Oklahoma’s Special Teams Efficiency: An In-Depth Analysis of the Sooners’ Current Ranking in National and SEC Standings
As the 2025 college football season progresses, many programs around the country are assessing their performance across various aspects of the game, with particular attention on how special teams units are performing. Special teams, often overlooked by fans and analysts alike, can make or break a team’s success, especially in tightly contested games. In this context, the University of Oklahoma Sooners have attracted attention due to their performance in special teams, ranking 36th nationally and 7th in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), according to the latest analysis from ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI).
Breaking Down Special Teams Efficiency
When it comes to football, special teams cover a wide range of responsibilities, including kickoffs, punt returns, field goals, extra points, and more. While the offense and defense often dominate headlines, special teams play a crucial role in determining field position, scoring opportunities, and momentum shifts. The ESPN FPI, which evaluates teams based on a variety of advanced metrics, has provided an efficient way to measure how well a team performs in this often underappreciated aspect of the game.
Oklahoma’s special teams unit, while effective in some areas, is still working to catch up to some of the nation’s elite teams in this category. The team’s ranking of 36th in the nation reflects a middle-of-the-pack performance compared to top-tier programs, while their 7th-place standing within the SEC suggests room for improvement when compared to other conference teams.
For Oklahoma to elevate its standing, both nationally and within the conference, it’s important to break down the individual components of special teams and understand where improvements can be made. Let’s dive into the specifics of what contributed to Oklahoma’s current special teams ranking and examine how the Sooners can continue to evolve their play in this critical area.
1. Kickoff and Punt Return Game
One of the primary functions of any special teams unit is to maximize the return game, both on kickoffs and punts. Strong return performances can drastically change the dynamics of a game, providing offenses with favorable field position. Oklahoma has shown some strength in this area, but not enough to break into the upper echelon of special teams teams.
While the Sooners’ punt return team has made some significant strides this season, ranking in the middle of the pack compared to other top programs, they’ve had some inconsistencies that have held them back from maximizing returns. Special teams coordinator DeMarco Murray has worked on refining the blocking schemes and ensuring that return specialists have the best chance at big returns, but the results have been hit or miss.
In contrast, the Sooners’ kickoff return game has been solid but not exceptional. With high-caliber athletes like Jovantae Barnes and Drake Stoops handling return duties, the potential for explosive plays is definitely there. However, they’ve been unable to sustain consistent success against teams with elite kickoff coverage units.
2. Place Kicking and Punting
The place-kicking and punting game are usually what most people think of first when discussing special teams. Oklahoma has had some solid performances in this area, though not without a few bumps along the way.
Kicker Gabe Brkic, a well-regarded name in college football, entered the season with high expectations, but he has faced some challenges in maintaining his consistency. A missed field goal or extra point can have a significant impact on the overall performance of the special teams unit, and these moments have occasionally hurt the Sooners’ ability to fully capitalize on scoring opportunities.
On the punting side, Oklahoma has generally been able to avoid disaster. Their punter, Tyler McCurry, has shown flashes of brilliance but has occasionally struggled with both distance and hang-time consistency. This has meant that the Sooners have at times been forced to deal with unfavorable field positions, which puts added pressure on their defense.
While both the place-kicking and punting games have not been disasters, they haven’t been the game-changers that elite teams can rely on either. In contrast, schools with better special teams rankings such as Georgia and Alabama have had standout performances in both areas. To compete at that level, Oklahoma will need to stabilize its kicking units and potentially look for an influx of talent in future recruiting cycles to shore up the position.
3. Coverage Units: Coverage and Tackling Performance
A less glamorous but equally important aspect of special teams is the coverage game. Oklahoma has had to improve its coverage units to avoid giving up big returns. In this department, the Sooners have seen some mixed results. While they’ve done a decent job of covering kicks, they have struggled at times with open-field tackling and containment, allowing opponents to break free for longer returns.
Oklahoma’s kickoff coverage team, while not at the elite level of schools like Ohio State or Florida, has largely held its ground. However, in critical moments, poor coverage can dramatically shift the momentum of a game. Teams with superior coverage units are often able to control field position and force their opponents to start with poor field position, which puts pressure on opposing offenses.
4. Coaching and Scheme Adjustments
A key factor contributing to Oklahoma’s mid-tier special teams ranking has been the approach of special teams coordinator DeMarco Murray. Known for his work with the running backs, Murray has worked tirelessly to revamp the special teams unit in recent seasons. While he’s made some impressive strides in addressing both the blocking and coverage schemes, it’s clear that more time is needed to perfect the overall cohesion of the special teams squad.
Murray’s decision to bring in more versatile athletes, including former wide receivers and defensive backs for return duties, has been a step in the right direction. However, special teams can sometimes be one of the most difficult areas for a program to find sustained success. It’s not just about talent—it’s about developing the right chemistry and the mental toughness to execute under pressure.
As the season progresses, it will be crucial for Murray and the Sooners to make the necessary adjustments, particularly in the areas of return game and coverage. If the team is able to capitalize on their athleticism and improve their fundamentals, we could see them move up the rankings in the coming years.
5. The Road Ahead: Opportunities for Improvement
While Oklahoma sits at 36th in the nation and 7th in the SEC, there are several opportunities to improve their special teams performance as the season moves forward.
Recruiting:
Recruiting remains a cornerstone of any college football program’s success, and special teams are no exception. With a top-tier recruiting class expected for next year, Oklahoma could potentially land the types of athletes who can make a big impact in special teams situations. The addition of elite athletes, particularly those with experience in track and field or other speed-intensive sports, would improve the return game significantly.
Depth:
Oklahoma has a solid roster of athletes, but improving the depth within the special teams unit will also be a priority. When injuries strike or players wear down over the course of the season, having quality depth ensures that the team doesn’t suffer noticeable drops in performance. Stronger depth at key positions like punt returner, kicker, and coverage units can help elevate the Sooners’ overall special teams ranking.
Coaching Stability:
As mentioned earlier, the special teams unit is an area that thrives on stability and cohesion. The continued work from DeMarco Murray and other coaches will be crucial to creating the perfect formula for success. As the team improves its techniques and execution on the field, it’s reasonable to expect that Oklahoma’s special teams will gradually improve. Developing that consistency is a key step in climbing both the national and SEC rankings.
Consistency Under Pressure:
One of the final aspects that will help Oklahoma’s special teams rise in the rankings is the ability to execute under pressure. Special teams often determine outcomes in close games, and the Sooners must find ways to make clutch kicks, convert in high-pressure situations, and prevent big returns when the stakes are high. This consistency in big moments will separate them from their competitors in the SEC and nationally.
Conclusion
As the Oklahoma Sooners continue to improve in all areas of football, their special teams unit remains a work in progress. While their ranking of 36th nationally and 7th in the SEC is far from where they want to be, there are tangible steps they can take to elevate their performance in this critical area. Whether through improved recruiting, better coaching, or adjustments to their schemes, Oklahoma has the talent and the resources to make significant strides.
If the Sooners can continue to refine their special teams unit, there’s no reason why they can’t move up in the rankings and make a more significant impact in the national conversation. Special teams, after all, is often the difference between winning and losing, and as the Oklahoma football program continues to develop, expect the Sooners’ special teams to be a more prominent factor in their success moving forward.
