West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

Ep. 426 - OU Has 3 Future NFL Tight Ends?
SEC Media Days have come and gone, and one of the most interesting comments of the week came from Sooners general manager Jim Nagy. Does OU really have three tight ends on the roster who will be playing on Sundays?
Lee and Grant also react to Brent Venables’ correctly acknowledging OU’s flaws from 2025 and mentioning that nine offensive linemen can play winning football. The guys answer listener questions about the effectiveness of Tory Blaylock, and whether their opinions have changed on Brent Venables.
Later, Brady Trantham of Oklahoma Sooners on SI and Through the Keyhole joins the show to give his boots-on-the-ground perspective from SEC Media Days in Tampa. Brady discusses what actually mattered from Media Days, Brent Venables’ confidence in the tight end room, Oklahoma’s offensive questions, Trell Harris, the difficulty of adjusting to the SEC, Greg Sankey’s comments about the future of college football, the possibility of the SEC and Big Ten reshaping the sport, and more!
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take – Jim Nagy’s Bold Claim at SEC Media Days06:50 — Could OU really have three future NFL tight ends?10:12 — Can better tight ends actually fix Oklahoma’s run game?19:26 — Brent Venables correctly identifies OU’s biggest 2025 problems21:41 — Receiver room changes and Trell Harris questions 25:14 — Venables says OU has nine offensive linemen who can play winning football25:32 — Who are Oklahoma’s offensive line depth pieces? 28:36 — Listener question: Why does Grant not like Tory Blaylock?35:33 — Listener question: Has your view of Brent Venables changed?42:48 — Brady Trantham joins the show to talk SEC Media Days 48:49 — Brent Venables’ confidence in OU’s tight end room 01:03:36 — Greg Sankey, OU hate watching, and what a SEC breakaway looks like  01:06:33 — The case for a 35-to-45 team highest level of college football 01:13:03 — Bedlam, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and the future “big boy table” 01:15:31 — Is college football trying to grow like the NFL or NBA? 01:17:48 — Why the Big 12 did not make Oklahoma better for the playoff 01:25:04 — Mid-majors, expensive football and who belongs in a playoff01:28:55 — Could some programs eventually stop playing major football? 01:33:26 — OU’s Big 12 years, playoff failures and defensive depth issues 01:38:06 — Why beating bad Big 12 teams became an unhealthy fan experience 01:42:04 — Why a softer league can hide flaws 01:43:47 — SEC Preseason Poll and no defensive players on First Team All-SEC
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Ep. 425 - OU Football Breakouts, Red Flags, and SEC Predictions
Lee and Grant open with a look at OU’s second-year players heading into the 2026 season. Which young Sooners will contribute, and which players will disappoint?
Lee and Grant also discuss Oklahoma’s SEC Media Days representatives — John Mateer, Eddie Pierre-Louis and Taylor Wein — and whether there is any real meaning behind who Brent Venables chose to bring to Tampa.
Then the guys finish their SEC team-by-team predictions ahead of SEC Media Days. This episode covers Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Mississippi State, LSU and Texas.
The show closes with Lee and Grant unveiling their full predicted SEC order of finish, SEC Championship Game picks and SEC champion predictions.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Welcome. Lee’s sunburn advice 02:15 — Which second-year Sooners could contribute in 2026?06:32 — Lee picks Darius Afalava as a possible offensive contributor 09:15 — Why Oklahoma’s offensive high school recruiting track record is concerning  12:24 — Omarion Robinson and Trent Wilson as obvious defensive breakout options17:36 — Marcus James, high school recruiting and the modern transfer portal era 22:02 — Nigel Smith and whether 2026 is his make-or-break year24:51 — Lee picks Elijah Thomas as a possible offensive non-factor27:03 — Grant’s concerns about Emmett Jones and wide receiver development 30:45 — J.J. Hester’s strange Kentucky stat line 33:47 — John Mateer, Eddie Pierre-Louis and Taylor Wein heading to Tampa41:54 — The Athletic’s All-SEC team and Kip Lewis being left off43:17 — Lee’s Florida breakdown: John Sumrall, Buster Faulkner, Aaron Philo and Jadan Baugh45:35 — Grant agrees on Florida going 7-547:18 — Florida’s skill talent and offensive line concerns48:43 — Could Florida have the worst quarterback situation in the SEC?51:25 — Grant predicts Alabama at 9-3 55:36 — Could Kalen DeBoer struggle with the Alabama culture fit?56:32 — Ole Miss prediction. Crossfire here. 01:02:15 — Texas A&M prediction01:02:54 — Grant’s hesitation with the Aggies and Marcel Reed 01:07:34 — Arkansas prediction 01:09:16 — Mississippi State prediction01:11:40 — LSU prediction. Grant’s skeptical, but still high on LSU.01:14:54 — Lee predicts LSU at 11-101:17:40 — Lee’s hopefully wrong Texas prediction 01:20:09 — Texas red flags: offensive line, Arch Manning and portal questions01:22:47 — Full SEC predicted order of finish01:23:34 — Grant’s Oklahoma prediction in the SEC standings01:24:21 — Georgia as the default SEC champion pick, Lee’s surprise teams 01:26:39 — Most confident and least confident SEC predictions01:27:54 — Grant’s Oklahoma uncertainty: SEC champion or 6-6? 01:28:50 — Bonus World Cup and soccer talk 01:31:59 — Why the U.S. still lags behind elite soccer countries01:35:43 — Soccer popularity, money and American sports culture
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#OklahomaFootball #OUFootball #Sooners #CollegeFootball #SECfootball #SECMediaDays #WestOfEverest

