Oklahoma Sooners news: Massive recruiting break, potential impact freshmen, OU serious national contender

Oklahoma Sooners news from Friday, July 18, 2025
Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Massive recruiting break

The Oklahoma Sooners got a massive recruiting break on Thursday when 2026 wide receiver commit Daniel Odom reassured his pledge to OU.

"This is one of the toughest decisions I have had to make in my life," Odom wrote. "With that being said, I am only one person & I can only choose one school. After much prayer & consideration I have decided that I will not be choosing another university.

"Effective immediately, I'm shutting down down my recruitment & 100% committed to Oklahoma."

Odom made this announcement as there’s been worry about his commitment to OU. Earlier this week, it was reported that Odom was planning to visit Colorado during this season, which doesn’t seem to be happening now. He also took official visits to Florida State and Washington this summer.

That’s now water under the bridge, though, as the Sooners kept from losing their only wide receiver commit so far.

Potential impact freshmen

When Brent Venables took the stage at SEC Media Days on Wednesday, he rattled off a list of freshmen who could make an impact for the Sooners in 2025.

Venables first mentioned a trio of offensive linemen in Daniel Akinkunmi, Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodge.

“I think you'll see Mike Fasusi, Ryan Fodje, that couple of freshmen offensive linemen that are mature beyond their years -- mentally and physically," Venables said.

Defensively, Venables mentioned defensive end Danny Okoye, cornerback Courtland Guillory, defensive tackle Trent Wilson and safety Omarion Robinson.

“Those are the names that jump out at me right away, but the test of the season will tell," Venables said.

OU among serious national contenders

CBS Sports on Thursday released its Blue-Chip Ratio for 2025 that unveiled 18 teams as legitimate national title contenders, including the Sooners.

The Blue-Chip Ratio measures the percentage of how many four- and five-star recruits made up a program's last four recruiting cycles based on the 247Sports Composite. According to its creator, Bud Elliott, "It's one of the best tools we have for identifying which teams have the baseline level of talent required to win it all."

Teams are considered real contenders if their percentage is over 50%.

The Sooners had the ninth-highest percentage at 70%. The SEC had nine teams included and six teams on OU’s 2025 schedule were on the list.

Top stories from yesterday