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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WHAT IS UP, SOONER NATION — YOU’RE OFFICIALLY IN A SOONER STATE OF MIND.

This episode is an emotional roller coaster, a reality check, and a shot of optimism all wrapped into one wild Sooner night. We open with an instant classic (and near-disaster) in OU men’s hoops, snapping a brutal 9-game losing streak in the most Oklahoma way possible — panic, hope, dread, relief, and just enough chaos to leave your heart rate spiked. Is it too late for Porter Moser? What does “winning” even look like in today’s fully transactional college basketball landscape? We don’t dodge the tough questions — and we don’t sugarcoat the answers.

From there, we pivot straight into major Oklahoma football news that every Sooner fan needs to understand. The NCAA’s baffling denial of Owen Heinecke’s eligibility appeal sparks a bigger conversation about fairness, loopholes, and the broken system governing college athletics. We break down what this means for OU, for players across the country, and why this situation perfectly captures everything that’s gone sideways with eligibility rules.

Then comes the staff shake-up — Jay Valai heads to the NFL, opening one of the most coveted defensive coaching jobs in the country. Is OU worried? Short answer: no. The talent pipeline is loaded, recruiting momentum remains strong, and the Sooners are positioned to reload, not rebuild.

And finally… the big picture win. Oklahoma makes a forward-thinking, future-proof hire at Athletic Director, signaling once again that this program is ahead of the curve. With legal minds, business minds, NFL connections, NIL strategy, and long-term vision all aligning, the Sooners are building something bigger than just next season. Add in new NFL-tied staff hires, Super Bowl Sooner representation, and a program that continues to mirror the pro model — and yeah… there’s plenty to be excited about.

This is real talk, deep analysis, and pure Sooner passion — no fluff, no hot takes for clicks, just the truth from someone who lives it.

SUBSCRIBE NOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Google Podcasts
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Hit LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE if you bleed Crimson & Cream

Because whether it’s chaos, controversy, or championships —
I’m Casey Mallon… and I’m in a SOONER STATE OF MIND.

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WHAT IS UP, SOONER NATION…
I’m Casey Mallon — and you are officially IN A SOONER STATE OF MIND.

The long, strange trip of the college football season is finally in the rearview mirror, a first-time national champion has been crowned, and the offseason storylines are already hitting at full throttle. But before we look ahead, this episode brings MASSIVE news for Oklahoma football — the kind of news that changes the entire trajectory of Team 132 and beyond.

THE ANCHORS ARE BACK.
Quarterback John Mateer — the engine of the offense — and linebacker Kip Lewis — the quarterback of the defense — are officially returning to Norman. That’s leadership. That’s continuity. That’s championship DNA. Mateer’s playoff run, Heisman-level start, and toughness through injury paired with Lewis’ dominance on one of the nation’s best defenses gives the Sooners a foundation every program in America envies.

And the good news doesn’t stop there…

We break down the growing list of Sooners choosing stability over the portal, including Isaiah Sategna, Tory Blaylock, Courtland Guillory, David Stone, Jayden Jackson, Ace Hodges, Ben Anderson — and the return of Ivan Carreon, a 6’6 weapon with serious upside who flashed big-game potential in the Armed Forces Bowl. We’ll dive even deeper into portal additions later this offseason, but today is about one thing: retention matters — and OU is winning that battle.

Plus, we recap the College Football National Championship as the Indiana Hoosiers complete a perfect 16-0 season, defeating Miami 27-21, and we react to the final AP Top 25. And yes… we’re already looking ahead to next year’s title game in Las Vegas — Sin City, the Death Roomba, and college football’s biggest stage colliding.

If you love Oklahoma Sooners football, college football chaos, roster news, portal breakdowns, playoff talk, and real fan-driven analysis — THIS IS YOUR HOME.

SUBSCRIBE NOW
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Music
Watch on YouTube — search The Football Dudes
Find us at BLEAV.com → Shows → Sooner State of Mind

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