Weekend Open Post | December 19th – 21st
Posted on: December 18, 2025
Early Grades on the 2026 Recruiting Class | Offense
– Charlie S – Posted on: December 10, 2025
Let’s take a stab at grading the Jim Nagy Model for the class of 2026.
We will start on the offensive side of the ball, go by position group.
While the position coaches do the footwork in regard to communication and relationships, it is Nagy and his staff who are in charge of numbers and NIL stuff.
Here is how I grade the rooms on the offensive side of the ball in the 2026 class:
Quarterback (1): Bowe Bentley – Grade: A+
Running back (2): Jonathan Hatton and Dezephen Walker – Grade A
Wide receivers (4): Jayden Petit, Daniel Odem, Jahsiear Rogers, Xavier Okwufulueze – Grade: B+
Tight End (2): Tyler Ruxer, Ryder Mix – Grade C+
Offensive line (2): Deacon Schmitt, Noah Best – Grade C
The Sooners had a solid offensive class.
Let’s start by noting the standouts they picked up, who are guys who could have an impact on the team pretty early on.
I think Bowe Bentley is QB2 by the middle of the season, no matter who is also in the room. Bentley is a guy Ben Arbuckle would draw up as his prototype QB for his system. He is not only very talented as a dual-threat quarterback, but he is also a leader on and off the field.
Jonathan Hatton flipping back to the Sooners really was the cherry on top of this class. Coming out of high school, I think he is the most talented running back OU has landed via the high school ranks since Joe Mixon, He could have a major impact next season.
Jayden Petit at wide receiver is the guy you think could have a major impact, as OU really does not have a guy with his size (6’4), speed, and athleticism all in one package who is ‘game ready’. Yes, Manny Choice came out of high school with similar measurables, but he was not as polished or experienced as Petit is.
Finally, at offensive line, I look to Deacon Schmitt as the guy that folks will be raving about next spring. He could find himself in a role similar to what Ryan Fodje played this year as a swing guard/tackle, and he has really nice athleticism to go along with physical strength.
Now let’s talk about the areas that need improvement.
Start with the numbers at offensive line…if they had two more bodies, any bodies, their grade likely would have been a B at worst. Schmitt and Best are two very good prospects, but they still needed another couple of bodies to bolster the future rosters. Yes, they will pick them up in the portal, but high school is where you want to do the heavy lifting. For what it is worth, sources tell us OU was not concerned about the numbers in regard to high school players at OL this year and they felt they could have landed a couple of other guys if they had pushed. We will see how that works out. I think they should have pushed on a guy like Daniel McMorris or Noah Abebe…guys who will need a couple years to develop, but who are athletic enough to turn into something. OU didn’t agree with me and that’s why they get paid the big bucks.
Lastly, my only other real issue was the lack of playmakers at the wide receiver position. Do not get me wrong, I ‘like’ the other three receivers, but right now, I only peg Petit as a guy who is a difference maker in his first two years. I like Rogers speed, I like Odem’s pedigree and experience and I like X’s size and potential. I have no problem with developing guys, that HAS to happen, but in this day and age, where it is nearly impossible to get a difference maker from the portal without paying through your nose, I would have liked to see a bit more aggressiveness in regard to finding and landing another early impact guy. They almost had one in Davian Groce, but even his price got too high by the time it was all said and done.
Overall class grade for the offensive side of the ball, I would give them a solid B.
Early Grades on the 2026 Recruiting Class | Defense
– Charlie S – Posted on: December 11, 2025
Continuing to grade the Jim Nagy Model for the class of 2026.
We will move to the defensive side of the ball after talking about the offensive side HERE. We will go by position group.
While the position coaches do the footwork in regard to communication and relationships, it is Nagy and his staff who are in charge of numbers and NIL stuff.
Here is how I grade the rooms on the defensive side of the ball in the 2026 class:
DT (2): James Carrington, Brian Harris – Grade: C+
EGDE (3): Jake Kreul, Matthew Nelson, Daniel Norman – Grade: B+
Linebacker (4): Jacob Curry, Dane Bathurst, Kristan Moore, Beau Jandreau – Grade: A
Cornerback (1): Derrick Johnson – Grade: B
Safety (2): Markel Ford, Niko Jandreau – Grade: B-
This is a pretty intriguing defensive class.
If you want to start talking about the positives and the standouts with guys who may have an impact as early as next season, the list starts with EDGE Jake Kreul.
Kreul will come in as the most polished and college-ready defender in the class, and there is a very real chance he is in the rotation from the jump. He is violent, decisive, and has a very good football IQ. He also likely does not have the highest ceiling of the EDGE class, but he will looks like a guy who will contribute from the jump and get better as he matures.
