SOONER WIRE Coming off a second 6-7 season in three years, Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables is making a change.

The team announced offensive lineman Troy Everett, defensive tackle Gracen Halton, linebacker Kip Lewis, quarterback John Mateer, safety Robert Spears-Jennings, defensive end R Mason Thomas and defensive lineman Damonic Williams would serve as permanent team captains for the 2025 season.

Venables rotated captains on a game-by-game basis in his first three seasons at the helm. Several players would get multiple games, but none were considered permanent captains.

Mateer, the transfer from Washington State, is the only newcomer on the list. He’s largely considered one of the best quarterbacks in the conference, if not all of FBS, following his 2024 season with the Cougars. Mateer threw 29 touchdown passes and ran for 15 more to lead the country in total scores.

The other six OU captains have been on the team for at least two seasons. Halton, Lewis and Spears-Jennings are all entering their fourth season. Spears-Jennings is the only Oklahoma native among the captains.

Thomas was a preseason All-SEC selection over the summer after recoring nine sacks and 12 1/2 tackles for-loss last year.

Halton led Oklahoma defensive tackles in sacks (five) and tackles for-loss (six) despite starting just three games. He and Williams, who led the unit with 35 tackles, are expected to anchor on the inside this season.

Lewis finished third on the team in tackles in 2024 with 65. He also returned two interceptions for scores. Spears-Jennings was just ahead with 66 tackles while also forcing four fumbles.

Everett broke into the first team about midway through last season after transferring from Appalachian State and is expected to be a force in improving the Sooners’ offensive line this year.