Sooners Ready for First Official Visit Weekend
The Sooner Scoop – June 7, 2024
Attention Ladies and Gentleman, I have an urgent and breaking Sooners news story!
Hey everyone it’s time, again, for official visit season and as such let’s go over the visitors expected in Norman this weekend. And there are three – two you were expecting and a third you may not have been.
Darius Afalava – OL – Lehi (Utah) Skyridge
DaSaahn Brame – TE – Derby, Kan. – Top 100
Kade Pietrzak – DL – West Fargo (N.Dak.) Sheyenne
Afalava is a guy that Josh already has a prediction in for the Sooners and Oklahoma seems to be a very real contender in his recruitment. This could be a huge step in the Sooners closing in on a guy that is, for now, their final interior offensive line target in 2025.
Pietrzak visited Oklahoma in early April and has said absolutely nothing to anyone about it since then. He’s an incredibly tough guy to know much about but the word was the Sooners trip went outstandingly well. He’s a guy that sneakily could end up as part of this 2025 group.
His trip may surprise some people but Oklahoma has quietly been very involved with his recruitment for several months now.
Finally, Brame is a player that the Sooners have a lot of catching up to do. The talk is all around Oregon right now but several coaching staffs have referred to Brame as ‘a freak’ athletically and there’s no doubt the Sooners will do all they can.
Sooners QB Situation Getting Crazy or Clarity?
With the visit of Dereon Coleman over the past few days the Sooners quarterback situation for 2026 is starting to come down the final stretch, however unbelievable that may sound to the uninitiated. For Coleman’s part he enjoyed himself and his time on campus.
“It went great, as expected,” Coleman said.
So what’s next? Well that’s of course going to be Oklahoma’s visit from Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne signal caller Jaden O’Neal next Thursday. Our guys Chad Simmons and Steve Wiltfong, along with our own Josh McCuistion, have put in predictions for O’Neal and the Sooners in the last week.
And while some of that is based on the Sooners interest there is a lot of ground swell about O’Neal and Oklahoma at the moment.
“It sure seems like [Oklahoma] is out in front,” one source said.
Coleman was impressive but should O’Neal come in and put on the show some are expecting, it’s going to be interesting how that impact the final decision.
The Biggest Offer for Best?
On Thursday Oklahoma offered Midlothian, Texas offensive lineman Noah Best and predictions almost immediately followed that decision. While Best didn’t try and downplay those predictions and what they may foretell he also was clear he has some plans ahead of him.
“I’m going to keep working to get my name out there. I’m going to go to camps at Michigan, Missouri, and Texas A&M,” Best said.
That being said, there does seem to be some long-standing affection for the Sooners. A reality he made clear when discussing his Oklahoma offer.
“We toured the campus and after a position meeting he pulled me to the side and talked to me and [Oklahoma] offered,” he recalled. “It was the biggest one for me yet.”
Sooners Legacy Enjoys Moment of Sooners Offer
Though he was a new offer that didn’t happen at an Oklahoma camp that didn’t make it any less special for Washington, Okla. 2027 star Case Alexander. The son of former Sooners star Stephen Alexander, and younger brother of Cooper Alexander, admits that Oklahoma’s offer was a special moment.
“It’s definitely such a blessing for me especially it being the University of Oklahoma. It obviously has a little more meaning being that it’s right down the road and I have some family history there,” Alexander said.
But being a Washington Warrior and an Alexander, he’s not going to get ahead of himself.
“I’m just so grateful but I am still focused on being a good teammate and working hard this off-season,” he said.
Alexander hasn’t ruled out a camp visit to Oklahoma, or elsewhere, as he works on his summer schedule.
A New In-State Offer Happens
While some may already knew the name it likely is news to many to see the Sooners latest in-state offer go to Owasso, Okla. cornerback Bryson Brown. Brown is a promising 2027 prospect that has picked up some early notoriety but kind of jumped on the national stage recently when Penn State made an offer recently.
The Sooners making the offer was something that was built on his strong camp work in front of Jay Valaih. He talked about how the offer took place following the camp itself.
“Coach [Brent] Venables pulled me over to the side during the camp. We talked and then he offered me. The Coaches and staff always show me a lot of love every time I come to OU,” Brown said.
“Coach Valai wanted me to come to camp on June 6. I was supposed to come on the June 20, but they invited me to come earlier.”
A New In-State Name to Know
A name to emerge from camp that people may need to file away is 2027 offensive tackle Jacoby Jefferson. Though just entering the summer before his sophomore year he’s already roughly 6-foot-5 and 300-pounds.
He is still very, very raw but there is easy movement and some natural ability that you like. And as for whether Jacoby grew up as a Sooners fan?
“You already know,” Jefferson laughed.
We’ll see if he emerges as an Oklahoma level prospect but he’s definitely a guy that is worth keeping an eye on.
Predicting Oklahoma’s 2025 Class
OK, it’s time for Josh’s latest predictions for the class of 2025. For those unfamiliar every year on the first Friday of each month, I (Josh) invade Scoop’s personal space to predict what players could fill out the Oklahoma’s ongoing recruiting class.
