From their shared living quarters to the gridiron, Taylor Wein witnesses PJ Adebawore’s relentless evolution as the dominant edge rusher prepares to anchor the Sooners’ defensive front
TAMPA, Fla. - Oklahoma defensive end Taylor Wein dropped some interesting comments at SEC Media Days, and one name in particular should have Sooner fans paying attention.
When talking about the defensive line, Wein singled out PJ Adebawore (Adepoju Adebawore) as a guy who’s ready to take that next big step in 2026.
Wein knows what he’s talking about. He’s been a standout on the edge himself and has seen the work Adebawore has put in behind the scenes. They even live together, so Wein has a front-row seat to the mindset shift.
"I think PJ Adebawore has played consistent ball. I live with him, and I know that his goals and his mindset has changed, and he's ready to attack and get better. So we expect a lot out of PJ, and he expects even more out of himself."
That’s high praise coming from a guy who had a big year in 2025. Wein isn’t just throwing out compliments — he’s seeing real change in Adebawore’s approach.
Adebawore has been building toward this moment. As a true freshman in 2023, he played 183 snaps on defense, recording six tackles, three tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. It was a solid start for a young guy.
His sophomore year got derailed by an ankle injury in fall camp, which limited him to just 116 snaps. He still showed flashes with four tackles, 1.5 TFL, and one sack, but it wasn’t the year he wanted.
As a junior, he started to find his footing. He logged 275 snaps and posted 17 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
His best stretch came after R Mason Thomas went down against Tennessee. Adebawore stepped into a bigger role in the defensive end rotation and helped anchor the line during that perfect November run that got OU back into the College Football Playoff.
Wein sees even more coming.
"We expect a lot out of PJ and he expects even more out of himself," Wein said.
That self-expectation is what stands out. Adebawore isn’t just showing up and playing — he’s attacking every rep with a new mindset.
Living with Wein has given him a daily example of what it takes to perform at a high level in the SEC. Having that kind of roommate and mentor can accelerate growth in a big way.
The good news for Oklahoma is that thanks to the NCAA’s new eligibility rules, Adebawore has the chance to come back for another season in 2027 if he doesn’t declare for the NFL Draft after this year. That extra year of development could be huge for a guy who’s still putting it all together.
"We're excited to see him put it together," Wein said. "We know he's going to do a great job for us."
The defensive line lost some pieces after last season, but guys like Wein and Adebawore are ready to step up and keep that unit nasty. OU has built a reputation for developing defensive linemen, and Adebawore looks like the next one ready to break out.
When the Sooners' defense was at their peak last season, they showed what they could do when everything clicked, especially in November.
If Adebawore can build on his junior year production and bring that new mindset every single snap, he could be a difference-maker. Add in the depth and competition across the front, and this defensive line still has the potential to be one of the best in the country.
Taylor Wein calling out PJ Adebawore as a guy to watch isn’t just talk. It’s coming from someone who’s lived with him, practiced with him, and seen the change up close. That kind of endorsement carries weight.
The 2026 season could be fun. With John Mateer healthy on offense and a defense that’s developing the next wave of playmakers like Adebawore, Oklahoma has the pieces to make another strong run.
