2023 Oklahoma Sooners football team explained

Year:	2023
Team:	Oklahoma Sooners
Sport:	football
Conference:	Big 12 Conference
Short Conf:	Big 12
Coachrank:	15
Aprank:	15
Record:	10–3
Conf Record:	7–2
Head Coach:	Brent Venables
Hc Year:	2nd
Off Coach:	Jeff Lebby
Oc Year:	2nd
Off Scheme:	Spread
Def Coach:	Ted Roof
Dc Year:	2nd
Codef Coach1:	Todd Bates
Codc1 Year:	2nd
Codc2 Year:	2nd
Def Scheme:	4–3
Bowl:	Alamo Bowl
Bowl Result:	L 24–38 vs. Arizona

The 2023 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 129th season for the Oklahoma Sooners. They were led by second-year head coach Brent Venables. They played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They were a charter member of the Big 12 Conference.

The season marked the team's last season as members of the Big 12 Conference before joining the SEC on July 1, 2024.

Offseason

Departures

Entered NFL draft

See also: 2023 NFL draft. Players listed below left Oklahoma to enter the draft with eligibility remaining, excluding seniors who were allowed a 5th year by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marvin Mims

WR

Outgoing transfers

Theo Wease Jr.	WR	6'3	205	Redshirt junior	Missouri
Joshua Eaton	DB	6'1	183	Junior	Texas State
Brian Darby	WR	6'0	202	Junior
Kendall Dennis	DB	5'11	187	Redshirt sophomore	South Florida
Jordan Mukes	DB	6'1	207	Sophomore	Abilene Christian
Trevon West	WR	5'11	180	Junior	Tarleton
Nick Evers	QB	6'3	185	Freshman	Wisconsin
Bryson Washington	DB	6'2	190	Redshirt sophomore	New Mexico
Davion Woolen	WR	6'2	188	Freshman
Cedric Roberts	DL	6'3	275	Freshman	Texas State
Alton Tarber	DL	6'2	322	Freshman
Clayton Smith	DL	6'4	245	Redshirt freshman	Arizona State
Kevonte Henry	DL	6'4	214	Freshman	Cerritos
Josh Ellison	DL	6'3	300	Senior	Memphis
David Ugwoegbu	LB	6'4	250	Senior	Houston
Marcus Alexander	OL	6'4	325	Redshirt junior	Texas State
Brey Walker	OL	6'7	355	Redshirt senior	Texas State
Micah Bowens II	QB	5'11	190	Redshirt sophomore	Charlotte
Reed Lindsey	DL	6'4	268	Redshirt junior	Central Oklahoma
Damon Smith	WR	6'1	198	Redshirt junior	South Florida
Kori Roberson Jr.	DL	6'3	285	Redshirt junior	SMU
Jaden Davis	DB	5'10	183	Senior	Miami (FL)
Damond Harmon	DB	6'0	180	Sophomore	North Carolina A&T
Jamarrien Burt	DB	6'0	185	Freshman	South Alabama
Cullen Montgomery	OL	6'4	330	Redshirt freshman	Memphis
Derrick LeBlanc	DL	6'5	265	Freshmen	UCF

Former 5-star recruit Theo Wease Jr. transferred to Missouri after three seasons with the Sooners. Wease Jr. recorded 64 receptions for 1,044 yards and 10 touchdowns during his tenure.^[1] Senior David Ugowegbu transferred to Houston after ranking second on the team with 101 tackles last season.^[2]

Additions

Incoming transfers

Emeka Megwa	RB	6'0	205	Redshirt sophomore	Washington
Jacob Lacey	DL	6'1	272	Redshirt senior	Notre Dame
Luke Elzinga	P	6'4	210	Redshirt senior	Central Michigan
Blake Smith	TE	6'4	255	Redshirt junior	Texas A&M
Austin Stogner	TE	6'6	255	Senior	South Carolina
Dasan McCullough	LB	6'5	222	Sophomore	Indiana
Trace Ford	DL	6'2	251	Redshirt senior	Oklahoma State
Reggie Pearson Jr.	DB	5'10	199	Redshirt senior	Texas Tech
Walter Rouse	OL	6'6	315	Redshirt senior	Stanford
Davon Sears	DL	6'2	282	Redshirt senior	Texas State
Caleb Shaffer	OL	6'5	337	Redshirt senior	Miami (OH)
Rondell Bothroyd	DL	6'3	275	Redshirt senior	Wake Forest
Andrel Anthony	WR	6'1	186	Junior	Michigan
Brenen Thompson	WR	5'11	162	Sophomore	Texas
Konnor Near	LB	6'2	220	Sophomore	Ferris State
Troy Everett	OL	6'3	285	Redshirt freshman	Appalachian State
Da'Jon Terry	DL	6'4	320	Redshirt senior	Tennessee
Philip Paea	DL	6'4	296	Redshirt senior	Utah State
Hampton Fay	TE	6'5	241	Redshirt sophomore	Michigan State

