Eyeballs across the country, not just in the Sooner State, will be on the Oklahoma Sooners this year as Brent Venables' team seeks to bounce back from its second losing season in three years.
The Sooners are one of the 10 most intriguing teams to watch during spring camp (ESPN+), according to ESPN's Bill Connelly.
New offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and new quarterback John Mateer highlight the interest. Oklahoma's offense ranked 113th in total offense and 97th in scoring offense in 2024, and Venables needed an overhaul on that side of the ball to help keep him employed beyond 2025.
Enter the Washington State newcomers.
Mateer, a Texas native who was spurned by Big 12 and Southeastern Conference teams when he was in high school, plied his tools under Arbuckle's tutelage with the Cougars last year before the coach joined Venables in Norman in December. His 44 total touchdowns led the nation and made him one of the top transfer portal targets in the offseason. When Arbuckle chose Oklahoma, Mateer, with a bit of encouragement from former Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield, followed suit.
"History suggests that an offensive coordinator change at a school with loads of recent offensive success can create an immediate course correction," Connelly wrote.
Mateer will throw to several new wide receivers, including former Arkansas wideout Isaiah Sategna, who was the Razorbacks' second leading receiver last year. Another Arkansas product, Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Javonnie Gibson, also holds promise. He's impressed a ton during spring football.
OU's defense was the opposite of its offense in 2024. The Sooners ranked 19th in total defense and 29th in scoring defense. Similar results are expected in the fall, meaning if the offense becomes even SEC average, the Sooners won't suffer a third losing season under Venables' watch. And they could be even better than just fine.
"Considering OU fielded its best defense in more than a decade last season, a revived offense could drive a top-15 performance," Connelly wrote.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners included among ESPN's teams to watch in 2025
