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OU football unveils initial depth chart for 2023 season. Here are our takeaways on Sooners

ryan aber, the oklahoman
·6 min read

NORMAN — Dillon Gabriel's spot on the depth chart was secure.

So it was no surprise when he was listed as the starting quarterback Tuesday when OU football coach Brent Venables unveiled his depth chart ahead of the Sooners' season opener against Arkansas State (11 a.m. Saturday, ESPN).

But there were some other surprises, most notably at running back.

Here's a few takeaways from the initial depth chart, and the entire depth chart:

More: Is OU football's remade defensive line ready to turn talk into results?

Marcus Major, Tawee Walker top RB depth chart

For much of the spring, it was expected that Jovantae Barnes would elevate to the No. 1 running back spot after backing up Eric Gray last season, with Gavin Sawchuk sliding up to No. 2.

But neither were in the top two spots.

Instead, redshirt senior Marcus Major and walk-on junior Tawee Walker were listed as co-starters.

Major has run for 525 yards and seven touchdowns in his Sooners career, including 56 carries for 227 yards and four touchdowns a year ago. Walker had 18 carries for 62 yards last season.

This position could change, as Barnes underwent offseason surgery on his foot while Sawchuk has been banged up in camp as well.

But offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and Venables have talked up Major and Walker plenty in recent weeks. Still, it was plenty surprising to see those two at the top of the depth chart.

More: OU football from A to Z: Everything you need to know about the 2023 Oklahoma Sooners

Justin Harrington beats out Dasan McCullough at Cheetah

Justin Harrington left the program before last season, eventually being allowed back on the team — this time as a walk-on — by Venables.

But Harrington found a role last season as DaShaun White's backup at the cheetah spot, a do-everything linebacker/nickelback combo in Venables' defense.

After battling with Indiana transfer Dasan McCullough for the starting role, Harrington edged out McCullough heading into the opener.

On his coach's show Monday, Venables alluded to Harrington being the starter, and said if it happened it was because of what Harrington did and not anything McCullough didn't do.

Both figure to see the field plenty, but Harrington's being named the starter — and a Week One captain — are a continuation of his feel-good return to the program.

More: 'It's night and day': Why Jaren Kanak could be OU football's breakout linebacker in 2023

Gentry Williams earns CB nod

After an off-season medical scare, sophomore Gentry Williams recovered and ultimately earned the starting cornerback spot opposite established starter Woodi Washington.

Williams edged out juco transfer Kendel Dolby and freshman Makari Vickers while freshman Jasiah Wagoner and Kani Walker will back up Washington.

Also, Texas Tech transfer Reggie Pearson and veteran Key Lawrence continue to battle for the starting free safety spot, being listed as "OR" on the depth chart.

More: With OU football set for last dance in Big 12, how can Sooners head to SEC on high note?

Punter competition a three-way battle

The competition to replace Michael Turk at punter will continue into the early part of the season.

Arizona State transfer Josh Plaster, Central Michigan transfer Luke Elzinga and Colorado transfer Ashton Logan are all still battling for the job.

More: Ranking OU football's most important players for a Sooners turnaround in 2023?

OFFENSE

Quarterback

  • Dillon Gabriel, RSr., 5-11, 204

  • Jackson Arnold, Fr., 6-1, 214

  • Davis Beville, RSr., 6-6, 224

Running back

  • Marcus Major, RSr., 6-0, 227 OR

  • Tawee Walker, Jr., 5-9, 215

  • Jovantae Barnes, So., 6-0, 204 OR

  • Gavin Sawchuk, RFr., 5-11, 198

Tight end

  • Austin Stogner, Sr., 6-6, 255

  • Blake Smith, RJr., 6-4, 252

  • Josh Fanuiel, RSo., 6-3, 250 OR

  • Kade McIntyre, Fr., 6-3, 223

Wide receiver

  • Andrel Anthony, Jr., 6-1, 192

  • LV Bunkley-Shelton, RJr., 5-11, 195 OR

  • Jayden Gibson, So., 6-5, 193

Left tackle

  • Walter Rouse, RSr., 6-6, 322

  • Cayden Green, Fr., 6-5, 311

  • Jacob Sexton, So., 6-6, 325

Left guard

  • Savion Byrd, RSo., 6-5, 288

  • Nate Anderson, RJr., 6-4, 305

Center

  • Andrew Raym, Sr., 6-4, 309

  • Troy Everett, RSo., 6-3, 297

Right guard

  • McKade Mettauer, RSr., 6-4, 311

  • Caleb Shaffer, RSr., 6-5, 342

Right tackle

  • Tyler Guyton, RJr., 6-7. 327

  • Jake Taylor, So., 6-6, 312

  • Aaryn Parks, RJr., 6-4, 309

Slot

  • Drake Stoops, R5th, 5-10, 189

  • Gavin Freeman, So., 5-8, 181

  • Jaquaize Pettaway, Fr., 5-10, 185

Wide receiver

  • Jalil Farooq, Jr., 6-1, 204

  • Nic Anderson, RFr., 6-4, 209

  • D.J. Graham II, Sr., 6-0, 195

More: What are OU football's best-case, worst-case scenarios for every game in 2023 season?