I think the linebacker room is exactly what OU needed this class, and there are a bunch of different type players in that room, which makes them a very versatile group. With Bathurst likely to start his career in the linebacker room, the Sooners have some thumpers and some more quick-twitch guys with Moore and Jandreau. Jacob Curry is a guy who is really underrated, and I would not be shocked to see any of these guys find a role next year. It is just too early to tell who the first guy to emerge will be, but I like this room a lot.
Once you get to the backend, the late flip of priority target Markel Ford stands out as he reminds me of Jaydan Hardy in regard to football IQ and always being around the ball. Derrick Johnson may be the most slept on signee in the entire class, on either side of the ball and he could be a guy who assimilates really well at the next level.
When it comes to areas of improvement in the class, again, it feels like a numbers game and the late loss of T-Ron Richardson really put a damper on what would have been a ‘B’ defensive line room at the very least. I like both Harris and Carrington, but I doubt you’ll see them much, if at all, on the field next season. Felt like T-Ron was the body type who was most likely to be able to get some experience next season, as Carrington has a bunch of work to do in the weight room and Harris is a guy who may be able to take the same kind of role Trent Wilson did this year while maintaining his redshirt.
Much like with the offensive line class, I would have liked to see a couple of additional bodies in the DL class, but that now will likely be addressed in the portal at some point.
Overall, I view this defensive class as a very ‘blue collar’ group. There are a lot of guys who Nagy and Venables went out on their own with in regard to evaluations and they trust what they are seeing more than what others are seeing. The level of position versatility is incredible through the back seven. You have guys that can play LB or EDGE, guys who can play safety or linebacker, and a bunch of guys who could find a home at Cheetah.
Overall, much like the offensive side of the ball, I give the defensive side of the ball a solid B. Not a lot of flash, but a lot of foundational-type guys who will need to be developed.
Sourced | Players Even Willing to Come to OU on a Discount
– Charlie S – Posted on: December 11, 2025
While the official opening of the NCAA Transfer Portal is still more than three weeks away, the declared intentions to enter continue to pile up.
We have passed along that OU is ‘cool’ again, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, and guys who are jumping in the portal all want to hear from the Sooners with the hopes of getting an opportunity to play in Venables defense.
Yesterday, in a group text K and I have with some folks around the region, we were told, point-blank, that one of the most proven and coveted players who has declared his intentions to enter the portal has made it clear that he would like to head to Norman, even if it meant at a discounted NIL rate.
Now, I am not going to tell you that we know if this pairing will come together or if OU will take him up on that discount or if they even seriously engage with him (they have exchanged some communication, that we know), but it is just another example of how the OU program and the defense are viewed by those who really matter at the end of the day…the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s.
While this is just one example of a player actually stating he would take less (if that’s what it took) to play in the OU defense, it is not a singular occurrence. As a matter of fact, several players I have touched base with seem a lot less focused on NIL as they are looking for the best fit for them. Yes, money still is a big part of it for many, but there are a substantial number of players who are now looking for that better fit than perhaps the biggest bag.
They want to be in Norman. It will be very interesting to see how this portal season plays out for OU at the end of the day. While OU will not land every big name or evey name that we want, they will absolutely have a pretty substantial menu to choose from when it comes to adding players to their roster.
Sunday Brunch | Standing on the Doorstep, or Walking Through the Door
– Charlie S – Posted on: December 14, 2025
For the first time under Brent Venables, Oklahoma is back in the College Football Playoff, and the significance of that return already extends well beyond simply reaching the field. It represents validation, stability, and proof that the Sooners’ long-term vision is taking hold. But with Alabama standing on the other sideline, the opportunity now in front of Oklahoma could elevate this moment from milestone to statement.
Venables arrived in Norman, tasked with restoring an identity that had been shaken by transition and defensive inconsistency. The early seasons demanded patience, as the program retooled its roster, culture, and expectations. This playoff appearance appears to confirm that the process worked. Oklahoma is no longer reliant on outscoring opponents; it is winning with balance, physicality, and a defense capable of dictating games, hallmarks of Venables’ philosophy.
Yet while reaching the playoffs validates the rebuild, a win over Alabama would redefine it.
Alabama remains among the gold standard of the modern era, the measuring stick for championship legitimacy. Beating the Crimson Tide on the sport’s biggest stage would signal that Oklahoma isn’t just back, it’s ready to sit at the head of the table again. For a Venables-led program still establishing its national identity, such a victory would accelerate credibility in a way few wins ever could.
The ripple effects would be enormous. From a recruiting standpoint, knocking off Alabama for what would be the third time in 14 months and doing it on the biggest of stages would provide undeniable proof that Oklahoma can go toe-to-toe with the sport’s elite on a consistent basis and win. It would resonate with elite prospects and transfer targets alike, reinforcing that Norman is once again a destination for championship-caliber development, not just playoff participation.
