2021 Oklahoma Sooners football team explained

Year:2021
Team:Oklahoma Sooners
Sport:football
Conference:Big 12 Conference
Short Conf:Big 12
Coachrank:10
Aprank:10
Record:11–2
Conf Record:7–2
Head Coach:Lincoln Riley
Hc Year:5th
Hc Games:regular season
Head Coach2:Bob Stoops (interim; bowl game)
Cooff Coach1:Cale Gundy
Cooc1 Year:5th
Cooff Coach2:Bill Bedenbaugh
Cooc2 Year:5th
Off Scheme:Air raid
Def Coach:Alex Grinch
Dc Year:3rd
Def Scheme:3–4
Stadium:Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Champion:Alamo Bowl champion
Bowl:Alamo Bowl
Bowl Result:W 47–32 vs. Oregon

The 2021 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season, the 127th season for the Oklahoma Sooners. They played their home games at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. They are a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. The team was led during the regular season by Lincoln Riley, in his fifth and final year as head coach.

Riley departed Oklahoma for USC on November 28. Former Sooners head coach Bob Stoops was named the interim head coach and led the team to their win in the Alamo Bowl.

Offseason

Position key

BackBCenterCCornerbackCBDefensive backDB
Defensive endDEDefensive linemanDLDefensive tackleDTEndE
FullbackFBGuardGHalfbackHBKickerK
Kickoff returnerKROffensive tackleOTOffensive linemanOLLinebackerLB
Long snapperLSPunterPPunt returnerPRQuarterbackQB
Running backRBSafetySTight endTEWide receiverWR

Offseason departures

+ class="nowrap"2021 Oklahoma offseason departures
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes
56 C 6’5 312 RS Junior Declared for NFL Draft
7 DE 6’3 247 Junior Declared for NFL Draft
13 CB 6'0 194 RS Junior Declared for NFL Draft
29 RB 6’0 245 Senior Graduated/Declared for NFL Draft
6 CB 5'10 188 Senior Graduated/Declared for NFL Draft
Chanse Sylivie 28 CB 6’0 196 Senior Graduated
Josh Schenk 36 LB 5’11 226 RS Senior Graduated
Stephen Johnson 39 PK 6'1 186 RS Senior Graduated
Obi Obailo 82 WR 6’3 218 RS Senior Graduated

Recruiting

Transfers

Outgoing

The Oklahoma Sooners lost seventeen players via transfer portal for the 2021 season.

Name No.Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown New school
Seth McGowan
  1. 1
RB 211lbs Freshman Butler CC
Theo Howard
  1. 2
WR 182lbs RS Senior Utah
  1. 4
QB 175lbs Freshman
T.J. Pledger
  1. 5
RB 193lbs Junior Utah
  1. 14
WR 175lbs RS Junior Miami
  1. 15
QB 211lbs RS Sophomore SMU
Robert Barnes
  1. 20
LB 232lbs RS Junior
Eric Gallegos
  1. 34
DB 175lbs RS Sophomore TBD
Jon-Michael Terry
  1. 40
LB 245lbs Senior
Brendan Radley-Hiles
  1. 44
DB 189lbs Junior
Dane Saltarelli
  1. 49
TE 255lbs RS Sophomore Western Kentucky
Stacey Wilkins
  1. 72
OL 316lbs RS Freshman Louisiana-Monroe
E.J. Ndoma–Ogar
  1. 75
OL 333lbs RS Freshman
Jalin Conyers
  1. 80
TE 228lbs Freshman Arizona State
  1. 80
TE 247lbs Junior SMU
Kyre Richardson
  1. 84
WR 180lbs Freshman Tulsa, OK TBD
Zacchaeus McKinney
  1. 98
DL 272lbs RS Junior Hawaii

Incoming

The Oklahoma Sooners add nine players via transfer portal from the 2020 season.

