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Sunday Offering: Oklahoma Coaches Charge Towards Massive Recruiting Weekend

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2 months ago

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.





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Fresh Faces: Transfer TE Carson Kent Has Found ‘Genuine Team’ at Oklahoma

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3 hours ago

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May 27, 2025

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Fresh Faces: Transfer TE Carson Kent Has Found ‘Genuine Team’ at Oklahoma


A late-night text from Brent Venables changed the trajectory of Carson Kent’s football career.

Kent, a tight end who played at Kennesaw State in 2024, entered the transfer portal after the season. On a December night, he had his bags packed to visit an unnamed university the next day — but then he received a message from OU’s head coach.

“Coach Venables, he texted me really late at night and asked me to hop on a plane,” Kent said.

A native of Georgia, Kent has long admired the Southeastern Conference and its football prowess. That made his spontaneous decision to visit Norman easier.

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“I was honestly kind of speechless when I saw that text,” Kent said. “I was like, ‘Yes, I want to check out that culture.’ Honestly, I should’ve probably been in bed at that time. I probably would’ve missed his text if I went to bed when I should’ve.”

Once Kent arrived in Norman, he knew it was the right spot for him.

“The number one thing was just looking for a genuine team,” Kent said. “I was looking for that. I was visiting a few places. When I got here and met Coach Venables and saw the environment that he’s built, I was sold on it. It seemed like he had a great group of players and coaches that share the mindset.”

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Kent, listed at 6-4 and 244 pounds, played three seasons at Kennesaw State.

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In 2022, he appeared in just one game and redshirted. Then, as a redshirt freshman in 2023, he was second on the team with 14 catches. And in his final year at KSU, Kent played in 11 games, finishing the year with 217 yards and three touchdowns on 18 receptions.

In only a few months at OU, Kent has gotten the impression that he’ll play a major role in the Sooners’ offense.

The leadership and knowledge from offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley was another key selling point for Kent.

“Coach Finley, he’s a great guy,” Kent said. “He’s been the same kind of guy since my visit. I’ve loved him, loved how he approaches the game. He was telling me that I’m a good player but I can be a great player.

“(Arbuckle’s) a genius when it comes to offensive philosophy. I’m excited to be in his offense and see what I can do.”

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Kent is one of several tight end newcomers on OU’s roster.

The Sooners picked up two others — Will Huggins (Pittsburg State), John Locke Jr. — from the transfer portal. They also signed Trynae Washington, a tight end from Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, in their 2025 recruiting class. OU’s only tight ends returning from 2024 are Kaden Helms, Kade McIntyre and Jaren Kanak, all of whom played minimal roles in 2024.

Offensive lineman Troy Everett believes that Kent will stand out in the new-look tight end room.

“The one that’s really impressed me the most is Carson Kent,” Everett said. “I love all the guys, but Carson Kent, he’s out there catching everything. Ball gets thrown up to him, he’s coming down with it nine out of 10 times.”

After a few months of learning OU’s offense during spring ball, Kent feels prepared to be a key contributor in 2025.

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“It’s been great getting to know the offense,” Kent said. “The number one thing is (Arbuckle) knows how to use his personnel. He knows where to put them to go win. Once I finally got in the offense, I was like wow, this can really help my game from route running and blocking.”



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Oklahoma City’s towel tornado tradition explained – How the Thunder soak their reporter in the NBA’s weirdest celebration | NBA News – Times of India

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20 hours ago

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May 26, 2025

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Oklahoma City’s towel tornado tradition explained – How the Thunder soak their reporter in the NBA’s weirdest celebration | NBA News – Times of India


Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder (Image via Imagn).

The Oklahoma City Thunder have become one of the NBA’s most exciting teams, not just for their dominant play but for their quirky postgame celebrations. Their latest tradition—drowning sideline reporter Nick Gallo in a cascade of towels—has taken social media by storm, showcasing the team’s youthful energy and camaraderie.

How the OKC Thunder towel celebration works

After a win, Thunder players gather around during postgame interviews with FanDuel Sports Network’s Nick Gallo. As the interview wraps up, players bombard Gallo with towels, piling them on until he’s nearly buried under the fabric. The chaotic yet lighthearted moment has become a signature celebration for the team.The tradition’s exact origins are unclear, but Gallo has been a good sport, often playing along with the team’s antics. Last season, he was part of their barking ritual, and now, the towel shower has become the new viral trend.

The players behind the OKC Thunder’s towel celebration

The entire team gets involved, but key contributors include Aaron Wiggins, Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams, and Luguentz Dort. Even MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has joined in, though he once jokingly scolded his teammates for going too far. After one particularly aggressive towel dump, Gilgeous-Alexander stepped in, saying, “Y’all, you got to chill. I’m sorry Nick. The children, I’m so sorry” (H/t: Sporting News). Gallo, for his part, takes it in stride. He told ESPN’s Malika Andrews that he stays focused on the interview, acknowledging how rare it is to win an NBA game.

Why the OKC Thunder’s towel celebration resonates with fans

The Thunder’s success has made the tradition even more fun to watch. With 68 regular-season wins—tying them for the fifth-most in NBA history—and a deep playoff run, the team has given fans plenty of reasons to celebrate. Their chemistry and playful nature make them one of the league’s most likable squads. As long as the Thunder keep winning, expect more towel showers for Gallo—and more viral moments for fans to enjoy.Also read: Minnesota Timberwolves vs OKC Thunder final injury report for Western Conference Finals Game 4 – Is Julius Randle playing tonight? (May 26, 2025)The Thunder’s towel celebration is more than just a silly postgame ritual—it’s a reflection of a team that’s winning, having fun, and embracing the moment. Whether they’re burying Nick Gallo in towels or cracking jokes mid-interview, Oklahoma City’s chemistry is undeniable. And with a roster this talented and this entertaining, the NBA world can’t look away. So keep an eye on those postgame interviews—because as long as the Thunder keep piling up wins, the towel showers (and the laughs) aren’t stopping anytime soon. Who knows? Maybe Gallo should start bringing a raincoat.

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Oklahoma eyes 5th straight national title at Women’s College World Series

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2 days ago

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May 26, 2025

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Oklahoma eyes 5th straight national title at Women’s College World Series





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