Oklahoma
Sunday Offering: Oklahoma Coaches Charge Towards Massive Recruiting Weekend
It has been a whirlwind week for Oklahoma on the recruiting trail with the speculation that 2026 quarterback commit Jaden O’Neal may have interest in heading elsewhere.
But Brent Venables and company still have found a lot of positive recruiting momentum.
One offer made this week was to Allen Evans IV. The 2027 cornerback out of Louisville, KY, stands 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds and is the perfect combination of length and size that Oklahoma looks for in a defensive back, Some of the programs interested in Evans include Louisville and Kentucky.
After a great showing at the @UANextFootball Camp, I am Blessed to receive an offer from @JayValai and the University of Oklahoma @OU_Football @CoachVenables @RivalsWoody @AllenTrieu @SWiltfong_ @RivalsFriedman @Aspirationsgym @Coach_MFox @elite360recruit pic.twitter.com/WCrUmPkkOH
— Allen “LA” Evans IV (@AllenEvans_0) March 31, 2025
Jay Valai has a knack for finding corners who are tall, lengthy and are playmakers in the defensive backfield. Three-star defensive back Danny Odem out of The First Academy, who also received an OU offer this week, is another perfect example of that. He had 45 tackles and two forced fumbles and interceptions last season. Odem is currently the No.36 rated cornerback in the country according to 247Sports. Some of the other programs interested include Clemson, Penn State and Nebraska.
#AGTG blessed to receive an offer from the University of Oklahoma ‼️@JayValai @CoachXBrew — Danny Odem (@DannyOdem3) April 2, 2025
@1NEStep_SP @Coach_JGill @Diondraecampbe2 @Royals__FB @JeffConawayTFA @CoachBroomfield @ChrisR_Bryant @chadmavety55 @cmitchell2284
@MoffettMan9 @kenmoyer52@Excelspeed12 @CoachWheelz… pic.twitter.com/BfdQlehtpd
Another scholarship offer this week was made by Joe Jon Finley to tight end Roman Voss. Voss is currently the No.13-ranked tight end in the 2026 class according to Rivals. Voss has the perfect combination of size and athleticism that Oklahoma has been lacking in the tight end room. While playing multiple positions in high school, it looks like he will solely play tight end at the next level. USC and Alabama have also made offers to Voss in the last couple of week.
After a great talk with @JOE_JON_FINLEY i’m blessed to receive an offer from @OU_Football!@CoachVenables @OU_CoachHill pic.twitter.com/ezVLJDdxuo
— Roman Voss (@romanvoss2) April 4, 2025
Blue chip prospect Bowe Bentley announced he will return to Norman for an official visit June 13-15. He is currently the only prospect scheduled to visit that weekend and it shows how much of a priority Bentley’s recruitment is to the entire staff. Along with Oklahoma, Bowe’s final teams are LSU and Georgia. He’ll visit those schools in June as well.
NEWS: Elite 2026 QB Bowe Bentley is down to 3️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits
The No. 5 QB in ‘26 has locked in OVs to each of his finalists:
•Georgia: June 6-8
•Oklahoma: June 13-15
•LSU: June 20-22https://t.co/Fqjz8UXcFV pic.twitter.com/rUdogsLQjE— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 30, 2025
Four-star offensive lineman Deacon Schmitt will return to Norman for his official visit on June 6. Just a week after an unofficial visit to Oklahoma, he is already looking forward to his return trip, The recruiting battle for the Windsor, CO, product has been between Nebraska and Oklahoma but Alabama and Tennessee are hoping to turn the tide.
Windsor (Colo.) offensive lineman offensive lineman Deacon Schmitt has his official visits set for the spring and two unofficials in the next two weeks https://t.co/QsljsNcYNQ pic.twitter.com/iRboJpllT3
— Brandon Huffman (@BrandonHuffman) April 2, 2025
Brian Harris has become a rising star in the 2026 recruiting class. The 6-4, 290-pound defensive lineman out of Jacksonville, FL, is extremely versatile along the line of scrimmage and is a game-wrecker for opposing offenses. Harris had 29 tackles and 4.5 sacks this past season. Harris will also make his way to Norman June 6. Some of the major suitors for Harris include SEC foes Auburn and South Carolina along with NC State.