Lee and Grant open the show by digging into OU’s strange takeaway numbers from last year and talk about why 2025 was a major outlier in Brent Venables' career.
The guys also discuss Parker Thune’s observation about Oklahoma’s projected defensive starters being almost entirely recruited and developed by OU, and what that says about the defensive staff under Venables.
Later, the guys make predictions for half of the SEC, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Auburn, South Carolina, Georgia, Vanderbilt and OU.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take -- Oklahoma’s bizarre 2025 takeaway numbers 05:04 — Revisiting the takeaway discussion from Through the Keyhole 14:23 — What would be a satisfying takeaway total for Oklahoma in 2026? 17:32 — Parker Thune’s tweet about OU’s projected defensive starters 21:26 — Why OU’s defensive trajectory under Venables still has room to grow 27:16 — Running back development concerns and offensive staff questions 30:17 — Brent Venables vs. Lincoln Riley: defensive head coach vs. offensive head coach 32:05 — What OU needs to show against UTEP in the season opener 38:26 — SEC Media Days setup and preseason prediction format 42:37 — Kentucky season prediction 51:57 — Tennessee season prediction 54:02 — Lee’s concern about Tennessee and a possible late-season collapse 58:18 — Missouri season prediction 01:03:27 — Auburn season prediction 01:07:34 — South Carolina season prediction 01:10:16 — Grant predicts trouble for South Carolina 01:11:20 — Georgia season prediction 01:14:37 — Vanderbilt season prediction is a crossfire 01:17:48 — Oklahoma season prediction (we reserve the right to change this) 01:26:34 — Big 12 media days and conference realignment discussion 01:29:33 — SEC vs. Big Ten, ESPN/FPI criticism and media narratives 01:34:08 — How to compare SEC and Big Ten depth
Follow West of Everest
Subscribe to the West of Everest YouTube channel for full episodes, clips and Shorts. Follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and please leave a five-star rating and review if you enjoy the podcast.
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#sooners #oklahomafootball #oufootball #sec #secfootball #collegefootball #cfb #georgiafootball #kentuckyfootball #vanderbiltfootball