Right now Oklahoma has 81 players on scholarship. Among those 77, they have 14 seniors currently on the roster. As a sign that things are starting to return to normal no player currently on the roster seems to have a Covid year available to them. Basically, trying to figure out who could return each year may again find some normalcy.
Obviously there are going to be departures either via the NFL draft, transfer, or any of 1,000 other reasons.
With that in mind, along with other bits of information with where the new staff plans to go, Scoop and I have been working under the thought of the Sooners signing somewhere close to 25 total in the 2025 class. What’s interesting is that we continue to be told that number is too high but it’s just tough to figure how Oklahoma cuts it much shorter.
The number is always tricky to guess but in this era, thanks to the few remaining ‘Covid year’ players and the transfer portal, it’s been nearly impossible.
Additionally, a level of confidence will be listed with each of the selections and finally a prediction of who will be the next Sooner pledge. Finally the numbers next to each position are how many I expect OU to sign at each position – though that’s still a work in progress with the portal and the staff still sorting itself out.
Now you can guarantee this list will just continue to evolve with new players for the 2025 class earning offers in the last few weeks. Much is still changing even at this relatively later stage for the class.
And, yes my excuses have already begun…
Players on Last Month’s List Who Aren’t There This Month: Floyd Boucard, Jonah Williams
What I Got Right Last Month: Trystan Haynes
What I Got Wrong Last Month: Antoni Ogumoro
Quarterback (1)
Kevin Sperry – COMMITTED
Running Back (1)
Tory Blaylock – COMMITTED
Wide Receiver (3-4)
Emmanuel Choice – Level of Confidence: 45%
Choice is one that the Sooners have put a lot of emphasis on since early on in his recruitment. The bond that Oklahoma has around Lancaster via Emmett Jones is going to make them tough to beat here. It is pretty clear that Texas A&M is making a real run here but the Sooners still feel like the favorite at the moment.
Gracen Harris – COMMITTED
Andrew Marsh – Level of Confidence: 30%
Marsh is a player that Oklahoma figures to be in a prolonged battle for but the buzz is that the Sooners have made a good impression. Now, is that enough to beat out some heavy hitters? He is impossible to read but like a lot of the guys left on the Sooners board it feels like the official visits will be the deciding factor.
Elijah Thomas – COMMITTED
Tight End/Hback (1)
Trynae Washington – COMMITTED
Offensive Line (5)
Darius Afalava – Level of Confidence: 35%
See above.
Andrew Babalola – Level of Confidence: 35%
Babalola seems like he flies under the radar at times but the Sooners connection in Kansas is hard to ignore. As was referenced earlier this week there was some talk coming out of his Missouri official visit last weekend that Oklahoma could be in a very strong position. Babalola loved his Auburn trip and Stanford’s academics could be a deciding factor but there remains real hope around Norman.
Ryan Fodje – COMMITTED
Ty Haywood – Level of Confidence: 40%
Haywood is a huge piece of the puzzle for the Sooners and has made no attempt to hide his affinity for Bill Bedenbaugh and co. Haywood will be an interesting one to watch as so many are watching Oklahoma for him but as we’ve said all along Alabama is going to be a real danger team with his lifelong admiration for the Tide.
Owen Hollenbeck – COMMITTED
Defensive Tackle (3-4)
Christian Evans – Level of Confidence: 35%
Evans is another that seems a bit of a numbers question but Oklahoma seems dead set on bringing in at least one more defensive tackle. Can Evans be that final, or next to last, piece? We’ll see but he is clearly high on the Sooners.
Ka’Mori Moore – COMMITTED
Makhi Williams-Lee – Level of Confidence: 25%
Williams-Lee was an interesting offer but it’s hard to overlook how quickly the Sooners have taken on a key role in his recruitment. We’re not certain and will know more following his visit but Oklahoma seems to be in solid standing, particularly being sight unseen at the moment. The likelihood of his pledged seemed to grow considerably with the addition of Kole Briehler.
Trent Wilson – COMMITTED
EDGE (3)
Max Granville – Level of Confidence: 50%
Granville remains one of the key pieces of this class that Oklahoma has put a lot of time and energy into. Having the last chance to host him could be pivotal as Granville could be a guy who has some real back and forth when it comes time to decide between the Sooners and A&M.
C.J. Nickson – Level of Confidence: 70%
Nickson is a player I’ve got a prediction in for and just continue to feel like the Sooners are clearly the most likely option. He has a strong relationship with Miguel Chavis and that and his family’s proximity will be tough to overcome. Honestly it’s almost surprising that it’s still ongoing at this point.
Alex Shieldnight – COMMITTED
Linebacker (1-2)
Marcus James – COMMITTED
Cornerback (3)
Courtland Guillory – COMMITTED
Maliek Hawkins – COMMITTED
Trystan Haynes – C
Safety (2-3)
Omarion Robinson – Level of Confidence: 45%
As we’re previously reported, Robinson has a real affection for the Sooners and this may come down to another key safety battle between the Sooners and Oregon. At this point, it’s tough to bet against Brandon Hall who has done an exemplary job building the position through recruiting high-end talent. He recently stated Arkansas as his leader but even if that comes to pass his decision could be one to watch all the way through NSD.
Marcus Wimberley – COMMITTED
Athlete (0-1)
N/A
Special Teams (0)
N/A
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