Ranking Oklahoma’s last 10 recruiting classes
The Oklahoma Sooners closed the early signing period of the 2023 cycle with a ton of momentum, earning a last-second flip of five-star safety Peyton Bowen. Bowen joined Guyer teammate Jackson Arnold and edge rusher Adepoju Adebawore in the 2023 class to give the Sooners three five-star players for the cycle.
It was a huge recruiting haul for Brent Venables and his staff, who worked their way into the top five of the 247Sports recruiting class composite. This class has Venables fingerprints all over it with a heavy emphasis on the defensive side of the ball.
The Sooners ended up with 16 four- and five-star signees, and 10 of those came on the defensive side. Six were defensive backs, two were linebackers, and two were defensive linemen. The three-star players they signed on defense can play. Taylor Wein, Markus Strong, Ashton Sanders, Phil Picciotti and Erik McCarty are athletic players with high motors. Each has a chance to outperform his recruiting status.
It was an historic class for the Sooners, marking just the second time in the 247Sports database (since 2000) that they signed multiple five-star defensive players, and only the second time they had three five-star signees. Looking back, let’s take a look at how it stacks up with the last 10 recruiting classes for the Oklahoma Sooners.
2023
Guyer quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) snaps the ball against Westlake during the Class 6A Division 2 State Championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Dec. 18, 2021. Westlake defeated Guyer 40-21. Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
Score: 289.69
5-Star: 3
4-Star: 13
3-Star: 9
247Sports Ranking: 5
247Sports Composite: 5
Top Signee: Jackson Arnold, QB
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2019
Oct. 23, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jadon Haselwood (11) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Score: 279.28
5-Star: 3
4-Star: 13
3-Star: 8
247Sports Ranking: 4
247Sports Composite: 6
Top Signee: Jadon Haselwood, WR
2018
Oklahoma offensive lineman Brey Walker (70) warms up before an NCAA college football game against TCU, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas. Oklahoma won 33-14. AP Photo/Brandon Wade
Score: 276.62
5-Star: 1
4-Star: 12
3-Star: 10
247Sports Ranking: 9
247Sports Composite: 9
Top Signee: Brey Walker, OT
2017
Oct. 9, 2021; Dallas, Texas; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman (5) and defensive back Justin Broiles (25) tackle Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) during the first half at the Cotton Bowl. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Score: 270.79
5-Star: 0
4-Star: 18
3-Star: 10
247Sports Ranking: 8
247Sports Composite: 8
Top Signee: Justin Broiles, DB
2021
Dec. 29, 2021; San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Caleb Williams (13) points downfield defended by Oregon Ducks safety Bennett Williams (15) in the first half of the 2021 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Score: 268.95
5-Star: 1
4-Star: 12
3-Star: 3
247Sports Ranking: 6
247Sports Composite: 10
Top Signee: Caleb Williams, QB
2022
Oklahoma’s Gentry Williams (24) intercepts a pass during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Oklahoma won 45-13. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Score: 266.73
5-Star: 0
4-Star: 18
3-Star: 3
247Sports Ranking: 10
247Sports Composite: 8
Top Signee: Gentry Williams, CB
2020
Offensive lineman Nate Anderson (69) goes through drills as the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) holds fall camp practice at the rugby fields on Aug. 16, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Steve Sisney/For The Oklahoman
Score: 259.38
5-Star: 0
4-Star: 14
3-Star: 9
247Sports Ranking: 13
247Sports Composite: 13
Top Signee: Nate Anderson, G
2015
Oct. 12, 2019; Dallas, Texas; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Neville Gallimore (90) sacks Texas Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger (11) during the first quarter at the Cotton Bowl. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Score: 249.69
5-Star: 0
4-Star: 10
3-Star: 18
247Sports Ranking: 15
247Sports Composite: 15
Top Signee: Neville Gallimore, DL
2014
Oct. 17, 2015; Manhattan, Kansas; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) runs the ball from Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Will Davis (35) and defensive back Nate Jackson (24) on his way to a touchdown in a 55-0 win at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Score: 248.94
5-Star: 1
4-Star: 8
3-Star: 17
247Sports Ranking: 14
247Sports Composite: 14
Top Signee: Joe Mixon, RB
2016
Jan. 1, 2018; Pasadena, California; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Caleb Kelly (19) forces a fumble by Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) during the fourth quarter of the 2018 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
