Weekend Open Post | July 18th – 20th
Posted on: July 18, 2025
Sooners Sunday | Just Win Baby
– Charlie S – Posted on: July 13, 2025
Yesterday felt like a kick to the collective groin of Sooner Nation on the recruiting trail as safety Jacob Eberhart committed to Illinois over Oklahoma.
Here’s the thing…losing Eberhart hurts more in regard to optics than anything else. Yes, he is a good player, yes, he would be a guy who could make his way onto the field in a couple of years for the Sooners, and yes, OU wanted him to commit to them…but man, right now, everything is about the optics.
The Sooners have had a month of losing recruits to the likes of Minnesota, Rutgers, and Illinois, among others.
That just does not play well, and it only serves to reiterate what we began talking about even before last season was over…it was never going to be a fun cycle for recruitniks.
OU is battling bad optics, and, for the most part, they have been since Lincoln Riley closed a deal with USC in the overnight hours (I kid) three and a half years ago. The one real bright spot in this stretch was the welcoming of Brent Venables as the head coach, but those good vibes only lasted into the first season as OU went out and put up a 6-7 record, which was their first losing season in over 20 years.
You all know the story of the next two years, and the stench of the 6-7 ’24 season hangs like a stale fart over the program to this very moment.
We have noted repeatedly that the programs around the country are having a field day negatively recruiting against OU, and they have many legitimate angles of attack. From Brent being on the hot seat (squarely), to the lack of big development numbers (broken NFL streak of sending 4 to the league every year for 14 years), mass injury issues in specific rooms, and a staff in general that may not be in Norman by the time this years class is scheduled to arrive.
People point to USC and say Lincoln is in the same boat as Brent…same crappy record, same lack of monster NFL guys, same questions about the longevity of the staff…but USC is throwing money at the problem, which is something OU will not do.
What needs to happen for the Sooners to break out of this vicious and nausea-inducing cycle is pretty simple…go out and win ball games. Change the optics.
Oklahoma can go a year with a down recruiting cycle in the high school ranks, because if they go out and win ball games and send guys to the league, the optics are much better and the transfer portal is there to help fill gaps for both the present and the future.
If OU were to go out there and rip off a 9-10-11 win season and be in the conversation for the college football playoffs while sending what should be a big class to the league next April, the optics all change. While a nice year on the field would not do much for this recruiting class, it would open up the Sooners for success in the portal and set them up well for the ’27 cycle.
Venables would be off the hot seat, the donor base would be energized, and Norman would be a popular destination once again.
But you have to go out and win football games and be in the conversation at the end of the year for a playoff position, at the very least.
This downturn in recruiting is not about Jim Nagy, the newly hired GM of football in Norman. This downturn is a direct result of the factors mentioned above, including poor performance, a coach and staff under pressure, a lack of development, and a devastating injury situation.
OU has a lame duck Athletic Director right now in Joe Castiglione. OU has a new personnel department. OU has plans to renovate facilities. OU cannot survive the terrible optics of another poor season on the field. The OU football monster needs to be fed and unless something changes, there will be some unpleasant discussions and decisions taking place before the ’26 class even signs.
Win games. Change the optics.
Just don’t go 8-4.
Fast Five | R Mason Thomas Healthy Development
– Charlie S – Posted on: July 14, 2025
R Mason Thomas is on track to be one of the top defensive ends in college football for the 2025 season based on his performance, development, and team context.
Let’s throw out a Fast Five to see what all the hype is about!
1. Proven Pass-Rushing Prowess:
Thomas had a breakout 2024 season, leading the Sooners with 9.0 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 11 quarterback hurries in 13 games. His ability to disrupt quarterbacks, especially in critical moments (six of his nine sacks came in the fourth quarter while protecting leads), showcases his elite pass-rushing skills. His explosive first step and natural bend make him a nightmare for offensive tackles.
2. Improved Health and Durability:
Injuries, particularly ankle issues, limited Thomas in his first two seasons, where he played in 10 and 9 games, respectively, with modest stats. In 2024, he stayed healthy, playing all 13 games and showing significant improvement. His ability to remain injury-free during spring 2025 practices, as noted by Brent Venables, suggests he’s entering the season in peak physical condition, which is critical for the Sooners defense.
3. Leadership and Growth:
Thomas has shown notable development both on and off the field. Venables praised his leadership in 2025 spring practices, noting that the naturally quiet Thomas stepped out of his comfort zone to elevate and encourage teammates. His maturity, combined with his experience as a starter, makes him a veteran leader on a deep defensive line, which only furthers his impact. His work ethic and consistency, noted and pointed out by teammates, coaches and sources around the program, support the outlook for a standout season.
