ATLANTA — OU football coach Brent Venables and a trio of players — quarterback John Mateer, defensive end R Mason Thomas and safety Robert Spears-Jennings faced plenty of questions at SEC media days.
They answered questions about rebuilding the offense and keeping the defensive momentum going. The players talked about their own offseason growth and their journeys through their careers. Venables talked of the importance of this season and the fast-evolving world of college athletics.
But they also talked plenty about players who weren’t there.
Here are five Sooners who weren’t at media days who generated some buzz:
Venables called the McNeese State transfer “just a ball of energy.”
The Sooners need some energy in the receivers’ room after the spate of injuries they suffered last season, plus offseason defections.
Carter had 37 catches for 537 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games last season.
“He loves the practice field, the weight room, 7-on-7; that’s his sanctuary,” Venables said. “He’s one of those guys that he’s like a pig in the mud when he gets out there on the practice field and being with the guys. But he loves to compete.”
Mateer and Carter live in the same neighborhood.
“You can tell he loves being around the guys,” Mateer said of Carter. “He loves being here. He loves the work. It’s been fun getting to know him.”
The only returner on this list, Dolby’s injury last season was a big blow to the Sooners’ defense.
He posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 77.3 before suffering a season-ending injury in the loss to Tennessee early in the season. His PFF grade stood as the sixth-highest among players who…
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Publish date : 2025-07-19 10:03:00
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