Oklahoma

OU football: What’s the biggest area of focus for Oklahoma Sooners’ 2025 recruiting class?

Published

2 years ago

January 28, 2024

OU football: What’s the biggest area of focus for Oklahoma Sooners’ 2025 recruiting class?

NORMAN — With signing day having come and gone, and transfer portal season mostly in the books — at least until the spring when it kicks back up again — it’s time to turn attention to the 2025 class for OU.

The Sooners already have nine commits in the class, with six from the state — three from Carl Albert alone.

It’s another indication of the Sooners’ increased focus on recruiting in the state — as well as the strength of the 2025 class in the state.

OU signed six Oklahoma players in the 2024 class — including Del City’s David Stone, who played his final two seasons in Florida, but not including recruited walk-on Heritage Hall’s Andy Bass.

The Sooners hadn’t signed as many as six in-state players since the 2017 class.

Here’s a look at the Sooners’ 2025 commits, the players who figure to depart after next season and OU’s biggest outstanding needs in the class:

More: OU football co-defensive coordinator Zac Alley ‘a winner’ who brings ‘aggressive defense’

2025 OU football commits

Gracen Harris, WR, 6-10, 170, Ennis, Texas
Owen Hollenbeck, OG, 6-2, 315, Melissa, Texas
Marcus James, Ath., 6-3, 210, Midwest City (Carl Albert)
Ka’Mori Moore, DL, 6-1, 295, Lee’s Summit, Mo. (North)
Jaden Nickens, WR, 6-3, 190, Oklahoma City (Millwood)
Alexander Shieldnight, Edge, 6-2, 220, Wagoner
Kevin Sperry, QB, 6-0, 200, Midwest City (Carl Albert)
Elijah Thomas, WR, 6-1, 63, Checotah
Trynae Washington, Ath., 6-3, 195, Midwest City (Carl Albert)

More: OU football: Which players have committed to Sooners’ 2025 recruiting class?

Expected departures

OL: Spencer Brown, Michael Tarquin
TE: Jake Roberts
WR Andrel Anthony, Jalil Farooq, JJ Hester
DE: Ethan Downs, Trace Ford, Caiden Woullard
DT: Jacon Lacey, Davon Sears, Da’Jon Terry
LB: Justin Harrington, Konnor Near, Danny Stutsman, Shane Whitter
CB Kendel Dolby, Dezjhon Malone, Woodi Washington, Gentry Williams
S: Billy Bowman

More: Who has OU football added, lost via the transfer portal? Here’s the complete list

Biggest need

Offensive line: The Sooners still hope to add a bit to the 2024 offensive line, but need to make inroads in the 2025 class as well.

They currently have just one commit there —interior offensive lineman Owen Hollenbeck.

OU has plenty of options at defensive tackle but three of the most intriguing are all from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex — five-star Michael Fasusi of Lewisville, four-star Ty Haywood of Denton Ryan, and Lamont Rogers of Mesquite Horn.

Each is in the top 10 nationally at the position, according to the 247 Sports Composite, with Fasusi leading the way at No. 2, Haywood at No. 6 and Roberts No. 7.

If the Sooners could get one, they’d be in solid shape, they’d be over the moon with two and getting all three would be a pipe dream.

More: Oklahoma football adds David Stone, Danny Okoye in 2024 class: Follow National Signing Day

Biggest local target remaining

Nate Roberts, TE, Purcell: The 247 Sports Composite four-star has offers from a who’s who of programs — Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Iowa, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee and Texas A&M among them.

So Roberts has plenty of options.

But with the tight end figuring to play a more prominent role in the Seth Littrell/Joe Jon Finley offense than it did under Jeff Lebby’s system, and with the lack of proven playmakers at the position (though they’re high on 2024 signee Davon Mitchell), getting Roberts would be big.

Robert’s proximity to Norman certainly helps, as does the fact his brother, Jake, transferred to OU from Baylor recently.

It’s still not an easy sell, with Ohio State being the primary competition for Roberts, but he’d be a big-time addition to an already state-heavy recruiting class.

