Brent Venables Says Leadership, Experience Fuel Oklahoma's 2026 Season
- mike33692
- Jul 20
- 2 min read
Brent Venables Says Leadership, Experience Fuel Oklahoma's 2026 Season
Brent Venables says Oklahoma enters the 2026 season with more leadership, experience and confidence than at any point since he became the Sooners' head coach.
Speaking Monday at SEC Media Days in Tampa, Brent Venables said Oklahoma's offseason work has positioned the program for a strong season, but emphasized that the Sooners' identity will ultimately be determined once training camp begins and games are played.
Brent Venables Highlights Leadership At SEC Media Days
Venables opened his remarks by thanking Oklahoma's administration, donors and fans before turning his attention to the players who have spent the past seven months preparing for the upcoming season.
He said one of the biggest differences entering 2026 is the depth of leadership throughout the locker room.
"The depth of the leadership we have in our locker room right now is as good as we've had, better than we've probably had here in the five years at Oklahoma," Venables said.
The Sooners brought three player representatives to SEC Media Days: quarterback John Mateer, defensive end Taylor Wein and offensive guard Eddy Pierre-Louis.
Venables described the trio as leaders capable of elevating those around them while helping establish the team's identity heading into training camp.
Oklahoma opens preseason camp in 16 days and will kick off the regular season against UTEP in 46 days.
Experience Could Be Key For Oklahoma This Season
Venables also pointed to experience as one of the program's biggest advantages entering his fifth season in Norman.
A year ago, Oklahoma started three freshmen along the offensive line and relied on nine first-year starters on offense. This season, the Sooners return most of those starters while adding experienced transfer tackle E'Marion Harris.
Venables said returning players now better understand the physical demands of competing in the Southeastern Conference after experiencing their first SEC season.
"I think they're stronger, more confident, there's more chemistry, cohesion," Venables said. "Certainly there's an experience factor, what it takes to be better in the SEC."
He also praised center Jake Maikkula, noting the Stanford transfer has had a full offseason to develop after arriving shortly before last season.
Sooners Focused On Building Team Identity
While optimistic about Oklahoma's roster, Venables cautioned that preseason expectations mean little until the team proves itself on the field.
He said the Sooners have assembled talented pieces, but the challenge over the next several months will be developing those players into a championship-caliber team.
"The true identity of this team will be developed going through hard stuff, the highs and lows and challenges of a season," Venables said.
Venables added that Oklahoma "doesn't have a day to waste" as players prepare for preseason camp.
The Sooners will open the 2026 season against UTEP, marking Oklahoma's second year competing in the SEC and another opportunity to build on last year's experience in college football's premier conference.
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