The Oklahoma Sooners will kick off their 2024 season against the Temple Owls in just 5 days.
However, the Sooners made some roster moves on Monday to solidify the back end before the season begins. Multiple reporters noted taht former New Mexico defensive lineman David Rowaiye was added to the roster on Monday. Additionally, tight end Josh Fanuiel has been removed from OU’s roster.
Per OU football’s game notes, the #Sooners have added former New Mexico DL David Rowaiye to the roster. And TE Josh Fanuiel has been removed.
— Summer of George (@GeorgeStoia) August 26, 2024
The expectation is that Rowaiye will be a walk-on. Rowaiye spent two seasons with the Lobos but didn’t see the field. The Sooners’ roster listed Rowaiye at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, so the DL gives the Sooners some extra size as they transition to the SEC in 2024. Da’Jon Terry, Damonic Williams, and Caiden Woullard are expected to start on the DL in Norman.
Rowaiye is an Oklahoma City native and attended Southeast (OK) High School. The DL was ranked as a 3-star recruit and received interest from UNM, Baylor, and Eastern Michigan out of high school.
As for Fanuiel, the tight end leaves the program after spending the 2023 season as a walk-on. Before coming to Norman, Fanuiel was a basketball player at Division II Cameron University in Lawton, OK. Fanuiel was unable to break into the team’s TE room again, with Bauer Sharp, Jake Roberts, and Kaden Helms expected to see the majority of snaps at the position.
The Sooners will kick off the 2024 season against the Temple Owls on Friday, August 31.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
