OU football: Backup QB winner, 'Cheetah' starter highlight Sooners' depth chart

NORMAN — OU football coach Brent Venables released his first depth chart Monday ahead of the Sooners’ season opener against UTEP at 2:30 p.m. Saturday (Fox).

Here’s a look at the depth chart and some takeaways:

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2022 OU football depth chart: Offense

Quarterback

Dillon Gabriel, RJr., 5-11, 203

Davis Beville, RJr., 6-6, 225

General Booty, So., 6-2, 190 OR

Nick Evers, Fr., 6-3, 185

Running back

Eric Gray, Sr., 5-10, 210

Marcus Major, RJr., 6-0, 220

Tawee Walker, So., 5-9, 217 OR

Jovantae Barnes, Fr., 6-0, 200

Tight end

Brayden Willis, SSr., 6-4, 240

Daniel Parker, SSr., 6-2, 245

Kaden Helms, Fr., 6-5, 225

Jason Llewellyn, Fr., 6-5, 250

Wide receiver

Theo Wease, RJr., 6-3, 205

Jayden Gibson, Fr., 6-5, 195

Trevon West, Jr., 5-11, 180

Left tackle

Anton Harrison, Jr., 6-5, 315

Tyler Guyton, RSo., 6-7, 320

Aaryn Parks, RSo., 6-4, 300

Left guard

McKade Mettauer, RJr., 6-4, 310

Savion Byrd, RFr., 6-5, 310 OR

Brey Walker, RSr., 6-7, 355

Center

Andrew Raym, Jr., 6-4, 305

Robert Congel, SSr., 6-4, 322

Nate Anderson, RSo., 6-4, 292

Right guard

Chris Murray, SSr., 6-2, 308

Jake Taylor, Fr., 6-6, 300

Marcus Alexander, RJr., 6-4, 325

Right tackle

Wanya Morris, Sr., 6-6, 310

Jacob Sexton, Fr., 6-6, 312

Slot receiver

Marvin Mims, Jr., 5-11, 182

Drake Stoops, RSr., 5-10, 190

LV Bunkley-Shelton, RSo., 5-11, 195

Gavin Freeman, Fr., 5-8, 173

Wide receiver

Jalil Farooq, So., 6-1, 203

J.J. Hester, RSo., 6-4, 200 OR

Nic Anderson, Fr., 6-4, 200

Offensive takeaways: The first spot to look was at backup quarterback, where Pitt transfer Davis Beville won out over General Booty and Nick Evers. Beville has, although limited, some Division I experience, which gave him the edge here. Wanya Morris’ ascension has been one of the stories of preseason camp. Morris was expected to do big things last year but never found consistency enough to stay on the field as part of Bill Bedenbaugh’s line. But Morris has been much better this year so far, and it was enough to earn him the right tackle spot. Marcus Major earned the No. 2 running back spot behind Eric Gray, which puts Major in a spot to have his most carries of his career — by far — if he can stay healthy. Also, walk-on transfer Tawee Walker sharing the No. 3 spot at running back with freshman Jovantae Barnes speaks to how the coaches have felt about Walker since his arrival. Freshmen linemen Jake Taylor and Jacob Sexton breaking into the two-deep says something, even if Bedenbaugh hopes not to use them much this season.

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2022 OU football depth chart: Defense