Can’t wait to get out to Norman on June 6th#AGTG #Sooners @CoachToddBates @MonsterBrad5 @Andrew_Ivins @JohnGarcia_Jr @adamgorney @ChadSimmons_ @SWiltfong_ @MohrRecruiting@247Sports @samspiegs @CraigHaubert @RivalsFriedman@MHSsportszone@oklahomafbnews @OU_Football pic.twitter.com/lON6gIq3jU
— Brian Harris (@BrianHarr1s) April 2, 2025
There were a couple of prospects who slimmed down their list of teams this week and Oklahoma has made the cut for some high-level talent along the offensive line.
Pupungatoa Katoa is a mountain of a man from Euless, TX, who can create massive running lanes along the lines of scrimmage. Standing 6-3 and 365 pounds, Katoa is currently a top-50 offensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class, according to 247 Sports. He would like to play his college football close to home as he announced his final three of Oklahoma, Texas A&M and SMU.
All glory to god for the many blessings. Grateful for all the opportunities given to me in life and during recruiting. After consideration and long talks with my family this is my top 3 and Official Visits. Thank you coaches for the Relationships. — Pupungatoa Katoa (@toa_katoa) April 3, 2025
Where’s 🏠? pic.twitter.com/DYb8xmHlvz
The other offensive lineman the Sooners made some movement for is Biloxi, MS, native Hayden Ainsworth. According to 247 Sports, Ainsworth is currently the No. 43 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class, The 6-5, 305-pound tackle has the ability and presence where he could be an anchor along the offensive line for years to come. Alabama, Ole Miss and Florida State are some of the major competitors for Ainsworth.
Top Ten! Blessed to be where I am and it’s all because of God!#MonsterTech @adamgorney @samspiegs @Andrew_Ivins @ChadSimmons_ @TomLoy247 @TheUCReport @Rivals @On3sports @SWiltfong_ @CoachCKap @Coach2J @CoachWillFriend @_quentin_smith @OU_CoachB @CoachSollenne @CoachJoeDenney… pic.twitter.com/8NR4GbDXDf
— Hayden.Ainsworth 4⭐️ OT (@Hayden_A_LT) April 2, 2025
Oklahoma
Iowa State wrestling adds Brayden Thompson from transfer portal
New Iowa State wrestling coach Brent Metcalf outlines vision for team
New Iowa State wrestling coach Brent Metcalf outlines vision for team
Iowa State wrestling’s first commitment of the Brent Metcalf era will be a transfer portal addition.
The Cyclones added Oklahoma State transfer Brayden Thompson, who announced his commitment on April 18 via Instagram. Thompson is a one-time NCAA qualifier at the 2024 NCAA Championships, doing so as a true freshman. He redshirted in 2024-25, but competed in open tournaments at 184 pounds and was 9-0. He did not wrestle a match in 2025-26 and will have at least two years of eligibility remaining.
Out of high school, Thompson was ranked the No. 3 pound-for-pound wrestler and No. 1 at 182 pounds in the 2023 recruiting class by Flowrestling. He also won Powerade and Ironman titles, two of the more prestigious high school tournaments in the nation. Assuming Thompson returns to 184 pounds where he last wrestled, he should fill in nicely as a potential replacement for Isaac Dean after his graduation.
Thompson is Iowa State’s first transfer portal addition after several departures, including Anthony Echemendia and Christian Castillo, who also entered the portal.
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s Jahsiear Rogers ‘Knew It Was Time to Showcase’ His Talents In Spring Game
NORMAN — The Oklahoma Sooners liked their wide receiver room a year ago. They want 2026 to be even better.