Name No.Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Prev. school
  1. 0
RB 205lbs Junior Tennessee
Kevontre Bradford
  1. 2
RB 190lbs Junior LSU
Micah Bowens
  1. 5
QB 190lbs Freshman
  1. 8
WR 196lbs Junior Arkansas
  1. 12
DB 200lbs Freshman Tennessee
Josh Plaster
  1. 36
P/K 176lbs RS Freshman
  1. 64
OL 320lbs Sophomore Tennessee
Robert Congel
  1. 66
OL 310lbs Junior Arizona
  1. 37
P 230lbs RS Junior Arizona State

Returning starters

Offense

PlayerClassPosition
RS SophomoreQuarterback
Jeremiah HallRS Senior Running back
Marvin MimsSophomoreWide receiver
Austin StognerJuniorTight end
Reference:

Defense

PlayerClassPosition
Perrion WinfreySeniorDefensive end
Caleb KellyGrad StudentLinebacker
Caleb MurphyJuniorDefensive back
Reference:

Special teams

PlayerClassPosition
Gabe BrkicRS JuniorPlacekicker
Reeves MundschauRS SeniorPunter/Holder
Kasey KelleherRS Sr.Long Snapper
Marvin Mims Sophomore Kickoff/Punt Returner
Reference:

Indicates player was a starter in 2020 but missed all of 2021 due to injury.

2021 NFL draft

NFL Combine

See main article: 2021 NFL draft.

The official list of participants for the 2021 NFL Combine included Oklahoma football players: -

Team players drafted into the NFL

See also: 2021 NFL draft.

2 63 C Kansas City Chiefs
3 96 DE New England Patriots
4 120 RB New England Patriots
4 137 CB Seattle Seahawks

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Dodd Trophy[1] Lincoln RileyHC--
Maxwell Award[2] Spencer RattlerQBRS So.
Marvin MimsWRSo.
Bednarik Award[3] Nik BonittoLBJr.
Isaiah ThomasDESr.
Davey O'Brien Award[4] Spencer RattlerQBRS So.
Doak Walker Award[5] Eric GrayRBJr.
Fred Biletnikoff Award[6] Marvin MimsWRSo.
Michael Woods IIWRSr.
John Mackey Award[7] Austin StognerTEJr.
Butkus Award[8] Nik BonittoLBRS Jr.
Brian Asamoah IILBRS Jr.
Outland Trophy[9] Marquis HayesOLRS Sr.
Tyrese RobinsonOLRS Sr.
Perrion WinfreyDLSr.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy[10] Isaiah ThomasDESr.
Perrion WinfreyDLSr.
Lou Groza Award[11] Gabe BrkicKRS Jr.
Paul Hornung Award[12] Marvin MimsWRSo.
Wuerffel Trophy[13] Pat FieldsDBSr.
Walter Camp Award[14] Spencer Rattler QBRS So.
Manning Award[15] Spencer Rattler QBRS So.
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award[16] Kennedy BrooksRBRS Jr.
Ray Guy Award[17] Michael TurkPRS Jr.

Big 12 media poll

Big 12 media poll[18]
1 Oklahoma 365 (35)
2 Iowa State 351 (4)
3 Texas 273
4 Oklahoma State 266
5 TCU 255
6 West Virginia 185
7 Kansas State 163
8 Baylor 124
9 Texas Tech 103
10 Kansas 39

Preseason awards

2021 Preseason All-Big 12[19]

All-Big 12 Offense[20] ! Position! Player! Class! Team
QBSpencer RattlerRS So.Oklahoma
Jeremiah HallSr.Oklahoma
WRMarvin MimsSo.Oklahoma
OLMarquis HayesSr.Oklahoma
OLWanya MorrisJr.Oklahoma
PKGabe BrkicJr.Oklahoma
All-Big 12 Defense! Position! Player! Class! Team
DLIsaiah ThomasSr.Oklahoma
DLPerrion WinfreySr.Oklahoma
LBNik BonittoJr.Oklahoma

Schedule

See main article: 2021 Big 12 Conference football season.

