What will the OU football team look like in the spring of 2025? This is an analysis of the Sooners.

As the spring of 2025 approaches, college football programs across the country are in a state of flux, as teams look ahead to the upcoming season and beyond. For the Oklahoma Sooners (OU), a storied program with a rich history, the spring of 2025 will mark a critical juncture in their transition. The Sooners are under the leadership of head coach Brent Venables, who is looking to continue building on the foundation he has laid since his arrival in 2022. The Sooners are aiming to reclaim their place among the elite teams in college football, and the spring of 2025 will provide an important glimpse into what that journey will look like.

With Venables having had time to establish his program and recruit the players he needs, the 2025 spring season will be an opportunity for the coaching staff to assess the progress of the roster, evaluate returning talent, and solidify roles for key players. As the Sooners enter this pivotal spring period, several questions loom: What will the team’s offensive and defensive identity look like? Who are the key players to watch? How will the recruiting class impact the depth chart?

In this analysis, we will examine what the Oklahoma football team could look like in the spring of 2025, touching on key position groups, the impact of coaching, and the team’s overall outlook for the 2025 season and beyond.

The Transition Under Brent Venables

Brent Venables’ arrival at Oklahoma was seen as a significant step in the program’s efforts to reclaim national prominence, especially after the departure of Lincoln Riley to USC. Venables brought with him a reputation as a brilliant defensive mind, honed during his years as Clemson’s defensive coordinator. His goal was to return Oklahoma to its roots, emphasizing toughness, physicality, and a balanced approach to both sides of the ball.

In his first two seasons, Venables faced a combination of challenges: adapting to new personnel, establishing a cohesive culture, and trying to bring back the Sooners’ defensive dominance. While the team showed flashes of improvement, the overall performance was inconsistent. Venables’ first-year defensive struggles were evident, but it was clear that the foundation was being laid for future success. By the spring of 2025, the team will be in a much stronger position, with an experienced coaching staff, a deeper roster, and a clearer understanding of Venables’ vision for the program.

Offensive Outlook: A Balanced Attack

In the spring of 2025, one of the key questions for Oklahoma will be the development of its offensive identity. Historically, Oklahoma has been known for its high-powered offenses, often led by elite quarterbacks and dynamic playmakers. With the departure of former quarterback Caleb Williams, the Sooners entered a new era, needing to solidify their offensive attack under Venables’ defensive-minded leadership.

Quarterback Battle

The quarterback position will be one of the most closely watched battles during the spring of 2025. Venables is likely to have several options at quarterback, and it’s uncertain who will emerge as the starter. One candidate could be Jackson Arnold, a highly-touted recruit who committed to Oklahoma as a four-star prospect in 2023. Arnold’s potential was immediately evident, with many considering him one of the top quarterbacks in his class. By the spring of 2025, Arnold may be ready to step into a starting role after some seasoning, bringing both athleticism and strong passing ability to the position. The development of Arnold will be critical to Oklahoma’s offensive success, as he represents the future of the program.

Another potential candidate could be Dillon Gabriel, the experienced quarterback who transferred to Oklahoma ahead of the 2023 season. Gabriel has demonstrated flashes of brilliance during his time at Oklahoma, but consistency has been an issue. However, by 2025, Gabriel could provide a steady hand at the helm if he can regain his form and command of the offense. If he doesn’t emerge as the starter, Gabriel could serve as a valuable mentor for Arnold and any other quarterbacks competing for the job.

Wide Receivers and Skill Players

Oklahoma has always had a wealth of talent at the skill positions, and the spring of 2025 will be no different. The Sooners will return several key contributors at wide receiver, including Jalil Farooq and Theo Wease, both of whom possess big-play potential. Farooq, in particular, has shown the ability to stretch the field with his speed, and he could be a key weapon for the Sooners’ offense moving forward. Wease, a more physical receiver, offers a different dynamic as a reliable target in the red zone. The combination of these two wideouts could give Oklahoma a formidable receiving corps for 2025.

At running back, Marcus Major and Tawieq Williams will likely return, offering the Sooners a solid tandem in the backfield. Major is a bruising back who excels in short-yardage situations, while Williams is more elusive, capable of breaking off big runs in open space. The running back position could play a significant role in the offense, providing balance and easing the pressure on the quarterback. Additionally, Oklahoma may have recruited a promising freshman running back in the 2025 class who could challenge for playing time.

Offensive Line Development

The offensive line will also be a crucial position group to monitor in the spring of 2025. While Oklahoma has had some struggles on the line in recent years, Venables has placed an emphasis on physicality and toughness in both the trenches and the secondary. By the spring of 2025, the offensive line should be much improved under offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, who has built a reputation for developing NFL-caliber talent. The Sooners will need to find a starting five that can protect the quarterback and create running lanes for the ball carriers. Look for Tyler Guyton and Savion Byrd to play major roles in the line’s development. The health and performance of the line will be critical for the offense’s success.

Defensive Outlook: Venables’ Vision

Brent Venables’ defensive philosophy has always been one of physicality, speed, and discipline. By the spring of 2025, the Oklahoma defense will have had ample time to adjust to Venables’ system, and the program is expected to see significant improvements. After struggling to meet expectations in Venables’ first season, the Sooners will have the talent and experience to run a much more competitive defense.

Defensive Line and Pass Rush

One of the strengths of Venables’ defense is his ability to generate pressure on the quarterback, and the Sooners will have some key pieces in place to do just that in 2025. Oklahoma has several talented pass rushers in their stable, including Ethan Downs and Reggie Grimes. Downs, a rising star, has shown flashes of dominance in the pass rush, and he should emerge as one of the key leaders on the defensive line. Grimes, with his length and athleticism, can be a disruptive force as well.

Additionally, Oklahoma will have a strong interior defensive line with players like Jordan Kelly and Jalen Redmond. Both of these players are capable of anchoring the defensive line and plugging gaps against the run while also providing pressure in passing situations.

Linebacker Play

The linebacker position will be another area of focus for Oklahoma, as the Sooners will need to find players who can both stop the run and cover in space. Venables has been known for developing aggressive, intelligent linebackers, and the 2025 season will provide a chance for players like Danny Stutsman and David Ugwoegbu to shine. Stutsman, in particular, is an exciting prospect, with his sideline-to-sideline speed and ability to make plays in coverage. Both linebackers will be key to Venables’ defense in 2025, as they will be tasked with defending against high-powered Big 12 offenses.

Secondary: A Work in Progress

The secondary is an area where the Sooners will need to improve heading into the spring of 2025. In Venables’ first season, the defense struggled at times with giving up big plays, particularly in the passing game. However, the spring of 2025 will see a more experienced and talented group of defensive backs, including cornerbacks Woodi Washington and Gentry Williams, as well as safeties like Billy Bowman and Key Lawrence. Washington, a standout cornerback, will be a key piece of the secondary, and the development of young players like Williams could provide depth and talent to the cornerback rotation.

Bowman, a former standout in the secondary, will be expected to lead the defensive backfield, while Lawrence’s versatility will allow him to play a variety of roles. As the secondary continues to develop under Venables, it will become an increasingly important strength for the defense.

Special Teams and Coaching Staff

In addition to the main position groups, the Sooners will need to focus on special teams in the spring of 2025. Oklahoma has had solid special teams units in recent years, and the development of both the kicker and return units will be important for the Sooners’ success. Zach Schmit will be a key figure for the Sooners, as he will be expected to handle both punting and kicking duties.

Venables’ coaching staff will continue to develop under his leadership, with key hires in both offensive and defensive coaching positions. The continuity within the coaching staff, along with the steady improvement in recruiting, will contribute to the overall success of the program.