With the conclusion of signing day and the transfer portal season mostly wrapping up, attention is now shifting towards the 2025 class for OU. The Sooners have already secured commitments from nine players in this class, and notably, six of them hail from the state, with three alone from Carl Albert. This further highlights OU’s growing emphasis on recruiting within Oklahoma, underscoring the strength of the 2025 class in the state. In the 2024 class, OU signed six players from Oklahoma, including David Stone from Del City, who played his final two seasons in Florida. It’s worth noting that the count does not include Heritage Hall’s Andy Bass, who joined as a recruited walk-on.
The Sooners had not signed a comparable number of in-state players since the 2017 class.
Let’s take a glance at the commitments for the Sooners in the 2025 class, the players expected to leave after the upcoming season, and the primary areas of need still remaining for OU in this class:
2025 OU football commits
- Gracen Harris, WR, 6-10, 170, Ennis, Texas
- Owen Hollenbeck, OG, 6-2, 315, Melissa, Texas
- Marcus James, Ath., 6-3, 210, Midwest City (Carl Albert)
- Ka’Mori Moore, DL, 6-1, 295, Lee’s Summit, Mo. (North)
- Jaden Nickens, WR, 6-3, 190, Oklahoma City (Millwood)
- Alexander Shieldnight, Edge, 6-2, 220, Wagoner
- Kevin Sperry, QB, 6-0, 200, Midwest City (Carl Albert)
- Elijah Thomas, WR, 6-1, 63, Checotah
- Trynae Washington, Ath., 6-3, 195, Midwest City (Carl Albert)
Expected departures
- OL: Spencer Brown, Michael Tarquin
- TE: Jake Roberts
- WR Andrel Anthony, Jalil Farooq, JJ Hester
- DE: Ethan Downs, Trace Ford, Caiden Woullard
- DT: Jacon Lacey, Davon Sears, Da’Jon Terry
- LB: Justin Harrington, Konnor Near, Danny Stutsman, Shane Whitter
- CB Kendel Dolby, Dezjhon Malone, Woodi Washington, Gentry Williams
- S: Billy Bowman
Biggest need
Offensive Line: The Sooners are aiming to make additional additions to the 2024 offensive line, but it’s crucial for them to make progress in recruiting for the 2025 class too. Presently, they have only one commitment in that position, which is interior offensive lineman Owen Hollenbeck.
While OU has a variety of choices at defensive tackle, three particularly intriguing prospects hail from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. These include five-star Michael Fasusi from Lewisville, four-star Ty Haywood from Denton Ryan, and Lamont Rogers from Mesquite Horn.
Each of them ranks within the top 10 nationally for their position, as per the 247 Sports Composite. Fasusi holds the highest position at No. 2, followed by Haywood at No. 6, and Roberts at No. 7.
Securing one of these prospects would put the Sooners in a strong position. Landing two would exceed expectations, and obtaining all three would be considered an ambitious and unlikely scenario.
Biggest local target remaining
Nate Roberts, a tight end from Purcell, holds a four-star rating on the 247 Sports Composite. He has received offers from a prestigious list of programs, including Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Iowa, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee, and Texas A&M, among others. Consequently, Roberts has a wide array of choices to consider.
However, given that the tight end is expected to have a more significant role in the Seth Littrell/Joe Jon Finley offensive scheme compared to Jeff Lebby’s system, and considering the current absence of established playmakers in that position (despite high expectations for 2024 signee Davon Mitchell), securing Roberts would be a significant development.
The fact that Roberts is geographically close to Norman is advantageous, and his situation is further enhanced by the recent transfer of his brother, Jake, to OU from Baylor.
Convincing Roberts to choose OU is challenging, especially with Ohio State being the main contender. However, if successful, he would be a significant addition to an already predominantly state-focused recruiting class.
Additionally, the Sooners are actively pursuing another player from Carl Albert, Trystan Haynes. As a four-star prospect per the 247 Composite, Haynes might end up playing as a cornerback for OU.
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