The next few weeks should be pretty interesting in Norman.

Oklahoma’s fall camp begins on Aug. 3, as the Sooners are just weeks away from the 2023 season. After a tough campaign a year ago, the Sooners are looking to bounce back in their final season as a Big 12 member.

This year’s fall camp is going to be critical in terms of finalizing a depth chart. The Sooners return multiple starters on both sides of the ball from a year ago, but they also added a freshman class that ranks sixth nationally, per Rivals, and a loaded transfer portal class that includes several veteran players.

Here are predictions for how the depth chart shakes out before the season opener against Arkansas State:

Defensive end: Rondell Bothroyd, R Mason Thomas

Tackle: Isaiah Coe, Jacob Lacey

Tackle: Jonah Laulu, Jordan Kelley

Defensive end: Ethan Downs, Adepoju Adebowore

* Bothroyd will almost certainly nab one of the starting EDGE spots. He recorded 31 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks during his five-year stint at Wake Forest, and he easily has the most experience of any player on the defensive line.

* That other defensive end spot, however, should be interesting. Downs started all 13 games last season and played the seventh-most snaps on the team (584). He's also the only Sooner to land on either of the preseason All-Big 12 teams. But Thomas is also a primary contender for the starting job and should be heavily in the mix for playing time regardless. Adebowore, a freshman, was a standout in spring practices and could strengthen his case for minutes if he has a strong showing in fall camp.

*This two-deep projection leaves off veterans like Reggie Grimes, Trace Ford and Marcus Stripling. They all bring something to the table, but the Sooners simply have more depth and talent at defensive end than they did a year ago.

* It should be a battle between Kelley and Laulu for one of the tackle spots. But Laulu brings a little more experience and he added 30 pounds during the offseason. It was also notable that he was invited to attend Big 12 Media Days last week.

* Coe started six games last season and is in line for a starting job with the departurues of Jalen Redmond and Jeffrey Johnson. But Lacey, Da'Jon Terry, Davon Sears, Kelvin Gilliam and Gracen Halton will be in the mix, too.

Will: Danny Stutsman, Kip Lewis

Mike: Jaren Kanak, Kobie McKinzie

Cheetah: Dasan McCullough, Justin Harrington

* The Stutsman-Kanak-McCullough trio feels pretty set in stone, barring unexpected developments in fall camp. Stutsman led the Big 12 in tackles last season, and Venables has raved during the offseason about his development on and off the field. Former Ferris State LB Konnor Near is another veteran who Venables praised during Big 12 Media Days, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him work his way up the depth chart quickly.

* A lot of fans, reasonably, called for the coaching staff to play Kanak more snaps last season. That should happen in 2023. The true sophomore showed flashes last year and really impressed during spring practices. But McKinzie and Lewis are players who have developed a ton since they arrived on campus last season, and they should see more consistent backup reps. Regardless, the linebacker room is full of young talent, and that should show up on the field.

* McCullough showed his versatility at Indiana last season, and that makes him the perfect cheetah in Venables' defense. The coaching staff moved McCullough around the field during spring practices, but he should see the bulk of the reps at cheetah.

Cornerback: Gentry Williams, Kani Walker

Safety: Billy Bowman, Key Lawrence

Safety: Reggie Pearson, Peyton Bowen

Cornerback: Woodi Washington, Kendel Dolby

* Washington and Bowman's spots are pretty secure. Washington played the fourth-most snaps (889) on the team last year and returns for his fifth-year senior season. Bowman missed three games and still played 677 snaps, and 2023 could be his best season yet. However, the two other spots should be up for grabs.

* Defensive back will be the biggest example of the youth-veteran dilemma. Pearson will likely get the nod over Bowen, at least early in the season, because of his veteran presence and experience on the field. But Venables said Bowen will help the team "immediately" and the five-star prospect offers the most upside of any defensive back on the roster. Bowen will play a lot and will push for the starting job all season.

* Williams, Dolby and Walker are all good candidates for the other corner spot opposite Washington. Dolby is the oldest and brings the most experience, while Williams and Walker are inexperienced young players with a ton of upside. But Williams is back and fully healthy after a medical scare in the spring, and he should have the inside track to the starting job.