Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables snagged 10 blue-chip players in the 2026 class. However, as the Sooners begin spring practice, he singled out three returning players for praise, each of whom has shown significant development despite limited playing time last season.

On Friday, during his appearance on The Oklahoma Breakdown, Brent Venables said that Nigel Smith and Trent Wilson have had maybe the best offseason of any players on the roster. He also mentioned that Wyatt Gilmore is “the next Taylor Wein.”

Trent Wilson is a promising DT who quietly preserved his redshirt, appearing in just 3 games in 2025. Despite limited action, his potential flashed, and the true freshman played a developmental role behind veteran D-line stars like Damonic Williams and David Stone. Still, Wilson recorded his first career tackle in the season opener against Illinois State. Arriving last January, the former 4-star recruit from Maryland has since transformed himself, bulking up to roughly 307 pounds. That helps him step in as a key backup on the interior D-line in the upcoming season.

Then Nigel Smith II enters as a redshirt sophomore, continuing to refine his role along the defensive front. He played in three games last season and recorded 1 solo tackle. But his most significant appearances occurred during the October victory at South Carolina. Originally viewed as an edge rusher, Smith has gradually shifted toward interior duties to better utilize his 290 lb frame. Now, analysts expect his snap count to climb in 2026.

Meanwhile, Gilmore remains one of the more intriguing options on the edge. Although he recorded just 13 snaps in 2025, appearing in 4 games, his most significant moment occurred in the game against Temple. He recorded his first career sack, which resulted in a 7-yard loss for the Owls. Now spring sessions have opened the door to a larger opportunity.

Gilmore is pushing for a steady role in the DE rotation, though competition remains intense, particularly from experienced veteran Taylor Wein. These players’ development signals they take Venables’ 2026 resolutions to bounce back to the CFP scene very seriously. But fulfilling those won’t be easy for Brent Venables’ squad.

The Sooners’ 2026 schedule features critical early tests at Michigan, at Georgia, and vs. Texas. Still, a hope alive with Oklahoma’s recruiting strategy.

“We are trimming the fat for our coaches … if we don’t see eye to eye, we move on,” said the Sooners’ GM Jim Nagy. “We wanted guys that were great teammates, had presence, had confidence. This is a developmental program. The coaches do a great job with it, but the guys got to be wired right to come in and play right away and be developed.”

With this approach, the head coach and staff have built a 2026 class, which ranks No. 15 via ON3. Now this elite group has to translate their talent into on-field success to end nearly 26 years of drought of winning a national title.

Brent Venables’ elite 2026 roster’s outlook

Although the Sooners saw players such as Jaydan Hardy, Gentry Williams, and Devon Jordan move on through the portal after the 2025 season, the mix of returning talent gave Brent Venables calculated reinforcements. That list includes QB John Mateer, DT David Stone, WR Isaiah Sategna III, and so on.

Oklahoma’s secondary still carries serious star power with Peyton Bowen at safety and Eli Bowen at CB, despite losing six contributors to the portal. Then, Courtland Guillory returns as a projected starting CB. Meanwhile, the D-line gets depth with Reggie Powers III, Michael Boganowski, and Trystan Haynes. But that’s not all, as the head coach has built a well-balanced freshman class too. The headliner is Derrick Johnson II, a highly regarded four-star CB prospect.

Joining him are versatile safety Niko Jandreau and Texas standout Markel Ford, a 210-pound safety. Interestingly, the trio reflects Venables’ preference for aggressive, high-energy defenders who can thrive in his demanding scheme. Meanwhile, through transfers, Brent Venables has talents like DB Dakoda Fields, WR Trell Harris, LB Cole Sullivan, TE Hayden Hansen, and more heading into the 2026 season.