John Mateer has been the talk of the college football world for the last 6-9 days.
Lee and Grant discuss Mateer’s viral offseason moments and the recent reports about his thumb injury, throwing motion, mechanics, and offseason work to become a better passer. 
Plus the guys talk about OU moving its 2026 season opener against UTEP to Friday night, the NCAA’s proposed five-year eligibility model, and a few corrections from last week’s episode!
We save some World Cup talk for the end if that interests you.
Chapters/Timecodes
00:00 — Opening Take -- John Mateer’s big week: viral squat video, Manning Passing Academy and throwing mechanics06:16 — Show correction: 31 personnel vs. 13 personnel07:19 — Lee and Grant reintroduce themselves to new YouTube viewers10:07 — West of Everest’s role in the OU football podcast ecosystem12:29 — Grant’s reaction to all the John Mateer offseason attention14:52 — Mateer’s viral front squat video and Manning Passing Academy look19:50 — Breaking down Mateer’s throwing motion and release20:08 — Why Mateer still looks like a natural three-quarter arm passer21:15 — Comparing pre-injury and post-injury Mateer24:01 — Watching Mateer’s Oklahoma debut against Illinois State24:45 — Mateer’s arm angle, release style and natural throwing motion25:03 — Mateer’s arm strength and the Josh Allen comparison25:49 — Why changing quarterback mechanics takes time and thousands of reps28:15 — Evaluating recent Manning Passing Academy clips31:09 — Reviewing more Mateer throws from Manning Passing Academy36:41 — Oklahoma’s 2026 season opener against UTEP moves to Friday night37:02 — Roger Denny’s statement on the Friday night opener37:51 — Why the Friday opener gives OU an extra day before Michigan41:04 — Looking back at OU’s previous Friday night opener against Temple41:20 — Why West of Everest sounded the alarm early on the 2024 OU offense43:25 — Comparing the Temple opener to Mateer’s Illinois State debut44:33 — What elite Oklahoma offenses used to look like against overmatched opponents45:58 — NCAA’s proposed five-year eligibility model47:06 — How the new age-based eligibility clock would work48:33 — Why the proposed model could change redshirts and record books52:52 — Can the NCAA actually enforce new eligibility rules after recent lawsuits?54:02 — Collective bargaining, unions and the future of college athlete rules57:02 — Show corrections segment begins57:52 — Revisiting the Kip Lewis linebacker discussion01:00:00 — Curtis Lofton correction: best OU linebacker since Rufus Alexander?01:01:16 — Minnesota football and paying players in the 1980s01:04:29 — Happy Fourth of July and World Cup talk01:04:48 — Why the USMNT in the World Cup still feels like a big deal01:06:02 — Folarin Balogun, red cards and FIFA decision-making01:10:19 — Soccer replay debate: slow motion, red cards and rule interpretation01:13:01 — Comparing replay in soccer to replay in football01:16:17 — Should red cards punish intent, danger or outcome?01:22:41 — What soccer might look like with a few rule tweaks01:25:19 — Closing thoughts and where to follow West of Everest
Follow West of Everest
Subscribe to the West of Everest YouTube channel for full episodes, clips and Shorts. Follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and please leave a five-star rating and review if you enjoy the podcast.
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#OklahomaFootball #OUFootball #Sooners #JohnMateer #CollegeFootball #WestOfEverest

The guys are back for a full summer reset as the 2026 college football season gets closer.
The guys start with the three most interesting things about OU football in 2026, including whether Brent Venables’ Oklahoma defense can be even better this season, why the Sooners may be underrated nationally, the importance of John Mateer taking a step forward, and what to make of Oklahoma’s difficult SEC schedule.
Then, Lee and Grant play a John Mateer “Would You Rather” quarterback game, comparing Oklahoma’s QB to several major names around college football, including Arch Manning, CJ Carr, Marcel Reed, Darian Mensah, Gunnar Stockton, Rocco Becht, Connor Weigman, Kevin Jennings, Sam Leavitt and more.
Later, the guys hit on Owen Heinecke’s preliminary injunction before diving into the wild Brendan Sorsby gambling/NCAA/Texas Tech/Big 12 situation, what it says about NCAA enforcement power, and why courts are becoming such a major part of modern college football.
The episode wraps with thoughts on OU baseball winning the national championship and how the Sooners got hot at the perfect time.
West of Everest is an Oklahoma football podcast hosted by Lee Benson and Grant Benson.
Chapters / Timecodes
00:00 — Intro: West of Everest is back04:50 — Ratings, reviews, and growing the show05:30 — Top 3 most interesting things about OU football in 202606:00 — Why OU’s defense may be underrated nationally10:00 — David Stone, Kip Lewis, Owen Heinecke and Oklahoma’s defensive ceiling11:20 — Comparing Brent Venables’ OU defense to his Clemson defenses15:35 — OU player ratings, David Stone hype, and Kip Lewis appreciation21:00 — John Mateer, Ben Arbuckle and Oklahoma’s offensive continuity23:00 — Running back room concerns: Xavier Robinson, Tory Blaylock, Lloyd Avant and Deland McCullough27:10 — Can tight ends really fix Oklahoma’s run game?28:25 — Oklahoma’s 2026 win total and brutal SEC schedule30:35 — Michigan, Georgia, Texas and OU’s season-defining early stretch35:15 — John Mateer “Would You Rather” quarterback game begins37:30 — John Mateer or Connor Weigman?39:35 — John Mateer or Kevin Jennings?41:10 — John Mateer or CJ Carr?43:30 — John Mateer or Josh Hoover?46:40 — John Mateer or Marcel Reed?48:15 — John Mateer or Sam Leavitt?51:10 — John Mateer or Darian Mensah?57:00 — John Mateer or Gunnar Stockton?59:30 — John Mateer or Rocco Becht?01:01:10 — John Mateer or Arch Manning?01:03:55 — Notable other QBs around the nation01:11:00 — Brady Trantham’s wild OU rushing stat01:13:00 — Owen Heinecke preliminary injunction discussion01:14:15 — The UNC Charlotte example that may have helped Heinecke’s case01:17:40 — Grant’s view: Heinecke was probably always getting the injunction01:18:40 — Brendan Sorsby discussion begins01:19:45 — Sorsby timeline: gambling investigation, NCAA ruling, injunction and Big 12 response01:21:50 — NFL Supplemental Draft and CFL fallout for Sorsby01:23:00 — Courts, NCAA rules and the “toothless NCAA” debate01:45:20 — New NCAA eligibility rule lawsuits and where this could be headed01:46:35 — OU baseball wins the national championship01:47:40 — How OU baseball got hot at the perfect time01:51:50 — OU baseball’s title as a potential curse-breaker01:54:35 — Closing: follow West of Everest on YouTube, X, Instagram and Facebook

