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Projecting Oklahoma’s statistical leaders for the 2026 season
- John Mateer is projected to lead every Oklahoma passing category and move closer to his 44-touchdown 2024 form after producing 22 total touchdowns in 2025, aided by another year in Ben Arbuckle's system and a healthier supporting cast.
- Freshman running back Hatton is projected to overtake Lloyd Avant and Xavier Robinson as Oklahoma's rushing and touchdown leader because his 235-pound frame combines short-yardage value with explosive speed.
- Virginia transfer receiver Harris is projected to lead Oklahoma in catches after returning from a limited offseason, while Isaiah Sategna remains the yardage favorite because of his established explosive-play role.
- Wein is the safest projection to replace R Mason Thomas as Oklahoma's sack leader after recording seven sacks in 2025 and entering 2026 ahead of a deeper edge rotation.
- Powers is projected to lead Oklahoma in tackles after moving into a full-time starting role at Cheetah, where he will play against the run, in coverage and near the line of scrimmage.
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Ben Arbuckle vows offense will be 'more versatile,' but how different will Sooners look this season?
- Ben Arbuckle says Oklahoma will be more versatile in 2026 while preserving his core philosophy, using personnel upgrades to attack space and favorable numbers more effectively.
- Oklahoma plans to expand its 12-personnel package and add more under-center concepts after Mateer and the offense emphasized those unfamiliar mechanics throughout the offseason.
- The Sooners return John Mateer, Isaiah Sategna, Xavier Robinson, Tory Blaylock and four offensive-line starters while adding receivers Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone and a rebuilt three-transfer tight end room.
- Oklahoma's backfield adds potential Week 1 starter Lloyd Avant and freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. after the 2025 offense ranked 118th in yards per rush and produced only 11 explosive runs of 20-plus yards.
- Oklahoma is targeting more than 30 points per game after scoring 26.2 per game last season, with improved balance viewed as the route to greater explosiveness.
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Homegrown nature of Oklahoma's defense a rarity in transfer portal era
- Oklahoma's projected 11 defensive starters all began their careers with the Sooners, and 16 of the other 28 players on the Week 1 defensive depth chart are in at least their third year in the system.
- David Stone and Jayden Jackson are the expected starting defensive tackles, with Taylor Wein starting at one edge and Adepoju Adebawore or Danny Okoye competing opposite him.
- Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke form Oklahoma's veteran inside-linebacker tandem, while Michigan transfer Cole Sullivan is listed at a new Sam position that can interchange with Cheetah.
- Oklahoma's expected secondary starts Courtland Guillory and Eli Bowen at corner, Peyton Bowen and Michael Boganowski at safety, and Reggie Powers III at Cheetah.
- The Sooners improved to seventh nationally in scoring defense at 15.5 points allowed per game and fourth in defensive SP+ last season, supporting another top-tier preseason projection for the experienced unit.
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