Brent Venables, Oklahoma Sooners can rest easy about crucial position thanks to new transfer arrival with 'Hall of Fame confidence'

The Oklahoma Sooners have battled some struggles at the kicker position over the last two seasons. 

Zach Schmit missed six field goal attempts in both 2022 and 2023 while losing five games by three points or fewer, before making nine of his 11 tries last year. 

With Schmit gone, the Sooners were left with few options they felt confident in, even after adding transfers Austin Welch and Grayson Miller in the winter. 

However, there's a different feeling now after their pursuit and signing of UTSA kicker Tate Sandell in the spring portal. He's come in and locked down the starting job with relative ease, and has Brent Venables feeling confident heading into 2025.

At SEC Media Days, Venables remarked about Sandell's ability and confidence.

"Sandell, you know—I don't know who the All-Pro kickers are (in the NFL), but you would think he's in the Hall of Fame in the NFL. He's just got a really cool confidence. It's not arrogance; it's a confidence that you know it when you see it, and you know it when you don't."

Last month at the Manning Passing Academy, quarterback John Mateer also expressed his confidence in Sandell's ability, remarking, "man, this dude can kick". 

Last season, Sandell went 19/23 on field goals, finishing 39th in the FBS in field goal percentage at a respectable .826. If you filter out kickers with under 20 attempted kicks last season, however, Sandell rises a full 19 spots to 20th overall. Oklahoma's kickers last season barely combined to kick for 80% last season. Three of his misses were from over 50 yards, with one as a 61-yarder just before half in the Roadrunners' win over Memphis.

Sandell's numbers are impressive, with a career-long of 54 yards, and he was 17/18 on field goals from 49 yards or fewer last season. 

If Sandell can maintain or improve on his consistency this season for the Sooners, fans and the team can breathe easier about Oklahoma's chances of a turnaround this season.