ELITE: Why Bob Stoops Calls Oklahoma Sooners Unit 'MOST UPGRADED' After Spring Ball? | Sooners legend believes OU is better in 2026 | Mateer ranked where?
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The Locked On Sooners podcast dives into the Oklahoma Sooners' offseason transformation, highlighting the dramatic upgrade in the tight end room following spring ball. Hosts Jay Smith and John Williams analyze Bob Stoops' praise for the position group, emphasizing the development of versatile, blocking-and-receiving talents like Hayden Hansen and Rocky Beers, which enables a return to 12 personnel sets and improved red zone efficiency. The discussion centers on how this depth and athleticism could lead to a more balanced, run-heavy offense, potentially unlocking the Sooners' best rushing attack since 2022. The hosts also explore the optimism surrounding John Mateer’s 2026 outlook, arguing that his projected SEC quarterback ranking of #7 by USA Today Sports is undervalued due to a thumb injury that sidelined him late in 2025. They assert that with a healthier Mateer, a stronger offensive line, and a more cohesive unit, the Sooners have a higher ceiling than last year’s team. The episode closes with a preview of tomorrow’s discussion on the 2026 running back depth and the team’s overall trajectory under Brent Venables’ 'bully ball' philosophy.
The Oklahoma Sooners' tight end group has seen its most significant upgrade since 2022, with multiple players capable of blocking and catching, enabling a return to 12 personnel sets.
Improved tight end play could lead to a more consistent and efficient running game, potentially making this the best rushing attack since 2023.
John Mateer’s 2026 season is expected to be a bounce-back year; his SEC quarterback ranking of #7 is seen as too low given his health and past performance.
The Sooners’ offensive line continuity and defensive returnees suggest a more cohesive, high-ceilings team compared to the 2025 squad.
The team’s retention and development of young talent, including Marion Harris and returning starters, point to long-term progress under Brent Venables.
Oklahoma's Tight End Revolution
“They're not guys that teams feel like they ain't got to watch. Kanik was a threat in ways, but they kind of had an idea of when he was going to be leveraged. Now, at some points... You did get to see where Kanik was leveraged as a, you know, as a safety net for Matier and he would throw it to him.”
The 2026 Offensive Outlook
“If John Mateer's healthy last year, we might feel differently about what that team was last year. That's true. I'm not going to say that they go beat Texas or they beat Ole Miss or they beat Alabama in the playoff, but you saw that when John Mateer was at his healthiest, the offense was able to create and make big plays down the field.”
John Mateer's SEC Ranking Debate
“I don't understand the Sam Levitt love itself, but I do understand why LSU would be up there because of Lane Kiffin. We've seen what Lane does with quarterbacks. As long as his quarterback's not afraid to throw the ball, he will make them into a star.”
The Foundation of Team Continuity
The hosts emphasize the importance of retention and continuity across key positions—especially offensive line and defense—highlighting returning starters and impactful additions like Marion Harris. They argue that this stability is the key to Oklahoma’s upward trajectory.
Brent Venables’ 'Bully Ball' Vision
The episode closes with a discussion on Brent Venables’ desired style of play: physical, clock-controlling, and dominant. The Michigan game from 2025 is cited as the ideal blueprint for how Oklahoma should win games in 2026.
“If John Mateer's healthy last year, we might feel differently about what that team was last year. That's true. I'm not going to say that they go beat Texas or they beat Ole Miss or they beat Alabama in the playoff, but you saw that when John Mateer was at his healthiest, the offense was able to create and make big plays down the field.”
“I think this team actually has an even more ripe fruit to where they don't have to squeeze as hard.”
“They're not guys that teams feel like they ain't got to watch. Kanik was a threat in ways, but they kind of had an idea of when he was going to be leveraged. Now, at some points... You did get to see where Kanik was leveraged as a, you know, as a safety net for Matier and he would throw it to him.”
Hosts
Oklahoma Sooners
other
Jay Smith
person
John Williams
person
John Mateer
person
SEC
other
Hayden Hansen
person
Brent Venables
person
Rocky Beers
person
Bob Stoops
person
USA Today Sports
organization
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