NORMAN — OU football released an initial 2024 depth chart Sunday ahead of its Week 1 matchup with Temple on Friday.
Blocking for sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold, the Sooners’ starting offensive line consists of USC transfer Michael Tarquin at left tackle, junior Jacob Sexton at left guard, SMU transfer Branson Hickman at center, North Texas transfer Febechi Nwaiwu, as well as redshirt sophomore Jake Taylor or Michigan State transfer Spencer Brown at right tackle.
The depth chart also lists running backs Gavin Sawchuk and Jovantae Barnes as starters. Purdue transfer Deion Burks will start at slot receiver with senior Jalil Farooq at one of the outside receiver spots.
Notably, the other outside spot lists redshirt sophomore Nic Anderson or junior Brenen Thompson as starters. Anderson caught 10 touchdown passes in 2023.
It appears the starting tight end battle will continue into this week as Southeastern Louisiana transfer Bauer Sharp and Baylor transfer Jake Roberts are both listed as starters.
Defensively, one surprise is freshman Jayden Jackson is listed as a defensive tackle starter. TCU transfer Damonic Williams or junior Da’Jon Terry will start at nose tackle. Senior Ethan Downs and junior R Mason Thomas will start on the edges.
Five-star David Stone was listed as a third-string defensive tackle.
Other notable selections on defense includes at weakside linebacker where it lists Kip Lewis, Lewis Carter or Dasan McCullough. Senior Kendel Dolby will start at Cheetah.
The secondary, expected to be one of OU’s deepest areas on its roster, appears to still have some tinkering to do as well. Outside of senior Billy Bowman Jr., every position has an “or” listed.
The left cornerback spot on the depth chart has redshirt junior Kani Walker or redshirt senior Woodi Washington starting, while the right one has San Diego State transfer Dez Malone, junior Gentry Williams or sophomore Jacobe Johnson.
Luke Elzinga is listed as the Sooners’ starting punter. Tyler Keltner and Zach Schmit are both listed as OU’s starting kickers.
Head coach Brent Venables said last week the starting kicker battle will continue into game week.
Bowman Jr. will return kicks and Bowen will return punts.
The Sooners kick their season off against Temple at 6 p.m. Friday in Norman on ESPN.
More: Inside Jackson Arnold’s offseason evolution, years-long journey to be OU football’s QB1
OU football depth chart update
Offense
Quarterback: Jackson Arnold; Michael Hawkins Jr.; Casey Thompson
Running back: Gavin Sawchuk OR Jovantae Barnes; Sam Franklin OR Taylor Tatum; Kalib Hicks
Tight end: Bauer Sharp OR Jake Roberts; Kade McIntyre OR Kaden Helms
Wide receiver: Brenen Thompson OR Nic Anderson; Andrel Anthony
Left tackle: Michael Tarquin; Logan Howland
Left guard: Jacob Sexton; Heath Ozaeta OR Eddy Pierre-Louis
Center: Branson Hickman; Joshua Bates; Josh Aisosa
Right guard: Febechi Nwaiwu; Geirean Hatchett; Eugene Brooks
Right tackle: Jake Taylor OR Spencer Brown; Isaiah Autry-Dent
Slot WR: Deion Burks; Jaquaize Pettaway; Jacob Jordan OR Kj Daniels
Wide receiver: Jalil Farooq; J.J. Hester; Zion Kearney
Defense
Left defensive end: Ethan Downs; Caiden Woullard; Adepoju Adebawore
Defensive tackle: Jayden Jackson; Gracen Halton; David Stone OR Davon Sears
Nose tackle: Damonic Williams OR Da’Jon Terry; Ashton Sanders
Right defensive end: R Mason Thomas; Trace Ford; Taylor Wein OR Danny Okoye
Mike linebacker: Danny Stutsman; Kobie McKinzie OR Jaren Kanak
Will linebacker: Kip Lewis OR Lewis Carter OR Dasan McCullough
Cheetah: Kendel Dolby; Samuel Omosigho; Reggie Powers III
Left cornerback: Kani Walker OR Woodi Washington; Eli Bowen
Strong safety: Billy Bowman Jr.; Jaydan Hardy OR Reggie Powers III
Free safety: Peyton Bowen OR Robert Spears-Jennings; Michael Boganowski
Right cornerback: Dez Malone OR Gentry Williams OR Jacobe Johnson
Special teams
Kicker: Tyler Keltner OR Zach Schmit; Liam Evans; Josh Plaster
Punter: Luke Elzinga; Ashton Logan; Josh Plaster
Kick returner: Billy Bowman Jr.; Jalil Farooq; Deion Burks OR Sam Franklin
Punt returner: Peyton Bowen; Billy Bowman Jr.; Dez Malone
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football depth chart revealed: See the full roster
