When knew it was coming. Just not who or when. But Oklahoma football has finally landed it first commitment for the 2024 recruiting class.
Four-star cornerback prospect Jeremiah Newcombe announced his verbal commitment on Saturday to play football at Oklahoma. The native of Queen Creek, Arizona, is ranked as the No. 18 cornerback and 209th player in the 2024 class nationally, according to the 247Sports Player Composite.
Newcombe credited the relationship he has built with OU head coach Brent Venables and co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks/nickelbacks coach Jay Valai as a major reason for his pledge to the Sooners.
"“Coach Venables is a great coach, and he’s one that is going to push his guys to be the best they can be off and on the field,” Newcombe told Blair Angulo of 247Sports. “I believe the path he is driving Oklahoma football will be a winning one.”"
Wow!! Words can’t describe how excited and blessed I am!!♥️🤍 @OU_Football @JayValai @CoachVenables @CoachNewcombe @IsaiahNewcombe @CasteelFootball @MsRachelN ⭕️U pic.twitter.com/i3wd3QAFrz
— Jeremiah Newcombe (@newcombe_jj) March 26, 2023
The Sooners were relatively late to the party in extending a scholarship offer to Newcombe, but they apparently made the biggest impression when they did. Some of the other major programs that were recruiting the cornerback prospect were Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, USC and Wisconsin.
"“Oklahoma is my home now,” Newcombe said. “I will only be taking my official visit to Oklahoma.”"
Newcombe’s father, Bobby, was a quarterback at Nebraska and a sixth-round NFL Draft selection by of the Arizona Cardinals in 2001. His brother, Isaiah, is a redshirt-sophomore defensive back at UCLA.
The cornerback prospect has 13 interceptions in three years on varsity at Casteel High School, where he also is a wide receiver. He is being recruited as a cornerback by the Sooners.