Oklahoma Sooners and Mizzou Football Prepare for 2025 Season Amid Key Roster Changes

The 2025 college football season presents significant changes and challenges for both Central Arkansas and Oklahoma. Central Arkansas faces a major roster overhaul with 26 new transfers, including two quarterbacks competing for the starting spot after losing key offensive players like star running back ShunDerrick Powell. Despite coaching stability under Nathan Brown, the Bears will rely heavily on transfer portal additions to fill critical skill positions. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is undergoing a major offensive transformation by hiring Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and acquiring quarterback John Mateer from the transfer portal, who is expected to elevate their struggling passing game. Mateer, a prolific dual-threat quarterback, is also actively aiding Oklahoma's recruitment efforts, particularly in attracting top 2026 quarterback prospect Bowe Bentley. Defensively, Oklahoma under Brent Venables remains aggressive and talented, with a largely homegrown lineup supplemented by a few key transfers, including Marvin Jones Jr., aiming to improve upon last season's strong but insufficient defensive performances.