5 Sooners who will be new starters for Oklahoma in 2023
When you have a below .500 season, there’s going to typically be quite a bit of turnover the following season. That’s exactly what people should expect for the 2023 season in Norman, Oklahoma.
There are going to be several positions with new starters, some familiar faces and some unfamiliar faces the fan base should get to know.
The defensive line might be the position that sees the most turnover. The position that could have a star step into a starting role is most likely in the secondary.
It might not be who you think, either. The offense also is bringing in some new starters this season after leading receiver Marvin Mims and starting tight end Brayden Willis were selected in the 2023 NFL draft.
Here are five players I expect to start this season for the Sooners that didn’t a year ago.
Jovantae Barnes, RB
Jovantae Barnes had a great many carries as a true freshman, but he wasn’t the starter. Eric Gray led the way.
But after a solid first season in which he had more than 500 yards and five touchdowns, he is expected to be the lead guy in the room.
Gavin Sawchuk should also factor into the game plan given his great speed and big-play ability. Though the running back group is young, it’s a talented bunch that could be a strength for the Sooners in 2023.
Austin Stogner, TE
Up next is a familiar face to Sooner fans, who is returning to the program. Austin Stogner looks to take the starting position at tight end after Willis had a career year in 2022.
One thing we know is how important a tight end is in a Jeff Lebby offense. Stogner hopes to build upon what he learned about being a better blocker while playing for the South Carolina Gamecocks.
He hopes to be Dillon Gabriel’s security blanket and red zone target. Something he can do and can do at a high level and something the Sooners need to see significant improvement from 2022.
Rondell Bothroyd, DE
Now we head to the defensive side of the ball. Rondell Bothroyd figures to become one of the starting defensive ends for the Sooners.
Bothroyd is the most accomplished defensive lineman on the team. He arrives on campus after playing four seasons for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, with whom he had 13 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss over his last two seasons.
He’s one of the new additions hoping to help turn the Sooners’ defense into something that more closely resembles what you’d expect of a Brent Venables’ defense.
R Mason Thomas, DE
These next two are young guys who played sparingly a year ago, but I expect to break through this season.
R Mason Thomas has all of the ability in the world. He put on muscle this summer while keeping the same bend, athleticism and quickness.
Last year, Oklahoma lacked athleticism at defensive end, allowing quarterbacks to get outside the pocket way too often, and struggled to rush the passer.
I don’t know if Thomas will start at the beginning of the year, but I would be buying all of the stock you can because this could be his breakout season.
Gentry Williams, CB
This last player, I think, could be a star. Someone has to take over the cornerback position opposite Woodi Washington after the departures of Jaden Davis and C.J. Coldon. Gentry Williams should be the guy.
Williams, in small doses, showed elite speed and played the ball really well when given the opportunity.
The play that always flashes in my mind is him running stride for stride, looking back, and knocking the ball away from the receiver versus the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames.
He’ll have some bumps and bruises in his first year as a starter, but he has a bright future and a high ceiling.
It’s up to the coaching staff to develop him and help him reach the potential that is there. If they do, he could be the best cornerback at Oklahoma since Aaron Colvin.
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