5 position battles to watch during Oklahoma Sooners fall camp
The Oklahoma Sooners are five weeks away from the start of the 2024 college football season, which means fall camp is set to kick off. The Sooners answered a number of questions heading into the offseason about spots on the roster, but still have several position battles that need to be settled before they line up against Temple on August 30.
Despite the turnover, the Sooners have a talented roster that will make OU competitive in year one in the SEC. But what are the most intriguing position battles as Oklahoma prepares for the season? Cornerback, defensive end, linebacker, guard, and backup running back are all positions that still have some questions to answer in the starting lineup or on the depth chart. Fall camp will be the next step in determining the hierarchy at each position, but you could see some of these position battles spill over into the nonconference schedule of the regular season.
Defensive End
Ethan Downs is one of your starters. He’s a productive veteran who is as consistent as it comes along the defensive line. But who starts at the other defensive end spot is intriguing.
The Sooners have four guys who could be your week one starter. Seniors Trace Ford and Caiden Woullard have proven pass-rush productivity, while youngsters R Mason Thomas and Adepoju Adebawore offer elite athleticism and burst off the edge.
The Sooners have options at defensive end, and though only two players will start, they’ll rotate these guys to keep them fresh and get some work in.
Cornerback
Gentry Williams is healthy and should be one of your starting cornerbacks. It’s the other one that has some question. Woodi Washington is the incumbent, but they’re planning to move him around the defense to take advantage of his versatility. Then there’s Dez Malone, who transferred in from San Diego State and is thought to be a great scheme fit for the Sooners. Oklahoma also has blue-chippers Jacob Johnson and Makari Vickers entering their second year in the program. After getting limited time, they could push for significant snaps or even a starting role in 2024.
Left Guard
It would appear that the Sooners have four-fifths of their offensive line figured out. But there will be competition throughout camp. One of the bigger competitions up front will be at left guard where former four-star prospect Heath Ozaeta will compete for snaps with incoming Washington transfer Geirean Hatchett.
Backup Running Back
When you finish the season with five straight 100-yard days and become an explosive part of the offense like Gavin Sawchuk did, you get to go into the season as the presumptive starter. But beyond that, the Sooners have a bit of a battle on their hands.
Jovantae Barnes had an injury-riddled sophomore season after a breakout freshman year. Sam Franklin and Kalib Hicks looked good in the spring game and have the ability to carry the load and then there’s incoming true freshman Taylor Tatum who has all the speed and athleticism in the world
Linebacker
The Oklahoma Sooners linebacker room is considered the best position on the roster by The Oklahoman and it’s hard to argue against it. They’ve got great talent and the depth is incredible. We know that Danny Stutsman will start for the Sooners. But the other linebacker spot along with the cheetah position will have an intriguing camp battle
Kip Lewis and Jaren Kanak both started a number of games for OU last year. Lewis took over midseason and seems to have the inside track, but Kanak will have something to say about it as well with his size, speed, and athleticism.
