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NORMAN The unofficial start to the 2026 season is next week and Oklahoma football has its list of attendees set.
In addition to coach Brent Venables, the Sooners will bring quarterback John Mateer , defensive end Taylor Wein and offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis , the SEC announced Tuesday.
Mateer and Wein's inclusion came as no surprise as both are expected to be two of OU's best players.
Mateer started 12 games last season, completing 62% of his passes for 2,885 yards and 14 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.
Wein, an All-SEC Second Team selection, started eight games and totaled 39 tackles, while leading the Sooners with 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
More: OU football recruiting class soaring for 2027 with third 5-star in-state prospect The announcement of Pierre-Louis came as a bit of a surprise.
The Tampa native played in all 13 games and made six starts at left guard last season.
It's clear Venables has high expectations for Pierre-Louis this season.
"I've been disciplined a lot more, worrying about the right things and stuff like that," Pierre-Louis said this past spring.
"Having a consistent basis, coach Bedenbaugh overemphasizes, you dont have to be all the way up here each and every day, but you have to continuously make small, good improvements each and every day, and thats been the main thing." SEC Media Days will take place at the Tampa Marriott Water Street and JW Marriott this year.
It starts Monday, July 20 and runs through Thursday, July 23.
OU is set to take part on the first day, as will Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee.
The Sooners will follow SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Missouri on Monday morning in Tampa.
All four days will be broadcast on SEC Network.
A year ago, OU brought Mateer, Robert Spears-Jennings and R Mason Thomas to the event in Atlanta.
The Sooners' season is set to start at 7 p.m.
on Sept.
4 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium against UTEP.
OU is fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance.
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: John Mateer headlines OU football attendees at SEC Media Days in Tampa.