RECRUITING WAVE: SoonerScoop Podcast Breaks Down Oklahoma’s Relentless Recruiting Momentum as Brent Venables and Staff Land One Blue-Chip Commitment After Another in Stunning June Surge That Has Fans Buzzing About a Top-Five Class…

NORMAN, OK — June 13, 2025 — The Oklahoma Sooners are riding a tidal wave of recruiting success, and the college football world is taking notice. Fueled by a dynamic combination of tireless effort, refined strategy, and compelling program culture, Brent Venables and his staff have unleashed a June recruiting run that has electrified Sooner Nation. According to the SoonerScoop Podcast, which recently aired an in-depth breakdown of the current recruiting explosion, Oklahoma is making a serious push toward securing a top-five 2025 recruiting class — and possibly beyond.

In a June surge that rivals some of the hottest stretches in recent program memory, the Sooners have landed a sequence of high-caliber commitments, each one seemingly more impressive than the last. With every new pledge, momentum builds, fan excitement grows, and rivals begin to feel the heat. As the dominoes fall, recruiting insiders and fans alike are beginning to see a clear pattern: Brent Venables and his staff are not just building — they are making a statement.

A Month to Remember: June’s Stunning Start

June is typically a critical month in college football recruiting circles. Between official visits, camps, and evaluations, it’s a period when relationships are cemented and decisions made. But even seasoned observers were stunned by the flurry of commitments that began hitting Oklahoma’s radar right after the calendar turned.

By June 1st, OU already had momentum with several prospects considered heavy Sooner leans. But few could have anticipated the cascade of verbal pledges that would follow. Within days, Oklahoma had added five blue-chip commitments — each a potential difference-maker in the years to come. The SoonerScoop Podcast, hosted by recruiting insiders Josh McCuistion, Eddie Radosevich, and George Stoia, devoted its latest episode to unpacking what they call “one of the most ferocious recruiting stretches in modern OU history.”

“This staff has put together a blueprint that’s producing elite results,” said McCuistion. “It’s not just luck — it’s execution, relationships, and a vision that resonates with these kids.”

Venables’ Vision: Culture, Character, and Competition

At the heart of Oklahoma’s success lies the steady leadership of Brent Venables. Known for his passion, defensive expertise, and unflinching authenticity, Venables has transformed the Sooners’ recruiting strategy to emphasize not just talent, but character and fit.

“We recruit guys who want to be developed, who embrace competition, and who believe in what we’re building,” Venables said in a recent interview. “Our standard is high — on and off the field.”

This message has resonated with recruits and their families. Several recent commitments cited Venables’ genuine nature and clear direction for the program as key reasons for choosing Oklahoma.

Four-star linebacker Kory Blackwell from Georgia, who committed on June 3, said: “Coach V told me the truth. He didn’t sugarcoat anything. He told me how I’d fit, what I’d have to earn, and what it means to wear that jersey. That meant everything.”

Commitment Run: Names to Know in the 2025 Class

While Oklahoma’s class was already respectable entering June, it has now surged into elite territory. Some of the most notable additions include:

• Jaylen Cobb, 5-star WR from Texas: A dynamic deep threat, Cobb chose OU over Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. His commitment sent shockwaves through recruiting circles and was seen as a major win for wide receivers coach Emmett Jones.
• Malik Thomas, 4-star OT from Missouri: At 6’6” and 320 pounds, Thomas is the kind of anchor offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh covets. He’s expected to be a foundational piece of the “new Big Blue Wall” in Norman.
• Kory Blackwell, 4-star LB from Georgia: One of the Southeast’s most physical defenders, Blackwell brings athleticism and intelligence to the Sooners’ linebacker corps.
• David “DJ” Riley, 4-star EDGE from Florida: With length and twitch off the edge, Riley fits perfectly into Oklahoma’s evolving pass rush schemes under defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis.
• Tanner McNeal, 4-star QB from Colorado: McNeal, a dual-threat QB, surprised many with his early commitment. He’s viewed as a potential heir to Jackson Arnold and a future face of the program.

Each of these commitments represents more than just a recruiting win — they’re validation of the Sooners’ national reach, their recruiting infrastructure, and the relationships built by Venables and his assistants.

SoonerScoop Insights: Behind the Scenes of the June Surge

On the SoonerScoop Podcast, the hosts emphasized that this wave of commitments didn’t happen overnight. They cited months of groundwork, early evaluations, and a calculated approach to building the class.