4. A little help from his friends:
Oklahoma’s defensive line is stacked with returning talent like Damonic Williams, Jayden Jackson, Gracen Halton, David Stone, and his EDGE room is deep with Marvin Jones Jr., PJ Adebawore, Taylor Wein, and Danny Okoye among others, which should draw attention away from Thomas and create more one-on-one opportunities. The Sooners’ defense, which allowed 21.5 points per game in 2024, returns significant production, and Thomas is the anchor at defensive end. This strong supporting cast allows him to focus on pass-rushing situations, where he excels.
5. NFL-Caliber Skill Set and Recognition:
Thomas is already on the radar of NFL scouts. His 2024 accolades, including All-SEC Second Team, SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week, and Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week, highlight his game-changing potential. His decision to return for his senior year instead of entering the 2025 NFL Draft, which was huge for both RMT and OU, signals his intent to improve and refine his game, particularly in run defense, which could elevate him to first-round draft consideration and make him a dominant force in college football.
Thomas’s combination of proven production, health, leadership, team support, and professional potential makes him a prime candidate to be among the best defensive ends in the country in 2025.
What’s Next in Recruiting
– Charlie S – Posted on: July 14, 2025
The board is dwindling, at least the publicly acknowledged board of targets, as recruits make their announcements.
Coming out of the ChampU BBQ it turned out to be more misses than hits for the Sooners.
However, OU currently has 15 commitments, highlighted by the likes of QB Bowe Bentley, OT Deacon Schmitt, RB DeZephen Walker, and LB Jakore Smith.
Currently, there really are two names of note that OU is at the very least trending well for in WR Davian Groce and EDGE Jake Kreul.
With Groce, we have had him officially trending to OU since June 23rd when Super K dropped his trending post. We have not moved off that thought at this point, and it now becomes a question of when he will announce (expected at some point in the near future) and if the Sooners can hold onto the top spot despite pushes from Baylor and Houston in particular. Fingers crossed here that the trend stays with OU as the Sooners have suffered some body blows on the wide receiver recruiting trail this cycle.
As for Kreul, as we have been repeatedly saying for months now, he is likely to take his recruitment into the fall while taking additional visits. A lot of bait was put out there in June about him possibly making a decision, but we never bought into that, and it turns out, we were correct in not buying in. OU has done a lot of really good work here, and the Sooners are very much in contention and in a good position at that. However, it will likely come down to winning some games early in the year for Kreul to lock things in with OU and Texas, and Ole Miss are right there in the top group. As I have been saying, in my opinion, Texas is the one to keep a close eye on.
After that, OU still needs to get some work done at DT and OL, in my opinion, and we will be working on finding out where OU will turn when it comes to those positions in the coming days and weeks.
Fast Five | RSJ Has Everything In Front of Him
– Charlie S – Posted on: July 15, 2025
Robert Spears-Jennings is on track to be one of the top safeties in college football for the 2025 season based on his impressive skill set, experience, and development trajectory.
Here are five reasons why he stands out:
1. Proven On-Field Production:
In 2024, Spears-Jennings was Oklahoma’s second-leading tackler with 66 tackles, including five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception. His ability to impact both run and pass defense, highlighted by a 93.1 run-defense grade (highest among FBS safeties) and an 82.8 overall defensive grade, showcases his elite playmaking ability.
2. Versatility and Athleticism:
At 6’2″ and 219 pounds, Spears-Jennings combines size with sideline-to-sideline range, allowing him to excel in multiple roles, whether in the box, blitzing, or in coverage. His aggressive downhill style and natural instincts make him very effective against the run and as a pass rusher, as seen with his sack and forced fumble against Tennessee last season.
3. Leadership and Experience:
With Billy Bowman now in the NFL, Spears-Jennings steps into a leadership role in Oklahoma’s secondary. Having played 599 snaps in 2024 (third on the team) and starting 11 of 13 games, his experience and ability to mentor younger players, as noted by coach Brent Venables, make him a cornerstone of the Sooners’ defense.
4. Elite Tackling and Run Defense:
In 2024, Spears-Jennings recorded 66 tackles, including five for loss, and led FBS safeties with a 93.1 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus. His ability to stop the run with physicality and sound tackling makes him a standout in the box.
5. Ascending Talent:
Entering his senior year, Spears-Jennings has shown steady improvement, from 15 tackles as a freshman to 38 as a sophomore, and a breakout 66 in 2024. His trajectory, combined with Oklahoma’s aggressive defensive system under Brent Venables, suggests he could further elevate his game, potentially making him an early-round NFL draft prospect in 2026.
These factors, backed by his statistical output and the coaching staff’s confidence and trust, position Spears-Jennings as a top-tier safety across all of college football for the 2025 season.
NIL is Dead
– Super K – Posted on: July 15, 2025
I continue to speak with personnel folks and I can tell you that schools are now operating as if “NIL” is effectively over.
What does that mean?
I spoke to a personnel guy today who said, it’s so hard to get deals approved now because the NCAA and the clearinghouse are evaluating whether these deals are actually bona fide NIL or pay for play.
