Can the Oklahoma Sooners land another top five class in 2024?
Oklahoma Sooners fans woke up Sunday morning with big smiles on their faces. The team closed on a five-star defensive lineman.
Now, people forget the staff signed Adeboju Adebawore last year, but if you ask Sooner fans, you’d think they can’t land anyone, and the coaches aren’t doing a good job.
People only remember the misses such as David Hicks and Williams Nwaneri (TBD). They forget the Sooners wouldn’t even be in those battles if it wasn’t for Todd Bates, Miguel Chavis, and, of course, Brent Venables.
On Saturday night, they received the great news that five-star David Stone, the No. 6 player in the nation, is coming back home.
With the commitment of Stone, the Sooners vaulted to No. 10 in Rivals‘ team rankings, No. 13 in 247Sports‘ rankings and No. 14 in On3‘s team rankings. Can the Sooners land another top-five class two years in a row?
The answer isn’t one people will be satisfied with, but it is possible. A lot of things would have to go their way. Some notable commitments Sooner fans are waiting for are Dominick McKinley, Nigel Smith II, Brayden Platt, Grant Brix and Danny Okoye.
Oklahoma is a finalist for McKinley and Platt, but neither appear heading the Sooners’ way. Now, Oklahoma has shocked people come decision day as recently as Jayden Jackson this summer.
If Oklahoma lands Smith II, Brix and Okoye without any other schools getting commitments, the Sooners would pass the Alabama Crimson Tide for fourth in 247Sports team rankings. That would solidify a top-five class. However, assuming Alabama or other schools in the top 10 don’t add players is unlikely with four months remaining until the early signing period.
The rankings will change throughout the fall. But Oklahoma has to close on those three to give it a chance at a top-five class.
Smith II plans to announce on Sept. 8 and is deciding between Oklahoma and the Texas A&M Aggies.
Brix hasn’t set a date, but it could happen any day. Oklahoma, the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Kansas State Wildcats are the final three.
Okoye hasn’t set a date yet either. Many think Oklahoma has a good chance of landing him. If I had to bet right now, I’d bet Oklahoma lands in that 7-9 range, which is still a really good class.
It’s no secret since coming to Norman, Brent Venables and his staff have shown you can recruit at a high level on both sides of the ball. No matter what a previous coach made you believe.
They now have to work to close a class that will be the first to play their entire career in the SEC.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.