Lee and Grant are back after nearly 2 months off to discuss Owen Heinecke's legal action against the NCAA*. The Benson bros go over the twists and turns in the saga since they last recorded. But first, they go over major storylines in the OU Football universe since the last show. The Sooners have a new RB coach! John Mateer is changing his throwing motion! And oh yeah - Spring practice is nearly over and the Spring Game is randomly back. Come hang out with us for 2 hours. 145 days until UTEP...
 
Subscribe to the show on YouTube: @WestofEverest | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter/X: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter/X: @LeeBensonTweets

Lee and Grant are back to discuss the goings on in the world of OU Football in the last month. DeMarco Murray is no longer the most overpaid coach in college football, as the Chiefs do Oklahoma a huge solid. Jay Valai has been poached by the Buffalo Bills, and OU has a new Athletic Director. In the second half of the show - Lee and Grant have the most in-depth and honest discussion on the Owen Heinecke eligibility controversy that you will hear on the inter-webs. It is appointment listening if you want to understand the NCAA's decision. 201 days until UTEP...
 
Subscribe to the show on YouTube: @WestofEverest | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter/X: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter/X: @LeeBensonTweets

Lee and Grant are back to talk about the end of the 2025 college football season. Indiana has won a National Championship in tackle football, Curt Cignetti is the master of the universe, and Lee & Grant want to talk about DeMarco Murray and his failure in the RB room. But first, we put a wrap on OU's portal season and talk in-depth about Owen Heinecke's situation with the NCAA. 226 days until UTEP...
 
Subscribe to the show on YouTube: @WestofEverest | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter/X: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter/X: @LeeBensonTweets

Lee and Grant are back after a CFP-exit hiatus to discuss the goings on in the College Football Transfer Portal. OU has received 11 commits in the portal thus far, and Lee and Grant are going to rank their impact from 1 to 11. They also go over each of the 29 portal defections to tell you whether it's a big deal or not. All that, plus thoughts on new TE coach Jason Witten, the offensive coaching staff as a whole, and they give their pick for the National Championship game. Grant really despises Miami.
 
Subscribe to the show on YouTube: @WestofEverest | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter/X: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter/X: @LeeBensonTweets

Lee and Grant are back to discuss OU's very difficult home loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Come on in and let's all be miserable together. The sun will (hopefully) come out tomorrow.
 
Subscribe to the show on YouTube: @WestofEverest | Like the show on Facebook: @westofeverest | Follow Grant on Twitter/X: @GrantBenson25 | Follow Lee on Twitter/X: @LeeBensonTweets