The best indicator for the Oklahoma Sooners’ first season in the SEC begins this week at the fall training camp. Head coach Brent Venables, who just received a contract extension this summer, is undoubtedly looking to see some major developments. This preseason, he’s starting with a patchwork offensive line and a defensive backfield rife with position battles. If nobody stands out, it could make creating the depth chart, let alone surviving the season, a real challenge.
A Preview of Oklahoma’s Fall Training Camp
Offense at Training Camp: The Offensive Line
Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold remarked during the SEC Media Days that “Road games were a little difficult for us last year.” His comments were certainly true from an offensive perspective. The Sooners turned the ball over a total of 20 times in the 2023 season. A less-than-stellar offensive line allowed six of those turnovers in big losses on the road at Oklahoma State and Kansas. While Venables is working on a legendary recruiting class in the offseason, the focus right now is on maximizing the potential of his current talents.
The Sooners’ offensive line is currently undergoing a total overhaul as seniors cycle out and freshmen and transfers cycle in. This creates a major issue because the entire starting lineup has very little time to practice as a full unit. Until younger talent can develop, the obvious plan is to lean on transferring seniors, like Branson Hickman and Michael Tarquin.
Branson Hickman, a fresh transfer from SMU, is coming in as a veteran center. Hickman has been racking up accolades so far, so it’s doubtful that Venables will choose anyone else as his starter. How Hickman meshes with a group he’s only been practicing with for a couple of months, though, is a big question mark heading into the fall training camp.
Other big transfers such as Geirean Hatchett and Michael Tarquin are sure to factor into this style of play. Hatchett, as a right guard, was only able to really shine at Washington during their undefeated season last year. Tarquin, on the other hand, excelled as an offensive tackle for both the Florida Gators and USC throughout his career. Cayden Green, whose dominating performances last year surprised everyone, is likely to become a starter on the offensive line as well.
Offense at Training Camp: Wide Receivers and Running Backs
Nowhere is this fight for the starting position going to be more intense than in the running and receiving rooms.
Gavin Sawchuk is the front-runner for taking over the top spot, but he still has to compete with Jovantae Barnes and Tawee Walker. Both Barnes and Sawchuk suffered from injuries that hampered their abilities throughout last season. While Walker was able to help out, barring a miracle, he’s unlikely to overcome either for the starting job. A fully recovered Barnes and Sawchuk could become a dual threat as a truly dynamic backfield. The fall training camp will undoubtedly decide who starts for the season. Much further down the depth chart are the freshmen Sam Franklin, Taylor Tatum, and Xavier Robinson, who are also competing for a shot at third-string running back.
Last year, Nic Anderson’s star began to rise. At nearly 800 yards and 10 touchdowns, he has the potential to become one of the best pass catchers in the nation. This fall, however, Anderson is competing with Deion Burks, Jalil Farooq, and Jayden Gibson. If any position battle is going to be the one to watch both at training camp and beyond, it has to be this one.
Defensive Overview: Linemen and Cornerbacks
If anyone is able to make an impact on Coach Venables and Zac Alley’s depth chart plans, it’ll happen at the Sooners’ fall practice camps.
Damonic Williams’ time at TCU showed him to be an unmatched destructive force on the defensive line. Williams tore through the Colorado Buffaloes, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and Kansas State in 2022. His dominance continued into the 2023 season with 33 total tackles. Williams’ starting spot on the interior defensive line, barring injury, is in no danger at the fall practice camp. Davon Terry is another safe bet for a starting job on the defensive line.
Jayden Jackson and David Stone are two of the top contenders for starting positions. Stone comes in as a Five-Star commit and the 17th-best player nationally. Currently ranked in the top ten of the nation’s defensive tackles, Jackson was also the IMG Academy’s 2023 Defensive MVP. At the Sooners’ fall training camp, they’re likely to remind everyone of exactly why they deserve those honors. They’ll have to stay healthy, though, because the drop-off behind them on the depth chart will be immense.
Another area open to position battles is unquestionably at cornerback. Gentry Williams earned his top spot during last year’s fall camp, but injuries limited his time on the field. Woodi Washington, on the other hand, was both team captain and a standout talent. However, his time at OU is coming to an end. Young guys like Jayden Row, Dez Malone, and Kendel Dolby have the opportunity to make a big impact in the fall training.
Conclusions:
This year’s fall training camp is one of the biggest make-or-break moments for the Sooners. A developmental year amid a transition to the hardest conference in college football isn’t ideal for anyone. The depth chart is nonexistent in some areas, and the battles to be number one are going to be intense this year. If Venables’ mix of veteran and rookie talents can pull it together, it all starts at the Fall training camp.
