Lincoln Riley's first season as head coach in Norman could not have gone any better. While the tables were set, the first-year head coach still had to deliver and did so, leading the Sooners to the Big 12 title and spot in the playoff.
With back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes now a lock, Riley is set up to compete for Big 12 championships with regularity.
Quick references
2018 recruiting class -- ranked No. 8 in the ESPN class rankings.
Top remaining 2018 targets
S Leon O'Neal (ESPN 300 No. 118)
DE Andrew Chatfield (ESPN 300 No. 155)
LB Nikolkas Bonitto (ESPN 300 No. 197)
LB Merlin Robertson (ESPN 300 No. 252)
2018 starting quarterback
Baker Mayfield's historic career at OU is over and former five-star prospect Kyler Murray is a sound bet to start the next two seasons in Norman after backing up Mayfield in 2017. Murray has starting experience dating to his freshman season at Texas A&M.
Who is lost: Oklahoma's losses on the defensive side of the ball will be significant with linebackers Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Emmanuel Beal, defensive end D.J. Ward and defensive backs Steven Parker, Will Johnson and Jordan Thomas having graduated. On offense, fullback Dimitri Flowers' key role will be difficult to replace. Receivers Jeff Badet, Jeffery Mead and Jordan Smallwood will be gone from the rotation, but the young talent at the position is deep with future playmakers. Where the Sooners' offense will take major hits is if left tackle Orlando Brown and tight end Mark Andrews opt to leave a year early for the NFL.
Who is added: On the heels of the previous year's top-10 recruiting class, the 2018 class was going to be a success if the Sooners addressed the defensive line and linebacker needs with the skill talent headed to Norman on annual basis never in doubt. ESPN 300 defensive linemen Ron Tatum III and Ronnie Perkins will be looked up to provide depth early on, as could four-star end Jalen Redmond. On offense, junior college offensive tackle Tramonda Moore and versatile running back T.J. Pledger probably will work their way onto the field in roles from the get-go.
What it means for next season: The Sooners' questions marks next season will fall heavily on the defensive side of the ball, so having Tatum and/or Perkins and Redmond become players who can provide significant snaps will be paramount if Oklahoma is to enjoy the desired defensive line depth.
Trending: Up. Riley was set up for the first-year success he enjoyed as a coach, but the Sooners still had to follow through and win games, win the Big 12 and continue to be talked about as one of the nation's top programs without a first-year falloff. The young talent in the program combined with the 2018 recruiting class that addressed needs positions Riley for sustained success and will make the Sooners the Big 12 favorite again next season.