Fall camp is already ripping in Norman, and listen, the Oklahoma Sooners are staring down the barrel of their 2026 regular season kickoff in less than two weeks! Seriously, it’s almost go-time. After a killer 2025 season that saw them snag 10 wins and a trip to the College Football Playoff, the whole vibe under head coach Brent Venables is about taking this team from “good” to “great.” And if you’re looking for where that next-level jump is coming from, you absolutely have to zero in on the defensive backs.
The Cornerback Room Just Got A Major Upgrade
The energy in the defensive back room is palpable, coached up by cornerbacks coach LaMar Morgan, safeties coach Brandon Hall, and assistant secondary coach Xavier Brewer. This isn’t just a group hoping to improve; they did that last year, and they’re back with multiple starters ready to take another massive step forward. At cornerback, get hyped, because both primary starters from last season are returning! We’re talking about Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory forming that starting tandem. They bring different sizes and play styles, giving their new position coach, Morgan, a seriously great duo right out of the gate.
Behind them, veteran Jacobe Johnson steps in as the third cornerback, loaded with the tools to play plenty of snaps in the SEC. But the competition for those crucial backup snaps? It’s wide open. The Sooners rotated cornerbacks a ton last year, and guys like Trystan Haynes might be leading the charge for a two-deep spot. He’ll have to battle it out with Jeremiah Newcombe, Dakoda Fields, and Prince Ijioma for that position. The bottom line, though, is clear: the entire floor of this cornerback room has been raised dramatically in just a few years. Even true freshmen Derrick Johnson II and Lebron Bauer are looking for opportunities to show what they can do.
Peyton Bowen Is Stepping Up, And The Safeties Are Stacked
Over at safety, the leadership is clear: Peyton Bowen is back and leading the entire secondary this year. He’s got Michael Boganowski joining him in the starting lineup, and you know the Sooners have a fantastic history of safety play under Hall. They’re expecting 2026 to keep that tradition alive, even with Boganowski stepping in as a new starter. Omarion Robinson, a young player the Sooners are incredibly excited about, will be the third safety.
Don’t forget Reggie Powers III at the Cheetah position. He’s starting there after being the backup last year, but he’s also an option to slide over to safety if Venables’ defense needs him. The depth drops off a bit after those top guys, meaning they might need to lean on true freshmen like Markel Ford or Niko Jandreau, or even veteran Reed DeQuasie, if extra experience is needed. Still, there is so much to like about this safety room, especially considering how young they are.
The regular season is right around the corner. This defensive back group, with its mix of returning talent and exciting new faces, looks primed to be a huge reason why Oklahoma takes that next big leap from “good” to “great.” It’s going to be a fun season watching them fly around!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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