Oklahoma Sooners Early Signing Period Recap
The Oklahoma Sooners had an eventful Early Signing Period for the 2025 recruiting class, signing 20 players under head coach Brent Venables. While the Sooners had a strong presence throughout the recruiting cycle, last-minute decommitments dropped their class rankings from a projected top 10 to No. 16 in the 247Sports composite rankings, No. 17 by On3 and Rivals, and No. 19 by ESPN.
Key Signees and Position Focus
Venables and his staff emphasized building depth on both sides of the ball, securing 10 offensive players, nine defensive players, and one specialist. The offensive line received the highest grades, with five additions, including five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi, one of the best offensive linemen in the class. Another key lineman, four-star Ryan Fodge, joins the Sooners to bolster protection for future quarterbacks.
On the defensive side, Oklahoma added five defensive backs, a crucial position after struggling with size mismatches in 2024. The class also features top in-state prospects like wide receiver Elijah Thomas and defensive lineman CJ Nickson.
Challenges and Setbacks
Despite the solid haul, the Sooners faced setbacks. Several key recruits decommitted late in the cycle, including four-star quarterback Kevin Sperry (flipped to Florida State) and highly regarded wide receivers Cortez Mills, Marcus Harris, and Gracen Harris, weakening the receiving corps. While Oklahoma secured two wide receivers, analysts graded this group a C due to depth concerns, as the team lost multiple receivers to the transfer portal.
Outlook and SEC Transition
With Oklahoma moving into the SEC, recruiting in Texas and Oklahoma remains a top priority. Of the 20 signees, 15 came from these two states. The Sooners are expected to use the transfer portal to fill remaining roster gaps before their first SEC season.
Overall, while Oklahoma’s 2025 class isn’t as highly ranked as recent years, it still features elite talent in key areas. The emphasis on linemen and secondary players suggests Venables is building for long-term success in a highly compet
itive conference.
