Latest news with #EliBowen

Yahoo

Oklahoma Sooners boast plethora of Preseason All-SEC players in latest prediction piece from major publication

Oklahoma Sooners boast plethora of Preseason All-SEC players in latest prediction piece from major publication originally appeared on A to Z Sports. In their first year in the SEC last year, the Oklahoma Sooners had just four players finish their inaugural season on the All-SEC team, and only one on the First-Team All-SEC. Advertisement However, optimism is much higher heading into 2025, and that's evidenced by this latest prediction piece from Athlon Sports. The Sooners double their first count, sending eight total players onto the All-SEC team, according to Athlon's All-SEC prediction piece. Three players earned First-Team All-SEC nominations: running back Jaydn Ott, wide receiver Deion Burks, and pass rusher R Mason Thomas. Thomas would be Oklahoma's first pass rusher to earn an All-Conference nomination since Obo Okoronkwo in 2017, while Ott would be the first Sooners' rusher since Joe Mixon in 2016. Defensive tackle Gracen Halton finished on the Second-Team All-SEC, joining Florida's duo of Tyreak Sapp and Caleb Banks. Halton tied with Banks in pressures and sacks last season at 29 and four, respectively. Three more Sooners finished on the Third-Team All-SEC: defensive tackle Damonic Williams, linebacker Kip Lewis, and cornerback Eli Bowen. Bowen proved to be a shutdown cornerback for the Sooners as a freshman last season, while Lewis is set to be the leader of the defense in his WILL linebacker role. Advertisement Rounding out Oklahoma's nominations is Eli Bowen's older brother, Peyton, who was named a Fourth-Team nod. Peyton Bowen has yet to step fully into a starting role while behind Billy Bowman Jr. and Robert Spears-Jennings, but is set to be the starter opposite of RSJ and let his talent shine through. It's a bit jarring to not see John Mateer on this list, who lost out on any spot to Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier, LaNorris Sellers, and DJ Lagway. Did they get it right? Should any more Sooners have been nominated? For my money, I expect David Stone, Derek Simmons, and PJ Adebawore to put themselves in these talks by the time the season ends. Related: Oklahoma Sooners general manager Jim Nagy's dismissal of star rankings in recruiting is a risky gamble View the original article to see embedded media. This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.