How the Oklahoma Football Team is Building a Championship Roster for 2024

2025-11-18 09:00

I remember sitting in the stands last season watching our Sooners struggle against Texas, and I couldn't help but wonder - what would it take to build a championship-caliber team? Fast forward to today, and I'm seeing something special taking shape in Norman. The way Coach Brent Venables and his staff are approaching roster construction reminds me of that fascinating quote from Italian basketball coach Romeo Frigoni about championship timetables. He once said, "I don't have any timetable. The timetable is one day before we have a general meeting before the World Championship." That philosophy perfectly captures what's happening with Oklahoma football right now - they're building without rigid deadlines, focusing instead on continuous improvement until the moment truth arrives.

What strikes me most about this rebuilding process is how methodical it's been. Unlike some programs that panic after a 6-7 season like we had in 2022, Oklahoma has stuck to their vision. They've added 28 new players through recruiting and the transfer portal since last season, but here's what's interesting - they didn't just chase big names. They targeted specific needs with surgical precision. Take the offensive line, for instance. We lost three starters to the NFL, but instead of scrambling for replacements, the staff had been cultivating relationships with transfers like Febechi Nwaiwu from North Texas and Michael Tarquin from USC for months. That's the kind of foresight championship programs demonstrate.

The quarterback situation exemplifies their long-game approach. When Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon, many fans panicked. But the coaching staff had been quietly developing Jackson Arnold while simultaneously building relationships with five-star recruit Michael Hawkins. I've watched both in spring practices, and let me tell you - Arnold's arm talent is something special. He completed 72% of his passes in limited action last season, and what impressed me wasn't just the statistics but his command of the offense. The kid has that intangible leadership quality you can't teach. Meanwhile, Hawkins brings a different dimension with his mobility. Having two quality quarterbacks isn't a luxury - it's championship insurance.

What really excites me about this roster construction is how they're building both for now and the future. Look at the defensive line - they added experienced transfers like Davon Sears from Texas State who's 24 years old with 47 tackles last season, while simultaneously recruiting young talents like David Stone, the number two defensive lineman in the 2024 class. That blend of ready-now production and future potential creates what I call the "championship wave" - where you have talent flowing through the program in continuous cycles rather than peaks and valleys.

The secondary might be the most improved unit, and here's where the staff's evaluation skills really shine. They identified specific traits rather than just chasing rankings. Kendel Dolby, the junior college transfer who had 5 interceptions last season, plays with a physicality that reminds me of former Sooner great Roy Williams. And Billy Bowman's decision to return for his senior year gives us one of the best safeties in the country - he recorded 6 interceptions last season, tied for second nationally among Power Five safeties. These aren't just athletes - they're football players with that dog mentality you need to win championships.

Special teams often get overlooked, but not in this rebuild. They specifically recruited players with special teams experience and athletic profiles that translate to coverage units. Sawyer Raab, the transfer from Montana State, blocked three kicks last season. Those hidden yards and possession advantages are what separate good teams from great ones. I remember watching our special teams cost us games in 2022, and the deliberate approach to fixing that unit tells me the staff understands championship football requires excellence in all three phases.

The culture building might be the most impressive aspect. I've spoken with several parents of current players, and they consistently mention how the staff emphasizes character and fit as much as talent. That creates the kind of locker room cohesion that survives adversity. When I look at championship teams across sports, they all share that same quality - they're teams in the truest sense, not just collections of talent. The way players interact during summer workouts, how they hold each other accountable in film sessions - these intangible elements matter as much as the X's and O's.

Looking at the schedule, I see opportunities for this team to grow into something special. The early non-conference games against Temple and Houston provide chances to build confidence before the SEC gauntlet begins. That Alabama game in week four? That's our measuring stick. But here's what I love - the staff isn't treating any game as more important than another. They're approaching each week with that Frigoni mentality - the timetable is fluid, the focus is on daily improvement rather than specific target dates.

The depth chart reveals something fascinating - genuine competition at nearly every position. At running back, we have four players who could start for most Power Five programs. Gavin Sawchuk averaged 6.2 yards per carry over the final five games last season, while transfer Sam Franklin from Troy rushed for 1,043 yards. That kind of depth creates practice competition that elevates everyone. I've watched these guys push each other, and the intensity reminds me of those Bob Stoops practices where nobody's job was safe.

As we approach the season, what strikes me is the balance between patience and urgency in this rebuild. They're not rushing development, but they're not accepting mediocrity either. The staff understands that championship rosters aren't built overnight, but through consistent, deliberate decisions that accumulate over time. The 2024 recruiting class ranked seventh nationally according to 247Sports, but more importantly, it addressed specific needs with players who fit both the system and the culture.

I'll leave you with this thought - when I look at this Oklahoma team, I see something building that feels different from recent years. There's substance behind the talent, purpose behind the planning. The way they've approached this offseason reminds me of watching a master craftsman at work - patient, precise, with vision extending beyond immediate gratification. They're building something special in Norman, and while I don't know exactly when it will all come together, I do know this - when it does, we'll be looking at a championship contender. Because like Frigoni suggested, the real timetable isn't about dates on a calendar, but about being ready when opportunity arrives. And something tells me these Sooners are getting ready in all the right ways.