Texas vs. Oklahoma Preview: Sooners Offensive Players to Watch

The Oklahoma Sooners offense has several playmakers the Texas Longhorns need to keep an eye on.

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. (9) runs the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Oklahoma Sooners at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Oklahoma Sooners defeated Auburn Tigers 27-21. / Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Coming into this new phase of the program, Oklahoma has a few losses to deal with.

The Sooners joined the Southeastern Conference alongside arch-rivals Texas, and with that, a new era of the Red River Showdown is upon us.

In 2023, Oklahoma got the Golden Hat in a nail-biter 34-30 win thanks to a late game pass by former quarterback Dillon Gabriel, resulting in a Nic Anderson touchdown to seal the victory.

In 2024, however, things will be looking a bit different for the Sooners as Gabriel announced a transfer to Oregon Football. An anonymous opposing SEC coach had a lot of praise for head coach Brent Venables' work with his defense but said the Sooner offense might need some improvement heading into the conference.

“Oklahoma is a legit top program," the coach said. "But the secret to the SEC is the line play, and they won’t be able to do what they want on offense if they can’t protect against the average DL in this league."

Nonetheless, Oklahoma has some good new and returning names to its offensive roster that will be looking to cause Texas some trouble.

The Oklahoma offense has posted 23 touchdowns since the season opener against Temple. In the two SEC games already played by the Sooners, the loss to Tennessee and the win over Auburn, the conference newcomers have scored 42 points.

Here are some names that contributed to these stats:

1. QB Michael Hawkins Jr.

The true freshman quarterback stepped in after Jackson Arnold was benched in the SEC opener against Tennessee.

Hawkins joined the Sooners as a four-star recruit per ESPN and had his collegiate debut against Temple in the 51-3 season-opening win. In the opener, Hawkins recorded two completions for four attempts and 17 yards.

The newcomer got more playing time in the two conference games against Tennessee and Auburn, scoring his first career touchdown against the Volunteers.

Saturday's game will be undoubtedly the biggest game of his career so far.

2. RB Jovantae Barnes

Junior running back Jovantae Barnes had a limited season in 2023 due to injury. Still, he rushed 37 times for 140 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 23 yards in eight games played and one start. Despite the injury, fans knew what Barnes was capable of after seeing him play in his true freshman season racking up 519 yards and five touchdowns on 4.5 yards per carry, as well as 119 carries as the backup in his position.

In 2024, only five games into the season, Barnes has already surpassed his sophomore season record. The running back has posted 57 attempts for 199 yards and two touchdowns and is the leader of the team in rushing yards.

3. WR Deion Burks

Purdue transfer Deion Burks has made his way into Oklahoma's starting lineup after leading the Boilermakers with 47 receptions, 629 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns.

Now as a Sooner, Burks is keeping his name at the top of the receptions board.

Since debuting for Oklahoma in late August, the wide receiver has posted 26 receptions for 201 yards and three receiving touchdowns.