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Oklahoma Coach Brent Venables Looking for More Production From Running Game
Brent Venables added Jason Witten to help Oklahoma improve a rushing attack that ranked 13th in the Southeastern Conference last season.
- Oklahoma hired former NFL All-Pro Jason Witten to its coaching staff ahead of fall camp, which begins Wednesday, to improve tight end production. Head coach Brent Venables aims to spark offensive improvement after last season's rushing struggles.
- Last season, the Sooners finished 13th in the Southeastern Conference in rushing, averaging 118.5 yards per game with 3.54 yards per carry. To return to the College Football Playoff, Oklahoma needs increased production from running backs and tight ends.
- Fifth-Year senior Hayden Hansen called Witten an "encyclopedia," noting "when you've played 17 years you know exactly what works." Witten described tight ends as "an extension of the offensive line" responsible for sealing gaps and setting edges.
- Witten identified that Sooner backs struggled to create "explosive runs" of 12 yards or more last season. He emphasized tight ends must seal gaps and set the edge to generate the explosive plays successful offenses produce.
- Venables said Witten brings "instant credibility" to the position group, citing his natural skill set as a teacher. Witten inherits a roster of veterans and young players, including transfers Hayden Hansen and Rocky Beers.
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Oklahoma’s Defensive End Room Is the Deepest on the Roster – The Franchise
Steve Curtis | August 6th, 2026 When Brent Venables arrived in Norman in November 2021, he promised to build a “physical, punishing, relentless, suffocating defense.” That transformation didn’t happen overnight. After finishing 122nd nationally in total defense during Venables’ first season, Oklahoma’s defensive front quickly became a point of emphasis. The Sooners attacked the transfer portal, developed young talent and, year after year, steadi…
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Center
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
69% Center
L 31%
C 69%
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