Oklahoma Sooners Retain Key Players for Playoff Push

OU focused on keeping top talent on the roster for another College Football Playoff run.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 7:49pm

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The Oklahoma Sooners worked hard this offseason to retain key players on their roster, including quarterback John Mateer, wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III, linebacker Kip Lewis, and kicker Tate Sandell. Head coach Brent Venables and general manager Jim Nagy emphasized the importance of retaining the core of last year's College Football Playoff team, and their efforts paid off as the Sooners kept several starters and young players from leaving for the NFL or the transfer portal.

Why it matters

Keeping experienced, talented players is crucial for Oklahoma's hopes of returning to the College Football Playoff. The Sooners have built a culture under Venables that convinces players to stay in school, and this offseason's retention efforts should give them a boost as they look to make another playoff run.

The details

Oklahoma did not lose a single player from its roster to the NFL Draft this offseason, despite having 16 eligible players. Additionally, the Sooners were able to retain several key players who could have left early for the pros, including quarterback John Mateer, wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III, linebacker Kip Lewis, and kicker Tate Sandell. The team also kept other starters and young players from entering the transfer portal.

  • The Oklahoma Sooners worked hard this offseason to retain key players on their roster.
  • Several redshirt juniors, including Mateer, Sategna, Lewis, and Sandell, decided to return to OU for one more year instead of going pro.

The players

Brent Venables

The head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, who emphasized the importance of retaining key players this offseason.

Jim Nagy

The general manager for the Oklahoma Sooners, who spoke about the team's efforts to retain the core of last year's College Football Playoff roster.

John Mateer

The Oklahoma Sooners' redshirt junior quarterback who decided to return to school for one more year instead of entering the NFL Draft.

Isaiah Sategna III

The Oklahoma Sooners' redshirt junior wide receiver who Venables called his "most favorite football player" on the team.

Kip Lewis

The Oklahoma Sooners' redshirt junior linebacker who Venables praised as "one of the most disruptive linebackers in college football."

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What they’re saying

“It was huge, they're obviously experienced players who play at an elite level at times. Isaiah might have been my most favorite football player on our team. I might make somebody mad, hurt somebody's feelings. But, I love Isaiah, his competitive spirit and the way he strains.”

— Brent Venables, Head Coach, Oklahoma Sooners (Yahoo Sports)

“Kip, I love watching Kip play on game day. His focus and his why to come back was great wisdom. His motives are pure and he's one of the most disruptive linebackers in college football.”

— Brent Venables, Head Coach, Oklahoma Sooners (Yahoo Sports)

“Went into the offseason, we had a few objectives, one was retain the core of a College Football Playoff roster. Then just creating as much competition, increase the competition in every room. I feel like we did well.”

— Jim Nagy, General Manager, Oklahoma Sooners (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The Sooners will look to build on their retention efforts as they prepare for the upcoming season and aim to make a return trip to the College Football Playoff.

The takeaway

Oklahoma's ability to retain key players this offseason, including several stars who could have left early for the NFL, should give them a significant advantage as they look to build on last year's playoff appearance and contend for a national championship.