Oklahoma
Developing, Keeping Current Freshmen Class is Critical for Oklahoma’s Future
NORMAN — Oklahoma’s stunning slide has raised loads of questions surrounding each the current and the long run. Making a bowl sport, momentum heading into subsequent season and holding the ship afloat recruiting-wise are actual issues the Sooners have to consider now.
Whereas the play on the sphere has been inconsistent at greatest this season, many eyes have turned to the recruiting path.
Brent Venables had a robust summer season of verbal commitments, and nonetheless ranks inside the highest 10, per 247 Sports activities, regardless of a slower tempo these days and a few latest decommitments. The Sooners’ disappointing 2022 season may definitely affect how the recruiting class shapes up.
That’s why it’s much more necessary that the coaches proceed to take a position and develop the present class of freshmen. In line with social media, the 2022 class is dedicated to seeing the turnaround come to fruition.
Shedding can take a toll on athletes, particularly when watching on the sidelines. For the present class of freshmen, this might very properly be essentially the most discombobulated an Oklahoma group has appeared on the soccer area of their lifetime.
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Because the season has progressed and the losses have mounted, Oklahoma’s freshman class has earned rotational taking part in time on each side of the ball.
Jaren Kanak, Robert Spears-Jennings, Gavin Freeman, Javontae Barnes, Gracen Halton, Gentry Williams and R Mason Thomas are all gamers receiving valuables snaps and talked about by the teaching workers as candidates for enchancment all through the season. Retaining the gifted children in Norman, purchased in and able to set the tone for the long run is vital in what Venables is constructing.
“However our guys’ stage of dedication, stage of perception has not wavered,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof mentioned Monday when requested in regards to the youthful gamers. “And that claims lots about who we’ve got in our locker room, and the idea that they’ve in coach Venables and the workers. So definitely all of us want the outcomes would have been higher, however at this level transferring ahead, it is about focusing to enhance so we are able to make these outcomes higher. And that is the place our guys are targeted. And, you understand, I like the perspective. I like our locker room.”
As extra alternatives come up, Oklahoma’s gifted underclassmen may stand out much more. Whereas it’s exhausting to have a voice within the locker room as a freshman, veterans on the group nonetheless discover stable play on the sphere. The final two video games of the season, and probably a bowl sport look, will probably be an opportunity for the first-year gamers to determine themselves as constructing blocks in Venables’ system transferring ahead.
“As a result of it is a freshman, you understand, generally your voice isn’t — you do not have that voice with the upperclassmen, the blokes which were right here a very long time,” Roof mentioned. “However definitely I’ve seen that and I am happy with these guys. And, once more, excited in regards to the future, however enthusiastic about this week and this chance for our soccer group this week.”
Oklahoma
Live Updates: No. 7 Alabama Football at Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla.–– Alabama has one final road test to pass in the regular season if it wants to compete for an SEC title and make it back to the College Football Playoff.
The No. 7 Crimson Tide plays at Oklahoma on Saturday night in the first matchup as conference foes in the SEC. BamaCentral will have coverage all night from Norman. Follow along for updates.
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(latest updates at the top)
Who: Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) vs. Oklahoma (5-5, 1-4)
When: Saturday, Nov. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC/ESPN+
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Tyler Watts).
Series: Oklahoma leads 3-2-1
Last meeting: Alabama defeated the Sooners in the Capital One Orange Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff 45-34. Tua Tagovailoa passed for 318 yards and four touchdowns while the Crimson Tide rushed for 200 yards across 42 carries between Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris and Najee Harris.
Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide dominated Mercer 52-7 at home behind three touchdowns from Jalen Milroe and two touchdowns from Ryan Williams. The Alabama defense forced three more turnovers as they’ve now forced 16 in the last five games, making life challenging on opposing offenses.
Last time out, Oklahoma: The Sooners were off this past week, but went to Missouri two weeks ago and lost 30-23 after losing a fumble for a touchdown in the game’s final minutes. Oklahoma’s played five conference games and only won at Auburn this season.
Oklahoma
Staff predictions: Our picks for No. 7 Alabama at Oklahoma
After falling twice away from home already this season, No. 7 Alabama will look to avoid a potential trap game in its final road trip of the regular season. The Crimson Tide (8-2, 5-2 in the SEC) will visit Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5) for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff Saturday inside Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
This will be the seventh matchup between Alabama and Oklahoma. The Sooners hold a 3-2-1 advantage in the series, but the Tide won the most recent meeting, recording a 45-34 victory in the 2018 Orange Bowl. Alabama is currently a 14-point favorite for Saturday’s game, according to the Caesars Sportsbook.
Here’s how Tide Illustrated’s staff thinks the game will play out.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Offers 2026 Bixby DB Braeden Presley
The stark reality of the Cowboys future on the gridiron is up in the air. Can Oklahoma State bounce back in 2025 following one of the worst football seasons in years? Will the Pokes return next season and play with a chip on their shoulder? Only time will tell and the best way to improve the football team is for the coaching staff to hit the recruiting trail hard.
Oklahoma State will say goodbye to one of the greatest statistical wide receivers to ever wear the Cowboy orange. Senior Brennan Presley has been the cornerstone of the receiving core for the past four seasons. He is the all-time receptions leader in Oklahoma State history and has caught more than two passes in nearly every game since his sophomore season.
The offense won’t be the same in 2025 with Presley snagging catches across the middle, but the fans of Cowboy football won’t have to wait long as a familiar name will be entering the mix straight out of the class of 2026.
On Thursday, Oklahoma State looked to make it the Presley trifecta when they offered the youngest of the bunch, 2026 Bixby star Braeden Presley. Older brothers Brennan and Braylin both committed to Oklahoma State out of high school. Brennan hung around to become the all-time receptions leader in school history while Braylin transferred to Tulsa.
Braeden is the biggest brother of the bunch and measures in at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, according to 247Sports. He is unranked at the moment but still has a full season of football yet to play. The interest continues to grow for Braeden who has drawn offers from Tulsa, Boston College and Kansas.
Oklahoma State joined the mix on Thursday and is hoping to use its family ties to lock up their third straight Presley. Little is known about Presley on the field, and he has proven this season that he is a jack of all trades. He has logged a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown and passing touchdown this season for the Spartans of Bixby.
A majority of his highlights have come on the defensive side of the football. He has 27 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble in 2024 for a Bixby team who is searching for yet another Class 5A State Championship.
The fans of Oklahoma State football may not have to wait very long to have a Presley once again under the lights of Boone Pickens Stadium.
Want to join the discussion? Like Oklahoma State Cowboys on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Cowboys news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.
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