Oklahoma Football's Future Is Brighter Than What People Think

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg dropped his College Football Future Power Rankings looking ahead through the 2027 season, and Oklahoma landed at No. 13.

That’s a nice jump from their previous ranking of 27, which shows the national media is starting to buy into what Brent Venables is building in Norman.

Here’s what Rittenberg had to say about the Sooners:

"13. Oklahoma Sooners

Previous future power ranking: 27

QB situation: John Mateer didn't become the Heisman contender many expected when he arrived in Norman, but he played well enough to help OU return to the CFP. Now he's back for a second season under coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Mateer will try to boost his accuracy (62.2% completions) and reduce his interceptions (11), but he still accounted for 3,316 yards of offense in 2026 despite sitting out time because of an injury to his throwing hand. OU's plan for 2027 still must unfold with Mercer transfer Whitt Newbauer, SC Next 300 recruit Bowe Bentley or others.

Offensive line/defensive line outlook: Oklahoma had three linemen go in the top 107 of April's NFL draft, but both groups bring back talent, especially on defense. Junior edge Taylor Wein is back alongside interior tandem David Stone and Jayden Jackson, also juniors. Adepoju Adebawore will see a bigger role in his final season, and emerging sophomore Danny Okoye could contribute through 2027. UTSA transfer Kenny Ozowalu adds to the pass-rushing depth. OU went young with its O-line in 2025 and should see the decision pay off for the next few years, as tackle Michael Fasusi, guard Eddy Pierre-Louis and versatile Ryan Fodje all return with experience. Starting center Jake Maikkula is also back for his final season and is joined by Georgia Tech transfer Peyton Joseph, who has starting experience.

Roster management: The Sooners lost seven NFL draft picks and several key contributors to other Power 4 teams, especially on defense. But they did a nice job with defensive line retention and didn't need many defensive additions through the portal other than Michigan linebacker Cole Sullivan. OU's bigger portal moves came on offense, where productive wide receiver Trell Harris arrives from Virginia, alongside Texas wideout Parker Livingstone, Florida tight end Hayden Hansen and others. The team kept Mateer, top receiver Isaiah Sategna III, Wein, Peyton and Eli Bowen, and other contributors from the CFP team. Coach Brent Venables signed the nation's No. 17 recruiting class for 2026, but the 2027 class could be on pace to be No. 1, as OU already has commitments from 12 SC Next 300 players, led by offensive tackle Cooper Hackett. The Sooners have signed 33 blue-chip prospects since 2024, according to ESPN Recruiting.

Star power: Mateer has star qualities and could enter awards consideration in 2026. He will share a backfield with Tory Blaylock, an All-SEC freshman team selection who had 480 yards last season, and throw passes to all-league wideouts in Sategna and Harris. Cornerback Courtland Guillory, also an All-SEC freshman selection, led the team with seven pass breakups in 2025. Stone, a former top-10 recruit, is on a promising trajectory, and Sullivan had three interceptions and two sacks last season for Michigan.

Coaching staff: The NFL hiring cycle claimed key Sooners assistants in co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks coach Jay Valai (Bills) and running backs coach Demarco Murray (Chiefs). OU hired a notable replacement for Murray in Deland McCullough, who has extensive experience coaching college and the NFL, making stops with the Kansas City Chiefs and Notre Dame. LaMar Morgan, most recently Michigan's defensive backs coach, will fill Valai's role."

Overall, No. 13 feels pretty fair. OU is clearly on the rise, but they still have to prove they can sustain success and stack big seasons in this new SEC landscape.

I like that Rittenberg highlighted the defensive line strength. That group might legitimately be one of the best in the country in 2026. Taylor Wein, David Stone, and Jayden Jackson returning as juniors is massive.

Those three, along with guys like Adepoju Adebawore, Danny Okoye, and Kenny Ozowalu, give Venables all kinds of options. The defense line could be downright scary.

The offensive line is still the biggest question mark.

They went young in 2025 and it showed at times, but the experience returning in 2026 should help. Still, until they prove it on the field, that unit will be the weakest link.

On the star power side, there’s more there than just the names Rittenberg mentioned. Owen Heinecke is going to be a household name after fighting through all that NCAA eligibility nonsense. He'll be easy to root for.

Xavier Robinson could be one of the best running backs in the SEC if the o-line gives him lanes. The Bowen brothers, the real Peyton and Eli, have big-time playmaking potential in the secondary too.

This roster has depth and talent that should show up on Saturdays.

The coaching staff section feels incomplete. Losing Jay Valai isn't ideal but it is manageable with LaMar Morgan coming in from Michigan as a quality replacement.

DeMarco Murray wasn’t very good in his role, and Deland McCullough has a strong track record at both the college and NFL levels.

And Rittenberg completely left out the addition of Jason Witten as tight ends coach. Joe Jon Finley did a horrendous job as tight ends coach, and he gets replaced by one of the greatest to ever play the position? Nearly report says Witten has already been making a difference with Hayden Hansen and Rocky Beers.

One thing that really stood out as missing was any mention of GM Jim Nagy. The job he and his staff have done on roster management and high school recruiting has been excellent.

The 2027 class is shaping up to potentially be No. 1 in the country, and you can’t ignore the infrastructure they’ve built behind the scenes.

As for the quarterback situation, I wouldn’t overreact to the uncertainty in 2027 yet. If Mateer balls out in 2026, he’ll boost his stock even more. And if the young guys, Whitt Newbauer or Bowe Bentley aren’t ready, Oklahoma is a QB destination school. They’ll have options in the portal.

Thirteen feels like a respectful ranking. It acknowledges the progress while still making OU prove it over multiple years. The future in Norman looks bright.

With Venables locking down the defense, better roster management, and talent continuing to pour in, this program has the foundation to be a consistent contender.

The next couple of years will be telling, but the trajectory is clearly pointing up. Oklahoma is building something that can last.