Regular season

The 2021 schedule consisted of 7 home games, 4 away games and 1 neutral-site game in the regular season. The Sooners hosted 2 non-conference games against Western Carolina and Nebraska and was originally scheduled to travel to Tulane, but the effects of Hurricane Ida forced the game to be played in Oklahoma with Tulane still being the home team. Oklahoma hosted Iowa State, TCU, Texas Tech, and West Virginia, and travelled to Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State in regular-season conference play. Oklahoma played Texas in Dallas, Texas at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in the Red River Showdown, the 116th game played in the series.[21]

Personnel

Coaching staff

Head Coach / Quarterbacks Texas Tech (2006)2015/2017
Defensive Coordinator / Safeties Mount Union (2002)2019
Outside linebackers / Defensive Ends New Mexico State (2002)2020
Assistant Head Coach for Offense / Tight Ends and H-Backs Oklahoma (2008)2021
Co-Offensive Coordinator / Recruiting Coordinator / Inside Receivers Oklahoma (1994)1999
Co-Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line Iowa Wesleyan (1995)2013
Cornerbacks Michigan (2004) 2019
Running backs Oklahoma (2010)2020
Inside Linebackers SE Oklahoma State (2004)2019
Dennis Simmons Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator / Outside Receivers BYU (1997)2015
Calvin ThibodeauxDefensive line Oklahoma (2006)2016
Graduate assistants
Analysts

Injury report

Game summaries

At Tulane

Statistics OKLA TULANE
First downs 24 24
Total yards 430 396
Rushes/yards 35-116 32-100
Passing yards 314 296
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 31-40-2 27-45
Time of possession 33:23 26:37
Team Category Player Statistics
Oklahoma Passing 30/39, 314 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing 14 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD
Receiving 6 receptions, 37 yards, 1 TD
Tulane Passing 27/44, 296 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Michael Pratt 15 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Tyrick James 6 receptions, 93 yards

Vs. Western Carolina

See also: 2021 Western Carolina Catamounts football team.

Statistics WCU OKLA
First downs 11 31
Total yards 178 624
Rushes/yards 27-55 38-227
Passing yards 123 347
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21-36-1 27-38
Time of possession 27:01 32:59
Team Category Player Statistics
Western Carolina Passing Rogan Wells 16/29, 86 yards
Rushing Carlos Davis 3 carries, 27 yards
Receiving Kenny Benjamin 6 receptions, 34 yards
Oklahoma Passing Spencer Rattler 20/26, 243 yards, 5 TD's
Rushing 9 carries, 74 yards
Receiving Mario Williams 4 receptions, 49 yards, 1 TD

Vs. Nebraska

See also: 2021 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team and Nebraska–Oklahoma football rivalry.

Statistics NEB OKLA
First downs 18 21
Total yards 384 408
Rushes/yards 38-95 35-194
Passing yards 289 214
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 19-25-1 24-34
Time of possession 29:10 30:50
Team Category Player Statistics
Nebraska Passing 19/25, 289 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Rahmiir Johnson 11 carries, 42 yards
Receiving 6 receptions, 43 yards
Oklahoma Passing Spencer Rattler 24/34, 214 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Eric Gray 15 carries, 84 yards
Receiving 6 receptions, 61 yards

vs West Virginia

See also: 2021 West Virginia Mountaineers football team.

Statistics WVU OKLA
First downs 18 19
Total yards 226 313
Rushes/yards 29-47 28-57
Passing yards 179 256
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 23-34-1 26-36-1
Time of possession 33:00 27:00
Team Category Player Statistics
West Virginia Passing 20/29, 160 yards, 1 INT
Rushing 15 carries, 56 yards
Receiving 8 receptions, 93 yards
Oklahoma Passing Spencer Rattler 26/36, 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Eric Gray 12 carries, 38 yards
Receiving 8 receptions, 86 yards

At Kansas State

See also: 2021 Kansas State Wildcats football team.

Statistics OKLA KSU
First downs 22 22
Total yards 392420
Rushes/yards 32-131 27-100
Passing yards 261 320
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 23-28-1 29-41
Time of possession 27:18 32:42
Team Category Player Statistics
Oklahoma Passing Spencer Rattler 22/25, 243 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT
Rushing Kennedy Brooks 15 carries, 91 yards, 1 TD
Receiving 4 receptions, 71 yards
Kansas State Passing 29/41, 320 yards, 3 TD's
Rushing 15 carries, 51 yards
Receiving Deuce Vaughn 10 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD

Vs. No. 21 Texas

See also: 2021 Texas Longhorns football team and Red River Showdown.

