Counting Down the 11 Most Important Players the Oklahoma Sooners Must Rely On for a Successful 2025 College Football Season
The Oklahoma Sooners are barreling toward one of the most pivotal seasons in recent memory as they prepare for their full-time SEC schedule in 2025. With Brent Venables entering his fourth year at the helm and expectations sky-high in Norman, the Sooners’ margin for error is razor-thin. The program has built significant momentum following a solid 2024 campaign, and with a strong recruiting class, several high-profile returners, and promising transfers, Oklahoma looks poised to contend immediately.
But navigating the SEC gauntlet requires more than hype — it demands production from key individuals at nearly every position. Whether it’s veteran leadership, explosive playmaking, or emerging stars, these 11 players will shape Oklahoma’s success this fall. Here’s a countdown of the most important Sooners for the 2025 season:
11. Gentry Williams — Cornerback
A former five-star prospect and Oklahoma native, Gentry Williams enters 2025 as one of the anchors of the Sooners’ secondary. His speed and ball skills make him a dangerous defender, but it’s his ability to neutralize top SEC wideouts that could define the defense’s ceiling. Williams flashed All-SEC potential in 2024, and Venables needs him to elevate his game even further.
10. Cayden Green — Offensive Tackle
Offensive line play separates good SEC teams from great ones, and Cayden Green is Oklahoma’s potential difference-maker in the trenches. The versatile, physical lineman enters his third year with expectations to lock down the left tackle spot. Protecting the quarterback’s blind side against elite SEC pass rushers will be critical for Oklahoma’s offense to function.
9. Jayden Gibson — Wide Receiver
Oklahoma’s receiving corps is rich with talent, but few possess the pure size and athleticism of Jayden Gibson. At 6-foot-5 with a massive catch radius, Gibson provides a red-zone mismatch and deep-ball threat. His consistency and chemistry with the quarterback will be vital to creating explosive plays that can swing tight SEC battles.
8. Kip Lewis — Linebacker
Venables built his defensive reputation on elite linebacker play, and Kip Lewis embodies the athleticism and instincts required to thrive in his scheme. After a breakout 2024 season, Lewis has become the heartbeat of the defense. His sideline-to-sideline speed, tackling ability, and leadership will be key, especially against the physical SEC rushing attacks.
7. Jackson Arnold — Quarterback
While Jackson Arnold’s raw talent is undeniable, his ability to mature and lead the Sooners’ offense in 2025 will determine Oklahoma’s ceiling. The former five-star recruit showed flashes of brilliance last season but now steps into full command. With the spotlight brighter than ever in the SEC, Arnold’s decision-making, poise, and playmaking will make or break Oklahoma’s championship aspirations.
6. PJ Adebawore — Edge Rusher
Elite pass rushers wreck SEC offenses, and PJ Adebawore has the tools to become one of the conference’s most disruptive forces. His combination of length, explosiveness, and power creates havoc off the edge. After flashes of dominance in 2024, Adebawore is expected to take the next step and consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks — a must in high-stakes SEC matchups.
5. Andrel Anthony — Wide Receiver
When healthy, Andrel Anthony transforms the Sooners’ offense with his blazing speed and ability to stretch defenses vertically. Returning from injury, Anthony is expected to be a go-to target and one of the SEC’s most dangerous deep threats. His chemistry with Jackson Arnold and ability to flip field position could be the X-factor in tight games.
4. Billy Bowman — Safety
A do-it-all defensive back, Billy Bowman is Oklahoma’s ultimate eraser on the back end. His ball-hawking skills, tackling in space, and versatility in coverage provide a critical safety net for the defense. Bowman’s experience and leadership will be essential as the Sooners face prolific SEC passing attacks.
3. Dasan McCullough — Linebacker/Hybrid
A Swiss Army knife in Venables’ defense, Dasan McCullough’s versatility makes him one of the most valuable players on the roster. Whether he’s rushing the passer, dropping into coverage, or setting the edge, McCullough’s athleticism allows Oklahoma to disguise looks and stay flexible against diverse SEC offenses. His ability to impact all three phases of defense is indispensable.
2. Gavin Sawchuk — Running Back
The Sooners’ ground game hinges on Gavin Sawchuk, whose speed and vision make him a home-run threat on every touch. As Oklahoma transitions to SEC play, establishing the run is non-negotiable, and Sawchuk’s ability to break tackles, move the chains, and create explosive plays will set the tone for the offense. His durability and production are vital to Oklahoma’s success.
1. Danny Stutsman — Linebacker
The heart and soul of the Sooners’ defense, Danny Stutsman enters 2025 as not only one of Oklahoma’s leaders but one of the top linebackers in the nation. His combination of physicality, football IQ, and sideline-to-sideline range embodies the toughness required to thrive in the SEC. Stutsman’s leadership on and off the field will be crucial as the Sooners navigate the weekly grind of their new conference home.
Final Thoughts
Oklahoma’s transition into the SEC marks a new era for the storied program, and success in 2025 depends heavily on the contributions of these 11 key players. From explosive offensive weapons to defensive enforcers and emerging stars, this group will be tasked with carrying the Sooners through one of the nation’s most demanding schedules.
Brent Venables has built the roster with championship ambitions in mind, but execution will determine whether Oklahoma contends or falters under the SEC spotlight. With this core leading the charge, Sooner Nation has every reason to believe that 2025 could be the season Oklahoma reestablishes itself as a legitimate national power — and silences any doubts about belonging in college football’s toughest conference.
