5 freshmen who could make an immediate impact for Oklahoma in 2025

In a time when sometimes it seems like high school recruiting doesn't really matter, the Oklahoma Sooners had a quietly loaded 2025 signing class with players who could immediately make an impact this season, plus a redshirt now ready to be unleashed.

Courtland Guillory, CB

When OU head coach Brent Venables was asked at SEC Media Days which freshmen had already impressed him, he had a long list, but spent a little extra time praising cornerback Courtland Guillory.

"Courtland Guillory is young man from Houston that showed up on campus at corner that loves to compete," Venables said then. "That's probably his best quality and trait. He's long, he's super athletic, but he loves to compete, and he shows up every day. He's a dog and plays with tremendous effort. Lets you coach him hard, so I love that about Courtland."

Guillory didn't pop out on signing day as a four- or three-star recruit depending on the outlet, but it sounds like traits that can't be measured is what has impressed his coach the most.

Talent-wise straight out of high school, Guillory might have trouble getting on the field at other positions, but the Sooners have somewhat of a wide-open race at corner, especially with Eli Bowen banged up. At the very least, Guillory will get a chance in OU's season opener against Illinois State to earn more playing time going forward.

Michael Fasusi, OL

Michael Fasusi was the star of the Sooners' 2025 class as a consensus five-star recruit and No. 5 overall prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite, and the hype surrounding the phenom has only grown since he stepped on campus.

Fasusi is already competing for a starting job at one of the tackle spots, but even if he doesn't start, he'll still be in the rotation consistently.

Ryan Fodje, OL

Ryan Fodje has been mentioned in the same breath as Fasusi by OU coaches all fall camp and is also fighting for a starting role along the Sooners' offensive line.

"I hate to put unreal expectations on them, you know me, I'm an honest dude," OL coach Bill Bedenbaugh said of Fodje and Fasusi during fall camp. "I haven't had — and we've had good players, really good guys that are All-Pros — I haven't had anybody like them at that age, just overall. They aren't afraid."

While the offensive line is rightfully Sooner Nation's biggest worry heading into the season, Fodje and Fasusi could be the needed pieces to make it SEC ready.

Danny Okoye, DE

Recently on his preseason coaches show, Venables said of Danny Okoye, "We're getting ready to unleash him to the SEC." For a guy who's usually careful with his words, Venables hasn't held back about Okoye, who Venables also said at SEC Media Days, "pound for pound, might be the best athlete on our football team.”

Venables' comments are enough to know that Okoye will be a force after a redshirt season.

Elijah Thomas, WR

I bought all of the stock on Elijah Thomas back when he was at Checotah High School hurdling kids. I've even publicly compared him to CeeDee Lamb. People who know ball a lot better than I do have also made astounding NFL comps to Thomas already, with OU wide receivers coach Emmett Jones recently saying, "That's (New York Giants star receiver) Malik Nabers right there."

Do not be surprised if Thomas doesn't just start, but ends up being the Sooners' No. 1 receiver after how impressive he's looked throughout fall camp.

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