SEC Spring Check-In: Oklahoma joins a new league with lingering questions in the trenches

Before the Texas Longhorns officially join the Southeastern Conference on July 1, Inside Texas is going around the SEC to check in with Texas’ new conference mates for updates on the latest spring storylines, important roster notes, and much more as the Longhorns embark upon life in a new league.

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But in this edition, Inside Texas will get the latest on a foe the Longhorns are all too familiar with.

George Stoia, who covers Oklahoma for SoonerScoop, took the time to answer a few questions about the Sooners as they enter year three under Brent Venables. The Longhorns play the Sooners on October 12 in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.

1. How much different will the life be in ’24 for Oklahoma in the SEC?

Much different. I think defensively, OU should be able to keep up. It wouldn’t shock me if they were a top 25 defense in the country next season with the experience they have back. But where it will be most different is up front on offense. That offensive line is a work in progress and that’s not a place where you want to be rebuilding entering the SEC. You could get away with that in the Big 12 — not the SEC. 

2. What is the spring storyline to track on offense for the Sooners (transfers, star recruits, coaches coming and going, etc.)?

The offensive line. All the attention is on quarterback Jackson Arnold, and he certainly has to be great if OU wants to achieve its goals. But if this offensive line doesn’t come together, Arnold won’t ever have a chance to be great. The Sooners are replacing all five starters and while they have some nice young pieces and some experience from the portal, it’s still not in a great place right now. It’s the biggest question mark on the team right now.

3. What’s the spring storyline to track on defense for the Sooners?

The defensive line. Lots of talent up front for the Sooners but not a ton of experience. Da’Jon Terry is the only returning defensive lineman who has any meaningful playing time. But OU does feel like it has some young talent in freshmen David Stone and Jayden Jackson. Every other spot on defense is expected to be great. But can the young guys on the defensive line exceed expectations and contribute right away? That’s the big question. 

4. Which returner from the 2023 roster was the most important for Oklahoma?

Danny Stutsman. He was the unquestioned leader of the team last year, not to mention arguably their best player. His absence was felt last year when he was injured. Maybe they make the Big 12 title game if he doesn’t get injured against Kansas and miss Bedlam. He makes the defense go and is the perfect leader for this team heading into the SEC. 

5. Which transfer portal addition was the most important for Oklahoma?

I’m going to say two guys: offensive guard Febechi Nwaiwu from North Texas and tight end Bauer Sharp from Southeastern Louisiana. Both of those guys filled spots that OU absolutely needed to fill. Nwaiwu looks like a lock to start at right guard. And Sharp has been the surprise of spring practice. He looks like a dynamic playmaker at tight end that OU didn’t have last year. 

6. Which class of 2024 signing was the most important for Oklahoma? 

David Stone. No question about it. He has the highest ceiling of maybe anyone on the team. And if anything, it was great for optics to finally land a five-star defensive lineman for this staff. Living up to the expectations is going to be difficult for Stone, but if he does, he could be Oklahoma’s next great defensive tackle. 

7. The game OU fans have circled on the 2024 schedule is…

Texas, obviously. But that’s the easy answer. I think fans are certainly fired up for Alabama to come to town. And the trips to Auburn, LSU and Ole Miss will be awesome. But there is some bad blood between OU fans and Missouri right now, mostly because of what happened with Cayden Green and Williams Nwaneri. Most fans will tell you that game doesn’t mean much and they aren’t worried about the Tigers and that it’s not a rivalry. But something tells me OU fans want to win that one bad. 

SEC Spring Check-Ins

• Mississippi State: Jeff Lebby begins a new era
• Texas A&M: Aggies start over with Mike Elko ahead of the return of the rivalry
• Ole Miss: The Rebels are going for it all in 2024
• Florida: A pivotal year three awaits Billy Napier at Florida
• Georgia: UGA looks to assert itself as top-dawg in new-look SEC
• LSU: With Jayden Daniels moving on, what’s next for Brian Kelly?
• Kentucky: Wildcats move forward with new faces at QB & OC under Mark Stoops
• Tennessee: Volunteers have a new quarterback and a whole lot of optimism
• South Carolina: Shane Beamer looking to rebound with several new faces on offense

• Michigan: Wolverines move forward with Sherrone Moore