Oklahoma walk-on defensive lineman not listed on spring roster

The Oklahoma Sooners updated their roster ahead of spring football this week, and there was one change that many fans may not have noticed. Defensive lineman David Rowaiye, a former preferred walk-on who spent the last two seasons at OU, was not listed on the updated roster. He was also not listed in a social media post from the OU football account that listed each of Oklahoma's defensive linemen for the new season.

Rowaiye did not enter the transfer portal, and he had not exhausted his collegiate eligibility. He had also not seen the field during his two years in Norman, but he did provide depth at the defensive tackle spot. The Oklahoma City native was a three-star recruit out of high school, and he signed with New Mexico in the 2022 recruiting class over both Eastern Michigan and Baylor.

During his two seasons with the Lobos, Rowaiye did not see the field, and he's still looking for his first collegiate action. He transferred to Oklahoma as preferred walk-on right before the beginning of the 2024 season, and he was a redshirt junior for the Sooners in 2025. Even without Rowaiye, OU is still in good shape at the defensive tackle spots.

With Jayden Jackson and David Stone returning to lead the way, the Sooners will need their depth to step up in 2026. Nigel Smith II, Bishop Thomas, Trent Wilson, and Jacob Henry all have a chance to play their way into more snaps, as do true freshmen James Carrington and Brian Harris. UTSA transfer Kenny Ozowalu will mainly work at defensive end, but can move inside and play defensive tackle as well.