The Oklahoma Sooners made a notable addition to their football program on Wednesday with the announcement that true freshman placekicker Preston Tarpley has officially joined the roster. The move, while flying under the radar of some national media outlets, holds substantial implications for the special teams unit under coordinator Doug Deakin. By adding Tarpley, the Sooners now feature five listed placekickers, and the competition at the position has grown deeper, more dynamic, and potentially more uncertain. For a program with championship aspirations and a long tradition of excellence, every position matters—and few can carry as much silent weight as the kicker.
Coming out of Gunter High School in Texas, Preston Tarpley arrives in Norman with a reputation for consistency and focus. While he may not have received the same national spotlight as some blue-chip quarterback recruits or defensive linemen, the value of a reliable kicker in the pressure-packed world of college football cannot be overstated. Gunter, a perennial powerhouse in Texas small-school football, has become known for its discipline and fundamentally sound execution—traits that reflect strongly in Tarpley’s development. Tarpley earned a name for himself by converting high-pressure field goals and excelling in kickoff duties, often flipping field position with leg strength beyond his age. Those skills attracted the attention of OU’s staff, who have clearly made a commitment to reshaping the depth chart at kicker.
Wearing jersey No. 33, Tarpley joins a group that already includes Zach Schmit, Gavin Marshall, Grady Seymour, and Will Reichert. The crowding at the position reflects more than just numbers—it represents a philosophical approach to building out the special teams room. Oklahoma isn’t just settling for one solid leg; the Sooners want options, depth, and a plan for succession. After a few seasons of inconsistency and questions surrounding the kicking game, the program is signaling that it’s no longer willing to take chances when it comes to extra points, field goals, and kickoffs. Tarpley’s arrival might not cause immediate ripples in the national conversation, but for those closely watching OU’s trajectory, it’s a piece of the puzzle that could have consequences in game-deciding moments.
Special teams coordinator Doug Deakin has made it clear through his recent moves and public comments that he views the kicking position as one that requires not just talent, but also chemistry, adaptability, and mental resilience. A former special teams ace himself, Deakin understands the nuances and the pressures that come with being the guy whose foot can determine a win or a loss. With a more diverse kicker room, he gains the ability to test matchups, evaluate performance under pressure, and tailor the approach for different situations—whether that’s leaning on experience in clutch moments or giving younger legs a chance to develop during blowouts or low-risk snaps.
In evaluating Tarpley, what stands out isn’t just his leg strength, but his overall approach to the game. Coaches have praised his calm demeanor and ability to stay locked in during stressful drives and timeouts. This kind of mental fortitude is often the dividing line between good and great kickers. Many have the leg to convert from 50-plus yards in warmups, but few maintain form and poise when 85,000 fans are screaming and a conference title berth hangs in the balance. Tarpley has consistently demonstrated that ability in high school playoff games, making him an intriguing prospect who could ascend faster than expected.
The broader context of Tarpley’s addition also speaks to where Oklahoma sees itself in the future. With the move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) looming large, the Sooners understand that the margin for error is going to shrink dramatically. The SEC is a conference where games are often decided by a single possession, and having a dependable kicker becomes not a luxury, but a necessity. Whether it’s a muddy field in November, a hostile road environment like Death Valley or The Swamp, or a conference championship showdown in Atlanta, the kicker has to be trusted to deliver. The Sooners are building for that challenge now, and bringing in Tarpley is part of that strategic vision.
It’s also worth noting that OU’s kicker carousel in recent seasons has been the subject of quiet frustration among fans and analysts. From missed extra points to short field goal attempts gone wide, the Sooners have lost momentum, and sometimes even games, because of special teams miscues. Tarpley’s presence adds another opportunity for the team to reset and find the kind of consistency that once made the kicking game a non-issue in Norman. If he can develop quickly and prove he’s game-ready, he may just carve out a role for himself sooner than most expect. It wouldn’t be the first time a little-known recruit made a big difference for a blue blood program.
Tarpley’s decision to come to Oklahoma also reflects well on the Sooners’ ability to attract and retain talent despite heavy competition for specialists. Kickers today have more specialized training, are part of year-round academies, and often receive mentorship from NFL veterans. Despite this increasingly competitive environment, Oklahoma remains a top-tier destination thanks to its winning tradition, world-class facilities, and growing SEC footprint. That Tarpley would choose OU, when he likely had other offers on the table or walk-on opportunities at smaller programs with easier paths to the field, says something about his competitiveness and desire to perform at the highest level.
For fans looking for a story to follow this fall beyond the headline positions, the kicker battle at Oklahoma should be worth watching. With Schmit, a veteran, looking to hold onto the job, and younger names like Tarpley and Marshall hungry to prove themselves, Deakin and the staff will be faced with a difficult but enviable choice. They’ll need to balance experience with potential, consistency with upside. It’s the kind of competition that can lift the whole room and ensure that whoever wins the job has earned it through merit, not just seniority.
In Tarpley’s case, even if he doesn’t immediately see the field, his presence creates pressure in the best possible way. It forces the veterans to remain sharp and engaged. It demands that every rep in practice be taken seriously. And it provides a safety valve should injuries or performance issues arise. Furthermore, his development can serve as a barometer for the staff’s ability to groom young talent. If Tarpley progresses quickly, it validates the current system. If he struggles to adapt, it could raise questions about whether the team’s pipeline at kicker is sustainable long-term.
There’s also a broader team culture aspect at play. The kicker room may be small, but its cohesion and identity can affect team morale. By bringing in a high-character young player like Tarpley, the Sooners are reinforcing the importance of work ethic, team-first mentality, and humility. Those values, often discussed but not always embodied, are vital in high-pressure roles like that of the kicker. You’re on an island during most of the game, yet your performance often determines how the locker room feels walking off the field.
For Preston Tarpley, the journey is just beginning. But the foundation is solid. He’s already in Norman, suited up in crimson and cream, and ready to make the most of the opportunity ahead of him. Whether his moment comes this season or a year or two down the line, the investment the Sooners have made in him—and the belief he has shown by joining a crowded position group—speaks to mutual confidence. It’s a quiet addition, but one with long-term implications. College football games are won in many ways, and more often than fans realize, they’re won—or lost—on the leg of a placekicker. With Preston Tarpley now in the fold, Oklahoma is betting that their future in that regard is a little more secure.
