Oklahoma
Oklahoma Walk-On WR Jacob Jordan Reflects on Breakout Freshman Season
NORMAN — Jacob Jordan took a risk when he originally committed to Oklahoma, but so far, it has paid off.
The freshman wide receiver walked onto the Sooners’ football team before the 2024 season, choosing OU over a handful of FBS offers. And in his first season of college football, Jordan was one of the lone bright spots in the Sooners’ passing game.
Though he only played in seven games in the 2024 season, Jordan was Oklahoma’s fifth-leading receiver with 207 yards and also had the fourth most receptions with 22. Making his transition even more impressive, Jordan missed almost his entire senior year of high school.
Why WR Deion Burks Said it Was an ‘Easy’ Decision to Return to Oklahoma
With one game remaining in his freshman year — the Armed Forces Bowl against Navy on Dec. 27 — Jordan reflected on his debut season with gratitude.
“All I could do was look up to God and thank Him for everything he’s done for me,” Jordan said. “This is part of His plan the whole way. I just have to keep my head down and keep working. I’m really thankful for the opportunities and I have to keep pushing.”
Jordan was a 3-star recruit by On3 coming out of Southlake Carroll (TX), but wasn’t rated by 247 Sports or Rivals. He chose Oklahoma over scholarship offers from FBS schools like Texas Tech, North Texas, Tulsa and Western Kentucky in addition to a couple of offers from FCS and Division II programs.
But the 5-foot-9, 186-pound wideout believed the path to the field in Norman would be more rewarding than at any of those other places.
“I was confident in my abilities, and I knew it was going to take a lot of work, obviously, but I was confident that I was going to be able to come in here and play,” Jordan told Sooners on SI in October. “It was just something about this place that I just felt like I would regret it if I didn’t come here.”
Jordan’s first game playing on offense was his breakout performance.
Though the Sooners couldn’t keep up with South Carolina in their 35-9 loss to the Gamecocks on Oct. 19, Jordan caught six passes for 86 yards in his first non-special-teams game action.
He followed that up with a touchdown and 38 yards the next week against Ole Miss and played at least one snap in every game for the remainder of the regular season.
Due to an almost unprecedented run of injuries at the position, Jordan played a larger role in OU’s offense than most fans expected before the season. He believes his production will only increase with experience and the Sooners’ new offensive coordinator.
Oklahoma hired former Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to the same role on Dec. 2.
Early into Arbuckle’s tenure, Jordan believes OU’s passing game will become more dynamic.
“Just that spread, high-tempo offense,” Jordan said. “(Wide receivers) coach (Emmett) Jones says it’s going to be great and going back to the kind of Texas Tech style that he loves. We’re all really excited for it.”
Of the Sooners’ receivers that haven’t entered the transfer portal, Jordan was the second-most productive in 2024, behind only Deion Burks (245 yards, three touchdowns).
With so many departures in the receiver room, it will force new pieces to step into larger roles. Jordan is no exception.
“It really is a big switch,” Jordan said. “It’s exciting.”
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Officials with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are remembering a dedicated K-9 officer who passed away earlier this month.
K-9 Dak was born in 2014 and began serving with the OHP in 2015.
Throughout his distinguished career, officials say Dak’s exceptional instincts made a significant impact on public safety across the state.
During his career, Dak was instrumental in the seizure of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana, 46 pounds of cocaine, 151 pounds of methamphetamine, and 99 pounds of fentanyl.
“These remarkable accomplishments represent countless lives protected and communities made safer through Dak’s service,” OHP wrote.
Dak worked his final shift on June 3 before peacefully passing away from natural causes on June 7.
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“More than his statistics and accomplishments, Dak was a loyal partner, trusted teammate, and beloved member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. His legacy will live on through the work he accomplished, the bond he shared with his handler, and the many lives he touched throughout his career,” OHP said.
It’s Boomer Sooner time in Omaha.
Oklahoma has won the 2026 Men’s College World Series, steamrolling through North Carolina in the winner-take-all Game 3, 13-2, capturing its first national title in over 30 years and third overall. The Sooners are the seventh straight SEC team to win the national championship.
A dogpile with cheers that made its way through the infiled, it closed out the Sooners’ one-for-the-ages NCAA tournament run.
for the third time in program history, the Oklahoma Sooners are national champions 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xEvjGxhqgM
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) June 23, 2026
It was an all-around masterclass for OU, jumping out to a 3-1 lead by the end of the third and never looking back. They put at least one run across the plate in four of the final six innings, including three in the fourth and four in the eighth.
The fourth was where Oklahoma’s upper hand became clear. Walker McDuffie’s three consecutive one-out walks loaded the bases, and UNC turned to star freshman Caden Glauber. The Tar Heels were previously 29-0 with whenever he pitched, but he was pulled after a walk and Jaxon Willits’ two-RBI single.
LJ Mercurius was outstanding on the mound, entering for starter Nick Wesloski in the third and tossing 5.2 innings, giving up just one run on four hits. It was his longest outing since April 17.
Outside of Mercurius, shortstop Jaxon Willits and Kyle Branch starred for the Sooners. The former went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and was named Most Outstanding Player, while Branch also went 3-for-4 with a homer and six RBIs, a career-high. He’s the third player all-time to record six or more RBIs in a national championship game.
The victory caps off OU’s gauntlet-like journey to the top. After finishing 11th in SEC regular season play, they knocked off five national seeds — three in the top five and two on the road — leaning on a trio of freshman arms and a historic power surge at the plate.
Men’s College World Series All-Tournament Team:
- Catcher: Deiten LaChance, Oklahoma
- First base: Erik Paulsen, North Carolina
- Second base: Gavin Gallaher, North Carolina
- Third base: Tyrus Hall, West Virginia
- Shortstop: Jaxon Willits, Oklahoma
- Outfield: Jason Walk, Oklahoma
- Outfield: Owen Hull, North Carolina
- Outfield: Dasan Harris, Oklahoma
- Designated Hitter: Adrian Rodriguez, Texas
- Pitcher: Joey Volchko, Georgia
- Pitcher: Caden Glauber, North Carolina
THE 2026 #MCWS ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/wlaQxxYFL3
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 23, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma National Guard announced the loss of a specialist who passed away last week.
On Monday, the Oklahoma National Guard announced the passing of Spc. Blake C. Akin, who passed away on June 17.
“We are saddened by the loss of Spc. Blake Akin,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and fellow Soldiers during this difficult time.”
Akin, 24, enlisted as an infantryman in November of 2021. He was a member of Charlie Company, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
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A memorial service for Akin will be held at 2 p.m. at Smith and Kernke Funeral Home Chapel, located at 14624 N. May Ave. in Oklahoma City.
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