Oklahoma Football: 3 Breakout Candidates for 2022

NORMAN, OK - APRIL 24: Running back Jaden Knowles #25 of the Oklahoma Sooners breaks through the tackle of outside linebacker Clayton Smith #20 of the Sooners to score a touchdown during the team's spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on April 24, 2021 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

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With Brent Venables heading to Norman, change is afoot for the Sooners. Oklahoma football needs to find new faces on both sides of the ball.

After Lincoln Riley’s departure to USC, Oklahoma football struck gold in the coaching carousel. Venables saw that this was his best shot for a head coaching job that could offer stability, so he took the long-awaited jump.

A change in coach means a change in how things are done, though. Oklahoma football might be the best blue-blood program to find immediate playing time in 2022. 10 transfers join this Sooner squad, including the effervescent Dillon Gabriel at quarterback.

It helps that Gabriel is already familiar with the new Sooner offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s scheme, given he ran it at UCF in 2019.

On defense, the Sooners switch from a rather positionless scheme to Venables’ vaunted 3-4. Running that scheme is lifelong defensive coach Ted Roof, who needs to find standouts at nose tackle and linebacker.

The Sooners have a forgiving schedule and an already deep talent pool. With essentially two preseason games to start the year, anyone who should be on the field will find an opportunity early.

Here are the three likely breakout candidates for Oklahoma in 2022.

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