Depth Chart Thursday: Sooners Reshape Roster for Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026

As we navigate Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026, the Oklahoma Sooners find themselves reshaping their depth chart. Head coach Brent Venables enters his fifth season following a 10-win campaign and a CFP First Round appearance, but heavy roster turnover means several new faces will take the field this fall.

Following the annual Spring Game on April 18—where the starter-laden Red Team handled the White Team 31-3—the picture for the 2026 depth chart is becoming clearer. In this edition of Depth Chart Thursday, we break down how the Sooners are reloading under offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and defensive coordinator Todd Bates.

Quarterback: Mateer's Show

There is no controversy at the game's most crucial position. John Mateer returns as the unquestioned QB1. The depth behind him, however, has shifted. With Michael Hawkins Jr. exiting via the transfer portal, Whitt Newbauer and Bowe Bentley are now the primary backups vying for the QB2 role.

Skill Position Overhaul

The offensive weapons surrounding Mateer have seen a massive transition. The tight end room was completely overhauled this offseason. Following Jaren Kanak's departure to the NFL and Kaden Helms's exit in the portal, Oklahoma brought in transfers Hayden Hansen and Rocky Beers to fortify the position.

At wide receiver, the Sooners lost NFL Draft picks Deion Burks and Keontez Lewis, along with transfer Jayden Gibson. Returning starter Isaiah Sategna will be relied upon heavily, alongside incoming portal additions Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone.

Defensive Front and New Faces

Defensively, Todd Bates must replace a wealth of talent after the program produced seven NFL Draft picks, including key pieces like Kendal Daniels, Damonic Williams, R Mason Thomas, and Robert Spears-Jennings. Returning starters David Stone, Danny Okoye, and Taylor Wein will anchor the defensive front.

In the secondary and linebacker rooms, expect transfer additions Cole Sullivan (LB) and Dakoda Fields (CB) to push for starting roles immediately, especially after the portal exits of Kobie McKinzie, Kendel Dolby, and Gentry Williams. Returning defensive backs Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory will provide crucial stability on the back end.