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
Suspect in custody after deadly shooting in Oklahoma City following heated argument
OKLAHOMA CITY, (KOKH) — Oklahoma City police responded to a fatal shooting in the 2600 block of N. Kelly Friday evening.
According to OKCPD, the shooting occurred at around 6:20 p.m.
When officers arrived, they located one adult male with gunshot wounds at the scene. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died during surgery.
Police believe the shooting was a result of a verbal argument that escalated into a fistfight and then a shooting.
The suspect has been taken into custody and transported to police headquarters for questioning.
This is a developing story; please check back for updates.
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Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys play in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-0) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (6-3)
Oklahoma City; Saturday, 1 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma takes on Oklahoma State at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Sooners are 6-3 in non-conference play. Oklahoma is 1-0 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Cowboys are 9-0 in non-conference play. Oklahoma State ranks eighth in the Big 12 with 16.9 assists per game led by Jaylen Curry averaging 5.1.
Oklahoma averages 84.7 points, 8.3 more per game than the 76.4 Oklahoma State gives up. Oklahoma State scores 16.3 more points per game (91.3) than Oklahoma gives up to opponents (75.0).
TOP PERFORMERS: Nijel Pack is scoring 17.2 points per game with 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists for the Sooners. Tae Davis is averaging 13.3 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 53.3%.
Vyctorius Miller is averaging 15.9 points for the Cowboys. Parsa Fallah is averaging 14.6 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners 2026 Football Schedule Revealed
The Oklahoma Sooners are trying to finish the 2025 college football season with a championship run that begins with a first-round playoff matchup with the Alabama Crimson Tide on Dec. 19 in Norman. After a 10-2 season, the Sooners found out during the SEC schedule reveal when they’ll play their 2026 opponents.
New to the SEC schedule this year is a nine-game conference slate. Also, Oklahoma will begin at least a four-year stretch with permanent rivals Texas, Missouri, and Ole Miss.
The Sooners open the season with nonconference matchups against UTEP, Michigan, and New Mexico. Michigan will be breaking in a new head coach after the surprising dismissal of Sherrone Moore.
Oklahoma will go on the road for their first conference game, taking on the defending SEC champion Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 26. That marks the first time the Sooners will play in Athens for the first time in the history of the program. The Bulldogs own the only win in the series, which came in the infamous 2017 Rose Bowl. If the Sooners were to play the Dawgs in the 2025 College Football Playoff, it would come in the national championship game.
After the trip to Georgia, Oklahoma will have its only bye week of the season before facing the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Showdown on Oct. 10 in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. The Sooners will return home to play the Kentucky Wildcats on Oct. 17. Kentucky will have a first-time head coach in Will Stein, leading the Wildcats to Norman for the first time since 1980.
Then, Oklahoma will go to Starkville to take on former offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Oct. 24 before closing the month welcoming another former assistant in Shane Beamer and the South Carolina Gamecocks on Oct. 31.
Then begins the month that will decide the Sooners’ College Football Playoff fates. They’ll open November with a road trip to the Swamp to take on the Florida Gators on Nov. 7. The last time the Sooners took on the Gators, Oklahoma earned a 55-20 win in the 2020 Alamo Bowl.
The Sooners will then return home on Nov. 14 to take on the Ole Miss Rebels in Norman for the second year in a row. Oklahoma lost a heartbreaker to the Rebels at the end of October, but that gave way to a magical November run that catapulted the Sooners into the College Football Playoff.
After the Rebels come to town, the Sooners will welcome the Texas A&M Aggies on Nov. 21. Texas A&M hasn’t been to Norman since a 41-25 win by Oklahoma. Landry Jones threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns, and Blake Bell ran for two scores out of the Belldozer package.
The Sooners will then close the season on the road against the Missouri Tigers. The former Big 8 and Big 12 foes have split their two contests as members of the SEC, each team winning at home. Oklahoma owns a decisive 68-25-5 record over the Tigers dating back to 1902.
There will be big expectations for the Sooners coming off of a 10-2 season and a College Football Playoff berth. They’ll bring back a lot of talent from this year’s roster, but 2026 will provide new challenges.
Oklahoma Sooners 2026 Schedule
- Sept. 5 vs. UT-El Paso Miners in Norman, Okla.
- Sept. 12 at Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Sept. 19 vs. New Mexico Lobos in Norman, Okla.
- Sept. 26 at Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Georgia
- Oct. 3 BYE WEEK
- Oct. 10 vs. Texas Longhorns in Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas
- Oct. 17 vs. Kentucky Wildcats in Norman, Okla.
- Oct. 24 at Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville, Miss.
- Oct. 31 vs. South Carolina Gamecocks in Norman, Okla.
- Nov. 7 at Florida Gators in Gainesville, Fla.
- Nov. 14 vs. Ole Miss Rebels in Norman, Okla.
- Nov. 21 vs. Texas A&M Aggies in Norman, Okla.
- Nov. 28 at Missouri Tigers in Columbia, Missouri
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
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