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Oklahoma delegates to GOP Convention united in praising JD Vance as VP choice for Trump

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Oklahoma delegates to GOP Convention united in praising JD Vance as VP choice for Trump


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While Donald Trump’s announcement that U.S. Sen. JD Vance would be his running mate in the presidential election has been greeted with surprise and skepticism in some quarters, Oklahoma delegates to the Republican National Convention praised Trump’s choice, calling it a home run by the former president.

On Monday, just days after he survived an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, Trump named Vance as his choice for vice president.

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Vance has served in the U.S. Senate for about two years. He is a former Marine and a venture capitalist with a law degree from Yale. He wrote the popular book, “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” about growing up in Appalachia. The book later became a movie.

Monday, Trump said Vance’s selection will bring focus to the people he fought for, “the American workers and farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota and far beyond.”

“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio,” Trump, said in a social media post.

Trump’s choice was praised by Oklahoma House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, a delegate to this year’s Republican National Convention.

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“Senator Vance was a great choice,” Echols said. “He’s the first millennial in U.S. history to appear on a presidential ballot.”

Echols and Pollard: Vance brings excitement to race, a ‘home run’ pick

Choosing Vance, Echols said, buttresses Trump’s effort to reach working-class families.

“His upbringing from a working-class family really plays into Trump’s message,” he said.

Echols said he believed Trump and Vance have a close working relationship. Still, Echols acknowledged that Vance’s age could be seen as a negative by some.

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“Senator Vance will have to convince the American public, and I think he will, that if something were to happen to President Trump that he is ready and capable of being the next commander and chief,” Echols said. “So overall, I thought it was a home run pick.”

More: Why did Donald Trump pick JD Vance? Loyalty, MAGA views and fundraising

Pam Pollard, former chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party and a delegate to the convention, said she, too, was pleased by the choice of Vance for vice president.

“People are very excited,” Pollard said. “Every time I talk to someone about JD Vance, they are excited, and that makes me excited. I’m glad the president chose him.”

Pollard said Vance’s story was compelling and brought energy to the party.

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“He wanted to make himself better, he wanted to make his life better,” she said. “Is that not the greatest story anyone could have? I’m just grateful to the Republican Party that we have that story.”

Like Echols, Pollard said Vance’s life story makes him a compelling candidate. Vance is very relatable to working class Americans, she said.

“He’s very relatable,” she said. “He never gave up, and he’s proof that the difficulties in your life don’t have to hold you down.”

Vance replaces Pence on ticket

Vance replaces former Vice President Mike Pence, who distanced himself from Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Pence was in the Capitol that day, when a pro-Trump mob attacked police officers, broke into building and attempted to stop Congress’ certification of the electoral college votes.

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Pence, who briefly considered a run for president, also has been critical been critical of the Republican Party’s changes to its platform. Pence and other members of the party’s right wing have complained that the party eliminated abortion from the platform.

Echoing Pence, state Sen. Dusty Deevers, a Republican from Elgin, issued a scathing media statement last week, criticizing the RNC for its platform choices.

Weigh in: Former President Donald Trump chose U.S. Sen. JD Vance as his running mate. Share your thoughts with us

Notably, the opposition to abortion and support for a Christian definition of marriage present in previous platforms were removed, Deevers said.

“The RNC platform committee’s decision to remove from the platform Christian values regarding abortion and marriage is a reprehensible attack on God’s Word, pre-born children, and the Christians who have shed blood, sweat, and tears for the party because they believed it would fight for their values. Nothing is done that is not before the face of God and He will hold accountable those responsible for conspiring to secularize the Republican Party,” Deevers’ statement said.

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Deevers urged all RNC delegates, especially those from Oklahoma, “to reject the platform adopted by the committee and work to amend it such that it calls for abortion’s abolition and marriage to be defined as the union of one man with one woman.”

As expected, Democrats criticized Trump’s choice of Vance.

“Donald Trump picked J.D. Vance as his running mate because Vance will do what Mike Pence wouldn’t on January 6: bend over backwards to enable Trump and his extreme MAGA agenda, even if it means breaking the law and no matter the harm to the American people,” said Jen O’Malley Dillon, chair of the Biden-Harris campaign. “Over the next three and a half months, we will spend every single day making the case between the two starkly contrasting visions Americans will choose between at the ballot box this November.”