Statistics OKLA TEX
First downs 26 19
Total yards 662 516
Rushes/yards 41/339 27/128
Passing yards 323 388
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 24-40-1 20-34
Time of possession 35:23 24:37
Team Category Player Statistics
Oklahoma Passing 15/24, 211 yards, 2 TD's
Rushing Kennedy Brooks 25 carries, 217 yards, 2 TD's
Receiving Marvin Mims 5 receptions, 136 yards, 2 TD's
Texas Passing 20/34, 388 yards, 5 TD's
Rushing 20 carries, 137 yards, 1 TD
Receiving 9 receptions, 261 yards, 2 TD's

Vs. TCU

See also: 2021 TCU Horned Frogs football team.

Statistics TCU OKLA
First downs 21 25
Total yards 519 525
Rushes/yards 37-183 35-230
Passing yards 336 295
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20-36 18-23
Time of possession 29:13 30:47
Team Category Player Statistics
TCU Passing 20/32, 336 yards, 4 TD's
Rushing 7 carries, 57 yards
Receiving 7 receptions, 185 yards, 3 TD's
Oklahoma Passing Caleb Williams 18/23, 295 yards, 4 TD's
Rushing Kennedy Brooks 20 carries, 153 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jadon Haselwood 6 receptions, 56 yards, 3 TD's

At Kansas

See also: 2021 Kansas Jayhawks football team.

Statistics OKLA KAN
First downs 18 23
Total yards 398412
Rushes/yards 34-220 42-166
Passing yards 178 246
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15-20-1 17-23
Time of possession 24:30 35:30
Team Category Player Statistics
Oklahoma Passing Caleb Williams 15/20, 178 yards, 2 TD's 1 INT
Rushing Kennedy Brooks 24 carries, 79 yards, 2 TD's
Receiving Eric Gray 3 receptions, 42 yards
Kansas Passing 17/23, 246 yards, 1 TD
Rushing 23 carries, 100 yards, 2 TD's
Receiving 7 receptions, 101 yards

Vs. Texas Tech

See also: 2021 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team.

Statistics TTU OKLA
First downs 22 26
Total yards 373 541
Rushes/yards 32-104 20-72
Passing yards 269 469
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 24-34-2 28-35
Time of possession 33:24 26:36
Team Category Player Statistics
Texas Tech Passing 17/22, 192 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Xavier White 10 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD
Receiving 8 receptions, 123 yards, 1 TD
Oklahoma Passing Caleb Williams 23/30, 402 yards, 6 TD's
Rushing Kennedy Brooks 8 carries, 35 yards
Receiving Mario Williams 5 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD

At No. 13 Baylor

See also: 2021 Baylor Bears football team.

Statistics OKLABU
First downs 17 24
Total yards 260 414
Rushes/yards 28/78 27/297
Passing yards 182 117
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 14–25–2 12–21–1
Time of possession 24:41 35:19
Team Category Player Statistics
Oklahoma Passing Caleb Williams 10–19, 146 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Kennedy Brooks 13 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Michael Woods II 4 receptions, 53 yards
Baylor Passing 12–21, 117 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing 20 carries, 148 yards
Receiving 4 receptions, 41 yards, 1 TD

Vs. Iowa State

See also: 2021 Iowa State Cyclones football team.

Statistics ISU OKLA
First downs 25 14
Total yards 361 305
Rushes/yards 35/51 34/209
Passing yards 310 96
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 35-52-2 9-19-1
Time of possession 38:20 21:40
Team Category Player Statistics
Iowa State Passing 30/41, 281 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing 19 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD
Receiving 12 receptions, 152 yards, 1 TD
Oklahoma Passing Caleb Williams 8/18, 87 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Kennedy Brooks 17 carries, 115 yards
Receiving Mario Williams 2 receptions, 18 yards, 1 TD

At No. 7 Oklahoma State

See also: 2021 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team and Bedlam Series.

