Oklahoma football enters the 2026 season as one of the most talented rosters in the SEC, yet the Sooners remain largely overlooked in the national championship conversation. On the latest episode of Best Pod Available, Joe DeLeone and I discussed head coach Brent Venables’ team and their championship hopes.

After reaching the College Football Playoff in 2025, Coach Venables returns a defensive core loaded with potential top-50 NFL Draft picks, a rapidly improving offensive line, and a quarterback in John Mateer whose ceiling could reshape the entire program’s trajectory (assuming he hits it). The pieces are in place for Oklahoma to shock the country, and the conversation starts with a defense that might be the best in the conference.

The interior defensive line could be the best duo in the country

The foundation of Oklahoma’s contender case lives on the defensive line. Defensive tackle David Stone, a former five-star recruit, continues to flash the explosiveness and quickness that made him a highly sought-after prospect. Nose tackle Jayden Jackson, before suffering an injury last season, was playing at an elite level.

If Jackson returns to his pre-injury form and Stone takes another jump, this defensive tackle pairing has a legitimate case as the best in college football.

Both players could capably go in the top 50 of the 2027 NFL Draft as juniors, which is almost unheard of at the same position group on the same team. Their dominance on the interior creates a ripple effect across the entire defense. EDGE rusher Taylor Wein, who had seven sacks last season, should see more favorable one-on-one matchups. Linebackers Owen Heineke and Kip Lewis should be able to run free behind that wall.

The depth behind Jackson and Stone is impressive as well. Danny Okoye, a redshirt sophomore, might be the most physically gifted defensive end on the roster. He was homeschooled in Oklahoma, which created a longer developmental track, but year three could be when he emerges as the pass-rush complement the Sooners need after losing R Mason Thomas.

Linebackers and secondary provide the supporting cast

The linebacker room features a blend of experience and versatility. Heineke went through the entire 2026 NFL Draft process before receiving late eligibility approval to return, which was a messy situation by the NCAA but a massive win for the Sooners. He pairs well with Kip Lewis, whose explosive, instinct-driven style benefits from having a steady, consistent partner next to him.

Cole Sullivan, a transfer from Michigan, adds another dimension as a redshirt sophomore with legitimate movement skills and a different body type at 6-4, 230 pounds.

In the secondary, safety Peyton Bowen is the headliner. The former five-star recruit took a noticeable step forward from 2024 to 2025 as a playmaker, and his straight-line speed (he reportedly ran around a 4.38 at a camp competition) gives him range to play deep safety, nickel, or near the box. He carries day-two NFL Draft feedback and has the potential to build toward first-round consideration.

His brother Eli Bowen is the polar opposite physically at 5-8 or 5-9, but his instincts and route-jumping ability project him as a future NFL nickel corner. True sophomore Courtland Guillory also flashed as a freshman and bears watching.

The offensive line has finally turned a corner

Oklahoma’s offensive line was a liability for multiple seasons, but the arrival of young talent has changed the trajectory. Left tackle Michael Fasusi handled himself well against SEC-caliber pass rushers as a true freshman, and the expectation is a significant sophomore leap. Ryan Fodje moves to right guard full-time after playing some right tackle in 2025, a shift that should suit his physicality in tighter spaces.

Center Jake Maikkula provided steady play on the interior, and Eddy Pierre-Louis enters his redshirt sophomore season at guard. E’Marion Harris, a transfer from Arkansas, slots in at right tackle.

This group is young, which means the ceiling is still climbing. Under offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, the talent upgrade has already started raising both the floor and the ceiling of a unit that held the program back for years.

Mateer is the ultimate wildcard

The entire Oklahoma operation hinges on quarterback John Mateer.

Before a thumb injury early in the 2025 season, Mateer looked brilliant, particularly in a standout performance against Michigan. After rushing back from the injury, his ball control, accuracy on the move, and decision-making deteriorated for an extended stretch. The thumb injury appeared to affect both his physical ability to drive the ball off-platform and his mental processing, leading to turnovers and questionable decisions that went beyond mere accuracy issues.

The talent is undeniable. Mateer possesses arm strength that belies his frame, drawing comparisons to Baker Mayfield in that regard, and he is a legitimate threat as a runner. NFL scouts have not given up on him either. A current area scout, per a group chat shared with the show, said he is still betting on Mateer to figure it out.

If he plays at his pre-injury level consistently, he has Heisman-caliber potential and could be a top-15 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, if all goes well.

Why Oklahoma deserves to be in the national title conversation

The Sooners bring back perhaps the most talented defensive core in the SEC without losing significant pieces. Their offensive line is trending upward with young, high-ceiling players locking into defined roles. The skill position group, led by wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (965 yards, eight touchdowns in 2025), provides explosive playmaking ability.

Whether Oklahoma can win a national championship depends almost entirely on Mateer’s consistency. If he delivers over a four-to-five game stretch what he showed against Michigan, this team has every ingredient required for a title run. The defense alone could carry them deep into the playoffs, and the Sooners are not a dark horse hiding in plain sight — they are a legitimate contender that the country has simply chosen not to see yet.