​The Oklahoma Sooners enter the 2026 college football season as one of the sport’s most talked-about teams. The Sooners made the College Football Playoff in 2025 for the first time as an SEC member. It also marked the first appearance in the Brent Venables era.Expectations are high after that breakthrough season because Oklahoma returns many of its top contributors from last year’s playoff team. The Sooners return quarterback John Mateer, wide receiver Isaiah Sategna, defensive linemen David Stone, Taylor Wein and Jayden Jackson, linebackers Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke and defensive backs Peyton Bowen, Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory, to name a few.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPhil Steele is one of the most respected voices in college football preview publications. His annual preseason magazines and All-America teams are among the most anticipated publications of the offseason. His latest preseason selections suggest he has high expectations for Oklahoma. In total, five Sooners earned spots on Steele’s preseason All-America teams:Defensive tackle David Stone – first teamLinebacker Kip Lewis – first teamLongsnapper Ben Anderson – first teamWide receiver Isaiah Sategna – fourth teamWhile Oklahoma was well represented, several notable Sooners did not receive preseason recognition. Neither of the Bowen brothers, Wein or Mateer, was recognized. The Sooners also had no offensive linemen on the list, despite returning four out of five starters.Preseason All-America teams are far from the final word, but they offer an early glimpse into how respected a roster is entering the season. With five selections and several additional players who could emerge as All-America candidates by year’s end, Oklahoma appears to have the talent to once again compete near the top of the SEC and make another run at the College Football Playoff.Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Phil Steele names five Sooners to 2026 preseason All-America team