Okay, so Week 1 is staring us down, and the Oklahoma Sooners have finally dropped their first official depth chart for the season opener against the UTEP Miners on Friday night! And let me tell you, while head coach Brent Venables and his crew didn’t throw a ton of curveballs, there are still some massive takeaways that set the tone for the entire year.
Mateer’s Locked In, But The Backfield Battle Is Heating Up
First off, no surprises at quarterback: John Mateer is the no-doubt starter for the Sooners. He’s the guy! Behind him, it looks like Whitt Newbauer has really impressed in fall camp, making a strong case for QB2 over Bowe Bentley, even if they’re still listed as co-backups. That’s a good sign for depth, right?
Now, running back is where things get interesting. Lloyd Avant and Xavier Robinson are set to be the primary backs to kick things off. Avant’s been healthy since he got to OU, and that consistency gets him the nod. But watch out for Robinson; if he plays well, he absolutely has a chance to become the feature back. Then there’s the second duo: Tory Blaylock has been battling injuries this preseason, and that opens a huge door for Jonathan Hatton Jr. to step into a larger role early on. If Hatton excels, it’s gonna be tough to keep that youngster off the field, and that’s exactly the kind of competition that makes a team better!
The Wide Receiver Room Is WILD!
The wideout spots are giving us some serious battles! At the X-receiver, it’s Parker Livingstone OR Elijah Thomas, and they’re gonna be fighting for snaps all season. Livingstone was one of the biggest portal additions OU snagged this offseason, and Thomas is a homegrown talent looking to make his mark. Good news for both of them, Jer’Michael Carter is a reliable target who should see plenty of playing time, no matter what. In the slot (H-receiver), Isaiah Sategna III is the top dog. His big-play ability and his connection with Mateer are going to be a huge part of the offense. Mackenzie Alleyne and Jacob Jordan are gonna compete for those remaining slot snaps, and expect to see them both getting a lot of action in the second half against the Miners.
But the real headline-grabber at receiver? Trell Harris! This guy earned the starting Z-receiver job on the outside even after missing spring ball and the *early part* of fall camp. Can you believe it?! The incoming transfer was apparently so good in his limited opportunities that he just flat out took the spot. Manny Choice is also listed, but man, Harris’s rise is just electric!
So, there you have it, folks! Week 1 against UTEP on Friday night isn’t just a season opener; it’s the first chance to see how these battles shake out and how these guys perform under the lights. Keep your eyes on Hatton Jr. and Trell Harris. They could be the breakout stars defining this team’s early success!
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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