4 young Sooners shining despite Oklahoma's 3-3 start

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4 young Sooners shining despite Oklahoma's 3-3 start

4 Oklahoma Sooners to watch in Week 8 against Mississippi State — Oklahoma's Manny Choice (0) gets by Kentucky's Terhyon Nichols (20) 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.

John Williams, Sooners Wire

Wed, Oct 21, 2026 ·

3 min read

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The Oklahoma Sooners are off to a disappointing 3-3 start to the 2026 season. The first half of the year didn't go as planned, with losses to Michigan, Georgia , and Kentucky . After beating Texas, the Sooners seemed ready to turn things around. However, the issues that plagued the Oklahoma offense against Michigan and Georgia resurfaced in the loss to Kentucky.

Although this season hasn't gone according to plan, Oklahoma has found some talented players who could be foundational for the future. On Saturday against the Wildcats, several young Sooners continued to deliver.

1. Noah Best, OL

Injuries might have provided him the opportunity, but true freshman offensive lineman Noah Best has made the most of it. He's started every game at guard for the Sooners and has played well, often considered Oklahoma's best offensive lineman.

The offensive line has been an issue for the Sooners for several years, but they've found a piece they can build the future around in Best.

2. Manny Choice, WR

Though he didn't get a lot of playing time in the first few games of the season, Choice has come on strong over the last three games for the Oklahoma Sooners. Choice scored a touchdown against Georgia, had a pair of receptions for 10 yards against Texas, and then took advantage of his first career start with five catches for 98 yards against Kentucky.

Choice's 34-yard catch-and-run at the end of the first half helped get the Sooners in touchdown range, which ultimately led to Rocky Beers 20-yard touchdown reception.

3. Omarion Robinson, S

The Oklahoma Sooners have done a fantastic job developing safeties under assistant coach Brandon Hall. Billy Bowman and Robert Spears-Jennings are starring for their squads in the NFL. Peyton Bowen is going to hear his name called in the first couple of days of the draft next May. Oklahoma may have found another gem in Omarion Robinson.

Robinson saw an uptick in snaps after Michael Boganowski was sidelined, and he held his own against Georgia, Texas, and Kentucky, three pretty good offenses. With Boganowski back in the fold for Week 7 against Kentucky, Robinson's snap share took a bit of a hit, but he played incredibly well once again. There's a lot to like about the future of the safety position with Robinson emerging.

4. Jake Kreul, DE

Over the last several years, the Oklahoma Sooners have had several true freshmen play significant roles for the Sooners' defense. In 2024, it was Eli Bowen and Jayden Jackson. In 2025, Courtland Guillory was a big-time player for OU. Now it's true freshman defensive end Jake Kreul beginning to shine for the Sooners' defense.

Kreul had 2.5 sacks and a half-tackle for loss. He's seen increasingly more snaps over the last five games and proved why against a good Kentucky offensive line. Kreul leads the Sooners in sacks with three and is fourth in tackles for loss.

When the Oklahoma defense has teams in passing situations, it gives Kreul a chance to show off his tremendous pass-rush skill set.

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How does ESPN predict Oklahoma's remaining schedule after win?

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

(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

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: 4 young Sooners shining despite Oklahoma's 3-3 start

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4 young Sooners shining despite Oklahoma's 3-3 start

1. Noah Best, OL

2. Manny Choice, WR

3. Omarion Robinson, S

4. Jake Kreul, DE

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