The reality is most of what we saw the past few years was pay for play. This is why you are seeing collectives go away. There is going to be far more scrutiny on boosters, as well.
All the things that make sense and that we’ve predicted would happen with the “NIL” are happening.
Yes, the schools can help promote their player’s profile but if you’re the kind of player that attracts actual business deals from the likes of American Express or Frito Lay, that was probably going to happen at a lot of schools.
So, the schools are really focused on this new NFL salary cap model. The schools are all in on the revenue sharing pay for play and pretty much out on the NIL stuff.
I was able to get additional confirmation about what I reported last week regarding other teams paying off their current roster contracts prior to July 1st.
That will give certain schools more money to play with in the coming year or two. The Sooners did not do that and I’m told it’s now too late.
If anyone has any questions on this topic, please drop them in the comments. I do have access to some pretty knowledgeable personnel guys who are long time friends of mine. So, I usually get informed responses/insights on this stuff.
Quick Hitter | Most Coveted Commit
– Charlie S – Posted on: July 16, 2025
Quick note here on something both K and I stumbled across this week when talking to various sources around the region, who are not associated with Oklahoma.
K was talking to a source at a regional program about the various recruiting classes of other programs around the region. Source singled out offensive lineman Noah Best as the target they would most like to have out of the Sooners’ class. This was the same source who is very high on Bowe Bentley and noted their preference for him over Jaden O’Neal to K shortly after OU offered Bentley.
In a separate conversation, I was talking to a source about Deacon Schmitt, and the source just blurted out, “What about Noah Best? He is the best and most fundamentally sound OL in Texas this cycle, and he’s gonna have a monster senior year…Bedenbaugh has a couple of studs”.
Always nice to hear some outside input.
Hopefully, Bedenbaugh and the Sooners can add a couple more high school linemen to the class, but it sounds like those around college ball know he has a pair of good ones in the fold.
Fast Five | Gracen Halton Dancing His Way To the NFL
– Charlie S – Posted on: July 17, 2025
OU Defensive Lineman Gracen Halton has shown significant potential to be a high draft choice in the NFL due to his performance and attributes. He has paid his dues, put the work in, and now stands at the doorway of what could be a national attention-grabbing breakout season.
Lets run through a Fast Five:
1. Dominant Pass Rusher:
Halton leads defensive tackles with a 13.6% pressure rate and 12.5% pass-rush win rate, earning an 84.2 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus over the past two seasons, the highest among top prospects. This showcases his ability to disrupt quarterbacks consistently.
2. Impactful 2024 Performance:
In 2024, Halton recorded 30 tackles, six tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a safety. His standout plays, like earning SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for a safety against Houston, highlight his game-changing potential.
3. Positional Versatility:
Halton’s ability to play multiple positions, including defensive end and interior roles like three-technique, makes him a valuable asset for NFL teams. His compact 6-foot-2, 291-pound frame provides leverage and quickness, ideal for sub-package roles in nickel and dime formations..
4. Explosive Play Style:
Halton’s quickness off the line and leverage at the point of attack enable him to excel as both a pass rusher and run defender. His ability to overwhelm opponents aligns with the NFL’s need for dynamic defensive linemen.
5. Coaching and Development:
Under Oklahoma’s defensive line coach Todd Bates, Halton has shown steady improvement, evolving from a freshman with 10 tackles to a key contributor in 2024. Bates’ track record of preparing players for the NFL enhances Halton’s pro readiness.
These attributes position Halton as a strong candidate for a high draft selection in 2026, despite some limitations against power run schemes.
Insider Scouting the Sooners
– Super K – Posted on: July 17, 2025
The NFL scouts have a couple of lists that are internal documents within the league with grades on potential NFL players on each team. It’s limited to grades on seniors and what they call rising juniors who are essentially seen as likely first round picks.
I had a friend send over both lists. I’ve never had a chance to review them as they aren’t easy to get. But said friend mentioned to me that he’s found them to be pretty good projections for how a team will do that season.
I’ll probably go through some notes on teams OU will play but I wanted to mention two particular things…
***The Sooners have a lot of guys that are already seen as NFL players with pretty good grades. In fact, on one of the lists the Sooners have one of the top five rosters in the country.
***The issue, as you might expect, is the teams they will face are incredibly talented, as well. In fact, what surprised me is just how talented other SEC teams are given the amount of turnover from last year. As an example, Auburn is absolutely stacked in a way that I did not anticipate.
Both lists provide grades for the players. However, one of them offers a range of rounds the players is projected to go in. This is obviously based on information from last year and whatever information NFL scouts gathered during this pre-season.
Apparently there is a more complete list that comes out in September which offers a pretty solid internal evaluation on teams beyond even the seniors.
But, in my review of the preliminary documents, it’s pretty clear that our sense that, on paper, this is a very talented team is accordance with what internal NFL scout sources believe.
