ATLANTA — OU football coach Brent Venables and a trio of players — quarterback John Mateer, defensive end R Mason Thomas and safety Robert Spears-Jennings faced plenty of questions at SEC media days.
They answered questions about rebuilding the offense and keeping the defensive momentum going. The players talked about their own offseason growth and their journeys through their careers. Venables talked of the importance of this season and the fast-evolving world of college athletics.
But they also talked plenty about players who weren’t there.
Here are five Sooners who weren’t at media days who generated some buzz:
Venables called the McNeese State transfer “just a ball of energy.”
The Sooners need some energy in the receivers’ room after the spate of injuries they suffered last season, plus offseason defections.
Carter had 37 catches for 537 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games last season.
“He loves the practice field, the weight room, 7-on-7; that’s his sanctuary,” Venables said. “He’s one of those guys that he’s like a pig in the mud when he gets out there on the practice field and being with the guys. But he loves to compete.”
Mateer and Carter live in the same neighborhood.
“You can tell he loves being around the guys,” Mateer said of Carter. “He loves being here. He loves the work. It’s been fun getting to know him.”
The only returner on this list, Dolby’s injury last season was a big blow to the Sooners’ defense.
He posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 77.3 before suffering a season-ending injury in the loss to Tennessee early in the season. His PFF grade stood as the sixth-highest among players who played at least 30 plays defensively for OU last season.
“Kendel is looking great,” Spears-Jennings said. “He’s probably 95%. By game one, he’ll be 100%. And, you know, he was the backbone of our defense. He brought all the energy. He was a sideline-to-sideline player. So just waiting to see him get back game one is gonna be crazy.”
Ott transferred from Cal after the Sooners’ spring practices had ended so neither Venables nor Mateer had publicly addressed the addition of the talented back who is expected to not only be OU’s starter but be one of the top ball carriers in the SEC.
“He’s a home-run hitter,” Venables said. “He’s got great instincts, runs well behind his pads. His yards after contact are eye-popping. He makes plays, as opposed to ‘take what they give you.’ He makes plays, and that’s what great players do.”
Ott was limited to just 3.3 yards per carry last season while limited with an ankle injury, but averaged 5.3 yards per carry over his first two seasons in Berkley. In 2023, Ott ran for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns while also catching a pair of touchdown passes.
“He’ll be a great addition,” Mateer said. ”We’ve got a good running back room and it got even better because he came. He’s real smart, real good at football, obviously, and loves the game.”
Mateer had plenty of good things to say about the freshman wide receiver from Checotah.
Thomas drew buzz during the spring for how far along he was, and has continued to draw rave reviews.
“He’s an athletic freak,” Mateer said. “… It’s not all the time that a freshman receiver can feel the game the way he does but he feels the game real well.”
Venables doled out some of his highest praise to a bit of a surprising player.
Sandell was another late transfer, as the Sooners look to fill the kicker spot vacated by the departures of Tyler Keltner and Zach Schmit from last season.
“I don’t know who the All-Pro kickers are, but you would think he’s in the Hall of Fame in the NFL,” Venables said. “He’s just got a really cool confidence. It’s not arrogance; it’s confidence that you know it when you see it.”
Sandell was 19 of 23 on field goals last season with a long of 54. He made 35 of 36 extra points.
