Oklahoma names its 2026 captains ahead of the season opener
Oklahoma has named nine captains to lead the Sooners into the 2026 season.
The Oklahoma Sooners have officially announced their 2026 captains ahead of the team's season opener against the University of Texas at El Paso Miners. Under the leadership of head coach Brent Venables, the Sooners aim to return to the College Football Playoff and finally end their decade-long championship drought.
Quarterback John Mateer has been named the starting quarterback for a second consecutive season. Alongside him, three offensive linemen - Michael Fasusi, Eddy Pierre-Louis and Jake Maikkula - have also been selected as captains. This group is expected to play a crucial role in improving the offensive consistency that was lacking last season.
On the defensive side, Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke head the linebacker unit, while Taylor Wein, David Stone and Peyton Bowen lead the defense and secondary. These nine captains together represent a balance of experience throughout the entire team.
Having such a strong foundation of established leaders is crucial for Oklahoma as they navigate a challenging schedule and pursue another run at the College Football Playoff. The Sooners have not achieved a national title since 2000, and these captains are expected to set the tone for the team during the upcoming season.
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