The 2025 college football season marks a monumental turning point for the Oklahoma Sooners. With a fresh wave of talent, an invigorated coaching staff, and a newfound sense of urgency in the program’s transition into the Southeastern Conference, the Sooners are ready to begin their journey with the season opener against Illinois State. This game isn’t just the beginning of another year; it’s the start of a new chapter in the storied legacy of Oklahoma football. The matchup against the Redbirds may seem like a formality on the schedule, but for the Sooners, it’s an opportunity to set the tone for a season of change, redemption, and ambition.
Coming off a 2024 campaign that was filled with highs, lows, and learning curves, Oklahoma enters 2025 with renewed clarity and purpose. Head coach Brent Venables, now entering his fourth full season at the helm, has continued to mold the program in his own image—tough, disciplined, and defensively sound. The transition from Big 12 to SEC play has been a topic of conversation for over a year, and now, with the move officially behind them, the focus is no longer on adapting—it’s on competing and winning. And that mission starts at home against Illinois State.
On the surface, the Redbirds are not a program that typically strikes fear into the hearts of Power Five opponents. A member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), Illinois State has consistently been one of the top programs at the FCS level, known for its hard-nosed style of play and consistent development of under-the-radar talent. Head coach Brock Spack has been with the program since 2009 and has built a team that reflects the gritty, blue-collar ethos of midwestern football. While they may lack the star power of an SEC roster, the Redbirds will not be intimidated, and they won’t be expected to roll over.
For Oklahoma, this game will be about asserting dominance, establishing rhythm, and answering lingering questions. Chief among those questions is who will lead the Sooners at quarterback. After the graduation of Dillon Gabriel and the transfer of Jackson Arnold to Texas Tech, the battle for QB1 has been the most hotly contested storyline of spring and summer. All eyes are on sophomore phenom Michael Hawkins Jr., a dual-threat quarterback with a cannon for an arm and the kind of electrifying athleticism that can change the trajectory of a game in a single play. Hawkins, a native of Frisco, Texas, came to Norman with high expectations, and now he finally has a chance to lead the offense.
If Hawkins wins the job, he’ll have a full arsenal of weapons at his disposal. Returning wide receiver Nic Anderson, who had a breakout season in 2024, is poised to be the primary playmaker. Anderson, standing at 6-foot-4 with elite speed and reliable hands, gives Oklahoma a go-to target that can stretch the field. Alongside him, sophomore wideout Jaquaize Pettaway will offer explosive quickness in the slot, while incoming five-star freshman Zion Ragins could be the X-factor if he proves ready for collegiate speed. The Sooners’ receiving corps, bolstered by veteran tight end Kaden Helms, is as deep and dynamic as it has been in years.
In the backfield, the Sooners will rely on a committee approach, with returners Gavin Sawchuk and Kalib Hicks sharing carries. Sawchuk’s shiftiness and field vision make him a natural fit in open space, while Hicks brings a bruising, downhill style that wears defenses down. New offensive coordinator Seth Littrell, who took over play-calling duties this offseason, has emphasized balance and tempo in spring practices. Littrell’s experience as a head coach at North Texas and his familiarity with Oklahoma’s culture (he’s a former Sooner himself) make him an ideal fit for Venables’ vision.
The offensive line will be anchored by returning center Troy Everett and guard Cayden Green, both of whom gained valuable experience last season. While there are still some positions to be solidified, the unit has the potential to be a strength, particularly with the arrival of Georgia transfer Earnest Greene III, a massive tackle with All-SEC potential. Keeping Hawkins upright and giving the run game room to breathe will be essential not just against Illinois State, but for the season ahead.
Defensively, Oklahoma is finally starting to look like a Brent Venables-coached team. After back-to-back seasons of inconsistent tackling and late-game breakdowns, the 2025 defense appears more cohesive and confident. Linebacker Danny Stutsman, the heart and soul of the defense over the past three seasons, has moved on to the NFL, but his leadership has been passed down to Kip Lewis and Jaren Kanak—both sideline-to-sideline players with high football IQs. The linebacker room is deep, and with Venables personally overseeing their development, expectations are sky-high.
Up front, defensive linemen PJ Adebawore and Jacob Lacey will be tasked with disrupting the line of scrimmage and applying pressure. Adebawore, in particular, is being counted on to have a breakout season after flashing elite pass-rushing ability in 2024. At defensive end, sophomore Nigel Smith is expected to take on a larger role, and the Sooners hope his raw talent translates into production.
The secondary will be headlined by cornerback Gentry Williams, who returns for what many believe will be a final collegiate season before entering the NFL Draft. Williams has matured into a shutdown defender, and his presence allows defensive coordinator Ted Roof to be more creative with blitz packages and coverage schemes. Safety Billy Bowman, another veteran leader, brings experience and big-play potential to the back end. With the influx of transfer talent and freshmen like KJ Bolden, the secondary may be the most improved unit on the roster.
Special teams often get overlooked in season openers, but for Oklahoma, they’ll play a vital role in the team’s overall execution. Kicker Gavin Marshall returns after a steady 2024 campaign, and punter Luke Elzinga brings reliability and field position control. In the return game, look for Pettaway or Ragins to provide fireworks.
The season opener against Illinois State is also about setting a cultural tone. This is no longer the Oklahoma of the Big 12, where the Sooners could rely on superior talent to steamroll their way to ten wins. The SEC demands discipline, execution, and physicality on every snap. Every game, every quarter, every drive must be treated with playoff-level intensity. That mindset starts now, even against an FCS opponent.
This game is also an opportunity to ignite the fanbase. Memorial Stadium will be packed with nearly 85,000 screaming fans eager to see the next evolution of Sooner football. The crowd will be loud, the energy will be electric, and the players will feed off it. For young stars and new faces, this is their introduction to Norman. For returning veterans, it’s a chance to show how far they’ve come. And for the coaching staff, it’s a chance to prove that their vision for the future is not just talk—it’s real, and it’s ready.
Beyond the scoreboard, Oklahoma’s opener carries deeper implications. A dominant win over Illinois State won’t just boost confidence; it’ll provide clarity. It will give the staff more film to evaluate, help solidify depth charts, and offer a glimpse into how prepared the team is for the gauntlet ahead. After the opener, the Sooners will face a much tougher non-conference opponent in Tulane, followed by their first taste of SEC play. There’s no margin for error.
For Illinois State, the game is a chance to make a statement of their own. These types of FCS vs. FBS matchups don’t often result in upsets, but they do result in unforgettable moments. The Redbirds will play loose and fearless, and any early slip-ups by the Sooners could lead to unnecessary stress. Oklahoma must be disciplined, focused, and relentless from kickoff to the final whistle.
As the Sooners prepare to take the field, one thing is certain: this game is not just about Illinois State. It’s about identity. It’s about proving that the program is ready to rise again—not just as a national power, but as a legitimate contender in the sport’s toughest conference.
