WHAT IS UP SOONER NATION…
I’m Casey Mallon and you are officially in a SOONER STATE OF MIND.

If you bleed crimson and cream, hit that SUBSCRIBE button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music, and YouTube so you never miss breaking Oklahoma Sooners news, recruiting intel, coaching updates, and deep-dive analysis.

This “offseason” hasn’t been an offseason at all. It’s been another nonstop Oklahoma news cycle — and we break down every move.

After losing:

Jay Valai to the NFL (Buffalo Bills)

DeMarco Murray to the Kansas City Chiefs

Jo Jon Finley moving on

Head coach Brent Venables didn’t blink.

Instead, he reloaded.

Jason Witten takes over the tight ends room.
Lamar Morgan arrives from Michigan to lead the defensive backs.
And now — the big one — Deland McCullough replaces Murray as running backs coach.

We break down:

Why McCullough’s NFL pedigree (including a Super Bowl title with Kansas City) matters.

What this means for OU’s run game after failing to produce a 1,000-yard back since Eric Gray.

Whether the criticism of Murray was fair — or misplaced.

How BV is reshaping this program with precision and purpose.

For losing three prominent coaches in one cycle… this might be Venables’ best offseason coaching performance yet.

Murray now joins Kansas City Chiefs, working alongside Patrick Mahomes in an effort to revive a rushing attack that ranked 24th in the NFL last season.

We unpack:

Why Kansas City made this move.

What OU fans should really think about Murray’s legacy.

And whether this was inevitable.

Oklahoma transitions from longtime AD Joe Castiglione into a new chapter under Roger Denny. What does it mean for facilities, NIL, long-term SEC positioning, and OU’s national brand? We connect the dots.

Ten former Sooners are headed to the NFL Combine. We spotlight:

The prospects with the most to gain.

Why Pro Day could be massive for certain under-the-radar players.

And why this draft cycle matters for OU’s national perception.

Mark it down: Saturday, April 18th.

The full Spring Game returns.

After last year’s fan-fest experiment, Sooner Nation gets what it’s been craving — real football in Norman. With elite talent returning and expectations sky-high following a College Football Playoff heartbreak, this spring will set the tone for 2026.

This is the first real taste of what could be a championship-caliber roster.

And we are READY.

If you want:

Real analysis (not hot takes)

Recruiting & coaching breakdowns

SEC-level insight

NFL pipeline coverage

And unmatched Sooner passion

Then you’re in the right place.

Head to BLEAV.com
Search Sooner State of Mind
Watch on YouTube by searching The Football Dudes

Subscribe. Leave a 5-star review. Share with your fellow Sooners.

Because this program is evolving.
The staff is evolving.
The expectations are evolving.

And the future? It’s bright in Norman.

I’m Casey Mallon… and I’ll see you next time… in a SOONER STATE OF MIND. ️

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