2024 Oklahoma Sooners two-deep depth chart projection (2024)

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As things stand, fall camp will likely start with Casey Thompson as the backup to Jackson Arnold. But Michael Hawkins is an impressive talent. He could factor into the QB2 role as well.

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Gavin Sawchuk returns after a strong finish to the season where he rushed for 100 yards in each of the final six games. Though he didn’t see much work in the spring game, Jovantae Barnes will head into fall camp as the RB2. His issue in 2023 was health. If he’s healthy, he’s productive.

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Jayden Gibson has the talent to be a frontline wide receiver for the Oklahoma Sooners. However, in what will be Jalil Farooq’s final season at the collegiate level, the Sooners coaching staff will ride with their veteran wideout.

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Nic Anderson had a breakout season in 2023, scoring 10 touchdowns and finishing with 798 yards receiving despite not stepping into the starting lineup until Andrel Anthony was hurt in the Red River Rivalry game.

We consider Jayden Gibson to be the Sooners fourth wide receiver and he’ll play both outside wide receiver spots, but don’t be surprised to see Brenan Thompson factor in on the outside as well.

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Deion Burks has the chance to be as impactful of a transfer addition as Oklahoma’s made in recent years. His speed, agility, route running, and after the catch ability will create an easy button for Arnold in the passing game.

Jaquaize Pettaway got a lot of work in the slot in the spring game and will be a factor in a rotational role this season before taking over in 2025.

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Tight end is a spot that could end up with the biggest rotation. Bauer Sharp is the guy that turned heads in the spring with his athleticism and toughness. Jake Roberts has the experience to play a key role for Oklahoma’s offense. Kaden Helms and Davon Mitchell have plus tools to be x-factors for the offense. Helms just needs to stay healthy and Mitchell is only a true freshman. Then there’s Kade McIntyre, who received limited playing time in 2023, but showed off good athleticism in his lone reception.

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So much of how Oklahoma’s offensive line looks will depend on if they feel better with Michael Tarquin at left tackle compared to Heath Ozaeta at left guard. In the spring game, they felt more comfortable with Tarquin at left tackle and bumped Jacob Sexton to guard. If needed, Sexton would kick out to tackle.

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We’re going to go with Sexton at left guard right now, but if the Sooners need to bump him out to tackle and insert Ozaeta in at guard, they will.

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Center took a hit with Troy Everett’s injury but the Sooners responded with the addition of Branson Hickman. Heading into fall camp, Everett is still recovering from his offseason injury and the Sooners have highly-regarded Josh Bates developing as an option. This will likely be Hickman’s job for 2024.

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If there was an offensive lineman who turned heads in spring ball, it was Febechi Nwaiwu. The former freshman All-American could be the next big-time player for Bill Bedenbaugh’s offensive line. Right guard feels like a spot for either Eugene Brooks or Eddy Pierre-Louis to find some playing time this fall.

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While Spencer Brown arrived from Michigan State with a lot of experience, it looks as if Jake Taylor has earned a leg up in the right tackle position. The competition will extend into fall camp, but Oklahoma has a pair of really good options at right tackle.

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It’s entirely possible that in base downs, we see Caiden Woullard line up opposite Ethan Downs at the defensive end. But for now, we’re going to roll with Downs and Woullard in a rotational spot.

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At the three-technique defensive tackle spot, you could see Oklahoma roll with Gracen Halton in the starting lineup, bumping Damonic Williams over to nose tackle. It’ll be interesting to see how Todd Bates deploys his defensive tackle group because he’s got a ton of talent to work with.

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If Williams is playing the three-technique defensive tackle spot, then Da’Jon Terry is your starting nose tackle. He was instrumental in helping Oklahoma improve its run defense, in particular in short-yardage situations. It’s also possible to see Williams playing the nose tackle spot. Either way, Oklahoma can run three-deep at nose tackle with talented true freshman Jayden Jackson turning heads in spring ball.

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Could this be the year we see the R Mason Thomas breakout? Here’s hoping. Because he brings a ton of juice off the edge and has a fantastic motor. If he can stay healthy, he could be one of Oklahoma’s breakout defenders in 2024. Again, it’s possible to see Woullard get significant playing time at this spot. Adepoju Adebawore and Trace Ford could be used in situational roles to add more pass rush productivity at defensive end.

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Danny Stutsman’s return helped solidify a talented but young group at linebacker. With improved defensive tackle play, look for the preseason All-American to have another standout year in 2024. Kobie McKinzie, who became a factor in a rotational role for the Sooners last year will see his role grow this year before taking over at middle linebacker in 2025.

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Don’t talk to Kip Lewis about size, the guy just goes and makes plays. He’s got fantastic instincts and when he makes a decision, gets downhill in a hurry. Lewis will likely open the season as the weakside linebacker, but don’t sleep on 2023’s starter Jaren Kanak to continue to develop or second-year linebacker Lewis Carter, a guy that Brent Venables can’t stop raving about.

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Dasan McCullough was a work in progress in 2023 as he adapted to his new role as the cheetah linebacker. But he made a number of significant plays, especially in the run game. Kendel Dolby came on strong down the stretch as McCullough dealt with injuries and will be a factor again in 2024. Look for former four-star linebacker Samuel Omosigho to earn some playing time and for Woodi Washington, Peyton Bowen, and true freshman Michael Boganowski to see some snaps there as well.

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Health is the key for Gentry Williams, who was fantastic when he played in 2023, but dealt with a shoulder issue for much of the season. He waited until the season was over to get it cleaned up surgically and the hope is he’ll be ready to roll for week one of 2024.

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However you want to list Billy Bowman, whether strong safety or free, the guy is one of the best playmaking safeties in the nation. Coming off of a season where he had six interceptions, he could have very well been a top 100 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. However, like Stutsman, Bowman had some unfinished business. Peyton Bowen will see snaps at both safety spots for the Sooners and we’ll often see Oklahoma run three safeties out on the field in certain situations.

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However the Sooners list their safety positions, the Sooners will see a breakout season from Robert Spears-Jennings in 2024. When he was on the field in a rotational role last year, he was impactful, especially around the line of scrimmage. The former four-star prospect will likely get the first shot, but Bowen will play some snaps too, likely on some passing downs.

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Given the Sooners’ desire to use Woodi Washington in a utility role in 2024, it’s hard to place him on the depth chart. He could very well be your week one starter at cornerback, or they may use him at safety or cheetah as well. So, for now, we’re going to go with Dez Malone, who comes over from San Diego State via the transfer portal. He’ll have to fend off former four-star cornerback Jacobe Johnson for the starting role, but as we’ve seen under Brent Venables, they’ll rotate players across the defense.

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Neither Zach Schmit nor Tyler Keltner did anything to distinguish themselves in the kicking battle in spring ball, so the competition will rage on into fall camp.

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Unlike kicker, the Oklahoma Sooners have their answer at punter after Luke Elzinga took control of the job midseason and was one of the best in the Big 12.

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Jalil Farooq has a knack for returning kickoffs and it’s likely he’ll continue in that role. His versatility is important for the Sooners. Taylor Tatum, the No. 1 running back in the class in 2024 joined the Sooners during the summer. Though he may not see a lot of opportunities early on at running back, Oklahoma will have to find a way to get his speed and athleticism on the field. What better way than returning kicks.

Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Peyton Bowen was electric as a returner in high school. He’s got incredible athleticism to be a factor in the return game for the Sooners. Deion Burks has fantastic speed and the ability to make people miss in the open field. Oklahoma could go either way here, and it would be right.

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