Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners seem to be in a fantastic position to potentially land a four-star player in the 2028 cycle
The Oklahoma Sooners are trying to land 2028 four-star linebacker Tylan Henderson, and they seem to be in a good position.
The Oklahoma Sooners appear to be in prime position to land one of the top linebackers in the 2028 recruiting class, even with just one visit on the books. Tylan Henderson, a 4-star linebacker out of Weiss High School in Texas, is a top-180 player nationally and the No. 15 linebacker in his class with a 90.40 Composite rating.
He stands 6’1 and weighs 210 pounds and has offers from programs across the country. According to Sam Spiegelman of Rivals, Oklahoma is emerging as one of the teams best positioned to land Henderson despite a visit gap that would concern most programs.
Henderson has taken four visits to Texas Tech, three to SMU, two to Texas A&M, and one each to Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Alabama. That single trip to Norman has apparently made a significant impression.
Oklahoma’s linebacker pipeline sells itself
The Sooners don’t need to oversell their ability to develop linebackers. The track record speaks for itself. And the school in general speaks for itself.
“Everything has been great since the contact period opened up,” Henderson told Rivals. “I’ve had some good talks with some schools over the past few weeks. Right now I’m just talking with my family to try to get the list narrowed down. It’s always great when I visit Oklahoma. Coach Venables’ defenses have been very good over the years. He and Coach Dreiling have done a great job explaining how they see me fitting into that defense.
“I got to have some really good conversations with the staff. I feel like I would fit into their scheme well. The defense they run would allow me to play pretty clean, so that’s big for a linebacker. Also, they are big on guys playing early, so I like that. The relationship I have and am building with them makes them a strong consideration for me.”
Owen Heinecke, a former lacrosse player, is entering only his second full season at Oklahoma and is already considered one of the best linebackers in the country. Kip Lewis could hear his name called as a high draft pick next offseason. Danny Stutsman is set to be a starter for the New Orleans Saints in his second NFL season. The list keeps going.
That pipeline of development gives Oklahoma a tangible recruiting advantage at the position. When a prospect can point to recent examples of players arriving on campus and leaving as NFL starters, the pitch practically makes itself.
Then there’s coach Brent Venables, one of the best defensive minds in college football. His presence only strengthens the case for a defensive recruit like Henderson, who would be walking into a program built to maximize his talent.
Where the 2028 class stands
Oklahoma currently has one commitment in its 2028 recruiting class: quarterback Trey Tagliaferri. The Sooners have sent out offers to several players around the country, including a few other linebackers. They are also in the running for 3-star linebacker Reagan Smith.
Henderson is focused on his junior campaign at Weiss right now, so a decision likely isn’t imminent. But the groundwork Oklahoma has laid through one visit and its broader reputation at the position has the Sooners sitting in a strong spot.
Landing Henderson would represent a significant early win for OU’s 2028 class and reinforce that the program remains a premier destination for elite defensive talent.