One young breakout player with superstar potential drew rare praise from Brent Venables at SEC Media Days

Under head coach Brent Venables, the Oklahoma Sooners have recruited and developed some tremendous athletes.  Players like Marvin Mims, Tyler Guyton, R Mason Thomas, Billy Bowman, and Danny Stutsman have all been tremendous athletes that the Sooners have brought in and had success with. Even other athletes who are primed for a breakout season like PJ […]

AJ Schulte College Football Trending News Writer
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Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables talks to the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel.
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Under head coach Brent Venables, the Oklahoma Sooners have recruited and developed some tremendous athletes. 

Players like Marvin Mims, Tyler Guyton, R Mason Thomas, Billy Bowman, and Danny Stutsman have all been tremendous athletes that the Sooners have brought in and had success with. Even other athletes who are primed for a breakout season like PJ Adebawore and Jaren Kanak are some of the best pure athletes in college football.

However, one player drew the praise of Brent Venables at SEC Media Days, with Venables saying he just might be the best of all of them.

"On the defensive side of the ball, I would think a few names that you may or may not know. Danny Okoye, pound for pound, might be the best athlete on our football team."

Okoye drew rave reviews last season as a freshman during the summer, but played just nine snaps while on a depth chart featuring Thomas, Ethan Downs, Trace Ford, Caidan Woullard, and Adebawore.

However, he was the first player that Venables spoke about on defense, and the opportunity is there for him to breakout this season.

Thomas is obviously the key starter, but Adebawore has battled some prior injuries and transfer Marvin Jones Jr struggled to turn his athleticism into production last year at Florida State. If Okoye can continue putting it all together, the sky is the limit for him as a player. 

R Mason Thomas spoke about how deep the Sooners' pass rush room is this season

"Danny, he has all of it. When Danny gets this defense down and uses his skill set, it's gonna be even crazier. Like imagine PJ, T Wein [Taylor Wein], and then you have Danny and Marvin Jones Jr, it's like we got experience altogether. Our d-line is just cold."

So far, it seems like the only thing holding Okoye back is all mental, which comes with time and experience. If he takes that jump heading into this upcoming season, watch out for this pass rush.