Oklahoma Sooners just made it known to an elite 2028 recruit that he’s a big priority, and now he’s making an effort to schedule a visit
The Oklahoma Sooners are going after 2028 offensive Tackle Vincent Shields very hard, and now he wants a visit.
The Oklahoma Sooners are making a strong impression on 2028 four-star offensive tackle Vincent Shields, and it’s starting to show.
The 6’6, 280-pound prospect out of Murrieta Valley in Menifee, California, is a top-200 player in the 2028 recruiting class, the No. 23 offensive tackle, and the No. 12 player in the state of California with an 89.58 composite rating. His top teams right now appear to be Oklahoma, SMU, UCLA, Arizona State, Alabama, and Arizona. He’s only had one visit so far, to SMU, but more are on the way.
Shields says Oklahoma has done ‘the best job building a relationship’
According to Rivals’ Adam Gorney, Oklahoma is making Shields a big priority, and the attention is resonating with the young prospect. Shields had this to say:
“I want to get an Oklahoma game,” Shields told Gorney. “I just feel like they’ve done the best job building a relationship with me, and they’re letting me know every day that they’re still thinking about me. Even though I might not text them, they let me know they’re going to text me and that I’m not the only one, or that I’m only on their board, but I’m a big priority. Um, he said that’s a really big part. Nobody wants to go somewhere where you’re just there, and every other position is striving.”
Shields also mentioned that Oklahoma’s offensive line tradition is something he’s genuinely drawn to. When you look at offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh’s track record, that makes perfect sense. Bedenbaugh has sent more offensive linemen to the league over the last 20 years than just about anyone you could think of.
He’s elite at what he does, develops players at an extremely high level, and the offensive line room is always loaded with elite talent that can develop into something special.
Other programs in the mix
Cal, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss are also in the fight for Shields, but no other visits have been planned yet. Shields is expected to sit down over the next few days and figure out whether he can get his schedule squared away to make a trip to Norman for a visit. Oklahoma has a well-documented history of winning recruits over on campus.
The Sooners bring kids to Norman who probably weren’t ever going to seriously consider Oklahoma. Then when they get there, they see how good it is. They feel the family atmosphere. They see the history, the national championships, the Heisman trophies, and they want to be a part of it. Oklahoma kills the on-campus visit experience every single time, and that could absolutely happen with Shields.
Why this matters for the 2028 class
This would be a significant addition for a class that currently has only one 2028 commit in quarterback Trey Tagliaferri. There is a long time between now and the 2028 National Signing Day. But it’s better to get the ball rolling and start filling the class before it’s too late. Shields profiles as a player Oklahoma would love to have. And, the early returns on the relationship suggest the Sooners are in a strong position to make it happen.