The Sooners added fourteen new transfers for head coach Brent Venables's second season. Former Sooner Austin Stogner re-committed to Oklahoma after playing a sole season with South Carolina.^[3] Indiana transfer Dasan McCullough committed to the Sooners alongside his brother, Daeh, a 2023 4-star recruit. As a freshman, McCullough recorded 48 tackles and four sacks in 11 games for the Hoosiers.^[4] Andrel Anthony committed to the Sooners from Michigan after catching 19 passes for 328 years and four touchdowns in his two seasons with the Wolverines.^[5] Trace Ford and Brenen Thompson committed to the Sooners after transferring from longtime rivals Oklahoma State and Texas respectively.^{[6] [7]}

Recruiting

Class rankings

ESPN^[8]	4	2	3	11	12
On3^[9]	7	2	3	12	11
Rivals^[10]	6	2	3	14	9
247Sports^[11]	4	2	3	14	9

See main article: 2023 college football recruiting class.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Lott Trophy^[12]	Danny Stutsman	LB	Jr.
Dodd Trophy^[13]		HC	–
Maxwell Award^[14]		QB	Sr.
Ray Guy Award^[15]	Luke Elzinga	P	Sr.
Wuerffel Trophy^[16]	Ethan Downs	DL	Jr.
John Mackey Award^[17]	Austin Stogner	TE	Sr.
Davey O'Brien Award^[18]	Dillon Gabriel	QB	Sr.
Doak Walker Award^[19]	Jovantae Barnes	RB	So.
Butkus Award^[20]	Danny Stutsman	LB	Jr.
Chuck Bednarik Award^[21]	Ethan Downs	DL	Jr.
Manning Award^[22]	Dillon Gabriel	QB	Sr.
Lombardi Award^[23]	Ethan Downs	DL	Jr.
Polynesian College Football^[24]	Jonah Laulu	DL	Sr.
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award^[25]	Dillon Gabriel	QB	Sr.

Preseason All Big-12 teams

Position	Player	Class
Defense
DL	Ethan Downs	Jr.

Big 12 media poll

1	Texas (41)	886
2	Kansas State (14)	858
3	Oklahoma (4)	758
4	Texas Tech (4)	729
5	TCU (3)	727
6	Baylor	572
7	Oklahoma State (1)	470
8	UCF	463
9	Kansas	461
10	Iowa State	334
11	BYU	318
12	Houston	215
13	Cincinnati	202
14	West Virginia	129

Schedule

Oklahoma and the Big 12 announced the 2023 conference schedule on January 31, 2023. The 2023 schedule consists of 4 home games, 4 away games and 1 neutral-site game in the regular season. The Sooners will host 2 non-conference games against Arkansas State and SMU and will travel to Tulsa. Oklahoma will host Iowa State, UCF, West Virginia, and TCU, and travel to BYU, Cincinnati, Kansas, and Oklahoma State. Oklahoma will play Texas in Dallas, Texas at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in the Red River Showdown, the 119th game played in the series.^{[26] [27]}

Coaching staff

Brent Venables	Head coach	2nd
Jeff Lebby	Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks	2nd
Ted Roof	Defensive coordinator/Linebackers	2nd
Todd Bates	Associate head coach/Co-defensive coordinator/Run defense/Defensive tackles	2nd
Bill Bedenbaugh	Offensive line	11th
Miguel Chavis	Defensive ends	2nd
Joe Jon Finley	Tight ends	3rd
Emmett Jones	Passing game coordinator/Wide receivers	1st
Brandon Hall	Safeties	2nd
DeMarco Murray	Running backs	4th
Jay Valai	Co-defensive coordinator/Pass defense/ Cornerbacks & nickelbacks	2nd
Jerry Schmidt	Director of sports enhancement & strength and conditioning	2nd

Source: 2023 Oklahoma Sooners Roster

After serving as the interim wide receivers coach last season, L'Damian Washington joined Western Kentucky as the full-time wide receivers coach following Emmett Jones's hiring to the same position.^{[28] [29]}

Spring game

Game summaries

Arkansas State

Statistics	ASU	OKLA
First downs	10	36
Total yards	208	642
Rushes/yards	23/48	49/220
Passing yards	160	422
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	13–27	30–33
Time of possession	23:04	36:56

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Arkansas State	Passing		12/26, 148 yards
Rushing	Jaxon Dailey	3 carries, 11 yards
Receiving	Courtney Jackson	3 receptions, 66 yards
Oklahoma	Passing		19/22, 308 yards, 2 TD's
Rushing		13 carries, 49 yards
Receiving	Jaquaize Pettaway	9 receptions, 56 yards

SMU

Statistics	SMU	OKLA
First downs	21	21
Total yards	367	354
Rushes/yards	34/117	44/181
Passing yards	250	176
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	26–45–1	19–27
Time of possession	32:20	26:00

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SMU	Passing		26/45, 250 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Jaylan Knighton	15 carries, 76 yards
Receiving	Jake Bailey	7 receptions, 73 yards
Oklahoma	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	19/27, 176 yards,4 TD's
Rushing		20 carries, 107 yards
Receiving		7 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD

At Tulsa

See also: 2023 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team.