The Republican National Convention continues through Thursday.



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Every Oklahoma State Cowboys’ College Football 27 Preseason Player Rating

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Every Oklahoma State Cowboys’ College Football 27 Preseason Player Rating


Since the return of EA Sports’ iconic college football game, its release has become a summer rite of passage.

It’s not just because gamers like the game or because players like the game. Since its return post-NIL, players can be themselves in the game. They get a small cut through an NIL agreement, and they can play the game with them and their teammates in it. Plus, EA Sports has made a commitment to making its player ratings as realistic as possible.

For those reasons and a host of others, the game’s popularity has soared far beyond an initial surge over pent-up demand when the game was shelved.

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But it isn’t just the stars that get player ratings. Yes, those players get plenty of attention. But now every player that agrees to be in the game is in the game and gets a player rating. For Oklahoma State, that’s more than 70 players that are in the game and have player ratings.

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With the game in wide release on Thursday, let’s dive into how each player is ranked.

Every OSU Player’s CFB 27 Player Rating

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Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker and running back Caleb Hawkins. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

EA Sports gives every player that is in the game an overall score, which is from 0 to 100. Those scores are based in part on six separate categories that also receive scores — speed, strength, agility, awareness, change of direction, injury and awareness. Those individual scores don’t add up to 100 and other factors go into the overall scores.

Going into the season just two Oklahoma State players have overall player ratings of 90 or better — running back Caleb Hawkins (91) and wide receiver Wyatt Young (90). Quarterback Drew Mestemaker is just outside that percentile at 89. Those scores can change during the season based on a variety of factors, including actual game play.

For now, here is the rating for every OSU player in the College Football 27 game:

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RB Caleb Hawkins: 91

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WR Wyatt Young: 90

QB Drew Mestemaker: 89

LB Ethan Wesloski: 87

CB Mo Horn: 86

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EDGE James Williams: 84

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WR Justin Bowick: 83

RB Ayo Adeyi: 82

WR Chris Barnes: 82

WR Miles Coleman: 82

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OG Johnny Dickson III: 81

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OT Braydon Nelson: 80

TE Donovan Green: 80

LB Isaiah Chisom: 80

WR Israel Polk: 80

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FS Christian Bodnar: 79

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OG Jacob Sexton: 79

SS Evan Jackson: 78

DT Jerry Lawson: 78

WR Rodney Harris II: 78

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EDGE Braylon Rigsby: 77

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DT Enai White: 77

DT Fatafehi Vailea II: 77

EDGE Jaleel Johnson: 77

TE Oscar Hammond: 77

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DT Saadiq Clements: 77

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OT Joseph Hanson: 76

WR Kam Powell: 76

CB LaDainian Fields: 76

EDGE Landon Dean: 76

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OG Louie Canepa: 76

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FS Mose Phillips III: 76

SS Cameron Epps: 75

RB KD Jones: 75

RB Tre Page III: 75

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FS Vincent Holmes: 75

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OT Ashton Lepo: 74

EDGE DeSean Brown: 74

DT Dominic Macon: 74

CB Kollin Lewis: 74

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EDGE Malik Charles: 74

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EDGE Rashod Bradley: 74

EDGE Billy Walton III: 73

EDGE Keviyan Huddleston: 73

SS Quinton Hammonds: 73

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K Sam Keltner: 73

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CB Trudell Berry: 73

RB William Mason: 73

LB Carl’veon Young: 72

CB Kobi Foreman: 72

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LB Tate Romney: 72

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LT Shaun Torgeson: 71

WR Terrence Lewis: 71

TE Bodie Boydstun: 70

LB Jack Puckett: 70

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LB Trip White: 70

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LB Dallas Winner-Johnson: 69

OG Desmond Magiya: 69

WR Jabarie Thornton: 69

P Lachie Pozzobon: 69

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CB Marrel Davis III: 69

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OG Miguel Chavez: 69

C Tyler Mercer: 69

QB Grant Jordan: 68

C Jakobe Sanders: 68

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OT Kai Holec: 68

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LB Taurean Davis: 68

SS Braeden Presley: 67

QB Broderick Vehrs: 66

EDGE DJ Jackson Jr.:65

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TE Caden Yates: 64

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LB Gunnar Wilson: 64

C Isaiah Bowman: 56

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Oklahoma’s Brent Venables named to 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason watch list

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Oklahoma’s Brent Venables named to 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason watch list


The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. have announced the preseason watch list for the 2026 Dodd Trophy, recognizing 20 college football head coaches from across the Power Four conferences, the Pac-12 and one independent program.

