NORMAN – At the start of the 2024 season, the Sooners were poised to make a splash in their new conference.

The results of the season spurred many changes, including the firing of offensive coordinator Seth Littrell mid-season, the hiring of former Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and the departure of many big names in the transfer portal. Sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold transferred to Auburn. Senior wide receiver Jalil Farooq and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Nic Anderson also entered the portal after both were sidelined with injuries for most of the season.

Despite this, the Sooners are fixing their gaze on the upcoming Armed Forces Bowl against Navy on Dec. 27 in Fort Worth. The offense looks to finish the season on a high note, as it prepares to give a performance that can carry some momentum into 2025.

“There are a lot of new guys stepping up into new roles,” said freshman wide receiver Jacob Jordan about bowl game preparation. “It’s time to establish themselves as the guys going forward. It’s exciting.”

Jordan is familiar with the idea of jumping into a new role. After coming to Oklahoma as a preferred walk-on, the freshman was called upon to serve a big role against South Carolina on Oct. 19 as a result of a decimated receiving core. In the game, he recorded six receptions for 86 yards, contributing to a total of 207 yards and one touchdown on the season.

The Sooners are also going to be leaning heavily on another young player as freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr prepares to start against Navy.

“I’m excited to have him in the starting role. He’s stepped up to all the challenges he’s had,” Jordan said. “I just love how he approaches the game and his preparation. We’re riding behind him.”

Hawkins is well aware of how much he and his fellow freshmen on offense have had to work to fill in gaps this year and knows that the bowl game is just one more chance for them to refine themselves for next season.

“It’s a big opportunity for them and myself to connect with each other,” Hawkins said at media availability last Friday. “They’ve been playing the whole year. I don’t think it’s going to be anything new to them, knowing their role and knowing what to do…I think it’ll be a big game for those guys.”

A lot of freshmen are preparing to take on the roles left by those who have entered the transfer portal. However, they’ll have some guidance from the current leader of the wide receiver room, redshirt junior Deion Burks. Burks announced that he’d be returning to Oklahoma on Saturday, offering a sigh of relief after six receivers entered the portal.

“Easy decision. I just want to come back and leave the place better than I found it,” Burks said of his choice to stay. “Got great characters here. Coach (Venables), I believe in his plan…I believe in coach Emmet Jones.”

Burks was the go-to receiver early this season for the Sooners before suffering an injury against Tennessee on Sept. 21. He missed five games before returning in the matchup against Missouri on Nov. 9, where he was reinjured on a big hit. Despite missing time due to injuries, he finished third on the team in receiving yards and led the team in touchdowns (3). Now, Burks focuses on contributing in the bowl game.

“Navy is a great team,” Burks said. “A great team that you can’t ever overlook. They do a good job, very disciplined. They’re definitely going to score some points and give you different looks. They’ve got a good defense as well to go with that and complement it.”

The game against Navy signals the end of the chaotic 2024 football season and ushers in a newer, younger version of the team. However, the offense welcomes the change and what the game will do for the young players.

“It’s very important to build their confidence going into 2025,” Burks said. “And just to see what they can do on the field. It’s their time.”

Oklahoma finished 6-6 (2-6 SEC), scored 24.33 points per game and finished 15 out of 16 in the conference in total offense.

The Oklahoma Sooners have a unique matchup ahead of them today as they take on the Navy Midshipmen. They’ll face a full-fledged option team in Fort Worth.

The Sooners have been really good against the run this season but haven’t faced a team like Navy. The Midshipmen will run it on just about every down and the misdirection created by the option game can make it difficult to contain.

Given the losses the Sooners have suffered on defense to the NFL draft and the transfer portal, it’s critical the OU defense puts together a good team effort. But there are a few players who will need to step their game up to help Oklahoma contain Navy’s option attack.

1. Kobie McKinzie, LB

Danny Stutsman won’t play in the bowl game, so Kobie McKinzie will get the start alongside Kip Lewis at linebacker. McKinzie has had a really good season taking on a bigger role in year two with the Sooners and will be asked to take on a bigger role against Navy. The Midshipmen will run the ball nearly every play. It will be imperative for McKinzie and the linebacker crew to stay disciplined with their keys throughout the game.

He’s a big, physical linebacker that has the athleticism to run sideline to sideline. In 2024, McKinzie has 28 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack and a half. The most tackles he’s ever had in a game was seven, back in 2023 against Oklahoma State. He could easily set a career-high in tackles this week.

2. R Mason Thomas, DE

There won’t be a lot of opportunities to rush the passer in this game, but the defensive end group will have to be assignment- sound against the Navy run game. R Mason Thomas has had a fantastic season, breaking out with nine sacks in 2024, but his work as a run defender shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s been really good against the run, helping set the edge to force things back inside for the Sooners’ defensive tackles.

When Navy tries to run the option to the perimeter, Thomas and the rest of the defensive ends can keep it in check by getting upfield and forcing them back toward the middle of the field.

3. Jayden Jackson, DT

The Oklahoma Sooners boast an incredible front seven led by a defensive tackle group that might be one of the best in the nation. Jayden Jackson emerged in fall camp to earn a starting role in the middle of the Sooners defense.

Jackson has shown the ability to not only hold up at the point of attack but be able to get into the backfield and make plays. On the season, he’s recorded 28 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks.

If the defensive tackle group can limit what Navy can do up the middle, it will make things a lot easier for the defensive ends and the back seven to stay true to their keys on the perimeter.

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