After having just two players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Oklahoma Sooners well exceeded that number in the 2026 NFL Draft. Last year, only linebacker Danny Stutsman (112th overall to the New Orleans Saints) and defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. (118th overall to the Atlanta Falcons) heard their names called, but the Sooners came back with a better showing this year.
After a trip to the College Football Playoff in the 2025 season, OU had a number of players from its roster that were sure to be drafted, and a number of other players who were hoping to hear their names called as well.
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Oklahoma had seven players picked this year, which is the largest draft class for OU since 2022, when the number was also seven. It’s also OU’s largest draft class of players who suited up for head coach Brent Venables. Here is every former Sooner to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, as players who spent at least their final season of college football in Norman fulfilled a lifelong dream; finding their pro football home in the NFL draft.
R Mason Thomas
Defensive lineman R Mason Thomas was, unsurprisingly, the first former Sooner off the board, getting picked by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 40th overall selection. During his four years at OU, Thomas developed into a star pass-rusher at the defensive end position, becoming Oklahoma’s closer and hassling opposing quarterbacks off the edge.
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Febechi Nwaiwu, OL – Houston Texans – Round 4 (106th overall)
Febechi Nwaiwu
Offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu was the second Sooner off the board. He was chosen by the Houston Texans with the 106th overall selection. Nwaiwu spent two years at OU after transferring in from North Texas, and he became the stable presence the Sooners needed at right guard in 2024 and 2025. His consistency and versatility were vital up front for Oklahoma.
Gracen Halton, DL – San Francisco 49ers – Round 4 (107th overall)
Gracen Halton
Defensive lineman Gracen Halton made it back-to-back picks for the Sooners, as he was chosen with the 107th overall selection by the San Francisco 49ers. Halton was developed into a game-wrecker at defensive tackle during his four years at Oklahoma, showing excellent burst and athleticism from the interior DL spots. He was part of a fearsome OU front line that became the strength of the team in the SEC.
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Kendal Daniels, LB – Atlanta Falcons – Round 4 (134th overall)
Kendal Daniels
Linebacker Kendal Daniels was also picked in the fourth round, as he was selected with the 134th overall selection by the Atlanta Falcons. After spending four years at Oklahoma State, Daniels transferred to OU and started at the cheetah position in 2025. He was very underrated as a key piece of the Oklahoma defense, and his versatility allowed him to help the Sooners in a lot of different ways.
Robert Spears-Jennings, DB – Pittsburgh Steelers – Round 7 (224th overall)
Robert Spears-Jennings
Defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings was the first former Sooner chosen in the seventh round of the draft, as he was selected with the 224th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Spears-Jennings spent all four years of his collegiate career in Norman, and he was developed into the leader of the OU secondary. He was a starter a safety for the last two seasons, and was a physical presence against the run for the Sooners.
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Jaren Kanak, TE – Tennessee Titans – Round 7 (225th overall)
Jaren Kanak
Tight end Jaren Kanak also heard his name called in the NFL draft’s seventh round, as he was picked with the 225th overall selection by the Tennessee Titans. Kanak spent four years at OU, but played linebacker for the first three. He switched to tight end for his senior year, and it was a move that paid off, as he caught 44 passes for 533 yards. He was essentially a big slot receiver for the Sooners, and an important piece of the offense, starting all 13 games.
Deion Burks
Wide receiver Deion Burks was the third Sooner selected in the seventh round, as he was chosen with the 254th overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Burks spent two years at OU, after transferring in from Purdue. After being hampered by injuries in 2024, Burks started all 13 games in 2025, finishing second on the team with 57 receptions for 620 yards and four touchdowns. His speed with the ball in his hands made him a dangerous player at OU.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: What teams picked former OU players in the NFL draft?
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