Projecting Oklahoma's Starters on Offense Ahead of Week 1

Fall camp is in the books in Norman, marking the close of Talking Season and turning the calendar toward game week.

As the Sooners prepare to kick off the pivotal 2025 season, Sooners on SI is projecting how Oklahoma’s first two-deep will shake out next week, starting today with the OU offense.

Quarterback: John Mateer, Michael Hawkins Jr.

Oklahoma Sooners, John Mateer and Michael Hawkins Jr. — Oklahoma quarterbacks John Mateer and Michael Hawkins Jr. warm up early in practice. | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

This one is pretty straightforward. John Mateer will make his Oklahoma debut against the Redbirds, but OU fans should get to see plenty of Michael Hawkins Jr. in the second half to see how he has progressed under new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.

Running Back: Jaydn Ott, Jovantae Barnes OR Xavier Robinson

Oklahoma Sooners, Jaydn Ott — Oklahoma running back Jaydn Ott runs at practice. | Ryan Chapman / Sooners on SI

Oklahoma general manager Jim Nagy moved quickly to bring Jaydn Ott to Norman. The former Cal star won’t need much work against Illinois State, and he’ll have a few familiar faces in Jovantae Barnes and Xavier Robinson as DeMarco Murray irons out his rotation in the backfield.

Slot Receiver: Deion Burks, Josiah Martin

Oklahoma Sooners, Deion Burks — Oklahoma's Deion Burks celebrates a catch during the Crimson Combine. | SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Deion Burks and Isaiah Sategna are expected to both play inside and out, but we’ll place Burks in the slot on the depth chart. OU fans didn’t get to see him realize his potential in an injury-riddled 2024 season, but when Oklahoma has taken the bubble wrap off him in fall camp, he’s delivered. Cal transfer Josiah Martin will bring plenty of speed to the slot if Burks and Sategna aren’t busy filling the role.

Wide Receiver: Isaiah Sategna, Zion Kearney

Oklahoma Sooners / Isaiah Sategna — Oklahoma receiver Isaiah Sategna works through a drill during fall camp. | Ryan Chapman / Sooners on SI

Sategna has been excellent when available, and he’ll get plenty of run this year in Norman. Arbuckle praised Kearney’s offseason work before fall camp started, and he’ll get every opportunity to carve out a role for himself on the outside along with Elijah Thomas and Keontez Lewis.

Wide Receiver: Elijah Thomas OR Keontez Lewis

Oklahoma Sooners, Elijah Thomas — Elijah Thomas catches a pass during an Oklahoma practice. | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With Javonnie Gibson still working his way back to full health, the Illinois State contest will give OU fans a first peek at true freshman Elijah Thomas and Southern Illinois transfer Keontez Lewis. Both have receivers coach Emmett Jones excited, and they’ll want to impress ahead of Week 2’s massive bout with Michigan.

Tight End: Carson Kent, Will Huggins OR Jaren Kanak

Oklahoma Sooners Jaren Kanak — Jaren Kanak moved from linebacker to tight end for Oklahoma last winter. | John E. Hoover / Sooners On SI

Brent Venables expressed excitement about Kaden Helms over the summer, but a broken hand stunted his momentum a bit in fall camp. Helms should still factor into Joe Jon Finley’s plans in 2025, but Carson Kent will likely get the first crack at catching passes from Mateer. Will Huggins is an able blocker, and Jaren Kanak’s ability with the ball in his hands will get him on the field at some point.

Left Tackle: Jacob Sexton, Michael Fasusi

Oklahoma Sooners, Jacob Sexto — Oklahoma offensive lineman Jacob Sexton lines up in the Alamo Bowl against Arizona. | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

Both Jacob Sexton and 5-star freshman Michael Fasusi are going to play. Bill Bedenbaugh is going to tinker, but he could lean on Sexton’s experience initially — especially with Michigan right around the corner.

Left Guard: Heath Ozaeta OR Eddy Pierre-Louis

Oklahoma Sooners, Heath Ozaeta — Oklahoma offensive guard Heath Ozaeta at practice. | Ryan Chapman / Sooners on SI

Heath Ozaeta needed to knock off some rust at the start of fall camp after missing spring due to shoulder surgery, but he found his footing and finished strong. Eddy Pierre-Louis brings aggression and an edge, but I’d guess that Ozaeta runs out first against Illinois State.

Center: Troy Everett, Jake Maikkula

Oklahoma Sooners, Troy Everett — Oklahoma center Troy Everett at practice. | Ryan Chapman / Sooners on SI

Troy Everett and Jake Maikkula are also in a position battle at center. Everett has an advantage over Maikkula due to going through spring ball with Arbuckle, while Maikkula had to wait until the summer to get integrated in Norman.

Right Guard: Febechi Nwaiwu, Ryan Fodje

Oklahoma Sooners, Febechi Nwaiwu — Oklahoma guard Febechi Nwaiwu (54) lines up against Tennessee. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bedenbaugh praised Febechi Nwaiwu’s work both on and off the field over the offseason. He’s stepped up as a leader and developed his body to be better suited for the SEC. Freshman Ryan Fodje has also impressed, and Bedenbaugh said he’d also play this season.

Right Tackle: Logan Howland, Derek Simmons

Oklahoma Sooners, Logan Howland — Oklahoma offensive tackle Logan Howland listens to Bill Bedenbaugh at practice. | Ryan Chapman / Sooners on SI

Derek Simmons missed time at the start of camp, meaning Logan Howland got to kick over to right tackle to fill in for the Western Carolina transfer. He also got stronger throughout camp, like Ozaeta, after recovering from surgery that also cost him time during spring football. Bedenbaugh is going to experiment early in the season, but Howland is well-positioned to get the first chance against the Redbirds.