Sooners 2 Deep Projection for 2026 season: Assessing where the roster stands after the first few weeks of the transfer portal
The Sooners improved their roster for 2026 after the transfer portal.
The Oklahoma Sooners’ roster for the 2026 season looks very good, and it’s pretty much close to finalized. Most importantly, there is a good amount of retention on this roster from the 2025 College Football playoff team. In 2026, they’re aiming to win a playoff game and possibly contend for a National Championship. The pieces they have added should have them talented enough to do that.
So, let’s take a look at what the Sooners’ roster and two-deep depth chart would look like if the season started today.
Sooners’ 2-deep depth chart projection
Starters listed first, backups listed second. A * denotes a true freshman from the 2026 recruiting class
Offense
Quarterback: John Mateer, Bowe Bentley*
With Michael Hawkins gone, the Sooners believe that Bentley can be the backup next season, and maybe even play if Mateer gets hurt. Mateer is the bridge quarterback for Bentley, who many believe is the next star quarterback at OU.
Running back: Xavier Robinson, Tory Blaylock, Jonathan Hatton Jr.*
With how this season went, it’s obvious that Robinson is the best RB they have when he is healthy. Blaylock, as a true freshman, showed a lot last season, and he will easily be the backup. Or, those two may even be flipped depending on health situations. This is a 2-deep projection, so I don’t have to put Hatton on there, but I wanted to show that I think he will be in the rotation as a true freshman.
X Wide Receiver: Parker Livingstone, Elijah Thomas* OR Jayden Petit*
Livingstone’s ability to get into the end zone and get open downfield last season with the Texas Longhorns was enough for me to think he could be even better in 2026. He is the starter at that position. As the backup, I think another big-body receiver who’s athletic and fast and can get downfield will be the second guy on the field behind Livingstone. That’s got to be either Thomas or Petit.
H Wide Receiver: Isaiah Sategna, Jacob Jordan
Yes, Isaiah Sategna is coming back. Last season, many times, Jordan was his backup at this exact position a few times. In 2026, we may see Jordan on the field a bit more.
Z Wide Receiver: Trell Harris, Jer’Michael Carter
Harris, the transfer portal pickup, will be used similarly to how Deion Burks was. He’s fast and a downfield presence. I think Carter showed a ton as the season went on, specifically in the last few games. He can be a guy for this offense at this position.
Tight End: Hayden Hansen, Rocky Beers
You have all heard about these two by now. This should be the best tight end room the Sooners have had in some time, and certainly better than last season’s.
Left Tackle: Michael Fasusi, Deacon Schmitt*
This is one of the first position groups where I really can’t think of anyone else who would be the backup behind Fasusi, given who left in the portal and eligibility. I’m not sure Schmitt is a left tackle, but I think he will be pretty good, good enough to see the field.
Left Guard: Eddy Pierre-Louis, Heath Ozaeta
EPL is the obvious one here, but Ozaeta may fight for that other starting guard spot. However, I have Fodje winning it, and Ozaeta being a backup.
Center: Jake Maikkula, Caleb Nitta
Maikkula is the undisputed starter. However, they needed depth there at the center position, and they got their guy in the portal.
Right Guard: Ryan Fodje, Peyton Joseph
The second-year guard will get the start here, while transfer portal IOL from Georgia Tech, Peyton Joseph, becomes the backup.
Right Tackle: E’Marion Harris, Daniel Akinkunmi
I strongly believe that the Sooners brought Harris, a former starter for Arkansas, on to be a starter. Some think he will be a swing tackle, but why would he leave a situation as a starter in the SEC to not be a starter for another SEC school?
Defense
Left Defensive End: Taylor Wein, Danny Okoye
Wein is the man now, and Okoye has some pretty crazy potential.
Defensive Tackle: Jayden Jackson, Bishop Thomas
Thomas, the new transfer portal acquisition, will be the backup. Jackson is, of course, the guy, along with David Stone. Those two may be in the NFL after next season.
Defensive Tackle: David Stone, Kenny Ozowalu
Stone is one of the best defensive tackles in the country, and doesn’t need to come off the field often. Ozowalu projects as an edge rusher, but I can see the Sooners bringing him in at DT during obvious passing downs.
Right Defensive End: PJ Adebawore, Wyatt Gilmore
The Sooners are working to bring back Adebawore on a new deal. He’s going to be the other guy across from Wein and is considered an elite run defender.
Linebacker: Kip Lewis, Taylor Heim
Kip Lewis is back, which is huge news for the Sooners. Without him, this unit would look much worse than it currently does. Heim can be a solid backup in 2026.
Linebacker: Cole Sullivan, James Nesta
The Sooners will start Sullivan, their transfer portal addition LB. He’s better than what they had, but not better than Lewis or Heinecke. If they can get Heinecke back with more eligibility, that would be huge for this room.
Cheetah: Reggie Powers
It’s really hard to see who else would play this position other than Michael Boganowski, who’s the starting safety. Time will tell who the backup is.
Cornerback: Courtland Guillory, Dakoda Fields
Guillory is holding this spot down, but Fields, the transfer portal addition, will play some significant snaps behind Guillory or Bowen, whichever comes off the field. He will fight for those third CB snaps with Johnson.
Cornerback: Eli Bowen, Jacobe Johnson
Bowen is the star CB. He and Guillory are the two starters who are set in stone. However, Bowen has dealt with some injuries, so we could see Fields and Johnson a good bit.
Strong Safety: Peyton Bowen, Omarion Robinson
The starter is obvious here. However, the backup is in the position in question. It feels like Robinson is a player who can make a significant jump and become a backup. If not, he can definitely become a player that’s in the rotation, maybe in that Jaydan Hardy role from last season.
Free Safety: Michael Boganowski, Trystan Haynes
Boganowski played that third safety role last season, so I can see him moving into the starter spot. The one that I’m not sure about is Haynes, who is listed as a defensive back. Can he play safety at the SEC level? I’m not sure, but at the same time, I don’t really see any of the freshmen being quite ready to play.
Specialists: Kicker – Tate Sandell, Punter – Jacob Ulrich, Kick/Punt Returner – Isaiah Sategna
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