Sooners’ Fresh Faces Clash in NFL Preseason Showdown
Oklahoma’s NFL hopefuls are taking their first swings in the Hall of Fame Game and beyond. Established stars like Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb sit comfortably in their starting roles, while seven members of the 2025 Sooners draft class—R. Mason Thomas, Febechi Nwaiwu, Gracen Halton, Kendal Daniels, Robert Spears-Jennings, Jaren Kanak and Deion Burks—battle for roster spots. Chiefs’ second-round pick Thomas meshes with veterans, Texans’ Nwaiwu shores up a leaky line, and 49ers’ Halton overcomes a knee issue. Seventh-rounders Spears-Jennings, Kanak and Burks scramble for depth roles, and four undrafted free agents—Marvin Jones Jr., Damonic Williams, Keontez Lewis and Jaydn Ott—are grinding through camp. Cardinals’ Williams even earns a Hall of Fame Game appearance, showcasing OU’s pipeline of pro talent.
Wow, nothing screams “summer blockbuster” like semipro football games where future millionaires jog in circles under lights. Our beloved Sooners veterans are lounging on cushy contracts while fresh-faced rookies wage gladiatorial duels for the privilege of hauling water and filling cooler bottles. It’s heartwarming to watch these child-soldiers endure calf tendonitis and depth-chart purgatory, all for the faint hope of five snaps in December. Nothing says “professional success” like starting your career by getting steamrolled by a third-string linebacker in a glorified scrimmage. Touchdowns not included.
Mateer Bets His Titans: Young OL Poised for Power Surge
Sophomore quarterback John Mateer is banking on his offensive line’s breakout season. Consensus five-star tackle Michael Fasusi and versatile four-star Ryan Fodje combined for 395 and 254 pass-blocking snaps in 2025, yielding a mere five sacks. Their freshman performances prompted praise from GM Jim Nagy and coach Bill Bedenbaugh, and center Jake Maikulla’s veteran leadership complements the duo’s freak-athlete status. As Mateer rebounds from injury and running backs, tight ends and the entire offense seek improvement, the maturation of Fasusi and Fodje could be the catalyst for Oklahoma’s offensive resurgence in 2026.
Surely nothing fuels confidence like being referred to as “freak athletes” by your own quarterback. Extra-long limbs and inexplicable USDA prime strength aside, this dynamic duo still needs to remember which end of the field they’re supposed to block on. But worry not—Mateer’s sworn allegiance to these behemoths means at least one human being on the roster feels small. If sacks remain as rare as hen’s teeth, expect barbershops across Norman to rename their top chair “The Fasusi Special.” Because what’s college football without two giants accidentally pancaking donuts instead of defenders?
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