Several Oklahoma Sooners pick up Preseason All-American nods, including one surprising name no one would have guessed

With the 2025-26 season just around the corner, prediction pieces and other forms of preview content are starting to populate the sports realm. A few places have started forming their preseason All-American teams, and the Oklahoma Sooners have quite a few players named Preseason All-Americans from both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports this week. 

From Phil Steele, four Sooners picked up honors: Defensive end R Mason Thomas was named a Third-Team All-American, while running back Jaydn Ott and linebacker Kip Lewis were named Fourth-Team All-Americans. Steele also named a surprising name to his All-American list, labeling long snapper Ben Anderson as a Third-Team All-American as well. 

I think these are all reasonable spots for these players, particularly Thomas, as defensive end is a loaded position across college football this season. If anyone were to rise, my pick would be Ott. Assuming he's healthy, his role in Oklahoma's offense is going to be pivotal, and he could be the game-wrecker the Sooners have missed at running back in the last couple of seasons. 

Admittedly, it's a surprise to see wide receiver Deion Burks not earn a spot anywhere on this list, but I will concede that wide receiver is once again a stacked position across the country.

Additionally, Athlon Sports also released their Preseason All-American list. This time, the Sooners only placed three players on the list, with Thomas and Ott once again making it. However, Burks made their list, while Kip Lewis did not. 

Across both publications, the Sooners had five players tabbed as Preseason All-Americans: R Mason Thomas, Jaydn Ott, Kip Lewis, Deion Burks, and Ben Anderson. While there are certainly a couple more who I would argue belong, such as Gracen Halton, John Mateer, and Eli Bowen, it's nice to see some Sooners receiving well-deserved recognition entering the season.