Okoye, who was listed as a co-starter on the depth chart released earlier this week and is entering his third year with theSooners, was on the sideline forOU's 51-0 shutout of the Minersbut not in uniform.
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"He'll be back," Venables said. "Yeah, he'll be fine. We just decided to hold him."
The Sooners are expecting a big season from the Tulsa native who played in 11 games in 2025 and totaled six tackles, two sacks and a pass breakup.
Okoye is donating $100 for every tackle, $200 for every sack and $500 for every interception this season to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, an organization born from the death of New York firefighter Stephen Siller, who gave his life responding to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Corey "Scissorhands" Sutter cheers during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
The Sooner Schooner is pictured during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
The Sooner Schooner is pictured during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Oklahoma fans greet players during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) greets fans during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) greets fans during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) greets fans during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Corey "Scissorhands" Sutter cheers during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
1/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Corey "Scissorhands" Sutter cheers during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
2/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
3/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
4/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
5/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
6/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Fans cheer during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
7/12
OU football fanfare: Cheerleaders, mascots, fans at games during 2026 season
The Sooner Schooner is pictured during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
8/12
OU football fanfare: Cheerleaders, mascots, fans at games during 2026 season
The Sooner Schooner is pictured during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
9/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Oklahoma fans greet players during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
10/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) greets fans during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
11/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) greets fans during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
12/12
OU football vs UTEP in Week 1, see our top photos of Sooners-Miners
Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) greets fans during the Walk of Champions before the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the UTEP Miners at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Sept. 4, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
Colton Sulley covers theOklahoma Soonersfor TheOklahoman. Order "BOOM TIMES: The Oklahoma Sooners' Epic Charge to the 2026 College World Series Title" at Sooners.ChampsBook.com. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