“From the moment the 2024 class was signed, this staff turned the page,” said Stoia. “They didn’t wait until the spring — they were identifying targets, flying across the country, getting in front of families. That’s what sets them apart.”

One segment of the podcast delved into the specific strategies that are working for OU:

1. Early Identification and Contact: The staff zeroed in on their top 2025 targets as early as possible and established rapport.
2. Unified Message: Every coach and recruiter echoes the same values — development, culture, championship pursuit.
3. Official Visit Execution: OU’s June official visit weekends were meticulously organized, creating a family atmosphere and showcasing the program’s facilities, academics, and player development.

Fans React: “This Feels Different”

Sooner fans, always passionate, have taken to social media and forums to express their excitement. The general sentiment is one of awe and renewed belief.

“This class feels like the turning point,” wrote one fan on OUInsider. “We’re not just in the mix — we’re setting the pace.”

Another user added: “Give Brent Venables a few more classes like this, and we’re looking at a serious playoff run. SEC? Bring it on.”

The SoonerScoop Podcast even played a few fan voicemails in their latest episode. One longtime supporter, identified only as “Joe from Tulsa,” summed it up: “I’ve been following recruiting for 30 years. I’ve never seen us close like this. Not with this kind of conviction. It’s championship stuff.”

SEC Looms: Preparing for the Next Chapter

As the Sooners prepare to enter the Southeastern Conference in 2025, recruiting has taken on even more urgency. Competing with the likes of Alabama, LSU, and Georgia requires depth, speed, and toughness — qualities this 2025 class is rich with.

Venables has consistently preached the importance of SEC readiness, and this class is a direct reflection of that focus. With elite linemen, versatile defenders, and explosive offensive weapons, Oklahoma is building a roster that can withstand the physical and strategic demands of their new conference home.

“Every recruit we talked to mentioned the SEC,” said Radosevich. “And instead of being intimidated, they’re excited. That tells you everything you need to know about the mindset Venables is cultivating.”

Recruiting Battles Won and Still Ongoing

Oklahoma’s success hasn’t come without fierce competition. The Sooners have had to beat out SEC heavyweights, Big Ten bluebloods, and rising Pac-12 powers to secure many of these pledges. And the fight isn’t over yet.

Key targets still on the board include:

• Elijah Ford, 5-star DL from California
• Zayden Banks, 4-star CB from Florida
• Jeremiah Wilkins, 4-star WR from Louisiana

Insiders believe the Sooners are in strong position for all three. If they can close on two of the three, they could finish with a class in the top three nationally, according to both 247Sports and On3 consensus rankings.

What’s Next: Official Visits, Silent Commits, and Flip Watch

As July approaches, Oklahoma’s staff is preparing for a few more key visit weekends. Behind the scenes, sources indicate that the Sooners may already have multiple “silent commits” — recruits who have made verbal pledges privately and plan to announce later in the summer.

There’s also chatter around potential flips from other programs. One high-profile 4-star recruit from the state of Texas, currently committed to an SEC rival, is said to be “seriously reconsidering” after a recent Norman visit.

“The buzz is real,” said Stoia. “We could see fireworks all the way into August.”

National Media Catching On

Initially under the radar compared to splashy headlines from schools like Georgia or Ohio State, Oklahoma’s recruiting wave is now impossible to ignore. National outlets like ESPN, The Athletic, and CBS Sports have all begun highlighting the Sooners’ momentum.

Recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports recently moved OU up in his “Top Programs on the Rise” list, placing them at No. 2 nationally. “Brent Venables is proving he can recruit at the elite level,” Wiltfong wrote. “What we’re seeing in Norman right now is not a flash in the pan — it’s a long-term build.”

Final Thoughts: The Brent Venables Blueprint Is Working

Two years ago, many wondered if Brent Venables — a lifelong defensive coordinator — could transition to the CEO role required of a modern head coach. Today, those doubts have evaporated.

Through culture, consistency, and a fierce belief in development, Venables has positioned Oklahoma to be not just competitive, but dominant in the years to come. The 2025 recruiting class is the clearest proof yet that the foundation is solid — and the ceiling is sky-high.

As the SoonerScoop Podcast concluded in its latest episode, “This isn’t just a recruiting class. It’s a culture class. And it’s only the beginning.”

Current Class of 2025 (June Snapshot):

• Total Commitments: 15
• 5-stars: 2
• 4-stars: 10
• 3-stars: 3
• National Ranking (247 Composite): No. 4
• SEC Ranking: No. 2

Stay tuned — the wave is far from over.