Internally, a win of that magnitude would cement belief within the locker room. Venables’ demanding culture, built on accountability, toughness, and attention to detail, would be fully validated by tangible postseason success. For players who endured the growing pains of the rebuild, beating Alabama…again…would be the ultimate confirmation that buying into the process was worth it.
Program-wise, such a victory would mark a true closing of the transition chapter. Oklahoma has long measured itself by championships, not appearances. Defeating Alabama would bridge the gap between being a playoff team and being a legitimate national title threat under a new regime. It would also reshape the national narrative around Brent Venables, shifting him from “successful builder” to “championship contender.”
Oklahoma’s return to the College Football Playoff already signifies a program reclaimed.
A win over Alabama in the opening round would elevate it to something more, a declaration that the Sooners’ climb is not just real, but ahead of schedule. Under Brent Venables, Oklahoma has rediscovered its identity. Beating Alabama would announce, unmistakably, that championship football in Norman has fully arrived.
Portal Talk | What’s Happening to This Point
– Charlie S – Posted on: December 15, 2025
The NCAA Transfer Portal opens on January 2nd and runs through January 16th.
This is the only portal window for the offseason, there will be no spring portal, so all the moves will have to be made in this window.
OU personnel department is currently focused on retaining the guys they want on the current roster and getting those contracts done.
That has not stopped them from connecting with representatives for guys who have announced their intentions to enter the portal once it is officially open.
Here is what I have come up with from talking with some guys who have announced they intend to enter the portal as well as some representatives of some of those same guys:
QB – Quiet
RB – Been in contact with a couple guys, both have expressed interest in OU, one has opened communication with OU, but nothing aside from that.
WR – Have chatted with multiple WRs, there is some interest there, only one has had any notable contact with OU at this point.
TE – Been in touch with multiple TEs, two of whom have already begun talking with OU, feels like there is a lot of interest here. Sooners are being pretty aggressive here and I also believe they are doing some additional work with guys who have not yet expressed their intentions to enter the portal.
OL – Every OL is interested in OU that I have spoken with. So far, three of them have heard from OU personnel on surface-level stuff
DL – (Edge and Interior) – Quiet here so far, but OU has put some feelers out to a couple guys I have connected with, but nothing of substance at this time. I expect some behind-the-scenes stuff here to be honest.
LB – Can tell you OU has been very aggressive here and I would not be at all surprised to see an almost instantaneous signing once the portal is officially open with a guy who I referred to previously as someone who would come at a discounted rate just to ensure he can get to Norman and play in this defense.
CB – Have not connected with any of the portal CBs at this point, I think OU will likely gauge what their needs officially are before they jump into this market, if they do at all.
S – Same thing with CB, OU is working right now to retain their guys before making moves here.
There will be a lot more guys entering, and chances are high that the important work is being done in the dark.
Keys to Victory | The Rematch | Alabama
– Charlie S – Posted on: December 16, 2025
Using the earlier Oklahoma win over Alabama as the baseline, the path to a more comfortable victory in Friday’s playoff rematch is less about wholesale change and more about maximizing advantages OU already proved it has, while cleaning up areas that kept the game tighter than it needed to be.
***Turn Yardage Control Into Separation
To win more comfortably, OU must turn sustained drives into knockout blows. That means:
***Finishing drives with touchdowns instead of settling late for field goals.
***Being more aggressive after crossing midfield
***Using tempo or misdirection when Alabama begins to substitute defensively
***OU showed it could outplay Alabama between the 20s. The rematch demands they bury drives.
Start Faster Offensively
***Even in the win, Oklahoma never really asserted itself offensively. Alabama stayed within reach early because OU didn’t immediately capitalize on early defensive success. A faster start, scripted plays that attack vertically or stress the edges, forces Alabama to chase the game sooner, which plays directly into OU’s defensive strengths.
***A two-score cushion changes how Alabama has to call the game.
Put the Game on Ty Simpson Earlier
***Oklahoma’s defense eventually controlled the first matchup, but Alabama stayed competitive by avoiding long-yardage situations early. In the rematch, OU must accelerate the pressure timeline:
***Win first down consistently
***Force third-and-long early in the game
***Increase simulated pressure looks to speed up decisions
***OU doesn’t need more sacks, just earlier pronounced discomfort. The faster Alabama is pushed out of rhythm, the less explosive they become.