Defensive end

Reggie Grimes, Jr., 6-4, 270

Marcus Stripling, Sr., 6-3, 245 OR

R Mason Thomas, Fr., 6-2, 222

Defensive tackle

Jordan Kelley, RSr., 6-4, 288 OR

Jalen Redmond, RJr., 6-3, 292

Josh Ellison, Sr., 6-3, 300

Gracen Halton, Fr., 6-2, 277

Nose tackle

Jeffery Johnson, SSr., 6-2, 305 OR

Isaiah Coe, RJr., 6-2, 305

Kelvin Gilliam, RFr., 6-3, 293

Gracen Halton, Fr., 6-2, 277

Defensive end

Ethan Downs, So., 6-4, 260

Jonah Laulu, RSr., 6-5, 265 OR

R Mason Thomas, Fr., 6-2, 222

Middle linebacker

David Ugwoegbu, Sr., 6-4, 250

Jake McCoy, RJr., 6-3, 228 OR

Jaren Kanak, Fr., 6-2, 225

Weakside linebacker

Danny Stutsman, So., 6-4, 240

Shane Whitter, Jr., 6-0, 225

Cheetah

DaShaun White, SSr., 6-0, 222

Justin Harrington, RSr., 6-3, 215

Cornerback

Jaden Davis, Sr., 5-10, 183

Kendall Dennis, RSo., 5-11, 187

Joshua Eaton, Jr., 6-1, 183 OR

C.J. Coldon, RSr., 5-11, 185

Strong safety

Billy Bowman, So., 5-10, 190

Trey Morrison, SSr., 5-9, 188 OR

Damond Harmon, So., 6-0, 180

Free safety

Key Lawrence, Jr., 6-1, 210 OR

Justin Broiles, SSr., 5-11, 195

Robert Spears-Jennings, Fr., 6-1, 208 OR

Damond Harmon, So., 6-0, 180

Cornerback

Woodi Washington, RJr., 5-11, 196

D.J. Graham, Jr., 6-0, 190

Kani Walker, RFr., 6-2, 205

Defensive takeaways: Hard not to start at the “Cheetah” spot — a combination linebacker/defensive back that gives Venables’ defense plenty of flexibility. DaShaun White, who had anchored the middle for the Sooners, is instead listed as the starter there. Venables said recently that he liked what White had brought to that spot. That also allows Venables to start both David Ugwoegbu and Danny Stutsman. Behind White is Justin Harrington, one of the most intriguing stories on the Sooners. Harrington left the team after four games last season, entered the transfer portal, but eventually landed back in Norman — this time as a walk-on. Harrington has impressed in preseason camp and it’s clear from the depth chart that he’ll be expected to play a major role. One of the biggest surprises came at free safety, where Justin Broiles — who had a breakout 2021 season after mostly playing a reserve role — is listed as a co-starter alongside Key Lawrence. Jaden Davis earning the other starting cornerback spot next to Woodi Washington is significant as well. Davis has had an up-and-down career but he ultimately won the battle with D.J. Graham to start. The interior of the defensive line was also interesting, with Jordan Kelley and Jalen Redmond listed as co-starters at defensive tackle and Jeffery Johnson and Isaiah Coe at nose tackle.

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2022 OU football depth chart: Special teams

Kicker

Zach Schmit, RSo., 5-10, 185

Gavin Marshall, Fr., 6-1, 195

Punter

Michael Turk, SSr., 6-0, 231

Josh Plaster, RJr., 6-0, 190

Kickoff

Zach Schmit, RSo., 5-10, 185

Gavin Marshall, Fr., 6-1, 195

Kick returner

Billy Bowman, So., 5-10, 190 OR

Marcus Major, RJr., 6-0, 220 OR

Jalil Farooq, So., 6-1, 203

Punt returner

Marvin Mims, Jr., 5-11, 182 OR

Eric Gray, Sr., 5-10, 210 OR

LV Bunkley-Shelton, RSo., 5-11, 195

Long snapper

Kasey Kelleher, SSr., 5-11, 230

Ben Anderson, Fr., 6-5, 240

Holder

Michael Turk, SSr., 6-0, 231

Josh Plaster, RJr., 6-0, 190

Special teams takeaways: Have to start with kicker here, where Bishop McGuinness product Zach Schmit edged out Gavin Marshall to earn the job replacing Gabe Brkic, who was one of the most reliable kickers in Sooners’ history. At media day early in August, Michael Turk told reporters he was working at holder, though Venables hadn’t wanted to say that quite yet. But Turk is indeed listed as the No. 1 holder. Kick and punt returner remain plenty up in the air with three listed as co-starters at each spot. Punt returner could be the best path for transfer LV Bunkley-Shelton to have a significant role.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football depth chart: Davis Beville wins Sooners' backup QB job