Looking for another?

The Sooners are also recruiting yet another Carl Albert player, Trystan Haynes. Haynes is a four-star prospect according to the 247 Composite and could wind up as a cornerback at OU.

Source link

Click to comment

Oklahoma

Most Oklahoma voters didn’t cast a ballot during June’s primary election

Published

2 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Most Oklahoma voters didn’t cast a ballot during June’s primary election

Just 26%, or about one in four registered Oklahoma voters, cast a ballot in the race, according to an analysis of the results.

In total, 630,085 people weighed in on a state question to gradually increase the minimum wage. It was the only race open to Democrats, Republicans and independents, who weren’t eligible to vote in partisan races.

Democrats have typically opened their closed primaries to include independents, but failed to submit the paperwork for this year’s primaries on time. Some voters expressed frustration with the system on election day.

This year’s polls drew fewer voters than in 2018, the last time there was a similar gubernatorial race without incumbents. The election included a state question to approve medical marijuana, and 44% of registered voters cast ballots.

There are almost 1.3 million registered Republicans in Oklahoma, but the GOP race for governor only garnered about 400,000 ballots. Out of more than 613,000 registered Democrats, only about 172,000 voted in Tuesday’s election.

Even though general elections are usually better attended, Oklahoma’s numbers were also low during the 2024 presidential election. One report from the University of Florida rated Oklahoma’s turnout at the time as the lowest in the nation.

Source link

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Adds OF Adi Hansen From Southern Idaho

Published

13 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma Adds OF Adi Hansen From Southern Idaho

NORMAN — Oklahoma softball’s transfer portal activity may have been fairly slow developing.

But now, as the portal window nears its end, the Sooners have started having success.

Oklahoma added outfielder Adi Hansen, a standout at the College of Southern Idaho for the last two seasons on Thursday.

Hansen’s announcement, made on Instagram, followed shortly after Middle Tennessee outfielder Macie Harter announced her commitment to the Sooners.

Hansen led the Golden Eagles with a .457 batting average in 186 at bats in 2026, with an eye-popping 82 runs scored and a school-record 62 stolen bases on 67 attempts.

Hansen had 17 games with two or more stolen bases this season and twice had four stolen bases in a game.

Hansen had four triples and 21 RBIs, drawing 23 walks.

She earned NJCAA first-team All-America honors, helping her team finish 43-13 with a NJCAA Division I Juco World Series appearance.

Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and X for the latest news.

In 2025, as a freshman, Hansen hit .401 with 36 stolen bases and 62 ruyns scored.

Hansen is a Logan, Utah, product.

Hansen and Harter join a group of outfielders that includes Kai Minor in centerfield and Ella Parker in right field.

The Sooners lost Abby Dayton to graduation and Kasidi Pickering to transfer after the season. Pickering will reportedly transfer to Texas Tech.

Oklahoma finished 52-10 last season, missing the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2015 after falling to Mississippi State in three games in the Norman Super Regional.

The Sooners have a strong incoming recruiting class and return a trio of pitchers — Audrey Lowry, Miali Guachino and Allyssa Parker — as well as experienced hitters Kendall Wells, Gabbie Garcia, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas plus Minor and Ella Parker.

In addition to the departures of Dayton and Pickering, the Sooners also lost pitchers Sydney Berzon and Kierston Deal, first baseman Isabela Emerling, and second baseman Ailana Agbayani to graduation. Outfielder Tia Milloy, pitcher Berkley Zache and utility player Riley Zache also entered the transfer portal.

Oklahoma’s incoming class includes Edmond Santa Fe pitcher Keegan Baker, Lakewood, Calif., infielder Ki’ele Ho-Ching, Mililani, Hawaii, infielder Ori Mailo, Fullerton, Calif., pitcher Malaya Majam-Finch, Katy, Texas, pitcher EK Smith, and Mesa, Ariz., outfilder Payton Westra.

Mailo was with the Sooners this season, redshirting after joining the program a year early.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Source link