Isaiah Sategna’s return helps that desire. Earning experienced pass catchers Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone via the transfer portal gives you added play makers. But after the Sooners Spring Game on Saturday, an unlikely hero emerged.
When Jahsiear Rogers flipped from Penn State to Oklahoma last December, he drew the usual excitement that comes with a new commitment. But few expected him to climb the depth chart this quickly, even with the injuries that hit Emmett Jones’ room.
Rogers did just that and more on Saturday. He led all pass catchers with five receptions for 70 yards in Oklahoma’s annual Red/White game.
“I knew it was time to showcase,” Rogers said after the game. “It was amazing to see the fans and get used to the OU way. I’m a playmaker. They really want to put the ball in playmakers hands. I pretty much knew I had to lead the white team.”
Rogers got the ball rolling early. On the second offensive play for the white team, backup quarterback Whitt Newbauer rolled to his right wide, then stopped and looked towards the middle of the field where he saw Rogers running open. Newbauer connected with Rogers for a 39-yard gain.
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With Rogers on the white team, he is running against (most of) Oklahoma’s starting defense. As fate would have it, on that 39-yard reception, Rogers beat his favorite teammate to compete against — Reggie Powers.
“He is just a leader, good guy,” Rogers said of Powers. “Me and him go after it every day in practice. Reggie is strong. When I come at him, I have to really come at him.”
Rogers’ big play over Powers was the second-longest catch of the spring game — Sategna’s 50-yard reception that appeared to be a touchdown before coaches pulled it back to set up a red-zone rep. The other four catches weren’t flashy, but they were important in their own way, and Rogers looked like he belonged on the field.
“I love it. As long as I can get the ball, I can be me. I love it,” Rogers said. “When I am on the field, I am ready to go. I am ready to be a playmaker.”
The season is still months away, and Rogers hasn’t earned a spot high on the depth chart yet. A strong spring and an encouraging Red/White Game can only lead to early playing time if he carries that momentum into summer and fall camp.
More experienced players will return from injury and receivers who’ve been in the program for a few years will have an extra leg-up.
But Rogers is taking everything in stride and leaving no stone unturned in his development.
“Just learning from the older guys,” Rogers said. “Manny Choice, Isaiah Sategna, Trell Harris, Mackenzie Alleyne. Really all of them. We lean on each other, learn from each other. That is kind of how our room is.”
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma knocks off Missouri in series opener
The Oklahoma baseball team is back in the mix and trending upward.
After a rough few weeks in Southeastern Conference play, the 14th-ranked Sooners have won three of their last four games to get to .500 at just beyond the halfway point of the league slate. Friday’s 9-6 win over Missouri allowed Oklahoma to move to 8-8, tied with three other teams for eighth in the standings.
Friday’s win wasn’t truly that close, even. OU took a 9-3 lead into the ninth before Mizzou made it somewhat interesting with three runs in the frame. Two of them came with two outs, though, and Mason Bixby induced a groundout with the bases empty to hold on.
The large edge came via a home run-happy night. The Sooners popped four over the wall at Kimrey Family Stadium, including three in a four-run seventh inning that gave OU a four-run lead.
Jason Walk, who hit one of the four homers, had the best day at the plate. He went 2 for 5 with the shot, three RBIs and a run. Camden Johnson, who also homered, went 2 for 3 with a walk, a double and two runs, and Dasan Harris went 2 for 4 with a home run, two RBIs, and three runs. Trey Gambill hit the Sooners’ other jack.
Oklahoma jumped out to a four-run lead in the second behind four hits and a walk. Missouri helped the Sooners out with an error that resulted in a bases-loaded situation and three unearned runs registered to Tigers starter Josh McDevitt.
The runs were more than enough for Oklahoma’s LJ Mercurius, who pitched six strong innings, giving up three runs on six hits with no walks and nine strikeouts.
Game 2 in the series is set for 4 p.m. Saturday and the finale will be played Sunday at 2 p.m., weather permitting.
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