Oklahoma Coaches Continue Recruiting Efforts Despite Cold Weather

Despite the frigid temperatures in and around Norman, Oklahoma’s football program has not slowed down its offseason recruiting efforts. The Sooners’ coaching staff has been actively visiting prospects and commits across the country, showcasing their commitment to building a strong roster for future seasons.

Visits with Key Prospects

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables, along with his assistants, has been busy this week engaging with both committed and uncommitted players. One of the highlights of the week was Venables and wide receivers coach Emmett Jones traveling to Los Angeles to meet with Quentin Hale, a consensus top-60 player in the Class of 2027. At 6-3 and 175 pounds, Hale has also received offers from LSU, Texas A&M, USC, Alabama, and Georgia. He previously took an unofficial visit to Norman on September 20, when the Sooners defeated Auburn 23-17.

In Southern California, Venables and defensive analyst Xavier Brewer visited cornerback JuJu Johnson, a consensus 4-star recruit ranked No. 47 overall by 247Sports’ composite rankings. Johnson is also being pursued by Michigan, Oregon, and Alabama.

Venables and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates met with Elija Harmon, who committed to Oklahoma on December 7. From Inglewood, CA, Harmon is a consensus 4-star defensive lineman listed at 6-3 and 280 pounds.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle traveled to Alabama to meet with 2027 quarterback Jamison Roberts. Roberts, from Saraland, AL, is a consensus 3-star prospect and one of four quarterbacks that OU has offered from the Class of 2027. He is ranked No. 370 in 247Sports’ composite rankings and has received offers from Auburn, Baylor, Duke, Northwestern, and Syracuse.

Defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis made a trip to Arkansas to visit Bryant, AR native Samuel Nelson. Nelson is an unranked prospect per 247Sports but has received offers from OU, Florida State, and Central Arkansas. He is the younger brother of Matthew Nelson, a defensive end that OU signed as part of its 2026 class.

Chavis and Venables also traveled to Utah to see edge rusher Krew Jones, who pledged with the Sooners in November. Jones, from Utah, is a consensus 4-star prospect ranked No. 148 overall in the Class of 2027 by 247Sports. Rivals also reported that Jones will be switching schools for his senior season, moving from Ridgeline High School to Orem High School.

Unsurprisingly, the Sooners’ staff also made a trip to Texas. Running backs coach DeMarco Murray visited 4-star running back Lathan Whistenton, who is listed at 5-11 and 194 pounds. Ranked as the No. 295 prospect in the 2027 class by 247Sports, Whistenton has caught the attention of most of Texas’ major programs, including Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Baylor, and has also received offers from Auburn, Michigan, and Ole Miss.

Offers to Class of 2028 Prospects

In addition to their efforts with the Class of 2027, the Sooners have also extended offers to several players from the Class of 2028. Edge rusher Kameron McGee announced an offer from OU on Thursday. From Chicago, McGee is a consensus 4-star recruit and the No. 6 overall player in the 2028 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He is listed at 6-3 and 235 pounds. Other schools that have offered McGee include Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Kansas State, Nebraska, and USC.

Athlete Keaton Fields also received an offer from the Sooners. A native of Chandler, AZ, Fields is a 3-star recruit per all major recruiting services. As a sophomore in 2025, Fields registered 46 total tackles, 27 solo tackles, five pass breakups, and four interceptions while playing cornerback. Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, Nebraska, and Michigan are among the other schools that have also pursued Fields.

Ca’Ron Williams, another cornerback, also received an OU offer this week. Williams is a consensus 3-star recruit from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, listed at 5-11 and 175 pounds. He has also received offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Cal, and Arizona.

Defensive lineman Logan Lokey announced an offer from Oklahoma as well. Listed at 6-3 and 245 pounds, Lokey’s father, Derek, played defensive line for Texas from 2004 to 2007. Though unranked by 247Sports, Lokey has earned offers from Baylor, Nebraska, Mississippi State, and Arizona, in addition to the Sooners.