ESPN tabs Oklahoma ‘winners’ on national signing day

ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren included Oklahoma among his national signing day “winners.” Here’s why.

National signing day saw Oklahoma ink five more players to its 2022 signing class. As a result, ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren included Oklahoma among his national signing day “winners.”

The Sooners have added quite a few pieces in the transfer portal to help fill voids, including quarterback Dillon Gabriel, defensive lineman Jonah Laulu and a few others.

The new staff, led by Brent Venables, has done a nice job in recruiting, as well, with the limited time they have been given. On Wednesday, Venables landed a commitment from four-star wide receiver Jamarrien Burt, who had been committed to Florida at one point in the process.

The Sooners also got a commitment from ESPN 300 defensive lineman Gracen Halton, the No. 264 prospect overall. In addition to Halton, Oklahoma got three-star defensive end R. Mason Thomas to commit as well.

Venables was able to keep ESPN 300 athlete Gentry Williams in the class after other programs recruited him down the stretch. – VanHaaren, ESPN.

Williams was the first to sign with OU on national signing day. According to 247Sports‘ composite rankings, Williams is the Sooners’ highest-rated player in the 2022 signing class. In its composite rankings, 247Sports ranks Williams as the top player from the state of Oklahoma, the No. 11 cornerback and the nation’s No. 92 player overall.

After Williams’ ink met paper, Oklahoma quickly added the signing of R Mason Thomas. On3 ranks Thomas as the 20th-best player from the state of Florida, the No. 17 EDGE and the No. 140 player nationally.

Then, the Sooners got more secondary help in the form of another Sunshine State talent. Jamarrien Burt, who was originally committed to Florida, signed with OU. In On3’s consensus rankings, Burt is rated as a three-star signee, the No. 453 player overall and the No. 43 cornerback.

The fourth player to sign with Oklahoma was a flip from Oregon. Gracen Halton is a four-star signee in the 247Sports composite rankings. 247Sports lists Halton as the No. 34 defensive lineman.

Lastly, OU secured one final flip. Oklahoma signed four-star EDGE Kevonte Henry. According to 247Sports, Henry is the No. 216 player nationally and the No. 24 EDGE.

Oklahoma absolutely closed strong on national signing day. The Sooners aren’t necessarily entirely done either. OU is also targeting five-star defensive lineman Lebbeus Overton, who just reclassified into the 2022 class, and five-star offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr.

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