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The Oklahoma Sooners took a step forward defensively in 2025, a development that played a key role in the team returning to the College Football Playoff.
However, one of the biggest reasons for the improvement was depth across the roster. That depth will be tested in 2026 after several key defensive linemen, including Gracen Halton, Damonic Williams, R Mason Thomas and Marvin Jones Jr. departed for the NFL.
Former All-American Gerald McCoy is not overly concerned about Oklahoma taking a step back defensively in 2026.
"I redshirted, and (David Stone) was able to play a little bit," McCoy told Kyle Odegard for RotoGrinders. "Then that (second) year you have a good year, and then go into that (third) year. It's like, 'Alright, I've gotten all the practice in, the traveling, the workouts and everything out of the way. Now it's go time.'"
McCoy made his first All-America team in his third season at Oklahoma, a year in which he also solidified himself as a top NFL draft prospect. He described it as a point where players reach a level of confidence where "nobody out there can do nothing with me."
While McCoy was speaking specifically about David Stone, the same principle applies across Oklahoma's roster. The Sooners will rely on several third-year players to take meaningful steps forward, including Eli Bowen, Michael Boganowski, Reggie Powers, Jayden Jackson and Taylor Wein.
If that group develops as expected, Oklahoma's defense could be positioned to offset its NFL departures and maintain its level of play in 2026.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Gerald McCoy sees OU’s third-year defenders as regression fix
Continue reading...
However, one of the biggest reasons for the improvement was depth across the roster. That depth will be tested in 2026 after several key defensive linemen, including Gracen Halton, Damonic Williams, R Mason Thomas and Marvin Jones Jr. departed for the NFL.
Former All-American Gerald McCoy is not overly concerned about Oklahoma taking a step back defensively in 2026.
"I redshirted, and (David Stone) was able to play a little bit," McCoy told Kyle Odegard for RotoGrinders. "Then that (second) year you have a good year, and then go into that (third) year. It's like, 'Alright, I've gotten all the practice in, the traveling, the workouts and everything out of the way. Now it's go time.'"
McCoy made his first All-America team in his third season at Oklahoma, a year in which he also solidified himself as a top NFL draft prospect. He described it as a point where players reach a level of confidence where "nobody out there can do nothing with me."
While McCoy was speaking specifically about David Stone, the same principle applies across Oklahoma's roster. The Sooners will rely on several third-year players to take meaningful steps forward, including Eli Bowen, Michael Boganowski, Reggie Powers, Jayden Jackson and Taylor Wein.
If that group develops as expected, Oklahoma's defense could be positioned to offset its NFL departures and maintain its level of play in 2026.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Gerald McCoy sees OU’s third-year defenders as regression fix
Continue reading...
