Jim Nagy Blasts Preseason Poll Snub, Backs Oklahoma’s Rebuilt Roster Depth to Prove Critics Wrong After SEC Growing Pains

The college football world was taken aback when the 2025 USA Today Coaches Poll was released and the Oklahoma Sooners were nowhere to be found. After a quarter-century of preseason appearances, the omission was jarring—a symbolic gut punch for a program whose proud tradition is now in the midst of a highly scrutinized transition. Last year’s 6-7 campaign, their first in the gauntlet of the SEC, shattered illusions of a seamless move into college football’s toughest neighborhood. But while many see a program in retreat, General Manager Jim Nagy sees a sleeping giant quietly loading the chamber. And he didn’t mince words when it came to how little stock he puts in the noise surrounding Oklahoma’s preseason dismissal.

Taking to social media platform X shortly after the poll’s release, Nagy fired off a pointed message: “Few things more meaningless than a fall camp depth chart.” It was a blunt, unvarnished statement of purpose—one that spoke volumes about how Oklahoma’s internal confidence contrasts with the external perception. For Nagy, a former Senior Bowl director who took the reins as GM in a pivotal offseason, the Sooners’ roster transformation is the story worth telling, not a ranking determined before a single snap is played. What might look like a rebuilding year from the outside is, in his eyes, a reloading mission fueled by an aggressive offseason overhaul.

That overhaul begins with the transfer portal, where Oklahoma was among the most active and targeted programs in the nation. The Sooners brought in 19 transfers, many of whom are expected to make immediate impacts. Among the most notable additions is quarterback John Mateer, who transferred from Washington State after a breakout season in Pullman. Mateer’s mobility, leadership, and poise in high-pressure moments give Oklahoma a new dimension under center—something sorely needed after an anemic 2024 passing attack that ranked 119th nationally. Nagy’s decision to pursue Mateer wasn’t just about a talent upgrade—it was about stabilizing a position that defines SEC success.

Alongside Mateer is former Cal running back Jaydn Ott, a do-it-all back who brings versatility, experience, and explosiveness to an offense that often lacked big-play ability last season. Ott has the potential to be a game-changer in the SEC, particularly behind a retooled offensive line that has become one of the most competitive position groups in fall camp. Freshman phenom Michael Fasusi, a consensus five-star recruit, has already turned heads and is pushing for a starting role—no small feat in a room filled with veteran linemen fighting to keep their spots. This infusion of young talent and new leadership has injected a sense of urgency and possibility into Oklahoma’s offensive identity.

Offensively, Oklahoma’s issues in 2024 went beyond personnel—they lacked rhythm, identity, and the kind of trench dominance that’s mandatory in their new conference. Nagy and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby have made it clear that this year’s unit will not be defined by last season’s failures. With Ott’s versatility, Mateer’s dual-threat ability, and a renewed emphasis on speed and physicality, there’s hope that the offense can evolve into a more balanced and unpredictable force. Even with some question marks at wide receiver, where depth and experience are thinner, the pieces around Mateer are considerably more dynamic than they were just a year ago.

Defensively, the Sooners suffered significant losses, including star linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman, both of whom were emotional and physical anchors for Brent Venables’ defense. Their departures leave a leadership void, but Venables, a defensive savant, and Nagy have been proactive in grooming the next wave of impact players. Edge rusher R Mason Thomas, who showed flashes of dominance in rotational duty last season, has emerged as a breakout candidate this fall. His burst off the edge and improved technique have coaches excited about his potential to disrupt SEC backfields.

In the secondary, sophomore Peyton Bowen is stepping into a starring role with the maturity and instincts of a veteran. His ball-hawking ability and range make him a natural successor to Bowman, and the staff believes he could become one of the SEC’s premier safeties by season’s end. Elsewhere on defense, Oklahoma is leaning on improved depth across the board—thanks to a mix of returning players, portal additions, and a freshman class ranked among the top five nationally. The competition at linebacker and cornerback has been especially fierce, and while the unit may lack proven stars at the moment, the overall athleticism and hunger are markedly improved.

Perhaps the most underappreciated element of Oklahoma’s preparation for 2025 is its embrace of adversity. Nagy, a football lifer with an eye for talent and a no-nonsense approach to team-building, has fostered a culture that seems less interested in appeasing critics than in steamrolling through them. He knows that the SEC doesn’t reward pedigree or preseason reputation—it demands physicality, depth, and consistency. That’s why he’s poured resources into roster development, emphasizing versatility and toughness over hype and headlines.

One glance at Oklahoma’s schedule reveals why few are giving them the benefit of the doubt. The Sooners face what is widely considered the toughest slate in the nation, with matchups against perennial powers Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and Texas, among others. It’s the kind of gauntlet that can either break a program or forge its identity in fire. Nagy believes it will be the latter. “Depth wins in this league,” he said during a recent media appearance. “We’ve got more of it now than we’ve had in a long time. It’s not about names—it’s about matchups, rotations, and guys who can hold up for four quarters against the best.”

That belief underscores why he was so dismissive of the preseason Coaches Poll. For Nagy, rankings are snapshots, not destiny. He’s more concerned with how his team handles the grind of SEC play than where they stand in August. Still, the snub stings for a fan base accustomed to national relevance. Ending a 25-year streak of preseason rankings is more than symbolic—it’s a challenge to the program’s identity. But Nagy and Venables aren’t shying away from it. They’re embracing the chip on their shoulder as motivation, not a mark of decline.

Internally, Oklahoma sees this season as a pivot point. The roster is younger, hungrier, and more aligned with the realities of the SEC. The culture is becoming less about chasing the ghosts of past glory and more about building a sustainable foundation. Nagy has taken a professionalized approach to roster construction, and Venables is doubling down on defensive discipline and mental toughness. The convergence of those philosophies is already showing signs of paying off in fall camp, where the competition is fierce and the complacency of last year seems to have been eradicated.

Whether that translates to wins is, of course, the ultimate test. The margin for error in the SEC is razor-thin, and Oklahoma’s schedule leaves little room for slow starts or moral victories. But for the first time in years, the Sooners believe they have the depth to rotate, adapt, and survive the war of attrition that defines life in the conference. And that belief, while not enough to earn them preseason recognition, may prove more valuable in the long run.

As for Nagy, he’s not concerned with proving the pollsters wrong—he’s focused on proving himself right. If Oklahoma’s rebuilt roster holds up and their new playmakers deliver, the Coaches Poll snub might one day be seen not as an insult but as a turning point. A line in the sand where the Sooners began to redefine themselves for the SEC era. Until then, the message is clear: fall camp depth charts may be meaningless, but Oklahoma’s intent to rise again is anything but.