Statistics	OKLA	TUL
First downs	27	17
Total yards	595	292
Rushes/yards	28/119	46/75
Passing yards	476	217
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	30–35–1	17–27–5
Time of possession	26:54	33:06

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Oklahoma	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	28/31, 421 yards, 5 TD's, 1 INT
Rushing	Jovantae Barnes	13 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD
Receiving		8 receptions, 53 yards, 2 TD's
Tulsa	Passing		11/17, 196 yards, 2 TD's, 2 INT's
Rushing	Bill Jackson	10 carries, 40 yards
Receiving	Devan Williams	6 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD

At Cincinnati

See also: 2023 Cincinnati Bearcats football team.

Statistics	OKLA	CIN
First downs	21	21
Total yards	427	376
Rushes/yards	34/105	37/141
Passing yards	322	235
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	26–38	22–42–2
Time of possession	27:35	32:25

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Oklahoma	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	26/38, 322 yards, 1 TD
Rushing	Marcus Major	15 carries, 63 yards
Receiving	Andrel Anthony	7 receptions, 117 yards
Cincinnati	Passing		22/41, 235 yards, 2 INT
Rushing	Emory Jones	15 carries, 42 yards
Receiving	Chamon Metayer	3 receptions, 50 yards

Iowa State

Statistics	ISU	OKLA
First downs	16	30
Total yards	352	523
Rushes/yards	27/150	41/157
Passing yards	202	366
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	19–37–2	26–39–1
Time of possession	23:30	33:04

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Iowa State	Passing		15/33, 188 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing		7 carries, 67 yards
Receiving		4 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD
Oklahoma	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	26/39, 366 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Marcus Major	19 carries, 66 yards
Receiving	Jalil Farooq	5 receptions, 81 yards

No. 3 Texas

See also: 2023 Texas Longhorns football team and Red River Showdown.

Statistics	OKLA	TEX
First downs	28	25
Total yards	486	527
Rushes/yards	43/201	40/156
Passing yards	285	371
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	23–38	32–38–2
Time of possession	27:49	32:11

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Oklahoma	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	23/38, 285 yards, 1 TD
Rushing	Dillon Gabriel	14 carries, 113 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Jalil Farooq	5 receptions, 130 yards
Texas	Passing		31/37, 346 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing		22 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD
Receiving		10 receptions, 115 yards

UCF

Statistics	UCF	OKLA
First downs	20	30
Total yards	397	442
Rushes/yards	41/149	46/189
Passing yards	248	253
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	16–30	25–38–1
Time of possession	30:16	29:44

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UCF	Passing		16/30, 248 yards, 2 TD's
Rushing		23 carries, 101 yards
Receiving		5 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TD
Oklahoma	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	25/38, 253 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Marcus Major	18 carries, 82 yards
Receiving	Drake Stoops	7 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD

At Kansas

See also: 2023 Kansas Jayhawks football team.

Statistics	OKLA	KAN
First downs	19	25
Total yards	440	443
Rushes/yards	55/269	41/225
Passing yards	171	218
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	14–19–1	15–32–2
Time of possession	28:50	27:07

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Oklahoma	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	14/19, 171 yards, 1 INT
Rushing	Tawee Walker	23 carries, 146 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Drake Stoops	4 receptions, 76 yards
Kansas	Passing		15/32, 218 yards, 2 INT
Rushing		25 carries, 112 yards, 1 TD
Receiving		3 receptions, 79 yards

At No.22 Oklahoma State

See also: 2023 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team and Bedlam Series.

Statistics	OKLA	OKST
First downs	21	27
Total yards	492	480
Rushes/yards	27/148	38/146
Passing yards	344	334
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	26–37–1	28–43–1
Time of possession	22:46	37:14

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Oklahoma	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	26/37, 344 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing		13 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Drake Stoops	12 receptions, 134 yards, 1 TD
Oklahoma State	Passing		28/42, 334 yards, 1 INT
Rushing		33 carries, 137 yards, 2 TD
Receiving	Rashod Owens	10 receptions, 136 yards

West Virginia

Statistics	WVU	OKLA
First downs	17	25
Total yards	330	664
Rushes/yards	41/176	42/221
Passing yards	154	423
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	10–31–2	23–36
Time of possession	30:32	29:28

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
West Virginia	Passing		10/27, 154 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing		14 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Devin Carter	3 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD
Oklahoma	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	23/36, 423 yards, 5 TD
Rushing	Gavin Sawchuk	22 carries, 135 yards
Receiving	Drake Stoops	10 receptions, 164 yards, 3 TD

At BYU

See also: 2023 BYU Cougars football team.

