4 players to watch for Oklahoma this week against Texas

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns will renew the annual Red River Rivalry clash on Saturday, and an underdog OU team is far from healthy coming into that game. The initial SEC availability report

, released Wednesday night, listed 13 OU players, compared to 4 Texas players. Oklahoma had several players upgraded to probable on Thursday night, but still there's doubt about the availability of two starters for the offensive line.

With all of those injuries, several players will be asked to step up in a big-time environment. Texas is the No. 1 team in the nation, and they'll have no mercy for their arch-rival this weekend. Oklahoma is looking to shock the world, and it'll need some big performances to make that happen.

Here are four players

to watch for Oklahoma against Texas.

1. Trystan Haynes, DB

Trystan Haynes (14) runs drills during an Oklahoma (OU) football practice at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

OU has its two starting cornerbacks healthy for this game: Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory. However, the third cornerback, Jacobe Johnson, is out with an injury. That means Trystan Haynes will likely a lot more action in Dallas.

Haynes has been part of the backup rotation at cornerback, but he hasn't been on the field a lot so far this season. With Texas' deep rotation of wide receivers, led by Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, the cornerbacks are going to have their work cut out for them this week. That includes Haynes, in what could be his most significant action as a Sooner.

2. Heath Ozaeta, OL

Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Jake Maikkula (69) and offensive lineman Heath Ozaeta (77) line up during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the New Mexico Lobos at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Oklahoma won 14-6.

Oklahoma's offensive line has been banged up this season, and that only got worse over the bye week. Starting left tackle Michael Fasusi (doubtful this week) hasn't played since 12 snaps against UTEP. Now, starting left guard Eddy Pierre-Louis is questionable for this week. Year after year, OU has key injuries up front that they have to work through.

If Fasusi can't go, Ryan Fodje will start at left tackle again. If Pierre-Louis can't play, it'll likely be Heath Ozaeta at left guard. Jake Maikkula is the center, Noah Best should stay at right guard, and E'Marion Harris is again in line to play right tackle.

Other reserves like Caleb Nitta, Peyton Joseph, and Deacon Schmitt could be called upon as well. Ozaeta is a veteran who can play either guard spot, and he is the only player who played a pivotal role during the 2024 debacle that is still left in 2026. Against a very good Texas front line, the offensive line will be under scrutiny this week.

3. James Nesta, LB

Sep 19, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker James Nesta (47) leaps but cannot bat down a pass by New Mexico Lobos quarterback Toa Fa'avae (13) during the second quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

OU's linebackers aren't fully healthy either. While Kip Lewis is off the injury report, Owen Heinecke and Cole Sullivan are probable. That means James Nesta could once again see a larger role.

Nesta has been asked to step up during a myriad of linebacker injuries this season, and he's played a few different spots as the only one of the top four players who has been able to stay fully healthy. He may see some time at Cheetah this week, although Reggie Powers III is still the starter at that position. Still, Nesta's continued growth and relative inexperience will be put to the test on Saturday.

4. Omarion Robinson, DB

Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Omarion Robinson (2) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Peyton Bowen, one of OU's starting safeties, has been excellent to begin this season, However, his running mate, Michael Boganowski, still hasn't played since the Michigan game. He was initially listed as questionable against UT but upgraded to probable on Thursday night, so it could be Omarion Robinson starting again in the secondary next to Bowen.

Robinson was expected to be a big part of the safety group this year, but has taken on an even larger role for the last two-and-a-half games. Against Texas, he'll be targeted some, as the least-experienced member of the starting OU defensive backfield. Even if Boganowski plays, Robinson will surely get a steady diet of snaps this week. The Longhorns have a very diverse offense that tricks your eyes, so Robinson has to play well as one of the last lines of defense.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 4 players to watch for Oklahoma this week against Texas