James Hackney
With the 2024 season right around the corner, the Sooners are a new look team from last season. Not only do they have a new coaching staff, it’s looking like the team could have five new starters from last season. Ranked #14, OU has all ten starters ranked and have expectations to be contenders in the Big 12. There’s plenty of questions around the team, here are some of the biggest ones for each starter.
125lbs: How does Antonio Lorenzo look in the Big 12?
Coming from the west coast, Lorenzo was a 2x qualifier for Cal Poly. He went 20-11 in 2022 before an inconsistent 8-10 record in 2023. However included in that record were ranked wins over Eli Griffin, Noah Surtin, and Nico Provo. All but one of his losses came to NCAA qualifiers, with the only one not being against Richie Figueroa who is already ranked #3. If Lorenzo can turn some of these close losses into wins, he could be an instant impact starter for the Sooners.
133lbs: Does Jace Koelzer qualify at 133 this year?
Another transfer, Koelzer spent four years in the starting lineup for Northern Colorado. Three of them were at 125, and he bumped up to 133 in 2023. There he went a respectable 19-11, but struggled to find a win against NCAA qualifiers. Now with another offseason at the weight and a new setting, Koelzer could score much needed points for Oklahoma. He qualified in 2022, and if he can again his final year gives the team the depth needed to score vital points.
