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The Norman Transcript, Okla.
5 breakout candidates as Oklahoma football’s fall camp approaches
- Story byThe Norman Transcript, Okla.
- 5 breakout candidates as Oklahoma football’s fall camp approaches
Fall camp is just a few short weeks away from starting.
Each season, there are breakout players that rise to the top during Oklahoma football 's fall camp that receive plenty of hype leading into the season opener.
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With SEC Media Days less than two weeks away, along with fall camp beginning in less than a month, the Sooners have a few candidates to break through when they hit the practice field. Here are a few candidates from that pool:
Lloyd Avant , running back
With the running back situation being the most volatile the past few seasons for the Sooners, there's been plenty of different faces to emerge. Lloyd Avant could be that riser in the OU running back room this fall.
Avant emerged as a spring breakout because of the injuries to 2025 starters Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock , allowing him to lead the running backs throughout spring and the spring game.
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Avant got the start in the spring game on the Red Team that featured all the returning starters, including quarterback John Mateer . Avant rushed 14 times for 69 yards and a touchdown as the spring game starter and impressed as a quick learner in a new system.
Avant, a Colorado State transfer, will likely start third or fourth on the depth chart — barring injuries — when fall camp rolls around at the end of the month, but will also have the opportunity to earn a larger role by the first game in September.
Kenny Ozowalu, defensive lineman
UTSA transfer Kenny Ozowalu missed OU's spring game with an unknown injury, but could make a massive jump when the Sooners hit the practice field this fall.
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Ozowalu transferred in this spring and is expected to rotate with the second unit for Oklahoma 's defense. He will likely be on the edge behind Taylor Wein , PJ Adebawore and Danny Okoye.
In his redshirt freshman season, he started 10 games for the Roadrunners with 17 total tackles, getting six tackles for loss and three sacks.
Omarion Robinson , safety
Likely in one of the more depleted position groups on the team, safety Omarion Robinson will have a chance to shine for the Sooners in fall camp.
Robinson, a sophomore, is in his second offseason with the Sooners' strength and conditioning staff while also already making a leap during the spring window.
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Robinson started on the White Team in the spring game and led the game with seven tackles, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
He's slated to be the backup safety to starters Peyton Bowen and Michael Boganowski, giving the Sooners a much needed depth piece in the scarce position room.
Trent Wilson , defensive lineman
There's plenty of candidates from the defensive tackle room that could make a jump this fall, but redshirt freshman Trent Wilson has the most potential to take that next step.
He appeared in just three games for the Sooners last season, but impressed OU coach Brent Venables in the spring and got a tackle-for-loss in the spring game for the Red Team — featuring most of the starters.
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Mackenzie Alleyne , wide receiver
The top three of the wide receiver room seems to be solidified, but there's always a breakout wideout each season. Mackenzie Alleyne might take that this fall.
The Sooners went out and got two bonafide starting wideouts in Parker Livingstone and Trell Harris to pair with returning star Isaiah Sategna III to complete the starters. Alleyne, a Washington State transfer, could be part of the rotation behind those three from his performance this spring and his relationship with the offensive leaders.
Alleyne was recruited by OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle at Washington State and has a strong bond with Mateer. That bond was on display in the spring game where Alleyne caught three passes from Mateer for 28 yards and a touchdown.
Alleyne is in a stacked receiving room, but found a way to break through in the spring, something he could easily do again in the fall.
