Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners left a massive impression on a defensive line recruit with elite potential
The Oklahoma Sooners just wrapped up their spring game. After a successful weekend, some recruits are even higher on Brent Venables and OU now than they were before. With the No. 3 2027 recruiting class, the Sooners are still looking to add. One player who is high on their priority list is Sione Felila. The […]
The Oklahoma Sooners just wrapped up their spring game. After a successful weekend, some recruits are even higher on Brent Venables and OU now than they were before. With the No. 3 2027 recruiting class, the Sooners are still looking to add.
One player who is high on their priority list is Sione Felila. The 6’2, 310-pound defensive lineman is only a three-star at the moment. But he is highly coveted by several schools, including the Sooners. Other teams, like Cal, BYU, Kansas, and Notre Dame, also want Felila. However, after this past weekend, the Sooners currently have the best odds to land Felila. According to Rivals, OU has a 96% chance of getting the defensive lineman.
”The atmosphere was loud and proud,” Felila told Rivals. “It was a great experience to be able to see how the fans get excited about the team. It’s great to see a coaching staff be invested in each individual player and their ability to contribute to the team as a whole. Because if one doesn’t eat, nobody does.”
Felila could be the perfect Jayden Jackson replacement in 2027
The Sooners have one of the best, if not the best, nose tackles in college football. Jayden Jackson has been unbelievable at the zero technique for Brent Venables. Starting as a 3-star true freshman in 2024, Jackson was one of the best defensive linemen on the team. He played some of the best, most consistent ball up front all year.
2025 wasn’t as successful, but that was largely due to injuries. But Jackson managed to play through some of those injuries at a very high level. If all goes well in 2026, Jackson could be looking at being drafted in the first two rounds of the 2027 NFL Draft.
That means OU will have to find another Jayden Jackson. That’s easier said than done, but Felila fits the mold. The Oak Hills High School DL is the same height as Jackson and only 10 pounds less. Getting him into an SEC weightlifting program could help him get to where he needs to be.
They play very similarly. But, asking Felila to start as a true freshman would be alot if he does commit to OU. Not to mention, he will have competition in the DT room. The Sooners have landed commitments from four-star DT Elija Harmon and three-star DT Deven Robertson. The Sooners obviously love Felila and want him as part of their 2027 recruiting class.
