A Revamped Offensive Outlook
The Oklahoma Sooners are entering the offseason with a clear priority: reviving a run game that struggled mightily in 2025. Coach Brent Venables labeled the previous season’s rushing attack, which ranked 104th nationally at just 119.8 yards per game, as "pathetic," underscoring the urgency of the overhaul.
Key to the transformation is a completely rebuilt tight end unit. After parting ways with longtime coach Joe Jon Finley, the program secured the services of NFL legend Jason Witten to guide the position. Witten’s reputation for demanding a physical presence has already resonated with players like Hayden Hansen, who declared during spring camp that the team is "pounding the rock every practice."
Scheme adjustments have been on display throughout spring camp, with the offense leaning heavily on outside zone runs. The new-look tight ends are expected to anchor a ground attack that has not seen a 800‑yard rusher since Eric Gray’s breakout season in Venables’ inaugural year in Norman.
Weaponry and Depth at Skill Positions
The receiving corps receives a major boost with the addition of All‑ACC honoree Trell Harris and Texas transfer Parker Livingstone via the transfer portal. The Sooners also retain leading receiver Isaiah Sategna III and add depth pieces Mackenzie Alleyne from Washington State and freshmen Jayden Petit and Jahsiear Rogers. This blend of experience and youthful talent aims to stretch defenses and open lanes for the run.
Along the line, veteran coach Bill Bedenbaugh returns five starters, including center Jake Maikkula, who has fully recovered from the infection that sidelined him late last season. General manager Jim Nagy has identified Maikkula as the player most likely to break out, while transfers E’Marion Harris and Rocky Beers provide added steadiness.
The optimism extends beyond the offensive side of the ball. Venables, who previously transformed the Sooners’ defense, believes that balanced improvement on both sides of the ball could place Oklahoma back in the College Football Playoff conversation. He emphasized that "everybody's success is interdependent on each other," highlighting the collaborative approach the staff is taking to build a more cohesive unit.