When the Sooners play Alabama on Senior Day, which OU football players will receive recognition?

NORMAN — OU’s core group of seniors, namely Woodi Washington, Danny Stutsman, Ethan Downs, Jalil Farooq, and Billy Bowman, have experienced a lot of change while playing for the Sooners.

They played in the Big 12 under Lincoln Riley at first, then in the SEC this season under Brent Venables for the final three seasons.

Coach Brent Venables of the Sooners remarked, “They’ve just been fantastic.” “Totally on board. When it comes to the effort, the commitment, the passion for their teammates and their opportunity, and the locker room, they have set the standard. It has been enhanced in every manner by them.

On Saturday, they and the other seniors from OU played their final home game against Alabama.

Billy Bowman Jr. would feel secure if they defeated LSU in that game or the season finale.
Throughout his four-year career, Bowman has started 39 games, including all ten this season. In addition to leading OU with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries this season, he has matched for the most defensive touchdowns in the country with four since the beginning of the previous campaign.

The offensive tackle Spencer Brown
After four seasons at Michigan State, Brown transferred to OU. He has participated in every game thus far and has started the last two at right tackle.

The defensive end Ethan Downs
The Weatherford native has 103 career tackles in 47 games (34 starts) and leads OU in sacks (12.5). Throughout his career, he has 18 quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and an interception.

Punter Luke Elzinga
Elzinga transferred to OU before to the most recent season after starting his career at Central Michigan. Since taking over as the Sooners’ main punter halfway through the previous campaign, Elzinga has performed admirably, averaging 45.4 yards per punt. Elzinga is averaging 45.7 yards per punt this season, with 16 of those punts being 50 yards or more and 18 falling inside the 20.

Defensive end Trace Ford
Ford transferred to OU and the opposite side of Bedlam after playing for Oklahoma State for four seasons. The Edmond Santa Fe product has participated in 23 games, made one start, recorded 36 tackles, and 7.5 for loss in his two seasons in Norman. This season, Ford has forced two fumbles.

Wide receiver J.J. Hester
After transferring from Missouri, the Tulsa Booker T. Washington kid had a difficult time staying healthy during his first two seasons at OU. He has caught 13 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown this season. On November 2, against Maine, Hester had the longest touchdown reception in the history of Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, spanning 90 yards.

Centre Branson Hickman
Following Troy Everett’s injury in the spring, Hickman transferred to OU in the offseason after spending four years at SMU. At centre, Hickman started four games, including victories over Auburn and Temple.

Kicker Tyler Keltner
The high point of Keltner’s OU season was the opening game, where he won SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after going 3 for 3 on field goals and 6 of 6 on PATs. He has made 12 of 13 extra points this season and is 7 of 9 on field goals. He transferred to Florida State last season and OU this season after spending his first four seasons at East Tennessee State.

The long snapper Ethan Lane
The Dallas native is currently working towards a master’s degree in business administration after graduating from OU in May with a mechanical engineering degree and playing in two games during the 2023 season.

Dez Malone, defender
The Fresno, California native went to OU after playing his first four seasons at San Diego State, and he has made nine appearances, including four starts. This season, he has broken up two passes and had 19 tackles.

During his five-year OU career, walk-on wide receiver Major Melson has participated in three games, including this season’s match against Maine. Chris, his father, was a Sooners player from 1987 to 1991.

Josh Plaster, a kicker and punter
After two seasons at Arizona State, Plaster spent the final four seasons at OU. For the past two seasons, he has been the Sooners’ holder. For the first half of 2023, he averaged 40.3 yards per punt while serving as OU’s punter.

Jake Roberts, tight end
The Norman native played his senior season at his local school after spending the previous season at Baylor and playing for Seth Littrell at North Texas from 2020 to 22. Roberts has nine receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown in his four games as a starter.

Kicker Zach Schmit
Schmit lost his job to transfer Tyler Keltner in the spring after serving as the Sooners’ placekicker for two seasons. However, due to an illness, Schmit replaced Keltner against Auburn and made two field goals. The McGuinness product was able to retake his position a few weeks later, and this season he is 12 for 12 on extra points and 7 for 7 on field goals.

The defensive tackle Davon Sears
Over the past two seasons, the Michigan native has made six appearances for OU, recording 1.5 sacks and five tackles. He started his undergraduate career at Ellsworth Community undergraduate and spent the last two seasons at Texas State.the Sooners’ 26th consecutive season of bowl eligibility.

Here is a look at each senior at OU: