The Oklahoma Sooners begin spring ball looking to build on their playoff appearance in 2025 with a roster loaded with returning starters for 2026. According to CBS Sports, the Sooners are among college football teams with the most returning starters.
Oklahoma is tied with Power Four programs Georgia, Notre Dame, Maryland, Oregon, and Virginia Tech with the second most returning starters in the country at 14. USC leads the way with 15 returning starters. CBS Sports’ Cody Nagel defined a returning starter as a player who made at least six starts in 2025.
Oklahoma is bringing back eight players on offense and six players on defense. Only USC is returning more players on offense than the Sooners.
On offense, the Sooners bring back John Mateer, Tory Blaylock, Isaiah Sategna, Michael Fasusi, Eddy Pierre-Louis, Jake Maikkula, Heath Ozaeta, and Ryan Fodje. Defensively, the Sooners bring back Taylor Wien, Jayden Jackson, Kip Lewis, Peyton Bowen, Eli Bowen, and Courtland Guillory.
That returning talent is one of the reasons there’s so much optimism about the Oklahoma Sooners heading into 2026. There may be questions about the defensive depth, but the starting lineup on both sides of the ball stacks up with the best teams in college football.
But finding depth is what it’s all about in spring ball. The Sooners have answers to the questions they’re facing, it’s time to let it all play out.
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