NORMAN — Oklahoma football started spring practice Wednesday inside the Everest Training Center as Brent Venables and the Sooners begin their quest back to the College Football Playoff.
The Sooners welcomed new position coaches Deland McCullough, LaMar Morgan and Jason Witten to the practice field for the first time.
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There is a lot of optimism surrounding OU as it returns quarterback John Mateer and plenty of starters from last season. Spring practice also offers newcomers — freshmen and transfers — their first opportunities to shine.
Here are some observations from the Sooners’ first spring practice of 2026:
More: Why did OU football LB Owen Heinecke challenge NCAA in court? His father explains
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
Oklahoma’s Dusty Dvoracek (94) battles Tulsa’s Jesse Stoneham (61) in the first half, during the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (TU) college football game at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., September 10, 2005. By Bill Waugh/The Oklahoman.
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
Oklahoma’s Dusty Dvoracek (94) battles Tulsa’s Jesse Stoneham (61) in the first half, during the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (TU) college football game at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., September 10, 2005. By Bill Waugh/The Oklahoman.
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
Dusty Dvoracek holds up the Holiday Bowl trophy after the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) beat the Oregon Ducks in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl college football game at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif., Thursday, December 29, 2005. By Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman.
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
Dusty Dvoracek is pulled down by Kurt Mann after an interception during the third quarter of the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) at the Nebraska Cornhuskers (NU) college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., October 29, 2005. By Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
Dad Dennis Dvoracek shakes hands with son Dusty before the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) college football game against Oklahoma State University (OSU), at Gaylord Family-Memorial Stadium, Saturday, November 26, 2005, in Norman, Oklahoma. This is the 100th anniversary of the OU-OSU Bedlam game. by Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
Oklahoma defender Dusty Dvoracek (94) stops Oklahoma State running back Mike Hamilton (29) in the middle, in the first quarter, during the University of Oklahoma (OU Sooners) college football game against the Oklahoma State University (OSU Cowboys) at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Saturday, November 26, 2005 in Norman, Oklahoma. This is the 100th Bedlam football game. Doug Hoke /The Oklahoman
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
Oklahoma’s Dusty Dvoracek fights off a block during the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) college football game against the Kansas State Wildcats (KSU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., October 1, 2005. By Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
former University of Oklahoma (OU) football players Dusty Dvoracek and Teddy Lehman doing their radio program on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
SEC Network commentator Dusty Dvoracek talks during a press conference before a celebration for OU joining the Southeastern Conference in Norman, Okla., Monday, July 1, 2024.
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
Dusty Dvoracek speaks during a press conference for a celebrity shootout charity event at the Compliance Solutions Championship golf tournament in Norman, Okla., Saturday, June 22, 2024.
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
Dusty Dvoracek, left, Curtis Lofton and Teddy Lehman are interviewed during a press conference for a celebrity shootout charity event at the Compliance Solutions Championship golf tournament in Norman, Okla., Saturday, June 22, 2024.
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
Sandra Dvoracek gives son Dusty a hug and he returns a kiss before the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) college football game against Oklahoma State University (OSU), at Gaylord Family-Memorial Stadium, Saturday, November 26, 2005, in Norman, Oklahoma. This is the 100th anniversary of the OU-OSU Bedlam game. by Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
Kansas City, Mo. Saturday,12/06/2003 . BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA (OU) VS KANSAS STATE (KSU) COLLEGE FOOTBALL AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM. Sooners #8 Donte Nicholson & #94 Dusty Dvoracek hit Wildcats Ell Roberson to force a fumble late in the game. (Staff photo by Steve Gooch)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
SAN DIEGO – DECEMBER 29: (L-R) Davin Joseph #77, Dusty Dvoracek #94, J.D. Runnels #38 and Clint Ingram #44 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrate their 17-14 win over the Oregon Ducks with the winner’s trophy after the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl on December 29, 2005 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
SAN DIEGO – DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Dennis Dixon #10 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball against the tackle of Dusty Dvoracek #94 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half of the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl on December 29, 2005 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
