When Oklahoma takes the field tonight against Illinois State, the game will be more than just the beginning of another season in Norman. It marks the start of what the Sooners hope is a new era — one defined by consistency, competitiveness in the SEC, and the kind of offensive firepower that has long been synonymous with OU football.
For the first time ever, the Sooners will square off with the Redbirds, a program that enters 2025 with plenty of experience and preseason recognition. Illinois State returns 43 letterwinners and 12 starters from last season, including six players named preseason All-Americans. Junior linebacker Tye Niekamp and senior long snapper Dylan Calabrese earned first-team selections, while wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz and running back Wenkers Wright were placed on the second team. Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse and defensive lineman Jake Anderson round out the group as third-team honorees.
The Redbirds won’t be mistaken for an SEC power, but their combination of returning production and star power gives them enough to at least ask questions of an Oklahoma team still working to settle its identity.
Oklahoma’s Roster Reset
If Illinois State brings stability, Oklahoma counters with change. Of the Sooners’ 111-man roster, 45 players are newcomers — nearly half of the team. That mix includes 23 true freshmen and 22 transfers, representing more than 480 career games played and 217 combined starts. For Brent Venables, now in his fourth season as head coach, it’s a roster overhaul meant to avoid a repeat of last year’s 6–7 campaign.
This wave of new faces is most apparent on offense, where Venables brought in two of the most important transfers anywhere in the country: quarterback John Mateer and running back Jayden Ott. Together, they form the foundation of an attack that must be far more productive than the one that ranked 97th in scoring and 114th in total yards a year ago.
John Mateer: A New Face of the Program
There may not be a more impactful offseason addition in college football than John Mateer. The redshirt junior arrives in Norman after a breakout 2024 season at Washington State, where he accounted for 44 total touchdowns and nearly 4,000 total yards. His dual-threat ability made him the only player in the FBS to throw for more than 3,000 yards and rush for more than 800 yards.
Mateer was ranked by ESPN in May as the No. 1 overall transfer in the country and more recently slotted in as the nation’s No. 16 overall player, trailing only Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier among quarterbacks. His reputation is built not only on production but on leadership. Mateer was voted a season-long team captain despite being on campus less than a year — the first time in the Venables era that OU has chosen captains for the entire season rather than week-to-week.
“He’s a guy that deeply cares,” Venables said earlier this month. “This is a guy that wants to win at the highest level. He’s a connector, a guy that leads from the front. Super athletic, throws the ball really well on the run, and makes a lot of good decisions.”
For Mateer, the fit in Norman is obvious. He will once again be working with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who also joined OU from Washington State. Arbuckle’s system is built around Mateer’s strengths, emphasizing vertical shots in the passing game while giving the quarterback room to create with his legs. Last year, their partnership helped the Cougars finish among the nation’s top 25 in total offense, scoring offense, passing efficiency, and rushing touchdowns.
Jayden Ott Adds Balance
While Mateer headlines the offseason moves, Jayden Ott may prove just as important. The former Cal running back has been one of the Pac-12’s most reliable playmakers the last three seasons, rushing for 2,597 yards and 24 touchdowns while also catching 95 passes. His versatility makes him an ideal backfield partner for Mateer, providing Arbuckle with a true three-down threat who can punish defenses on the ground or as a receiver in space.
Ott has appeared in 34 games with 32 starts, bringing a level of experience that Oklahoma sorely lacked last season. For a program that struggled to find rhythm on offense, his presence should allow the Sooners to stay ahead of schedule on early downs — a major key against SEC defenses.
Defensive Foundation Still Strong
While the offense has been rebuilt, Oklahoma’s defense provides stability heading into the opener. Venables’ unit was statistically the best of his tenure in 2024, ranking 19th nationally in total defense (318.2 yards per game), 10th in tackles for loss per game (7.4), and 25th in sacks per game (2.7). The Sooners also finished sixth nationally in fumble recoveries with 12.
Much of that production returns in 2025. OU brings back six defenders who started at least eight games last year, including three along the defensive line. In total, the Sooners return 56% of their tackles, 74% of their sacks, and 67% of their forced fumbles. That continuity should give Oklahoma a reliable base while the offense develops chemistry in real time.
The defense also features three captains on the line: Gracen Halton, R Mason Thomas, and Damonic Williams. Alongside linebacker Kip Lewis and defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings, they provide the leadership spine for what Venables hopes is a top-15 unit once again.
A Freshman Impact
Another storyline to watch Saturday is the presence of youth. Of the 74 players on Oklahoma’s Week 1 depth chart, 18 are freshmen. That includes 11 true freshmen — five on offense, five on defense, and one on special teams. Redshirt freshmen also make up a chunk of the two-deep, particularly on defense.
In a game like this, expect the staff to give those young players meaningful snaps, especially if the Sooners establish control early. Developing depth will be critical as OU enters the grind of its SEC schedule later this fall.
First Test in a Pivotal Season
On paper, tonight’s matchup should favor Oklahoma heavily. Illinois State has experience and talent at the FCS level, but this is a Redbirds team that has never faced the speed, depth, and athleticism that OU will bring. For the Sooners, however, the focus is less about the opponent and more about themselves.
After a disappointing 2024 campaign, Venables’ squad needs to show that its roster overhaul and new offensive direction were worth the effort. With Mateer and Ott headlining the attack, and a defense that has the chance to be a stabilizing force, Oklahoma has all the pieces to re-establish itself as a national contender.
Tonight marks the first chance to put that vision on display. It’s the kind of game that won’t define the season, but it will reveal plenty about whether these Sooners are truly ready to turn the page.
Matt Hofeld is a college football analyst and contributor covering the SEC. Follow him for more Oklahoma and conference-wide analysis throughout the 2025 season.
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