Oklahoma football: Where do the Sooners stand with their 5-star recruits?

The Oklahoma football program is entering a huge month for the 2024 recruiting cycle. The 2024 Sooners recruiting class ranks 28th nationally in the 247Sports recruiting rankings. The class ranks so low right now because it’s still early in the recruiting cycle. The month of June, however, marks a significant transition into the middle of the recruiting cycle. June means things are heating up and about to get serious.

With June fast approaching, we wanted to take a quick look at where the Sooners stand in recruiting the nation’s top talent. Currently, the Oklahoma football program is in the running to land multiple 5-star recruits. But who are they? Where does OU stand with them? And what are the chances OU can land these top-tiered recruits?

In 2023, the Sooners received signed letters of intent from three 5-star recruits (P.J. Adebawore, Peyton Bowen, and Jackson Arnold). If the Sooners want to top that number, they’ll have to make their move in June. So let’s look at the potential Sooner 5-star commitments and their status.

Williams Nwaneri – DL – Lee’s Summit, Missouri

Nwaneri is the top-rated defensive lineman in the country and the number three-ranked overall player in America. He stands 6′ 5”, 255 pounds. A physical monster on the field, Nwaneri showcases a ‘one in a generation’ type presence on a football field. His size allows him an opportunity to shade inside at the college level. However, his natural position is as an elite EDGE rusher.

According to multiple recruiting sites, Nwaneri has the Sooners in the lead for his recruitment. His official visit schedule is as follows: In May, he visited Missouri, and June sees him visiting Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Finally, Nwaneri will visit Oregon in September.

I get the feeling this recruiting battle will come down to Tennessee and Oklahoma. The late Oregon visit is also concerning, as they have proven they can win a recruiting battle against Oklahoma defensive line coach Todd Bates as evidenced by last weekend’s commitment of Durant defensive tackle Xadavien Sims. Nwaneri reportedly loved his unofficial visit to Tennessee and thinks highly of the Josh Heupel coaching staff.

I don’t think Nwaneri will commit until after he visits Oregon in September. If he does commit before his Oregon visit, I think it will be to Oklahoma. Any early pulling of the trigger favors Oklahoma. All of Oklahoma’s efforts are not directed at Nwaneri, which can be seen as a glass-half-full or empty type scenario. They’re also pursuing another highly-rated defensive lineman, which gives them added security but takes the potential effort away from Nwaneri.

If the Sooners can gain a commitment from Nwaneri, it will put their recruiting class into the top ten nationally, no doubt.

Sammy Brown – LB – Jefferson, Georgia

Brown is the top-rated linebacker in the country and the 5th ranked overall player in the country. This kid is built differently. He’s an ‘old-school’ middle linebacker that fits the mold of a true Brent Venables prototype linebacker. He’s physically dominant on the football field and even more dominant in the weight room. He’s a college starter right now… in high school. Brown would add immediate relief to the Sooners’ interior defense and an immediate physical force overall.

Brown’s official visit schedule is as follows: May sees him visiting Tennessee. In June, he will visit Clemson, Georgia, and Ohio State, and end his visits on June 23rd by visiting Oklahoma.
I’m excited and encouraged that Oklahoma has the last say in Brown’s official visits. He’s shown a potential lean toward Oklahoma because he originally had Ohio State as his final visit but switched Oklahoma to the final spot.

The downside is that Clemson and Georgia will be tough to beat. He absolutely loves Brent Venables. If Venables was still at Clemson, I would bet he’d already be a committed Tiger right now. The home-state Bulldogs are also in a good spot with Brown.

I think he will commit to Clemson. OU ranks third with this one. It’s a close race, but the ground to make up will be difficult. The two things that give me hope are 1) Brent Venables and 2) OU has his last official visit.

June is so critical for this recruitment; it’s the month of Sammy Brown. He wants to end his recruitment in June, so keep your eyes and ears open for his commitment following his visit to Norman on the 23rd. If he commits to the Sooners, and there’s a slight chance he will, their class ranking will skyrocket.

Bryant Wesco – WR – Midlothian, Texas

This one’s my favorite. This kid is the definition of a playmaking wide receiver. He reminds me of Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State. He does it all, and he does it all great. Wesco’s recruitment is close to an end, and I think the Sooners have the best shot at landing him.

Wesco is the number three ranked receiver in America, the number one receiver from Texas, and the number nine ranked player in America.

All reports and experts have predicted he will commit to the Sooners. There’s one thing that worries me… he’s not officially visiting Oklahoma. His five official visits are to USC, Clemson, LSU, TCU, and Tennessee. He’s visited Norman multiple times and seen the campus and facilities. Maybe not taking an official to OU isn’t a big deal. Still, I wish he would.

Wesco would immediately be a starter, and main contributor, to the Sooners’ offense. His visits end in June, and I’d be willing to say he commits somewhere before he begins his senior year. I, and many others, think he will commit to OU. It’ll be a battle with TCU, ultimately.

David Stone – DL – Bradenton, Florida

Stone is originally from Oklahoma and still frequently visits his home state. On a football field, he reminds me of Gerald McCoy. He’s physically dominant and violent on the defensive line. He truly looks like a man amongst boys.

Stone is great at marketing himself on social media and is very active in teasing his recruitment. He’s close to OU and Michigan State right now. It’s a tight race for the two programs, but ultimately I think the Sooners will win the battle for his services. I believe he has close ties with the State and will come home.

If the Sooners can commit Nwaneri and Stone, they’ll have a top-five class nationally. I think he will take his commitment to signing day too. I wouldn’t look for Stone to commit to anyone anytime soon. He clearly enjoys the recruiting process and the attention he gets from it; who wouldn’t? I can’t say that I blame him.

Stone is set to officially visit the Sooners on June 16th. Hopefully, the staff can seal the deal then, but we must wait and see. Don’t worry… he’s worth it.

These guys are the cream of the crop. These are the elite 5-star players the Sooners have a legitimate shot at landing in the 2024 recruiting cycle. June is going to be a massive month in these kids’ recruitment. Stay tuned for commitment updates and other recruiting news for the 2024 Oklahoma football recruiting class.