LIVE UPDATE: OKLAHOMA SOONERS RELEASE DEPTH CHART FOR ARMED FORCES BOWL
As the 2024 Oklahoma Sooners prepare for their final game of the season, they’ve unveiled the official depth chart for the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl against the Navy Midshipmen. Oklahoma enters the matchup with a 6-6 record (2-4 in SEC play) and faces a tough Navy team that finished 9-3, fresh off a victory over Army, who recently claimed the AAC title.
This depth chart reflects the significant changes the Sooners have endured, with 25 players having entered the transfer portal. Despite the challenges, the team is ready to close out the season in Fort Worth on Dec. 28.
Here are the key takeaways:
1. Stutsman and Bowman Absent for Finale
Two of Oklahoma’s defensive stars, Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman, have officially played their last games in crimson and cream. Both players leave behind stellar legacies as they prepare for the NFL Draft in April.
While their absence is notable, the defensive unit remains largely intact for the bowl game, with many familiar faces returning. The coaching staff hopes the core of this group will remain for 2025, but decisions still loom for several players.
2. Hawkins Back at QB
On the offensive side, the quarterback position sees Michael Hawkins Jr. stepping in as the starter once again. With Jackson Arnold transferring to Auburn, Hawkins will make the fourth start of his true freshman season.
This game offers Hawkins a critical opportunity to showcase his growth under the Sooners’ new offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, before transitioning back to a reserve role behind incoming quarterback John Mateer in 2025. Hawkins’ commitment to Oklahoma through a challenging season could pay off as he develops further in the program.
3. Thin Wide Receiver Corps
The Sooners’ wide receiver depth is a significant concern heading into the bowl game. With only six scholarship wideouts currently available, the situation could worsen if Deion Burks is unable to play. Jayden Gibson remains sidelined due to a preseason injury.
As a result, the depth chart features true freshmen such as Zion Kearney, Zion Ragins, Ivan Carreon, and K.J. Daniels, alongside walk-on players like Jacob Jordan. Rebuilding the receiving corps will be a top priority for the coaching staff during the offseason.
4. Barnes Still Out
The running back position remains intact, with none of the top four backs—Jovantae Barnes, Xavier Robinson, Taylor Tatum, and Gavin Sawchuk—entering the portal thus far. However, Jovantae Barnes does not appear on the depth chart, likely due to lingering effects from the ankle injury he sustained earlier in the season.
Barnes’ potential return in 2025 could give the Sooners a veteran workhorse in the backfield, but the crowded room may prompt one of the other backs to seek opportunities elsewhere during the offseason.
LOOKING AHEAD
Despite the challenges of a transitional year in the SEC, Oklahoma looks to finish strong against a formidable Navy team. This game also serves as a springboard for the Sooners to regroup and rebuild for the 2025 season under Brent Venables and his staff.
Kickoff for the Armed Forces Bowl is set for Dec. 28 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. Stay tuned for live updates and game analysis!