Eliminate Momentum Swings
***Even in victory, Alabama stayed alive because of short-field opportunities and brief lapses, missed tackles, penalties, or special teams leakage. A more comfortable win requires more of the following:
***Cleaner tackling in space
***Avoiding drive-extending penalties
***Winning the hidden-yardage battle
***Alabama feeds on momentum. OU has to starve it out completely.
Lean Into Physicality Late
***One of the most telling signs from the first game was Oklahoma wearing Alabama down physically as the game progressed. In the rematch, OU should lean into that advantage sooner:
***Stay committed to the run even when Alabama loads the box
***Use depth on the defensive line to maintain pressure
***Force Alabama to defend every blade of grass
If OU turns the fourth quarter into a physical grind instead of a hold-on scenario, the score margin naturally widens, and that is the Difference Between Winning and Dominating
***Oklahoma already proved it can beat Alabama. To win more comfortably, the Sooners must be more ruthless with opportunities, finishing drives, pressing advantages earlier, and eliminating the small mistakes that keep elite teams hanging around.
***If OU plays with the same control they showed in the first meeting, but with sharper execution, the rematch doesn’t need late-game tension or heroics like a pick six.
Opposition Intel | Alabama
– Charlie S – Posted on: December 16, 2025
TFB checked in with sources down in Tuscaloosa, and they shared their thoughts with us ahead of the game and some sourced intel as well.
***Source noted that Alabama has struggled offensively down the stretch. The OU game was actually one of their better offensive performances since the midpoint of the season. Take that for what you will.
***Source added Ty Simpson is a bit banged with a disc issue in his back. But it’s not really hampering his play as much as some are leading on. The source believes that the bottom line is that DCs have turned up the heat on him, and he (Simpson) has struggled. Said it seems he has lost confidence. Source thinks OU can bait him into some picks again.
***Source admitted the Bama run game has been bad. He believes Jam Miller will be back, and that might help.
***DeBoer has said that Alabama “will be a different team” with a lot of their injured guys rested up for this game. Source said TE Josh Cuevas might try to give it go, but wont be surprised if he doesn’t play, and he is a valuable weapon.
***Also, source doubts that DE LT Overton plays.
How far can the Sooners go?
– Super K – Posted on: December 18, 2025
What say you? How far can the Sooners go in this playoff?
My prediction is pretty simple. If the Sooners beat Bama that means BV has filled a key metric for me – namely, five games in a row for the first time in his tenure.
I’m not saying that metric is flawless but I’ve done enough research on it to believe it’s a powerful predictor of coaching acumen and ability. So, it would go a long way in assuaging my own doubts.
So, if the Sooners beat Bama bringing BV and co to five straight wins, I’d say winning it all is possible.
What’s everyone’s gut feeling on how far the Sooners make it?
Last Word | Players of Importance vs Bama
– Charlie S – Posted on: December 18, 2025
24 hours from now, the Sooners will kick off the first home playoff game in their long and illustrious history.
OU will play host to Alabama, who they beat earlier in the season by the score of 23-21.
A lot of the talk about the rematch has to do with Alabama getting healthy…yet…they were fully healthy for their matchup the first time, while OU was not.
We know OU needs to be better on offense than they have been and we know that Alabama doubled them up yardage wise in the first game and that OU forcing 3 turnovers helped OU in a big way.
Here are two players of utmost importance for OU in the rematch…one who was there, but didn’t have his typical day for OU, and one who was not there at all.
Start with Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna for OU. He was there, he played against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, but he was held in check. Sategna is the Sooners most explosive and consistent offensive playmaker and he had 4 catches for 26 yards in game one. He did have the longest run of the day for OU (21 yards) and I am looking for the Sooners to do whatever it takes to get him more involved with the offense tomorrow.
The Tide held Sategna to his second-lowest receiving total of the year; the lowest came in game one against Illinois State, so that doesn’t really count. Sategna has ripped off two massive games after the Bama game against two defenses that I feel are as good, if not better than the Bama defense in Missouri (3-109) and then LSU (9-121). Keep an eye on Sategna tomorrow.
The second player is R Mason Thomas, who was not available the first time around due to an injured quad. In the first game, Kip Lewis had a couple sacks, Devon Jordan had an important sack, and Taylor Wein had a sack that forced a fumble. When the Sooners got pressure on Ty Simpson, good things happened for them.
R Mason Thomas is all about bringing pressure and he typically brings it when OU needs it most. Now, having not played in a football game for close to two months, WILL have an impact on RMT, so it will be a bit about shaking off the rust initially for him and then hoping the quad holds up. If OU can get the lead heading into the 4th quarter, and RMT stays healthy and shakes some rust off…watchout, because he has a knack for being a closer. Add him to the deep EDGE room that has developed for OU this season, and you may see a lot more pressure in this game for OU, which, again, generally results in good things happening for the rest of the defense.
