Oklahoma lastly took its rightful place again within the Faculty Soccer Playoff in 2025 after a breakout season. The Sooners returned to the postseason match for the primary time since 2019, and first time below fourth-year coach Brent Venables throughout a 10-3 marketing campaign.
The season was much-needed proof of idea for Venables, who posted dropping seasons in two of his first three seasons. The Sooners fielded among the finest defenses in faculty soccer for the second straight season and flipped close-game luck of their favor. They pulled off historic wins over No. 15 Michigan, No. 4 Alabama and No. 14 Tennessee — the latter two on the highway.
However like Oklahoma’s 4 appearances within the CFP below Lincoln Riley, the season ended with no win within the postseason match. The Sooners blew a three-score lead in a 34-24 loss No. 9 Alabama on their dwelling discipline. And like these different runs, Oklahoma was held again by obtrusive limitations on one aspect of the ball.
The arrival of Washington State switch quarterback John Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle offered optimism because the Sooners hoped to develop from a bottom-tier SEC offense. However whereas there have been indicators of life, the offense finally remained a legal responsibility when competing on the nationwide stage.
Oklahoma received off to a scorching begin, main 17-0 after a number of robust offensive drives. However after a surprising whiffed punt by Grayson Miller, the Sooners unraveled. Mateer threw a pick-six on the subsequent drive and in fewer than six minutes of sport time, Alabama tied the sport. From there, Oklahoma put collectively one landing drive, and went three-and-out 4 occasions.
The offensive points have been a mainstay all season, even because the Sooners employed the well-respected Arbuckle. Oklahoma ranked No. 12 within the SEC in each whole and scoring offense, regardless of typically getting favorable discipline place and factors from protection and particular groups. The Sooners scored fewer than 17 factors per contest within the remaining three video games of the common season. Whereas they hit 24 on Friday, they scored simply seven within the second half.
Venables may have key inquiries to reply heading into the offseason, together with the place he needs to spend money on the roster. However after reaching the playoff, it no less than comes from a place of energy.
Inconsistent Mateer has determination to make
Oklahoma invested closely in Mateer over the offseason, making him one of many highest-paid gamers in faculty soccer. His arrival did make a significant distinction because the Sooners improved from No. 16 to 9 in passing offense. He made massive performs in wins over Michigan and Tennessee, but in addition was stifled in opposition to Texas and within the second half of the loss to Alabama.
Mateer underwent surgical procedure for a hand damage in September, and his restoration actually performed a task in his inconsistency. Nevertheless, he completed the 12 months with 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, together with two separate video games with three picks.
Mateer acknowledged postgame he had a choice to make concerning the 2026 NFL Draft; his inventory has dropped from midseason, however it’s a skinny class. CBS Sports activities’ Mike Renner has Mateer because the No. 5 QB and No. 61 total prospect, which might be Day 2 and maybe second-round territory. A wage vary like that will be an an annual common worth of, utilizing Tyler Shough’s contract for instance, $2.7 million (which might most likely be a pay lower for Mateer) however would additionally embrace a hefty signing bonus of $4-plus million.
“I actually have not thought of it but,” Mateer stated. “I am fairly certain I will take a while and weigh all of the choices, and we’ll see.”
Even when Mateer returns, the Oklahoma passing sport will look a lot completely different in 2026. Prime targets Deion Burks, Keontez Lewis and tight finish Jaren Kanak are all out of eligibility after the season. Prime receiver Isaiah Sategna might additionally look to the NFL after nearing the 1,000-yard plateau.
Is the run sport coming alongside?
Since becoming a member of the SEC in 2024, Oklahoma’s working sport has been maybe its most obtrusive difficulty. The Sooners averaged solely 3.7 yards per carry over the previous two seasons, and completed No. 13 within the SEC with solely 123.8 yards dashing per sport.
There’s been a number of elements which have led to the Sooners’ struggles on the bottom, together with inconsistent working again identification and improvement. No working again on the roster posted greater than 109 carries within the common season, even after the Sooners invested closely in California switch Jaydn Ott over the offseason. The inconsistent personnel stays a significant difficulty for working backs coach DeMarco Murray.
However greater than anything, the offensive line has been a constant difficulty since becoming a member of the SEC. The Sooners cycled by way of linemen in 2024 whereas fielding maybe the SEC’s worst unit. Late within the 12 months, the unit has settled down and leaned closely on a handful of underclassmen. The excellent news? These younger gamers seem like the precise ones.
Left deal with Michael Fasusi is a rising star and Jake Maikkula (who missed the Alabama sport whereas recovering from an an infection) has been one of many high graded gamers at heart. Freshmen Eddy Pierre-Louis and Ryan Fodje have additionally performed main roles, together with beginning the playoff sport. All 4 gamers are anticipated again in 2026. If they will take steps, Oklahoma ought to lastly have a Sooner-level offensive line.
The protection will stay electrical
When Venables was defensive coordinator at Clemson, his models have been outlined by always rotating our bodies. After 4 years at Oklahoma, he is lastly introduced the Sooners’ depth to that elite degree.
Heading into Friday, 20 completely different gamers recorded no less than 200 defensive snaps. Fifteen cleared the 300-snap mark. Though stars like security Peyton Bowen and edge rusher R. Mason Thomas might head to the NFL, there’s a complete new wave of playmakers ready within the wings.
Sophomore defensive tackles David Stone and Jayden Jackson ought to emerge among the many greatest within the sport, whereas defensive finish Taylor Wein actually got here on throughout the season. Linebacker Owen Heinecke had a powerful sport, and cornerback Eli Bowen has one other 12 months of eligibility remaining.
Final season, Oklahoma misplaced All-American security Billy Bowman and linebacker Danny Stutsman to the NFL. The unit responded by taking one more step ahead. It is time to classify Venables’ Oklahoma defenses as completely good, no matter personnel turnover.
The ultimate prognosis
By any measure, the Venables period at Oklahoma began off on the improper foot with two dropping seasons in three years. After posting a 10-win season and reaching the Faculty Soccer Playoff, Venables is cemented because the long-term coach of the Sooners. From right here, it is merely tweaking the method.
The Sooners have recruited at a excessive degree and welcome in a top-15 signing class in 2026. They’re positioned to interrupt into the nationwide elite within the 247Sports Expertise Composite, and improvement on protection has been a mainstay.
Nevertheless, the obtrusive drawback at Oklahoma stays the identical as when it entered the season: Can Venables work out the offense? There have been steps in the precise route, however the Sooners are nonetheless distant from fielding a championship-level unit.