The annual award honors the head coach whose program exemplifies success on the field while promoting scholarship, leadership and integrity, the three principles that defined legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s philosophy.

Oklahoma’s Brent Venables among nominees

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is one of six Southeastern Conference coaches included on this year’s watch list. Coaches became eligible after leading their current programs for at least two seasons and maintaining an Academic Progress Rate (APR) above the national average of 971.

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The selection committee also considered each program’s Graduation Success Rate, community service efforts and projected performance during the 2026 season.

Coach School Conference APR (2024-25)
Bret Bielema Illinois Big Ten 988
Jeff Brohm Louisville ACC 972
Curt Cignetti Indiana Big Ten 989
Mario Cristobal Miami (FL) ACC 993
Spencer Danielson Boise State Pac-12 985
Ryan Day Ohio State Big Ten 1000
Kalen DeBoer Alabama SEC 1000
Sonny Dykes TCU Big 12 987
Mike Elko Texas A&M SEC 1000
Kirk Ferentz Iowa Big Ten 997
Jedd Fisch Washington Big Ten 991
Marcus Freeman Notre Dame Independent 1000
Willie Fritz Houston Big 12 989
Josh Heupel Tennessee SEC 993
Brent Key Georgia Tech ACC 997
Dan Lanning Oregon Big Ten 988
Lincoln Riley USC Big Ten 993
Steve Sarkisian Texas SEC 990
Kirby Smart Georgia SEC 981
Brent Venables Oklahoma SEC 997

Key facts

  • Twenty coaches were named to the preseason watch list.
  • Oklahoma’s Brent Venables included with a program APR of 997.
  • The Big Ten leads all conferences with seven coaches on the list.
  • Four previous Dodd Trophy winners are included.
  • Watch list coaches have combined for four national championships, 31 conference titles and 1,841 career victories.

What’s next for the award?

A midseason watch list will be released this fall and could expand or narrow the field. Finalists will be selected after the 2026 regular season by a panel that includes previous winners, national media members, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame representative.

The 2026 Dodd Trophy winner will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

We used AI tools to help with editing and formatting this story. A human journalist reviewed everything before publication.

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Kip Lewis reveals why he returned to Oklahoma for senior season

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Kip Lewis reveals why he returned to Oklahoma for senior season


Kip Lewis returning for his redshirt senior season with the Oklahoma Sooners was one of the biggest wins of the offseason. Lewis has built an impressive career in Norman, racking up 209 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and five sacks with two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.

Beyond his production, Lewis has become one of the emotional leaders of the Oklahoma locker room. Although the NFL was an option, Lewis believed another season learning under Brent Venables would put him in the best position for long-term success.

In a video shared by Oklahoma, Lewis explained the factors that led him to return to Norman for another season.

“I talked to a lot of people,” Lewis said. “Mostly, my family and then my dad. He was just giving me key points that he felt like I should have come back… Mostly talked to a couple of my teammates like John (Mateer) and Isaiah (Sategna), getting their thoughts on what their plan was. I asked Danny (Stutsman) for advice. Talked to him for a little bit. Advice from Danny really stood out to me.”

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Getting advice from Stutsman likely played a significant role in Lewis’ decision. Stutsman was in a similar position following a strong 2023 season. Stutsman elected to return to Norman in 2024 and had another strong individual season. That resulted in him being taken in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Lewis’ decision to return gives Oklahoma one of the most experienced and talented linebackers in the country for another season. By following the same path as Stutsman, Lewis is betting on development and another opportunity to improve his draft stock.

If he continues to lead at the level he has throughout his career, his final season in Norman could be the one that cements him as one of the top defensive players in college football.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.

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