Tag: 2022 Oklahoma Sooners Football

Oklahoma offers class of 2023 twin brothers, Robby and Bobby Washington, out of Miami Killian (Fla.)

Oklahoma offered twin brothers, Robby and Bobby Washington, out of Miami Killian (Fla.) High School. The pair are class of 2023 prospects.

Oklahoma extended offers to Robby and Bobby Washington, class of 2023 twin brothers out of Miami Killian (Florida).

If the Sooners wind up landing this pair when their recruitments are done, there’s a good chance Oklahoma fans can expect to see a Washington on each side of the football.

Robby Washington is listed as a four-star prospect and the nation’s No. 9 athlete and 82nd player overall according to 247Sports. He is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound versatile player equipped to line up, run routes and catch passes or simply carry the football out of the backfield.

247Sports’ Southeast recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins wrote this about Robby Washington in his evaluation.

A Swiss Army Knife of sorts that can impact the game in multiple ways. Blessed with the speed that everyone looks for down in South Florida. Under 6-foot, but should in no way be considered tiny. Featured primarily as a wide receiver his junior season. Uses quick feet to create separation at the line of scrimmage and then get vertical in a hurry. Competitive at the catch point and does an excellent job of tracking the ball once it’s in the air. Evasive in the open field and can turn what should be a five-yard gain into a chunk play as he will juke and race his way past defenders. More than comfortable taking a handoff out of the backfield – at least on Friday nights – and picks up positive yardage more times than not when his number is called on jet sweeps. Also an effective return man and has scored multiple times on special teams throughout his career. Will need to adjust to the everyday demands of Power 5 football and keep progressing, but has what it takes to emerge as an offensive weapon at the school of his choice. Likely to settle in as a slot receiver, but could carve out a role as a change-of-pace running back or even get a look somewhere in the secondary. – Ivins, 247Sports

Bobby Washington, named after the twins’ father, is a three-star prospect and the nation’s 40th-ranked linebacker and No. 82 prospect from the state of Florida in the 2023 class according to 247Sports.

The 6-foot-3, 205 pound linebacker also holds offers from Miami, Central Florida, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, North Carolina State and South Florida.

The twin brothers are the sons of Bobby Washington who was a Parade All-American at Miami Killian in 2003. During his high school playing career, Bobby Washington rushed for 5,695 yards and 61 touchdowns.

He was highly-recruited and wound up signing with North Carolina State. After a pair of seasons with the Wolfpack, the elder Washington transferred to Eastern Kentucky where he rushed for 1,025 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior.

Their high school head football coach at Miami Killian, Derrick Gibson, is family, too.

Gibson has plenty of accolades from his playing days as well. Gibson played in three BCS national championships while at Florida State, winning one over Virginia Tech to cap the 1999 season.

Of course, Gibson and Florida State were victims of Oklahoma’s last national championship when the Sooners beat the Seminoles in the 2001 Orange Bowl 13-2.

Gibson was a first-round selection by the Oakland Raiders in the 2001 NFL Draft where he was chosen No. 28 overall.

Earlier this fall, Gibson described the younger Bobby Washington’s game at linebacker with 247Sports’ Ivins and shared expectations for the pair’s recruitment.

“Bobby is a phenomenal athlete too,” Gibson said. “He’s a little bit bigger. He’s going to be a defensive guy. He was actually playing a little running back and quarterback when those two were up in Tennessee, but I just see him being an outside linebacker or rush end. I think he’s going to fill out into exactly what schools want and I do know that they both want to go to school with each other.” – Ivins, 247Sports

Robby Washington noted in that article by 247Sports’ Ivins that he and Bobby are a package deal and that “you got to take both of us.”

Oklahoma made its intention clear by offering both brothers that it would love to add that package deal to its 2023 signing class.

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2022 4-star Athlete Jaren Kanak officially decommits from Clemson

Four-star linebacker Jaren Kanak officially decommitted from Clemson. The Hays, Kan., product is headed to Oklahoma.

