Who Will Be the X-Factor for Oklahoma's Defense?

The Sooners on SI staff picked the defensive piece who could help R Mason Thomas take Oklahoma's defense to another level in 2025.

Oklahoma safety Robert Spears-Jennings celebrates against Alabama. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With the 2025 season under two weeks away, John Hoover, Ryan Chapman and Carson Field selected their picks for the Oklahoma player who has the best chance to be the defense’s X-Factor who can combine with edge rusher and elevate the ceiling of Brent Venables’ unit.

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Hoover’s Pick: S Peyton Bowen

Oklahoma safety Peyton Bowen is healthy again ahead of the 2025 season. | SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Peyton Bowen is healthy this year, and with two years experience in his pocket, fans should expect to see a major rise from the Sooners’ junior safety. He’s being asked to replace four-year starter Billy Bowman, and that won’t be easy. But Bowen’s football IQ is off the charts, so now all he has to do is read and react. Getting snaps alongside All-SEC candidate Robert Spears-Jennings gives the Sooner defense a legit 1-2 punch in the secondary in 2025. Over the last two seasons, OU ranks 14th in the nation and seventh among Power 4 schools with 47 takeaways, thanks to excellent play at safety.

Chapman’s Pick: LB Sammy Omosigho

Oklahoma linebacker Sammy Omosigho | Ryan Chapman / Sooners on SI

Sammy Omosigho was third on the team in tackles a year ago amongst guys returning in 2025, only sitting behind Robert Spears-Jennings and Kip Lewis. He was thrust into a large role at Brent Venables’ cheetah linebacker spot after Kendel Dolby’s injury a year ago, and he showed his ability to impact the game sideline-to-sideline could translate to the SEC. Though he’ll be splitting time with Kobie McKinzie alongside Lewis after getting shifted to inside linebacker, Omosigho can raise the defense’s ceiling, especially in third-and-long situations, by pairing his athleticism with Lewis. OU’s linebackers struggled when dropping into zone coverage a year ago, but Lewis and Omosigho together should be able to close down passing windows over the middle of the field and give R Mason Thomas more time to go to work up front. 

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Read More Oklahoma 2025 Season Preview

• Who Will Be the X-Factor for Oklahoma's Offense?
• Who Will Be Oklahoma's Best Newcomer in 2025?
• After a Brief Stint in the Transfer Portal, David Stone is 'Glad to be Back' at Oklahoma

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Field’s Pick: S Robert Spears-Jennings

Oklahoma safety Robert Spears-Jennings intercepts a pass against Houston. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Robert Spears-Jennings started 11 games for the Sooners in 2024 and was excellent. The safety finished his junior year with 66 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and a pass breakup — all of which were career-highs. Spears-Jennings was fourth nationally with his four forced fumbles. The free safety posted a 78.7 Pro Football Focus overall defensive grade and logged a stellar 93.1 rushing defense grade. The safety position will be a strength for the Sooners after Spears-Jennings’ outstanding 2024 campaign and Peyton Bowen now fully healthy.