In 2024, the Oklahoma Sooners had a pair of true freshmen earn starting roles on the defensive side of the ball. Jayden Jackson was a day-one starter at defensive tackle, while Eli Bowen emerged throughout the season to become a starter at cornerback. Both players were considered freshman All-Americans by one service or another and earned selections to All-SEC freshman squads.
Other true freshmen like Michael Hawkins, Zion Ragins, Zion Kearney, Ivan Carreon, Taylor Tatum, and Xavier Robinson received opportunities to play on the offensive side of the ball, but the results were mixed. Ragins, Kearney, and Carreon struggled to make an impact in a passing game that struggled to get going all season long. Taylor Tatum struggled with ball security despite showing the vision and athleticism that made him the No. 1 running back in the 2024 class. Robinson ran for over 100 yards in the win over Alabama but struggled to get going in the season finale against LSU. Michael Hawkins flashed his potential in relief of Jackson Arnold during the Tennessee game and in the road win over Auburn but turned the ball over three straight drives to start the game against South Carolina.
As the Oklahoma Sooners get set to wind down spring ball, several true freshmen have stood out in spring ball and look primed for an opportunity to make an impact in 2025. Here are the five most likely to contribute for the Oklahoma Sooners this season.
1. Elijah Thomas, WR
With the injury to Javonnie Gibson, that may keep him out of fall camp and part of the 2024 season, the Sooners will need someone to step up on the outside. Keontes Lewis, Zion Kearney, Ivan Carreon, and Isaiah Sategna figure to factor in at wide receiver along with Deion Burks in the slot but there’s an opportunity for true freshman Elijah Thomas to earn some snaps.
The former top 100 prospect out of Checotah has been one of the players that’s stood out in spring ball. His size, route running, and ability to make plays after the catch make him an intriguing option in Ben Arbuckle’s offense. He’ll have to continue to develop in the strength and conditioning program and carry over his spring success to fall camp, but he’s off to a really nice start in his Sooners career.
2. Tory Blaylock, RB
Jovantae Barnes has been limited during spring ball as Oklahoma takes caution with the ankle he injured in the Maine game. That leaves Gavin Sawchuk, Xavier Robinson, Taylor Tatum, and true freshman Tory Blaylock to receive the bulk of the work at running back.
Blaylock is truly a game-breaker at running back. He has incredible speed that he combines with fantastic contact balance and lateral agility that could earn the true freshman some reps this fall. Like all true freshmen in their first offseason with a team, there’s going to be room to grow and keep getting better, but Blaylock has the kind of ability that offensive coordinators love to figure out how to get the ball to. Get him he ball on a screen or swing pass out of the backfield a couple of times a game, and watch opposing defenses try to keep up.
3. Courtland Guillory, CB
With Eli Bowen out most of spring due to injury and Gentry Williams limited to save him for the season, there have been opportunities for the young cornerbacks to earn some run with the first team defense. Courtland Guillory has earned some opportunity with the first team defense this spring and, by all accounts, has acquitted himself quite well. At 6-feet-0 and 180 pounds, Guillory has enough size to hold up on the outside against SEC wide receivers. He’ll have to show out in fall camp, but depending on the injury situation of the veterans at cornerback, Guillory could be in line for an Eli Bowen-like breakout in 2025.
4. Ryan Fodje, G
It’s not often that offensive linemen arrive on campus with the size, strength, and athleticism to compete for playing time at guard right away. It’s a big jump in physicality and competition along the interior, but Ryan Fodje has stood out in camp, not simply because of his build but because of what he’s able to do with his 6-foot-5, 324-pound frame.
Right now, it looks like Eddy Pierre-Louis and Febechi Nwaiwu will start at guard for Oklahoma, but Fodje could push for playing time and be an option at tackle. He was considered a top-10 tackle in the 2025 recruiting class.
5. Michael Fasusi, OT
That brings us to the true freshman that’s created the most buzz in spring ball, Michael Fasusi. The former five-star prospect and the most high-profile recruitment in Oklahoma’s 2025 recruiting class arrived in Norman with a lot of fanfare but has been quietly going about his business. He’s stood out to everyone who’s had an opportunity to watch practice for a refined technical ability rare for a true freshman and his ability to move in space. It’s a tall task to expect a true freshman, even one as talented as Fasusi, to be a week one starter at the Power Four and SEC level. However, it’s not outside the realm of possibility to foresee Fasusi starting for the Sooners at some point in 2025.
Fasusi led Oklahoma’s “Sooner Jacks” at practice just the other day, signifying what the coaching staff things of Fasusi’s work in his short time in Norman.
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