Voice of Oklahoma Football's biggest questions for the Sooners

USA Today

5 days ago

With fall camps across the Southeastern Conference beginning this week, questions about each team in the league are arising. At Oklahoma, long-time Sooners play-by-play announcer and new News 9 sports director Toby Rowland provided his three biggest question marks for OU's upcoming season on Monday.
The top of his list is probably the same as most people's: How do the pieces fit on the offensive line? Oklahoma was atrocious up front last year, finishing in a tie for last in sacks allowed, giving up 50.
"Not good at all a year ago, the o-line has been fortified, but where do the pieces fit?" Rowland said.
Most of the pieces from last year remain, though highly-touted freshmen Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodje have been added to the mix. As to whether either freshmen are ready to start in the SEC, that's part of the question. The Sooners also brought in Derek Simmons from the transfer portal. Simmons didn't allow a sack last year, though that came playing at FCS Western Carolina. He's performed well in games against Arkansas and NC State over the last couple of years. He's penciled in as the likeliest starter at right tackle.
Rowland's second question is a matter of who steps up behind Deion Burks, who is firmly entrenched as the team's No. 1 wide receiver.
Arkansas transfer Isaiah Sategna earned plaudits from coaches upon arrival, and he caught 37 passes for the Razorbacks last year as a sophomore. Arkansas-Pine Bluff transfer Javonnie Gibson would likely step into a starting role if not for injury, leaving his immediate availability in doubt.
Injury was OU's bugaboo at the position last year.
"Keep the wideouts healthy," Rowland said. "We don't need to remind anyone of the disaster that room turned into a year ago."
Finally, the question of tight end ranked third. Not the most important position on the roster, but one Oklahoma would prefer to utilize more than it currently looks based on the roster makeup.
"This is the position that carries the most doubt going into the fall," Rowland said.
The most likely options are Kaden Helms, with his three career receptions, FCS transfer Carson Kent from Kennesaw State, Division II transfer Will Huggins from Pittsburg State, or converted linebacker Jaren Kanak. Not necessarily a blue-chip group to work with but the Sooners are simply hoping the tight end position provides a net positive to the offense in 2025.
That none of the biggest questions for this team are on the defensive side of the ball is encouraging, but the offense led by John Mateer and Jaydn Ott has a lot to prove in 2025.
Oklahoma begins its season August 30 against FCS Illinois State before Michigan visits Norman in Week 2.
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