NEW ORLEANS – JANUARY 4: Defensive lineman Dusty Dvoracek #94 of the University of Oklahoma Sooners yells at center Ben Wilkerson #55 of the Louisiana State University Tigers during the National Championship Nokia Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2004 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The LSU Tigers defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 21-14 to win the National Championship. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
1 Jan 2002: Defensive end Dusty Dvoracek #94 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs during the NCAA game against the Akansas Razorbacks at the Cotton Bowl in Blacksburg, Virginia. Oklahoma defeated Arkansas 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
COLLEGE STATION, TX – NOVEMBER 9: Defensive lineman Dusty Dvoracek #94 of the University of Oklahoma Sooners stops outside linebacker Billy Yates #94 of the Texas A&M University Aggies during the game at Kyle Field on November 9, 2002 in College Station, Texas. Texas Tech won 49-24. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 16: Running back Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers is tackled by defensive end Mark Anderson #97 and defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek #98 of the Chicago Bears during NFL action at Lambeau Field on November 16, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bears 37-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
CHICAGO – NOVEMBER 02: Dusty Dvoracek #98 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after making a tackle against the Detroit Lions during the game at Soldier Field on November 2, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lions 27-23. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 14: Jonathan Stewart #28 of the Carolina Panthers tries to get past Dusty Dvoracek #98 of the Chicago Bears during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 14, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
CHICAGO – AUGUST 25: Dusty Dvoracek #98 of the Chicago Bears looks on during the game against the San Francisco 49ers on August 25, 2007 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 16: Ryan Grant #25 and Daryn Colledge #73 of the Green Bay Packers team up to block defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek #98 of the Chicago Bears during NFL action at Lambeau Field on November 16, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bears 37-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
BOURBONNAIS, IL – JULY 30: Dusty Dvoracek #98 of the Chicago Bears takes a break during a summer training camp practice on July 30, 2007 at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
Dusty Dvoracek of the Chicago Bears during Media Day prior to Super Bowl XLI at Dolphins Stadium in Miami, Florida on January 30, 2007. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
CHICAGO – AUGUST 25: Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek #98 of the Chicago Bears looks on during a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on August 25, 2006 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Cardinals defeated the Bears 23-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA – JUNE 22: Former football player Dusty Dvoracek hits a tee shot on the tenth hole during a celebrity shootout after the third round of the Compliance Solutions Championship at Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club on June 22, 2024 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Steve Cohen, Dusty Dvoracek, Stephen A. Smith and Danny Kanell attend SiriusXM At Super Bowl LVII on February 09, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 10: Dusty Dvoracek attends SiriusXM At Super Bowl LVII on February 10, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 01: ESPN TV announcers Dusty Dvoracek (left) and Mark Jones call the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
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Dusty Dvoracek, OU football All-American, Chicago Bears DL, ESPN announcer
SEC Network commentators Dari Nowkhah, left, and Dusty Dvoracek talk during a press conference before a celebration for OU joining the Southeastern Conference in Norman, Okla., Monday, July 1, 2024.
Players absent at OU practice
A few notable injury notes to kick things off.
Defensive linemen Adepoju Adebawore, Jayden Jackson and David Stone did not participate in practice drills. Adebawore, who entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal on Jan. 12 before, roughly two minutes later, withdrawing, underwent offseason foot surgery.
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Offensively, running back Tory Blaylock and wide receiver Daniel Odom did not practice. Virginia transfer Trell Harris wasn’t present and offensive lineman Daniel Akinkunmi was on a scooter.
Jason Witten makes practice debut
Jason Witten was strolling the OU practice field for the first time on Wednesday.
Witten, who replaced Joe Jon Finley as tight ends coach, likes what he has at tight end with Florida transfer Hayden Hansen, Colorado State transfer Rocky Beers and Tennessee transfer Jack Van Dorselaer.
Over his 17-year NFL career, Witten compiled 1,228 receptions for 13,046 yards and 74 touchdowns. A two-time first-team All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowler, he ranks fourth all-time in NFL receptions.
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More: OU football LB Owen Heinecke files injunction vs NCAA over eligibility
John Mateer back at it
Perhaps the most intriguing offensive storyline for the Sooners this season is how much John Mateer will improve before the season.
What are Mateer’s goals this offseason in order to help him see plays better? To improve his footwork? To cut down on turnovers? We’ll hear from him later Monday night.
More: Hayden Hansen bet on OU football and might be Sooners’ most impactful transfer
Notable number changes
5: WR Jer’Michael Carter
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football spring practice begins with key players out due to injury