Should Oklahoma Sooners fans be worried about poor defensive tackle recruiting in recent seasons?
In Brent Venables' first few seasons, the Oklahoma Sooners didn't have an issue raking in defensive line talent, pulling in blue chippers like Gracen Halton and Derrick LeBlanc right away. This was capped off by the Sooners' tremendous 2024 class that brought in five-star David Stone and four-star Jayden Jackson, as well as prized transfer […]
In Brent Venables' first few seasons, the Oklahoma Sooners didn't have an issue raking in defensive line talent, pulling in blue chippers like Gracen Halton and Derrick LeBlanc right away. This was capped off by the Sooners' tremendous 2024 class that brought in five-star David Stone and four-star Jayden Jackson, as well as prized transfer Damonic Williams, heading into last season.
That unit was the backbone of Oklahoma's elite defensive success last season, forming a formidable wall up front that dominated virtually every unit they faced.
However, they haven't pulled in the same recruiting success so far in their latest recruiting classes. They landed just one defensive lineman last year in the 2025 class, three-star Trent Wilson, and are poised to do that yet again in 2026, with just three-star Brian Harris committed.
With Halton and Williams set to graduate this year, and Jackson and Stone readying themselves for the NFL the year after, the Sooners need to find the future of their defensive line. Yet, it hasn't been a serious priority so far in both 2025 and 2026.
This was capped off by hilariously losing defensive tackle Tajh Overton to Oklahoma State last week. Overton, the top defensive prospect in the state of Oklahoma, was fully aboard joining the Sooners until flipping last minute to Oklahoma State because the Sooners seemingly dropped him.
As time gets closer and closer to early signing day, Oklahoma is losing out on targets and time to make an impression to find more players in this class. While they will still battle with some committed prospects throughout the season, where they stand right now feels borderline unacceptable.
They are recouping by trying to pursue elite blue-chipper Deuce Geralds, but that feels like a desperate last swing to try and climb into a race featuring Ohio State, Oregon, and Alabama, and they don't have a lot of time or visits left.
If they can pull it off, then there's nothing to discuss here. If not, though, it's a rather worrying trend up front, especially for a team trying to compete in the trenches of the SEC.
Why evaluating Brent Venables in the upcoming 2025 season might be more complicated than many Oklahoma fans will expect
If you ask a fan of the Oklahoma Sooners right now if they would fire Brent Venables if he loses to Texas this season, I would bet that at least eight out of ten times they would say yes, undoubtedly. Going 1-3 against Texas in your first four seasons is a death knell for pretty […]
