Brent Venables Announces Nine Oklahoma Players Will Miss Spring Football With Injuries

In a disappointing turn of events for the Oklahoma Sooners, head coach Brent Venables has announced that nine players will miss spring football practice due to injuries. This news comes at a time when the program is eager to build momentum heading into the 2025 season. With key players sidelined, the Sooners will have to adjust their strategies and depth chart for the spring, a crucial period for development and evaluation.

Overview of the Injured Players and Their Impact

Spring football is a vital period for teams in college football to assess their roster, implement new strategies, and build chemistry ahead of the regular season. Unfortunately for the Sooners, several key players will be missing from practice this spring, hampering the team’s ability to execute its plans fully.

Venables, who is in his third season as head coach at Oklahoma, expressed his frustration with the injuries but remains optimistic about the team’s depth and the opportunity for other players to step up. The list of injured players includes a mixture of starters, backups, and newcomers who were expected to compete for significant roles.

Quarterback Concerns: Dillon Gabriel’s Status

At the quarterback position, Dillon Gabriel, the incumbent starter and the focal point of the offense, is one of the key players who will be limited in spring practice. While Gabriel is not expected to miss any games in the fall, his absence from spring drills is concerning for several reasons.

Gabriel, who transferred to Oklahoma from UCF before the 2022 season, showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency at times in 2023. With a more experienced offensive line and a deeper receiver corps in 2025, the spring could have been an opportunity for Gabriel to establish more chemistry with his playmakers. Missing spring practice means that backup quarterbacks will get more reps, which could lead to valuable competition but also a potential loss of rhythm for the starting unit.

Running Back Room Takes a Hit

The Sooners’ running back room also suffers from injuries, as two key players in this position will be sidelined. Javontae Barnes, who showed great promise in his freshman season, is recovering from an offseason surgery that will keep him out of spring ball. Barnes was expected to be one of the focal points of the Sooners’ ground game this year, and his absence will open the door for other running backs to earn significant reps.

Additionally, Marcus Major, a senior running back who has been a steady contributor for the Sooners, is dealing with a lingering injury that will prevent him from participating in the spring. While Major’s leadership and experience would have been crucial for Oklahoma’s running back corps, his absence provides an opportunity for young players like Trevin Waters and Daylan Smothers to step into more prominent roles.

Offensive Line: Key Injuries and Depth Concerns

The offensive line is another position group that will see some significant turnover this spring. The Sooners had already lost several veterans to graduation and the NFL Draft, leaving them with a relatively young but talented group. Unfortunately, a few key players on the offensive line will be unable to participate in spring drills due to injury.

Wanya Morris, a projected starting tackle for Oklahoma, will be recovering from an offseason surgery that will keep him on the sidelines for the duration of spring football. His absence will open up a competition for the starting tackle spots, particularly with players like Jacob Sexton and Andrew Raym, who have experience but still have much to prove.

Morris’ injury could force the coaching staff to experiment with different line combinations to ensure they have the best possible unit in place when the season starts. It could also be a crucial time for younger players to prove themselves, especially if they want to earn starting roles heading into the fall.

Defensive Line: A Blow to the Front Seven

Defensive line injuries are always a major concern, and unfortunately, Oklahoma is facing a number of setbacks in this area as well. Two key players on the defensive line—defensive tackle Jalen Redmond and edge rusher Ethan Downs—will miss significant time this spring.

Redmond, a senior who has been a mainstay on the defensive line for the Sooners, is recovering from an injury sustained during the offseason. Redmond was expected to anchor Oklahoma’s defensive front, providing both run-stopping ability and pass-rushing pressure. Without him, the Sooners will need other players to step into more prominent roles, including junior defensive tackle Isaiah Coe and sophomore defensive end Clayton Smith.

On the edge, Ethan Downs has been dealing with a nagging injury that will keep him out of spring practice. Downs, one of the top pass rushers for Oklahoma last season, was expected to be a key piece of the defensive line rotation in 2025. Without him, the Sooners will need other players like Reggie Grimes and Jaxon Player to take on increased responsibilities.

The absence of these two players leaves a significant void on the defensive front, which is vital for both stopping the run and applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks. The spring will provide valuable reps for younger and less experienced players to prove they can fill those gaps.

Linebacker and Secondary Depth Concerns

In addition to the injuries on the defensive line, Oklahoma also has some key injuries in the linebacker and secondary positions.

At linebacker, the Sooners will be without senior Deshaun White, who was expected to be a leader for the group. White, who has been a reliable presence in the middle of Oklahoma’s defense, is recovering from an injury that will keep him out of spring football. His absence will open the door for other linebackers, such as Kip Lewis and Danny Stutsman, to take on more leadership responsibilities.

In the secondary, cornerback Jaden Davis is recovering from a lower body injury that will limit his participation in spring drills. Davis, a starter for much of the 2023 season, was expected to be a key player in Oklahoma’s revamped secondary. With his absence, younger cornerbacks like Gentry Williams and Woody Washington will get more reps, which could be both a blessing and a curse depending on how they perform.

Coaching Perspective: How Venables Is Managing the Injuries

For Brent Venables, managing these injuries while keeping the team’s morale high is a critical challenge. Venables, known for his defensive acumen and motivational skills, has always emphasized depth and competition within the program. With several key players sidelined, he will need to adjust his coaching strategy to ensure that all players continue to develop, even if some are not fully available for spring ball.

Venables has stated that while injuries are unfortunate, they present an opportunity for younger players and backups to prove themselves. The spring season, after all, is an ideal time to evaluate potential contributors and get players valuable practice time. Although the injuries may disrupt the continuity of the team, the Sooners have a deep roster, and Venables believes that this adversity will help build the team’s resilience and overall strength.

What This Means for Oklahoma’s 2025 Season

While the injuries are certainly a setback for Oklahoma, the hope is that the majority of these players will recover in time for the regular season. The Sooners are entering a critical year under Venables, who needs to show continued progress in his program. With the offseason focused on improving both offense and defense, the spring will be an opportunity to fine-tune the team’s systems and evaluate where each player fits.

Despite the injuries, the 2025 Oklahoma Sooners still have a strong foundation and a wealth of talent. Venables has assembled a recruiting class that looks poised to make an immediate impact, and with depth across multiple positions, the Sooners are well-positioned to overcome these early setbacks.

The key will be how the team handles the adversity in the coming months. If players who are stepping into new roles can rise to the occasion, Oklahoma will likely still be one of the most formidable teams in the Big 12. However, if the injuries linger or others arise during the regular season, it could present challenges to an already difficult schedule.

Injuries are an unfortunate part of football, and Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners are no strangers to the challenges they bring. The announcement that nine players will miss spring football is certainly a blow, but it also presents an opportunity for others to step up and prove themselves. With a deep roster, strong coaching staff, and the resilience to overcome obstacles, Oklahoma will continue to push forward and prepare for the 2025 season, keeping their eyes on the bigger prize.

As the Sooners navigate through spring drills with these key players sidelined, they will be looking to develop new talent and build a team that is capable of competing at the highest level when the fall season arrives. The spring injuries may be a temporary setback, but Oklahoma’s commitment to excellence and development will ultimately determine their success moving forward.