Oklahoma's Todd Bates highlights the growth of Trent Wilson

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Oklahoma's Todd Bates highlights the growth of Trent Wilson

Oklahoma's Todd Bates highlights the growth of Trent Wilson

Jaron Spor, Sooners Wire · Sooners Wire

Fri, Oct 23, 2026 ·

2 min read

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The Oklahoma Sooners entered the 2026 college football season with major question marks for the interior defensive line. The Sooners returned David Stone and Jayden Jackson from the 2025 unit, but lost Damonic Williams and Gracen Halton.

Those four were the line's main defensive tackles for two seasons, so they have big shoes to fill. The Sooners attacked the transfer portal, adding Bishop Thomas, Braxton Fely and Danny Saili. However, someone who was already there has stepped up and become a consistent contributor.

That is sophomore Trent Wilson. The former four-star recruit from Maryland has flashed his potential with the Sooners this season. He has five tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack this season. Todd Bates said it's been awesome to see his growth.

"To see Trent grow weekly has been a breath of fresh air," Bates said. "I knew he would do it. I could just tell where he was in spring ball, and he's just continued to work at his game, and he takes it seriously. He wants to be great."

Wilson's emergence has been an encouraging development for a defensive line that needed new contributions to step into larger roles. His production may still be modest, but his tackles for loss and sack show he can make plays behind the line of scrimmage. With more experience, he could become a dependable complement to Stone and Jackson while giving Bates more flexibility along the interior.

For Oklahoma, that kind of development is especially valuable as the Sooners navigate the demanding stretch ahead in SEC play. Building depth up front can help the defense stay effective late in games and reduce the burden on its established starters. If Wilson keeps improving and turns his potential into consistent production, he could become an increasingly important part of the Sooners' defensive front for the rest of the season and beyond.

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Oklahoma Sooners game-by-game predictions from ESPN

Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (1) runs with the ball as Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Ty Bryant (14) defends during the first quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

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Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is is pictured during the= college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Oklahoma Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks coach Ben Arbuckle is pictured during the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) is pressured by Kentucky's Mi'quise Humphrey-Grace (90) as he throws in the fourth quarter of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jake Kreul (98) reacts after tackling Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey (3) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Elijah Barnes (0) and Kentucky Wildcats defensive lineman Mi'quise Humphrey-Grace (90) tackle Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Taylor Wein (44) reacts during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) scrambles in the fourth quarter of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) makes a diving catch in front of Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Courtland Guillory (4) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Oklahoma's Michael Boganowski (25) tackles Kentucky's Jason Patterson (26) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Oklahoma's Manny Choice (0) makes. catch as Kentucky's Hasaan Sykes (12) defends in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Oklahoma's Jonathan Hatton Jr. (20) looks to get by Kentucky's Ty Bryant (14) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; The Sooner Schooner runs onto the field before the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
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Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jake Kreul (98) and Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) tackle Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey (3) during the first quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners punter Jacob Ulrich (87) throws an interception while attempting a fake field goal during the second quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) greets offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle before the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oklahoma's Rocky Beers (81) makes a touchdown catch in front of Kentucky's Ty Bryant (14) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws during the first quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma's Todd Bates highlights the growth of Trent Wilson

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