290-LB Oklahoma Commit Makes Emotions Clear on Brent Venables’ $2.55M Transfer Amid Main 5-Star Replace

With the faculty soccer world at all times looking out for the following large factor, Brent Venables and his workers have been making waves, steadily constructing a category that’s already turning heads. The Sooners have already secured commitments from a handful of gamers who deliver a mix of athleticism, potential, and flexibility. Jaden O’Neal, a four-star quarterback impressing scouts together with his arm expertise and management, and Jakore Smith, a dynamic four-star linebacker drawing comparisons to previous standouts, are among the many Sooners’ recruits. Add in a pair of four-star talent gamers—huge receiver Daniel Odom and tight finish Ryder Combine—and also you’ve bought the makings of a category that would assist Oklahoma compete on the highest stage for years to come back.

And that brings us to the newest headline—Brian Harris, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman from Mandarin Excessive Faculty, has formally pledged to affix the Sooners’ 2026 class. Harris’ dedication is an enormous win for Oklahoma, particularly contemplating he selected the Sooners over powerhouse applications like Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, and South Carolina. And if you wish to know what sealed the deal for Brian Harris and the Sooners, look no additional than the recruiting efforts of Oklahoma Normal Supervisor Jim Nagy.

In Harris’ recent interview with Jay Smith of UNFAIR SPORTS, he highlights the essential function performed by Oklahoma’s $2.55M rent, Normal Supervisor Jim Nagy. “I actually do have a extremely robust reference to the workers, particularly Jim Nagy,” says Brian to Jay Smith. “Particularly uh these final couple of months main into my dedication, I’ve gotten a stronger reference to Jim Nagy. He’s a dawg man, and I actually do suppose that he is aware of what he’s doing.” Jim Nagy is a recruiting coordinator with severe NFL credibility, having spent years scouting and evaluating expertise on the highest stage.

Brian goes on to say, “I imply he actually understands how one can analyze guys whatever the stars and recruit these guys and be like ‘Okay that’s the man I would like.’ like he’s handpicking these guys and he’s not simply going off of what number of stars they bought.” The Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and Washington Commanders employed Nagy for almost twenty years. In these rooms, stars subsequent to a child’s identify don’t imply a lot if he can’t play. Nagy made his bones by digging deep into movie, on the lookout for traits that translate—guys who play exhausting, have instincts, and match the system. That’s what he bought for the Sooners.

On the Senior Bowl, Nagy was the one making the calls on whom to ask. He seemed for gamers from all over the place throughout the FBS and FCS who proved themselves on movie, and it labored out: over 40% of final 12 months’s NFL Draft decisions got here by the use of his occasion, a file 110 picks. Based on stories, Oklahoma didn’t simply name and textual content Harris; they created a bunch chat together with his household and the line of defense coaches, ensuring everybody felt concerned within the course of. That sort of private contact could make all of the distinction when a recruit is weighing presents from Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, and South Carolina. Nagy instructed him that Harris was a precedence, telling him he was ‘No. 1 of their board room proper from the start.’

Simply as Sooners followers had been settling in with Nagy’s recruiting appeal, the following flip within the Felix Ojo drama came crashing down like thunder.

Felix Ojo cancels Sooners go to

Felix Ojo is from Lake Ridge Excessive and has been among the many most extremely sought-after prospects within the nation. He’s presently the No. 1 recruit in Texas and No. 3 offensive lineman within the nation. Based on stories, he’s additionally bought an NIL worth of $758,000. OSU, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, Ole Miss, Georgia, Michigan, and Notre Dame, Ojo’s recruitment has been a dizzying tour of blueblood applications for months, with Oklahoma by no means removed from the combo.

The Sooners had been set to host Ojo for an important official go to on June 20, however Ojo canceled his journey to Norman. He revealed to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, “Not wanted. Nearing my choice lots earlier than later.” Hours later, he doubled down on social media, posting “God’s plan”—a sign that his thoughts would possibly already be made up. For Brent Venables and the Oklahoma workers, this was a intestine punch. The Sooners have been constructing a powerful offensive line class, already locking in Will Conroy and Noah Finest for 2026 and trending for four-star Deacon Schmitt. Underneath Invoice Bedenbaugh, OU’s O-line recruiting has been elite, with 2025 stars like Ryan Fodje and Michael Fasusi on board.

All of the arrows are actually on Texas’s aspect. The Longhorns have all of the momentum, home-state edge, and the non-public connection–Ojo’s former center college teammate Kohen Brown simply dedicated to Texas, and Texas five-star commit at QB Dia Bell has been speaking to Ojo nonstop and recruiting him exhausting, calling Ojo a “future Longhorn.” Michigan continues to be lurking about, however with Ojo’s last official go to to Austin, Texas, it appears poised to land the five-star sort out. If Ojo finally ends up selecting Texas, it gained’t simply be a recruiting win—it’ll be a shot throughout the bow within the Pink River Rivalry, particularly after Texas’ dominant win over Oklahoma final season.