The Oklahoma Sooners have played a lot of young players during the Brent Venables era. Some of it by design, and at times, Oklahoma’s been forced to do so due to injury. In 2024, defensive tackle Jayden Jackson and Eli Bowen became starters for the Sooners and performed well.
In 2025, the Sooners have a bit more veteran depth, but Venables believes some young guys on both sides of the ball will break out in 2025.
On offense, Venables talked about four players along the line of scrimmage.
“Up front on offensive line, I would say a couple of the guys you’ll see a lot of Eddy Pierre-Louis, who didn’t get to campus until last summer,” Venables said. “I think you’ll see Daniel Akinkunmi. I think you’ll see Mike Fasusi, Ryan Fodje, freshmen, offensive linemen that are mature beyond their years mentally and physically.”
Oklahoma’s offensive line was an issue last season. The depth chart was decimated by injury, and the Sooners had to rely upon several young guys who experienced trial by fire. Pierre-Louis and Daniel Akinkunmi were a part of the 2024 class but didn’t play much behind Heath Ozaeta and Febechi Nwaiwu. However, with impressive strength and athleticism, they have a chance to see more opportunities this season.
Left guard is perhaps the most intriguing position battle heading into fall camp. Ozaeta is the incumbent starter for the Sooners, finishing second among offensive linemen in snaps and starting eight games last season. He had offseason surgery and missed spring ball, but is expected to be ready for fall camp. He’ll have to fend off a challenge from Pierre-Louis, who has the speed and athleticism to be a problem in space when Oklahoma pulls its guards.
Akinkunmi is the raw, but talented 2024 prospect out of the United Kingdom. He’ll get an opportunity to compete for snaps as well, but will battle with Pierre-Louis, Ozaeta, and Fodje for those interior offensive line snaps.
Michael Fasusi was the big fish addition in the 2025 recruiting class. The former five-star prospect out of Lewisville has incredible potential and was a bright spot in spring ball. Though Jacob Sexton and Derek Simmons are projected to start at the two offensive tackle spots, Fasusi impressed coaches and onlookers in spring ball and could earn backup opportunities. However, like Cayden Green did in 2023, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Fasusi could find his way into the starting lineup at some point in 2025.
On defense, Venables discussed a number first and second year players along the line of scrimmage and in the secondary.
Along the line of scrimmage, Venables mentioned former four-star prospect Danny Okoye, who Venables called, “pound for pound might be the best athlete on our football team.” He also mentioned former five-star prospect out of the 2024 class, David Stone as well as 2025 four-star defensive tackle Trent Wilson, saying, “Trent Wilson has had a really nice transition from high school.”
The Sooners are expecting big things out of Okoye and Stone, who came in the 2024 class along with Jayden Jackson, Nigel Smith, and Wyatt Gilmore. They likely won’t start for the Sooners, but Stone figures to factor into the defensive tackle rotation behind Gracen Halton. Okoye will be battling with former five-star prospect Adepoju Adebawore and Taylor Wein for backup defensive end snaps.
Venables also mentioned a couple of secondary players like Reggie Powers III. About Powers, Venables said, “I think Reggie Powers is also someone that has great position flexibility, plays a lot of different positions for us.”
Powers is a part of a deep safety group that’s expected to be led by Robert Spears-Jennings and Peyton Bowen. But he has also received work at cheetah and will likely get most of his snaps at that spot this season.
Venables also mentioned a corner and a safety from the 2025 recruiting class; Courtland Guillory and Omarion Robinson.
“Courtland Guillory, a young man from Houston that showed up on campus,” Venables started. “A corner that loves to compete. That’s probably his best quality and trait. Long, super athletic. He loves to compete, shows up every day. He’s a dog. Plays with tremendous effort, lets you coach him hard. I love that about Courtland.”
Cornerback is the only position on defense where there are questions. As Gentry Williams and Eli Bowen battle back from injuries, Guillory was provided an opportunity to get significant snaps with the first-team defense during spring ball and impressed. Oklahoma doesn’t have much depth behind their two projected starters aside from Jacobe Johnson, who’s been with the program since signing with Oklahoma out of the 2023 recruiting class. But there isn’t a lot of proven production or stability. If there are injuries, Guillory could become a factor for Brent Venables defense in 2025.
Robinson was a four-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class who Venables and the staff are very high on. Venables said Robinson “is a guy that got here in January that has tremendous range, great instincts, natural safety as well.”
Oklahoma has recruited well over the last few cycles but are hoping for a better return than the 2023 class that is down to just 11 players from the cycle after two years with the program. 2024 has already yielded better returns with Jayden Jackson, Eli Bowen, Michael Hawkins, Zion Ragins, Ivan Carreon, and Zion Kearney earning snaps and providing some production. Venables has high hopes for the guys he mentioned out of the 2024 and 2025 class giving OU quality snaps this year.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Which underclassmen does Brent Venables expect to have an impact?
