Oklahoma Sooners could be in line to make a legit push for top defender in the 2028 recruiting class
The Oklahoma Sooners are in a good situation with the potential of landing 2028 recruit and edge rusher Asher Ghioto.
The Oklahoma Sooners have generated plenty of buzz around their pursuit of defensive prospect Kellen Hall, but another elite target deserves attention. Five-star edge rusher Asher Ghioto, the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2028 recruiting class and the No. 1 edge rusher in the country, has Oklahoma firmly in his sights.
The Jacksonville, Florida, native out of the Bolles School stands at 6’5, 240 pounds and carries a 96.55 overall composite rating on Rivals. His NIL valuation currently sits at $175,000, according to Rivals.
Ghioto has trimmed his list to Miami, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, UCF, and Oklahoma. According to Steve Wilfong of Rivals, Ghioto has Oklahoma in his crosshairs. This fall, the Sooners will be working to make a move against several big-time programs like Miami, Georgia, and Florida. Winning out over schools of that caliber is no small task, but it’s nothing Oklahoma hasn’t done before.
Ghioto already has strong feelings about OU
Ghioto has spoken openly about what draws him to Norman, and his words make that obvious.
“I like Oklahoma because they do a great job at developing defensive linemen,” Ghioto told Rivals. “The attacking style defense really is something I love. They really get after the quarterback there. They led the SEC in sacks last year, and I love that. The entire staff is genuine, and they really care about their players.
“Coach Todd Bates and the entire staff text me several times a day and even have my parents in a group chat. The off-the-field stuff means a lot. I’m excited to watch them build off last year. The program is also rooted in faith, and as I’ve seen before, or as I’ve said before, that is super important to me.”
The relationship between the coaching staff and the recruit’s family is clearly deep, and the daily communication and group chats with his parents reflect a genuine investment beyond football. Oklahoma’s culture, faith-based identity, and defensive development pipeline all resonate with the five-star prospect.
Why the Sooners need Ghioto in the 2028 class
As the process moves forward, Ghioto is building a serious relationship with Oklahoma, and the Sooners are doing everything they can to show that they want him and care about him as a person. For the coaching staff, this is about family, not just landing an elite talent.
Oklahoma needs a player like Ghioto in their 2028 recruiting class. The Sooners currently have just one commit in the cycle: quarterback Trey Tagliaferri. Adding the No. 3 overall prospect would be a massive statement for a class that needs foundational pieces. The Sooners led the SEC in sacks last season, and bringing in the top edge rusher in America would only reinforce the defensive identity coach Todd Bates and the staff are building. This is certainly one to watch as the recruitment progresses through the fall.
