Oklahoma football: 2024 commits thin so far, but crystal ball nods are growing
By Chip Rouse
If you look through the class rankings for the 2024 recruiting cycle, which admittedly is still early in the process, you have to scroll through a long list before you come to the line for Oklahoma football.
The Sooners have one commitment so far for 2024, and that didn’t come until this past weekend. Four-star cornerback prospect Jeremiah Newcombe is the lone member of the 2024 Sooner class currently, but that is not expected to be the case for long.
Oklahoma ranks 62nd currently in recruiting for 2024, according to 247Sports. Eight current and soon-to-be Big 12 schools rank ahead of the Sooners, the highest being Texas Tech with six commits, at No. 16. Of small consolation at this stage: USC, also with just one four-star commitment, ranks just ahead of OU in the No. 61 spot.
The Sooners’ 2023 class ranked No. 4 nationally when all was said and done this past February, and the 2022 class ranked No. 10 in the final tally by 247Sports. So, clearly, there is no need to panic as we sit here one day away from April 1.
It’s important to understand that this is not a reflection of inactivity or the inability of Brent Venables and Co. to sell prospects on Oklahoma. It is more a realization of Venables’ philosophy that recruits should not commit to Oklahoma until they are absolutely sure that is where they want to be. In short: Once a prospect commits to the Sooners, the expectation is that his official visits elsewhere are over.
Oklahoma is actively recruiting elite players at every position group, and it has been reported that OU is making inroads with a number of highly regarded targets.
Below are some of the top national prospects for 2024 that Oklahoma has received crystal ball projections on by multiple experts who closely follow college football recruiting.
QB Michael Hawkins
A four-star prospect out of Frisco, Texas, Hawkins could be the second 2024 recruit to commit to the Sooners. He plans to announce his decision on April 8, and it is down to two finalists: Oklahoma and TCU. At least two national recruiting services have him going to OU. Stay tuned.
WR Bryant Wescoe
Wescoe is another highly recruited prospect out of the state of Texas (Midlothian). He is believed to be a good friend of Michael Hawkins. The battle for his commitment, like that of Hawkins, is reported to be between Oklahoma and TCU, but the lean at this time appears to be toward the Sooners.
DL Williams Nwaneri
A five-star DL prospect out of the Kansas City area, Nwaneri hails from the same area as 2023 prized Sooners DL recruit P.J. Adebawore. At 6 feet, 5 inches and 255 pounds, Nwaneri would be a giant catch for the Sooners. He has the size, athleticism and versatility to have a big impact in the OU defensive front. This recruitment could go several ways. Georgia, Missouri, Oregon and Tennessee are among the programs that have been heavily pursuing Nwaneri, but things look good for the Sooners at this stage.
RB Caden Durham
A four-star running back prospect from Duncanville, Texas, Durham brings game-breaking ability at the running back position, according to 247Sports. The same recruiting experts who have projected Bryant Wescoe to land in the Oklahoma column are doing so for Durham.
RB Xavier Robinson
Robinson is a big running back at 6-feet, 2 inches, 225 pounds. He hails from nearby Midwest City. He’s rated as three stars and has drawn interest from Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Kansas State among others, but the Sooners should have the edge here as well.
S Jayden Hardy
A four-star safety prospect from Lewisville, Texas, Hardy has been gaining momentum as an Oklahoma lean with several recruiting experts who have given him crystal ball projections as a 2024 Sooner commit.
RB Tovani Mizell
Mizell rates four stars and recently decommitted from Georgia. Sooner running backs coach DeMarco Murray is high on Mizell and would like to see him in an Oklahoma uniform. According to 247Sports, OU has been gaining traction in Mizell’s recruitment ever since he announced his decommitted from Georgia.
S Aaron Flowers
A four-star safety prospect from Forney, Texas, Flowers is reported to be down to two finalists in his recruitment. He is expected to choose between Oklahoma and USC and announce his decision on April 7.
CB Eli Bowen
This one would appear to be a slam dunk for the Sooners, given that he is the brother of 2023 OU recruit Peyton Bowen. Nothing is ever certain until its certain, of course, but you would think Oklahoma would be in front in the recruitment of this four-star cornerback prospect.
All of these 2024 prospects have one or more Oklahoma crystal ball projections, which makes it reasonable to assume that the Sooners have as good a chance as any to land any or all of these recruiting targets. All are clearly on OU’s radar.