Oklahoma Sooners Linebacker Kip Lewis Stuns College Football World by Announcing His Return for the 2025 Season
NORMAN, Okla. — In a move that has electrified the college football world, standout Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis announced on Thursday that he will return for the 2025 season, stunning fans and analysts who widely expected him to declare for the NFL Draft. The rising senior cited “unfinished business” and a deep desire to lead the Sooners back to national championship contention as his reasons for staying.
“This program means everything to me,” Lewis said in a passionate statement released through the university. “I’ve bled crimson and cream from day one, and I’m not ready to walk away just yet. There’s more to accomplish—on the field, for my brothers in that locker room, and for this university. I’m coming back to finish what we started.”
Lewis, who led the Sooners in tackles during the 2024 season with 117 total stops, emerged as one of the nation’s premier linebackers with his instinctive playmaking, sideline-to-sideline speed, and leadership presence. His decision to return is a major win for head coach Brent Venables, who has long praised Lewis as the heart of the Sooners’ defense.
“Kip embodies everything you want in a leader,” Venables said. “His return sends a message to our entire program that we’re chasing greatness. He’s not just playing for awards—he’s playing for legacy, for his teammates, and for that championship ring.”
With Oklahoma entering its second season in the SEC, expectations were already high following a 10-3 finish in 2024. Now, with Lewis anchoring the defense once more, the Sooners are poised to make a serious run at the College Football Playoff. His presence brings stability and experience to a defensive unit loaded with young talent, and his leadership is expected to elevate the team’s championship aspirations.
National pundits quickly reacted to the announcement, with ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit calling it “one of the biggest returns of the offseason,” and FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt tweeting, “Kip Lewis returning changes the entire landscape of the SEC in 2025.”
In his statement, Lewis made it clear that his goal is not only to win, but to leave a lasting mark.
“I want to be remembered as one of the greatest linebackers to wear this jersey,” Lewis said. “I want to walk off that field in 2025 knowing I gave everything to make this team and this university proud.”
With Kip Lewis back in Norman, the Sooners are no longer just contenders—they’re on a mission.