Who are OU football's top 2027 NFL Draft prospects? We examine Sooners - Australia News Beep

NORMAN — The 2026 NFL Draft is behind us.

Oklahoma football had its most players selected since 2022, including defensive end R Mason Thomas, defensive tackle Gracen Halton and wide receiver Deion Burks. While there wasn’t a Sooner picked in the first round last Thursday night in Pittsburgh, there is already buzz about what next April could look like.

This season’s Sooners roster is loaded with potential NFL Draft picks and even some players who could elevate their play enough to sneak into the first round. If all goes to plan, it could be a historic draft class.

Here’s a way-too-early look at which draft-eligible OU players might be selected in next year’s 2027 NFL Draft:

Oklahoma NFL Draft tracker: Where Sooners players are selected in 2026 draft

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Owen Heinecke (38) runs on to the field before the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Owen Heinecke (38) walks to the huddle following the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Lloyd Avant (9) celebrates a touchdwon during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell (29) kicks a field game during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Tate Sandell (29) kicks a field game during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Isaiah Sategna III (1) celebrates a catch scores a touchdown during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026. The play was called back.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s John Mateer (10) throws a pass during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Isaiah Sategna III (1) celebrates a catch xduring the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Isaiah Sategna III (1) celebrates a catch during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Owen Heinecke (38) walks to the team huddle following the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s John Mateer (10) looks to throw a pass during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s John Mateer (10) looks to scrambles during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Rocky Beers (81) catches a ball during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Rocky Beers (81) is upended after a catch during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma head football coach watches play during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Lloyd Avant rushes as Oklahoma’s Derrick Johnson II (12) defends during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s DeZephen Walker (28) scores a touchdown during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma head football coach watches the game during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Kip Lewis (10) celebrates a play during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s DeZephen Walker (28) rushes during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s DeZephen Walker (28) rushes as Trystan Haynes (14) chases him during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s DeZephen Walker (28) rushes during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s DeZephen Walker (28) is tackled by Oklahoma’s Niko Jandreau (13) during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

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See top moments from John Mateer, Sooners in OU football spring game

Oklahoma’s Omarion Robinson (2) is tackled by Jacobe Johnson (24) during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.

If Stone keeps on his current trajectory and increases his sack numbers next season, he’ll be a first-round lock. At 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, he has the ideal body type and quickness to be a 3-technique lineman. CBS Sports ranked him as the No. 10 best prospect in its way-too-early 2027 prospects ranking last week, while Pro Football Focus has him as the ninth-best prospect. A former consensus five-star, Stone led all Sooner defensive tackles and ranked seventh on the team with his 42 total tackles last season despite making only two starts. He also totaled eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.

2. Eli Bowen, defensive back

At only 5-foot-9, Bowen might be overlooked, but he’s expected to be one of the best corners in the country as a junior. After a breakout freshman season in which he made eight starts, Bowen earned All-SEC Third Team honors as a sophomore. After missing the first four contests due to injury, he started the last nine games, totaling 24 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups. Based solely on his production thus far at this age, Bowen deserves to be this high. ESPN listed him as a sleeper for the 2027 NFL Draft.

Jackson could easily switch places with Bowen or Stone on this list. He broke out as a true freshman in 2024, starting 10 games and earning a Freshman All-SEC Team nod after totaling 30 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and one pass breakup. He started six games as a sophomore last season and totaled 28 tackles, including five for loss and three sacks, as well as two quarterback hurries.

Following a breakout 2025 season, Wein projects as a solid Day 2 pick. An All-SEC Second Team selection, Wein made eight starts, collecting 39 tackles, including 15 for loss and seven sacks, six QB hurries, an interception, a forced fumble, a pass breakup and a blocked field goal. He led the team in tackles for loss and sacks. The sky is the limit for him in 2026.

Lewis would’ve gotten drafted this year if he didn’t decide to return for another season. He started all 13 games in 2025 and led the team with 76 total tackles, while also adding 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble. If he continues on his current trajectory, the sky is the limit for Lewis.

Where Mateer gets drafted next season is perhaps the biggest question mark and it will depend on what version of him we see in the fall. If he vastly improves and is a Heisman Trophy contender, then he could skyrocket up this list — especially since some draft analysts were still high on him following this past season. NFL scouts seem to be looking at last season as a year in which Mateer was injured and showed toughness to battle through that. But if he has a similar season to last year or improves slightly, sometime on Day 2 seems likely for Mateer.

We could very likely see two Bowens drafted in 2027. Bowen enters his fourth season in Brent Venables’ defense after an All-SEC Second Team performance as a junior. He’s been one of OU’s best players for years now and his football IQ should impress NFL teams. For Bowen, it could come down to what he looks like at the combine, but he also projects as a solid Day 2 pick like Wein.

More: OU football grades for every position after spring camp. How did Sooners fare?

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