DEFENSE

Defensive end

  • Rondell Bothroyd, RSr., 6-3, 275

  • R Mason Thomas, So., 6-2, 239

  • Adepoju Adebawore, Fr., 6-4, 241

Defensive tackle

  • Jonah Laulu, R5th, 6-5, 292 OR

  • Jordan Kelley, R5th, 6-4, 302

  • Jacob Lacey, RSr., 6-1, 280

  • Gracen Halton, So., 6-2, 287 OR

  • Davon Sears, RSr., 6-2, 287

Nose tackle

  • Isaiah Coe, RSr., 6-2, 314 OR

  • Da’Jon Terry, RSr., 6-3, 321

  • Kelvin Gilliam Jr., RSo., 6-3, 299 OR

  • Ashton Sanders, Fr., 6-1, 284

Defensive end

  • Ethan Downs, Jr., 6-4, 263 OR

  • Trace Ford, RSr., 6-2, 257

  • Reggie Grimes II, Sr., 6-4, 274 OR

  • Marcus Stripling, Sr., 6-3, 250

  • Taylor Wein, Fr., 6-4, 242

Middle linebacker

  • Jaren Kanak, So., 6-2, 232

  • Konnor Near, RSr., 6-1, 232

  • Kobie McKinzie, RFr., 6-2, 241 OR

  • Phil Picciotti, Fr., 6-3, 242

Weak-side linebacker

  • Danny Stutsman, Jr., 6-4, 241

  • Kip Lewis, RFr., 6-1, 208

  • Lewis Carter, Fr., 6-0, 213 OR

  • Shane Whitter, RJr., 6-0, 231

  • Owen Heinecke, RSo., 6-2, 218

Cheetah

  • Justin Harrington, R5th, 6-3, 212

  • Dasan McCullough, So., 6-5, 227

  • Samuel Omosigho, Fr., 6-2, 219 OR

  • Shane Whitter, RJr., 6-0, 231

Cornerback

  • Gentry Williams, So., 6-0, 182

  • Kendel Dolby, Jr., 5-11, 184 OR

  • Makari Vickers, Fr., 6-1, 200

  • Jacobe Johnson, Fr., 6-2, 192

Strong safety

  • Billy Bowman, Jr., 5-10, 194

  • Peyton Bowen, Fr., 6-0, 199

  • Daeh McCullough, Fr., 6-1, 178

Free safety

  • Reggie Pearson, RSr., 5-10, 198 OR

  • Key Lawrence, Sr., 6-1, 203

  • Robert Spears-Jennings, So., 6-1, 218

Cornerback

  • Woodi Washington, RSr., 5-11, 202

  • Jasiah Wagoner, Fr., 5-11, 177 OR

  • Kani Walker, RSo., 6-2, 202

  • Jayden Rowe, RFr., 6-2, 224

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker

  • Zach Schmit, RJr., 5-10, 194

  • Gavin Marshall, RFr., 6-1, 193

  • Redi Mustafaraj, RSo., 6-2, 210

Punter

  • Josh Plaster, RSr., 6-0, 200 OR

  • Luke Elzinga, RSr., 6-4, 213 OR

  • Ashton Logan, RFr., 6-2, 210

Kickoff specialist

  • Zach Schmit, RJr., 5-10, 194

  • Redi Mustafaraj, RSo., 6-2, 210

  • Josh Plaster, RSr., 6-0, 200

Kick returner

  • Billy Bowman, Jr., 5-10, 194 OR

  • Jalil Farooq, Jr., 6-1, 204 OR

  • Peyton Bowen, Fr., 6-0, 199

Punt returner

  • Gavin Freeman, So., 5-8, 181 OR

  • LV Bunkley-Shelton, RJr., 5-11, 195

  • Drake Stoops, R5th, 5-10, 189

Long snapper

  • Ben Anderson, RFr., 6-5, 238

  • Ethan Lane, RJr., 5-11, 233

  • Jason Llewellyn, So., 6-5, 255

Holder

  • Josh Plaster, RSr., 6-0, 200

  • Luke Elzinga, RSr., 6-4, 213

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football: Sooners release initial depth chart for 2023 season