On Tuesday last week, 2022 four-star quarterback prospect Nick Evers decommitted from Florida. On Sunday, after a weekend visit to Norman, Evers committed to Brent Venables to be part of the Oklahoma football program.
It was Venables first recruiting commitment since being named the 23rd head coach of the Sooners. The announcement also comes just three days before the early signing period begins for the class of 2022.
The 6-foot, 3-inch, 190-pound Evers, from Flower Mound, Texas, is rated as the No. 8 pocket-passer prospect, according to the 247Sports Player Composite and the No. 134 player overall in the 2022 class.
The Sooners did not have a quarterback commitment in the 2022 class, but with former No. 1 QB prospect Spencer Rattler entering the transfer portal after three seasons at Oklahoma and the decommitment of Malachi Nelson, the top-rated quarterback nationally in the 2023 class, the commitment to the Sooners by Evers comes at a very good time.
All Glory To God!
— nicco (@NickEvers12) December 13, 2021
COMMITTED!! #OUDNA | #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/e22EBDEdb1
Evers’ commitment also stopped the hemorrahaging in the Sooners’ 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes that occurred immediatlely after the news broke that Lincoln Riley was leaving OU for USC. OU has lost seven previous commitments, including several five-star prospects in the past two weeks following the coaching change.
It will be interesting to see if Evers’ commitment to the Sooners creates a domino effect. Evers was one of two Florida commitments who changed their minds after Dan Mullen was fired as Florida head coach. Four-star wide receiver Jayden Gibson, from Winter Garden, Florida, reportedly has a close relationship with Evers.
Gibson’s 6-foot, 5-inch height would be valuable asset to have, especially with the widespread trend of teams bringing in taller receivers who possess length as well as good speed.
The Oklahoma 2022 class now numbers 13 commitments, down from 16 prior to Riley’s departure. The Sooners are currently ranked 15th by 247Sports. That’s up from the low 20s just a week ago.
We’ll also keep a close watch on several Clemson defensive recruits, including five-star cornerback Daylen Everette, who decommitted from the Tigers last week after learning about Venables taking the Oklahoma head-coaching job.