From 10-2 to title contender: Breaking down the Oklahoma Sooners' way-too-early starting lineup for the 2026 College Football season
As the Oklahoma Sooners gear up for the 2026 college football season, expectations are sky-high following a solid 10-2 finish in 2025 that included a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Under head coach Brent Venables, the program has aggressively utilized the transfer portal to address key weaknesses, particularly on offense, while relying on a mix of returning talent and high-upside recruits on defense.
With the season opener against UTEP on September 5 looming, this way-too-early projection of the starting lineup highlights a team poised for deeper postseason runs in the SEC.
The roster features strategic additions like tight end Hayden Hansen and wide receivers Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone, alongside defensive reinforcements aimed at bolstering a unit that lost several stars to the NFL and transfers.
Depth remains a concern in spots like linebacker and the secondary, but the overall talent infusion suggests Oklahoma could contend for a conference title.
Offensive Outlook: Explosive Potential with Portal Polish
The Sooners' offense, which showed flashes of brilliance in 2025, gets a major upgrade through targeted transfers and returning linemen.
At quarterback, John Mateer returns as the unquestioned starter. The redshirt senior proved his mettle last season, throwing for over 2,500 yards and leading key comeback wins. His poise under pressure makes him the bridge to future recruits like Bowe Bentley.
In the backfield, Xavier Robinson edges out Tory Blaylock for the starting running back role due to his superior physicality and pass-blocking prowess. Robinson, a junior, averaged 5.2 yards per carry in limited action last year, providing a bruising complement to the passing game.
The receiving corps looks revamped and dynamic. Slot wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III, a redshirt senior and the team's leading receiver from 2025 with 850 yards and seven touchdowns, brings speed and reliability.
At the Z position, transfer Trell Harris steps in immediately; the explosive playmaker from Nevada averaged 17 yards per catch in his previous stint, adding a deep-threat element. Rounding out the group at X is Parker Livingstone, another portal addition from San Diego State, whose 6-foot-3 frame and contested-catch ability (over 60 receptions last season) should open up the field.
Up front, the offensive line returns four starters who combined for at least six starts each in 2025, offering continuity amid a historically inconsistent unit. Michael Fasusi anchors left tackle with his elite athleticism, having allowed just two sacks last year. Eddy Pierre-Louis at left guard brings power and experience from his All-SEC honorable mention nods.
Center Jake Maikkula provides steady snapping and leadership, while Heath Ozaeta at right guard is locked in a battle but edges out due to his run-blocking grades. At right tackle, transfer E'Marion Harris from Arkansas slides in seamlessly; he started all 12 games for the Razorbacks in 2025, bolstering protection for Mateer.
Tight end Hayden Hansen, a senior transfer from Washington State, is projected to start and elevate the position. Known for his blocking and red-zone prowess (five touchdowns in 2025), he fits perfectly in Oklahoma's air-raid scheme.
Defensive Projections: Rebuilding with Youth and Transfers
Defense has been Venables' calling card, but 2026 brings turnover after losing edge rushers like R Mason Thomas and interior linemen Damonic Williams to the pros, plus transfers like Kobie McKinzie.
The front four remains formidable, though. Taylor Wein starts at one defensive end, bringing veteran savvy with 4.5 sacks from last season. Inside, Jayden Jackson and David Stone form a disruptive tackle duo; Stone, a sophomore standout, is primed for a breakout after flashing elite quickness in rotational reps.
At the other end, Adepoju Adebawore (known as PJ) leverages his athleticism for a starting nod, having recorded three sacks as a backup in 2025.
Linebackers feature a mix of experience and new blood. Kip Lewis returns as a tackling machine, leading the team with 85 stops last year. Transfer Cole Sullivan from Michigan slots in beside him, offering sideline-to-sideline speed and coverage skills honed in the Big Ten. At the hybrid Cheetah position, Reggie Powers III emerges as a versatile edge-setter, expected to build on his 2025 flashes with more snaps.
In the secondary, youth takes center stage. Cornerbacks Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory start opposite each other; Bowen, a sophomore, impressed with two interceptions in limited play, while Guillory's length helps in press coverage.
Safeties Michael Boganowski and Peyton Bowen round out the back end. Boganowski, a redshirt sophomore, is set for a leap after rotational duties, and Bowen brings ball-hawking instincts from his freshman All-SEC team honors.
Special Teams: Stability and Upgrades
Special teams were a strength in 2025 under coordinator Doug Deakin, and continuity reigns. Tate Sandell handles kicking duties, having hit 85% of his field goals last season. Grayson Miller returns as punter, averaging 44 yards per boot. Long snapper Ben Anderson ensures reliability.
Returns get a boost with Lloyd Avant as kickoff returner. The Colorado State transfer averaged 26.4 yards per return over two seasons, including a touchdown, addressing Oklahoma's dismal 8-yard average in 2025. Punt returns fall to the speedy Isaiah Sategna III, doubling up from his slot receiver role.
Final Thoughts: A Team on the Rise
This projected 2026 lineup positions Oklahoma as a playoff contender, blending portal savvy with homegrown talent. Offensively, the additions could push the unit into top-20 territory, while defense relies on young stars like Stone and Adebawore stepping up.
Challenges include depth at linebacker, but Venables' track record suggests optimism.
If health holds and chemistry gels, the Sooners could exceed their 2025 success and make noise in a loaded conference.
Starting Offensive Lineup:
Quarterback: John Mateer
Running back: Xavier Robinson
Tight end: Hayden Hansen
Wide receiver (slot): Isaiah Sategna III
Wide receiver (Z): Trell Harris
Wide receiver (X): Parker Livingstone
Left tackle: Michael Fasusi
Left guard: Eddy Pierre-Louis
Center: Jake Maikkula
Right guard: Heath Ozaeta
Right tackle: E'Marion Harris
Starting Defensive Lineup:
Defensive end: Taylor Wein
Defensive tackle: Jayden Jackson
Defensive tackle: David Stone
Defensive end: Adepoju Adebawore
Linebacker: Kip Lewis
Linebacker: Cole Sullivan
Cheetah hybrid position: Reggie Powers III
Cornerback: Eli Bowen
Cornerback: Courtland Guillory
Safety: Michael Boganowski
Safety: Peyton Bowen
Starting Special Teams Lineup:
Kicker: Tate Sandell
Punter: Grayson Miller
Long Snapper: Ben Anderson
Kickoff Returner: Lloyd Avant
Punt Returner: Isaiah Sategna III