Brent Venables discusses special teams, Jaydn Ott’s role at kick returner

Monday’s depth chart included “ORs” at multiple position groups on offense and defense for Oklahoma. But one of the areas where things were more concrete was special teams.

Tate Sandell was listed atop the depth at kicker, with Jacob Ulrich at punter. Isaiah Sategna is the sole starter at punt returner and was also listed third at kick returner.

One of the most interesting things about the entire depth chart? Jaydn Ott listed as the No. 1 kick returner, followed by fellow running back Tory Blaylock.

That means four transfer portal players were listed atop the depth chart at punter, kicker and both returner spots. OU coach Brent Venables discussed how things shook out on special teams during the SEC teleconference on Wednesday.

“Obviously they did those things, played those positions and did it at a high level from where they came, so they brought that experience and there were attractive qualities, obviously, when we looked at them in the portal,” Venables said. “And certainly Tate being the starting kicker, we just didn’t feel great about where we finished spring, and so when Tate put himself in the portal, there was a great opportunity to make our team better with a guy that had done it at a really high level, consistent level. (He’s) got great leg strength and whatnot. But still, Austin Welch isn’t conceding anything, and he’s had an excellent camp as well. So, we’ll see how that all works out.

“Sategna has been as consistent a player — I talked about that a few weeks back; he’s been as consistent a player as we’ve had since he’s been here. He’s been available, very explosive. He’s got tremendous speed. Very natural back catching the ball on both kick returns and punt returns, but he’ll primarily work in that punt return role. Then Jaydn (is) one of the more explosive players in college football the last few years. So, we’re trying to find ways to get the ball in our explosive playmakers’ hands.”

Sandell was added in the spring portal out of UTSA after making 19 of 23 attempts last season. He impressed during the fall, with Venables noting he made a 58-yard kick early in camp. Sategna had experience as both a kick and punt returner at Arkansas, and he had a punt return touchdown in 2023.

Ott also had experience as a kick returner at California, but his inclusion atop the depth chart was interesting. Ott — who was added during the spring as the Sooners’ potential No. 1 running back — dealt with a shoulder injury through preseason camp and was listed third on the running back depth chart behind Jovantae Barnes and Blaylock.

But the Sooners are clearly looking to be more explosive on special teams. The Sooners have had just one kick or punt return touchdown since 2016. They took real strides last season in special teams — they finished 36th nationally in special teams efficiency at the end of the regular season, per ESPN’s FPI rankings — and a more explosive return unit could help them take a step forward this fall.

“I love the group of players that coach (Doug) Deakin and the rest of the staff (have assembled), what we have to work with from protection, our coverage units,” Venables said earlier this month. “It’s a veteran group of players and we’ve added some really dynamic, explosive playmakers with that group of guys.”