the group as a dynamic playmaker who consistently creates mismatches.
The offensive line returns an impressive five starters: Michael Fasusi, Ryan Fodje, Jake Maikkula, Heath Ozaeta, and Eddy Pierre-Louis. That quintet started multiple games in 2025 and gives Oklahoma one of the most experienced trenches in the SEC.
With eight offensive starters back, second only to USC’s nine, this unit has the potential to rank among the conference’s most efficient, especially if new transfers and young talent mesh quickly around the veterans.
Defensive Veterans: Six Starters Provide Backbone
On defense, Oklahoma brings back six proven starters who will anchor Venables’ aggressive scheme. Defensive linemen Jayden Jackson and Taylor Wein return up front, offering size, athleticism, and pass-rush ability.
Linebacker Kip Lewis, the team’s leading tackler in 2025, is back for his final campaign and remains the heartbeat of the front seven.
The secondary welcomes back a trio of experienced defensive backs in Eli Bowen, Peyton Bowen, and Courtland Guillory. This group combined for significant snaps and starts last year, providing familiarity in coverage and run support.
While defensive depth remains an area of focus during spring ball, the six returning starters give coordinators a reliable foundation to build upon.
Why This Matters: Experience in a Volatile Landscape
CBS Sports noted that every national champion over the previous eight seasons returned at least 11 starters, underscoring the value of continuity even in the portal age. Recent exceptions like 2025 champion Indiana succeeded with just eight, but those teams leaned heavily on experienced transfers.
Oklahoma, however, combines both: a large returning core plus targeted portal additions and a strong recruiting class.
The Sooners’ 14 returning starters place them among the most veteran teams in the FBS. In the SEC, only Georgia matches or exceeds that number in certain categories (though the Bulldogs lean heavier on defense with eight returners). This experience could prove decisive in a conference where margins are razor-thin and schedules are brutal.
As spring practice intensifies in Norman, the narrative around Oklahoma has shifted from rebuilding to contending. The returning starters, particularly Mateer, the veteran offensive line, and Lewis, give the Sooners a chance to field lineups comparable to the nation’s best on both sides of the ball. Depth questions remain, especially on defense, but the foundation is undeniably strong.
With 14 starters back and a proven playoff pedigree from 2025, the Sooners are positioned for another deep postseason run in 2026.