WHAT IS UP SOONER NATION… I AM CASEY MALLON AND YOU ARE NOW IN A SOONER STATE OF MIND!

Spring has officially sprung in Norman, and you can feel it—Sooner football is BACK. In this episode, we dive headfirst into the electric return of spring ball as Oklahoma hits the practice field, the countdown to the Spring Game is ON, and the hype is building with every rep, every route, and every snap flooding social media. From the trenches to the skill positions, the energy around this team feels different… and Sooner Nation is here for ALL of it.

But let’s talk about what has everyone buzzing—Jason Witten coaching up the tight ends. Yes, THAT Jason Witten. One of the greatest to ever do it now pouring knowledge into a position that’s needed a spark? That’s not just big…that’s program-shifting. Add in high-level recruiting momentum, and suddenly OU becomes a no-brainer destination for elite tight end talent. It’s another sign that something special is building in Norman.

We also take a real look at quarterback Mateer—a guy who went through the fire last season. From handling the pressure of being “the guy” at Oklahoma to battling through a broken thumb on his throwing hand, he showed toughness, grit, and leadership. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was gritty—and now? The reports out of spring practice say he’s putting in the work and leveling up. If that’s true, Sooner Nation could be looking at a major leap heading into 2026.

On the hardwood, we unpack the frustration of men’s basketball getting left out of March Madness despite a late-season surge—and why keeping Porter Moser might be the right move, especially with new AD Roger Denny promising to elevate resources, NIL, and overall program support. The future of OU hoops may be brighter than it feels right now.

We also hit:

• OU women’s basketball’s strong run and back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances

• March Madness chaos, insane comebacks, and Final Four storylines

• The Sooners heading to Vegas for the College Basketball Crown

• And of course… some real-life talk—daylight savings struggles, Easter candy debates, and why kids these days have it WAY too easy

This episode is all about momentum—football, basketball, and the entire Oklahoma program trending upward. The vibes are high, the expectations are rising, and Sooner Nation is LOCKED IN.

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and Amazon Music Watch on YouTube: The Football Dudes Visit B-L-E-A-V.com and search Sooner State of Mind

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Sooner Nation… the NFL Combine spotlight was shining bright on OU, recruiting momentum is heating up with Future Freaks Weekend, and the Sooners are building the kind of roster that can compete in the SEC, compete for National Championships, and eventually compete on Sundays.

In this episode of Sooner State of Mind, we break down a huge moment for the program as Oklahoma Sooners football sends 10 players to the NFL Combine, the most in years — a massive signal that Brent Venables’ rebuild is turning into a legit NFL pipeline. From freakish measurables to draft risers, we’re talking about which Sooners helped themselves the most in Indianapolis and what it means for OU’s national perception moving forward.

But the future might be even brighter…

Future Freaks Weekend brought elite recruits to Norman, giving Sooner Nation a glimpse at the next generation of SEC monsters who could soon be wearing the crimson and cream. We break down the biggest visitors, recruiting momentum, and which prospects could become the next stars in Oklahoma’s NFL pipeline.

And while football is the main event, the rest of the OU athletic department decided to put on a show too:

Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball gets a huge #BeatTexas rivalry win, sending the Sooners into March with momentum and giving fans one more reason to celebrate a monster weekend for OU athletics.

From Combine buzz to recruiting fireworks to Red River revenge on the hardwood, this episode is packed with everything Sooner fans need to know.

So grab your crimson, fire up the Boomer chant, and join us as we break down the past, present, and future of Oklahoma football.

Subscribe now to Sooner State of Mind on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music for passionate, insider-level coverage of Oklahoma Sooners football, recruiting, and the road to SEC dominance.

Boomer Sooner.

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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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