​The Oklahoma Sooners boast a defensive line that many consider the best in the country, and edge rusher PJ Adebawore is a major reason why. As the 2026 season approaches, headlined by one of the nation’s most talented front sevens, Oklahoma’s defense could be more formidable than ever, a fact that defensive end coach Miguel Chaviz underscored recently on social media. Chaviz latched onto a post from KREF Sports featuring Adebawore, the former five-star recruit from Kansas City who chose OU over a slew of top programs four years ago, and used it to deliver a message that has OU fans buzzing.
“It’s his time,” Chaviz wrote. “One of the reasons I love college football so much is because it’s such a developmental game. Blessed to know and coach you, PJ. Proud of your loyalty to OU and all your hard work and can’t wait to watch you SHINE this year.” The sentiment carried more weight than a typical hype post, signaling a shift in how Oklahoma plans to deploy its edge players in 2026.
In recent seasons, OU leaned on veterans Mason Thomas and Taylor Wein on the edge, with Adebawore mixing in as a rotational option alongside teammates like Danny Okoye. He flashed potential at times, but he wasn’t the focal point of the pass rush. That is no longer the case. The expectation is for Adebawore to step into a starting role opposite Wein, becoming a central figure in the Sooners’ edge game. If health cooperates after an offseason procedure to address an injury from last year, Adebawore has the tools to impact both the run and the pass from the edge. His physical profile—an elite athlete with a track record of development under OU’s coaching staff—supports the projection that he could become a game-wrecker.
Chaviz’s public phrasing matters because it points to a deeper truth about Oklahoma’s depth along the defensive line. Adebawore isn’t even the first name fans typically mention when describing the Sooners’ fearsome front. Players like Wein, David Stone, and Jayden Jackson usually dominate the discussion, with some backups earning mention before Adebawore in various conversations. Yet Chaviz’s “it’s his time” proclamation for a player who sits behind multiple other well-known names speaks volumes about just how loaded this unit has become. The Sooners aren’t relying on Adebawore to single-handedly save the defense; they’re counting on him to elevate a unit that is already expected to be elite.
If Adebawore fulfills the ceiling that attracted him as a five-star recruit, Oklahoma’s defense could move from a strong unit to a suffocating one. A true two-deep on the edge with Wein and Adebawore, complemented by interior presence from Stone and Jackson, would give OU a front that is primed for championship-level performance. The development thread has been patient, the loyalty rewarded, and now, as Chaviz assertively put it, it’s time for Adebawore to shine.
This piece originally appeared on A to Z Sp for SEO purposes and weighs in on the potential impact of Adebawore’s expanded role and Oklahoma’s formidable defensive line depth heading into the season.