The Oklahoma Sooners open the season in nine days. Oklahoma is a team on a mission. Brent Venables has built a defense that’s ready to contend; it just needs an offense that can pull its weight. And the Sooners feel like they’ve done that this year.
Brent Venables, Jim Nagy, and their staff worked overtime to overhaul the offense. It’s a group that’s very transfer-heavy, led by John Mateer and Jaydn Ott, but has a few homegrown players that will make a huge impact this season.
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Last week, we shared 10 players to watch on defense in 2025. Today, it’s the offense’s turn to take the stage. If Oklahoma is going to have the success it wants to have this season, it’s going to take a strong effort from offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle’s crew.
Here are 10 players to watch on the offensive side of the ball in 2025.
10. Jaren Kanak, TE
Oklahoma linebacker Jaren Kanak (7) scoops up a fumbled punt return and runs the ball for a touchdown and is celebrated by his teammates in the second half of an NCAA football game between Oklahoma (OU) and Temple at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Jaren Kanak may not start at tight end. He may not even be the second tight end on the depth chart when Oklahoma releases their week one depth chart next week. But he’s one of the most intriguing players on the offensive side of the ball due to his elite athleticism and speed. Kanak is built more like an H-Back and could create matchup nightmares in the passing game when offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle gets him into space. Head coach Brent Venables expects Kanak to have a big year in 2025 despite the switch from linebacker.
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9. Derek Simmons, RT
OL Derek Simmons (#66) goes through drills at the University of Oklahoma (OU) first fall open football practice, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
Derek Simmons was a big pick-up in the transfer portal and was slated to start at right tackle almost immediately after he arrived. He’s battled concussion symptoms in fall camp, but it sounds like he’ll be ready for the start of the season. Simmons is an experienced player who had success against Power Four competition during his time at Western Carolina. If that can translate to the jump to the SEC, the Sooners will have a veteran right side of their offensive line to lean on with Simmons and guard Febechi Nwaiwu.
8. Jacob Sexton, LT
Oklahoma’s Jacob Sexton speaks during a media day for the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) football team in Norman, Okla., Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
He missed some time with a concussion in fall camp, but by all accounts, Jacob Sexton will be ready for the start of the season. Sexton was a four-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class but has had a hard time staying on the field consistently. With Michael Fasusi making a ton of noise in fall camp, Sexton has had to work to hold off the talented true freshman. If he’s able to do just that, he’ll be in line for a breakout season if he can stay healthy.
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7. Jovantae Barnes, RB
Oklahoma running back Jovantae Barnes (2) carries the ball during the first half against Mississippi during their game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Until he was injured in the Maine game, Jovantae Barnes was the most consistent piece to Oklahoma’s offense in 2024. The veteran running back showed his toughness last year to fight for every yard he could get when not much else was going well for OU on offense. He’s slated to be the No. 2 running back behind Jaydn Ott, but he’ll get a lot of opportunities, especially because of his abilities in pass protection. Oklahoma won’t want to overwork Ott in the first half of the season, so expect Barnes to see 10-15 touches a game early on.
6. Troy Everett, C
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. (9) walks off the field beside Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Troy Everett (52) after a fumble that was returned for a touchdown during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.
When Troy Everett got into the lineup last year, the Oklahoma Sooners’ offensive line started to find more of a rhythm. He’s a key leader for the group and plays a massive role in the communication puzzle for the offensive line and quarterback John Mateer. Everett’s added size this offseason will be a big reason why Oklahoma gets a much better year from the offensive line.
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5. Febechi Nwaiwu, RG
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) stands behind offensive lineman Michael Tarquin (70), offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu (54), offensive lineman Joshua Bates (64) and tight end Jake Roberts (87) before a play during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Tulane Green Wave at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Only one Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman started all 13 games last season, and that was right guard Febechi Nwaiwu. Nwaiwu was the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week after Oklahoma’s win over Alabama. He provides stability for an offensive line that’s hoping for a resurgent season in 2025. By all accounts, he’s only gotten better from his end-of-season form.
4. Isaiah Sategna, WR
WR Isaiah Sategna (#5) runs after catching a kick off during a drill at the University of Oklahoma (OU) first fall open football practice, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
The Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff has raved about Arkansas transfer wide receiver Isaiah Sategna. They’ve called him the most consistent player this offseason and that’s going to translate to a lot of opportunities to show off his big play ability this fall. Sategna will also be an important piece on special teams for the Sooners.
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3. Deion Burks, WR
Aug 30, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Deion Burks (6) catches a touchdown pass past Temple Owls safety Andreas Keaton (2) during the first quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
After what happened at wide receiver in 2024, everyone’s itching to see if the Sooners wide receiver group can bounce back in a big way, and that starts with Deion Burks. Burks missed most of 2024 with an injury but is healthy heading into 2025. He has a strong rapport with quarterback John Mateer and has the ability to win in every level of the passing game. If the Sooners are going to have a 1,000-yard receiver, Burks seems like the most likely candidate.
2. Jaydn Ott, RB
Running back Jaydn Ott #0 at the University of Oklahoma (OU) first fall open football practice, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
Oklahoma hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Eric Gray did it back in 2022. Due to injuries and inconsistency, Oklahoma’s struggled to find a run game over the last two seasons. The addition of former 1,300-yard rusher Jaydn Ott will help solve a lot of those problems. He’s capable of carrying the load in the running game and will be a big-play threat every time he touches the ball.
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1. John Mateer, QB
Oklahoma’s John Mateer warms up during football practice for the University of Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, Okla., Wednesday, Aug., 6, 2025.
It all starts with John Mateer. He’s the leader of the team and will be the sparkplug for the Oklahoma Sooners offense. It won’t be all on his shoulders with a defense that will rank among the best in the country and an improved offensive line from what Oklahoma had a year ago. Still, for the Sooners to contend in the SEC and find their way into the playoff, Mateer will have to play well.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 10 Sooners to watch during the 2025 college football season