Statistics	OKLA	BYU
First downs	20	18
Total yards	368	390
Rushes/yards	34/144	38/217
Passing yards	224	173
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	18–30	15–26–1
Time of possession	28:50	31:10

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Oklahoma	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	13/21, 191 yards, 2 TD
Rushing	Gavin Sawchuk	14 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Jalil Farooq	5 receptions, 53 yards
BYU	Passing		15/26, 173 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing		22 carries, 182 yards
Receiving	Kody Epps	6 receptions, 90 yards

TCU

Statistics	TCU	OKLA
First downs	25	30
Total yards	520	607
Rushes/yards	29/176	41/207
Passing yards	344	400
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	32–58–1	24–38–1
Time of possession	30:22	29:38

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
TCU	Passing		32/58, 344 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing		21 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD
Receiving		8 receptions, 39 yards, 2 TD
Oklahoma	Passing	Dillon Gabriel	24/38, 400 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	Gavin Sawchuk	22 carries, 130 yards, 3 TD
Receiving	Drake Stoops	12 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD

No. 14 Arizona (2023 Alamo Bowl)

Statistics	ARIZ	OKLA
First downs	16	23
Total yards	383	562
Rushes/yards	26/29	34/201
Passing yards	354	361
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	24–38–1	26–45–3
Time of possession	31:25	28:35

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Arizona	Passing		24/38, 354 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing	DJ Williams	6 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD
Receiving		10 receptions, 160 yards
Oklahoma	Passing		26/45, 361 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing	Gavin Sawchuk	15 carries, 134 yards, 1 TD
Receiving	Nic Anderson	7 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD

After the season

NFL Draft

The following Sooners were selected in the 2024 NFL draft.^[30]

1	29	Tyler Guyton	Tackle	Dallas Cowboys
6	177	Walter Rouse	Tackle	Minnesota Vikings
7	234	Jonah Laulu	Defensive tackle	Indianapolis Colts

Notes and References

1. Web site: Former Oklahoma WR Theo Wease Announces Transfer Portal Destination. si.com.
2. Web site: Report: Former Oklahoma Linebacker Announces Transfer Destination, Position Change. si.com.
3. Web site: South Carolina TE Austin Stogner Transfers Back to Oklahoma. si.com.
4. Web site: Oklahoma nabs LB Dasan McCullough as transfer from Indiana. espn.com.
5. Web site: Andrel Anthony Jr., former Michigan WR, commits to Oklahoma. on3.com.
6. Web site: OU football: Defensive end Trace Ford, an Oklahoma State transfer, commits to Sooners. oudaily.com.
7. Web site: Former Texas WR Brenen Thompson transfers to rival Oklahoma. espn.com.
8. Web site: Oklahoma 2023 Recruiting Class. espn.com.
9. Web site: Oklahoma 2023 Recruiting Class. on3.com.
10. Web site: Oklahoma 2023 Recruiting Class. rivals.com.
11. Web site: Oklahoma 2023 Recruiting Class. 247sports.com.
12. Web site: Lott Impact® Trophy Announces 2023 Watch List. May 4, 2023. July 12, 2023.
13. Web site: Most coveted national coaching award honors scholarship, leadership and integrity. Watch list includes 21 coaches representing all Power Five conferences, as well as the AAC, Mountain West and an independent. .
14. Web site: 2023 Maxwell Award Watch List.
15. Web site: 2023 Watch List .
16. Web site: WUERFFEL TROPHY WATCH LISTS.
17. Web site: 2023 Watch List .
18. Web site: Davey O’Brien Award Announces 2023 Preseason Watch List .
19. Web site: Doak Walker Award Announces 2023 Preseason Watch List .
20. Web site: 2023 Watch List.
21. Web site: 2023 Watch List.
22. Web site: Allstate Sugar Bowl Announces Manning Award Watch List.
23. Web site: 2023 WATCHLIST.
24. Web site: 2023 WATCHLIST.
25. Web site: 2023 Golden Arm Award Watch List Presented by A. O. Smith.
26. Web site: 2023 Big 12 football schedule announced. FBS Schedules. January 31, 2023.
27. Web site: 2023 Oklahoma Sooners Football Schedule. May 16, 2023.
28. Web site: Oklahoma Assistant Coach Takes Western Kentucky Job. si.com.
29. Web site: Official: Oklahoma Hires New Wide Receivers Coach. si.com.
30. Web site: 2024 NFL Draft Listing. Pro-Football-Reference.com. April 27, 2024.