Several Oklahoma Sooners selected to Athlon Sports All-SEC preseason team
Staff writer Steve Lassan released his All-SEC preseason team for the 2025 season, and his squads featured plenty of Sooners.
"An important note on the all-conference teams: These are based on how players will perform in 2025. Career statistics and awards matter in the evaluation, but choosing players for the 2025 all-conference team is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year. Also, team strength does not play a role in selections. These are the best individual players at each position in the league for '25." - Lassan, Athlon Sports.
On the first team, running back Jaydn Ott, wide receiver Deion Burks, and defensive end R Mason Thomas each made the cut. Ott is a newcomer who transferred in from Cal during the spring transfer portal window, while Burks and Thomas are key returners from last season. Thomas had a breakout season, leading the Oklahoma Sooners with nine sacks. Burks showed promise, but battled injuries for much of last season.
Defensive tackle Gracen Halton was selected to the second team. He enjoyed a breakout year a season ago, finishing second on the team in sacks and pressures, and will be leaned on even more as part of a stout defensive line for Oklahoma.
On the third team, defensive tackle Damonic Williams, inside linebacker Kip Lewis, and cornerback Eli Bowen all made the list. All three are also going to be moving into more of a leadership role in their respective position rooms this season, with key veterans off to the NFL. Williams was a key addition in the transfer portal last offseason and was a force in the middle of the Sooners' defensive line. Lewis made game-changing plays throughout the season, most notably his interception returns for touchdowns to help lift Oklahoma to wins over Auburn and Alabama. Bowen was one of two true freshmen to earn a starting role for the Sooners, and he was key in the Sooners' win over the Crimson Tide.
The Sooners also had one player selected on the fourth team, safety Peyton Bowen. Bowen is a former five-star prospect and has the potential to be a game-changer on the back end of the Sooners' secondary. He's another key returner for Brent Venables and Co., who gives Oklahoma eight players on the preseason all-conference squad. OU had two players represented on offense and six players represented on defense.
Oklahoma also has a few other players who will play big roles that weren't selected for Lassan's All-SEC Team. Quarterback John Mateer, defensive tackle Jayden Jackson, inside linebacker Kobie McKinzie, and safety Robert Spears-Jennings will all be pivotal to OU's success in 2025.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
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