Statistics OKLA OKST
First downs 21 21
Total yards 441 354
Rushes/yards 44/189 36/140
Passing yards 252 214
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 20-39 19-30-2
Time of possession 35:41 24:02
Team Category Player Statistics
Oklahoma Passing Caleb Williams 20/39, 252 yards, 3 TD's
Rushing Kennedy Brooks 22 carries, 139 yards
Receiving 4 receptions, 76 yards
Oklahoma State Passing 19/30, 214 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's
Rushing Spencer Sanders 16 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD
Receiving 7 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD

Vs. Oregon (2021 Alamo Bowl)

Statistics ORE OKLA
First downs 26 27
Total yards 497560
Rushes/yards 33/191 42/318
Passing yards 306 242
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 27-40-1 21-27
Time of possession 26:26 33:34
Team Category Player Statistics
Oregon Passing 27/40, 306 yards, 3 TD's 1 INT
Rushing 18 carries, 153 yards, 1 TD
Receiving 6 receptions, 55 yards, 1 TD
Oklahoma Passing Caleb Williams 21/27, 242 yards, 3 TD's
Rushing Kennedy Brooks 14 carries, 142 yards, 3 TD's
Receiving Eric Gray 5 receptions, 25 yards, 1 TD

Statistics

Scoring

Scores by quarter (non-conference opponents)

Scores by quarter (Big 12 opponents)

Scores by quarter (All opponents)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List Announced . July 13, 2021. July 13, 2021.
  2. Web site: 2021 Maxwell Award Watch List – Maxwell Football Club. 19 July 2021.
  3. Web site: 2021 Bednarik Award Watch List – Maxwell Football Club. 19 July 2021.
  4. Web site: Davey O’Brien Award Announces 30-Player Preseason Watch List. July 20, 2021. July 20, 2021.
  5. Web site: 2021 Doak Walker Award Candidates. July 21, 2021. www.smu.eduaccess-date=July 21, 2021.
  6. Web site: 2021 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List Released. July 22, 2021. July 22, 2021.
  7. Web site: 2021 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released. July 23, 2021. July 23, 2021.
  8. Web site: 2020 Butkus Award Preseason Watch List Released. July 26, 2021. July 26, 2021. August 20, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100820080704/http://www.thebutkusaward.com/watchlist/view.aspx?t=c. dead.
  9. Web site: 2021 Outland Trophy Award Watchlist Unveiled. July 27, 2021. July 27, 2021.
  10. Web site: 2021 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watchlist Unveiled. July 27, 2021. July 27, 2021.
  11. Web site: Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Announces 2021 Preseason Watch List. July 28, 2021. July 28, 2021.
  12. Web site: 57 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2021 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST. July 29, 2021. July 29, 2021. July 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210729150819/https://www.louisvillesports.org/ph-article/57-players-named-to-2021-paul-hornung-award-watch-list/. dead.
  13. Web site: Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2021 Watch List. July 29, 2021. July 29, 2021.
  14. Web site: Walter Camp Foundation Announces 2021 Player of the Year Preseason Watch List. July 30, 2021. July 30, 2021.
  15. Web site: Allstate Sugar Bowl announces Manning Award Watch List. August 5, 2021. August 5, 2021.
  16. Web site: Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award announces 2021 Preseason Watch List . August 5, 2021. August 5, 2021.
  17. Web site: Ray Guy Award announces 2021 Preseason Watch List . August 13, 2021. August 13, 2021.
  18. Web site: Oklahoma Tops Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll . big12sports.com.
  19. Web site: Media Preseason Football Team Announced. big12sports.com. Big 12 Conference. July 7, 2021. July 7, 2021.
  20. Web site: Big 12 Announces Media Preseason Football Team. big12sports.com. Big 12 Conference. July 7, 2021. July 7, 2021.
  21. Web site: 2021 Oklahoma Sooners Football Schedule . FB Schedules . February 7, 2021.