Four-star linebacker Jaren Kanak officially announced his decommitment from Clemson. The Hays, Kan., product is reportedly already enrolled at Oklahoma.

“First and foremost, I want to thank God for the abundance of opportunities I have been blessed with. I want to thank coach Swinney, and the entire Clemson staff for everything they have done for me, all the love they have shown, and the energy they invested into me and my family. After very extensive thoughts, prayers, and discussions with loved ones, I have decided to decommit from Clemson University. I have faith in God’s plan for me and with his guidance, I am excited to see what the future holds,” Kanak wrote in his announcement.

On3 ranks Kanak as the nation’s No. 75 player and the fifth-best linebacker prospect in the country. The 6-foot-2, 215 pound linebacker ranks as the No. 191 player in the On3 consensus rankings and the No. 252 player in the 247Sports composite player rankings.

According to 247Sports’ own player rankings, Kanak is listed a little higher as the nation’s No. 121 player and the nation’s sixth-best athlete.

On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power described what kind of player OU appears to be adding to its 2022 recruiting class.

One of the fastest players in the 2022 cycle, regardless of position. Has posted some scintillating track times, including a best of 10.37 seconds in the 100 meters. Plays quarterback for his high school but projects as a box defender and likely linebacker long term. Physically developed with a muscled-up build. Shows a very strong burst as a runner, getting to top speed quickly. Breaks off long runs with regularity and plays at a different speed than the competition. Also shows some considerable power and contact balance as a runner. Had a play where he ran over multiple defenders in the playoffs as a senior that went viral. Will need to adjust to defense and hone his coverage skills. May take a year or two to make the transition to defense but has high physical upside. Does not face strong competition in Kansas. – Power, On3

Kanak would join an Oklahoma recruiting class that already includes a pair of four-star linebacker signees in Kobie McKinzie (Lubbock, Texas) and Kip Lewis (Carthage, Texas).

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Clemson commit and 4-star athlete Jaren Kanak appears enrolled at Oklahoma

With the early signing period come and gone, the Oklahoma Sooners got good news with the reported enrollment of four-star athlete Jaren Kanak.

The early signing period may have come and gone, but the Oklahoma Sooners aren’t done adding players with National Signing Day a little over a month away. Per SoonerScoop.com’s Bob Przybylo, Jaren Kanak’s enrolled at the University of Oklahoma.

After Brent Venables was named the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, it didn’t take long for Kanak’s name to come up as a potential flip. Just last week, Clemson Insider for 247Sports put in a crystal ball projection for Kanak to the Sooners as well.

While Venables was adamant that he wasn’t interested in attempting to flip commitments from his former team, Kanak looked to be heading Venables way whether he was receuited to OU by the new head coach or not.

Brandon Drumm of OUInsider reported Dec. 17 that the flip was only a matter of time. Drumm — who has now reported Kanak will be put on financial aid until Feb. 3, where he will then sign a letter of intent — said that Kanak has always made it clear he wanted to play for Venables because of his success coaching defensive players. Venables also molded former Clemson linebacker and Olathe, Kansas, native Isaiah Simmons into a first-round NFL Draft pick. – Riley Gates, 247Sports

This is a big addition for the Oklahoma Sooners who’ve already added four-star linebackers Kobie McKinzie and Kip Lewis to their 2022 recruiting class. This gives the Sooners a really strong linebacker group for Brent Venables and Ted Roof to build their defense.

Though Jaren Kanak can’t officially sign his letter of intent to play for the Sooners, this makes the commitments flip all but official.

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Oklahoma Sooners WR Theo Wease announces he’s got ‘unfinished business’

Oklahoma Sooners Wide Receiver Theo Wease announced via his Twitter account that he’ll be staying put for the 2022 season.

Oklahoma has seen several players enter the transfer portal in the last couple of weeks. After the news came down that Lincoln Riley was moving west, several Sooners found new homes through the portal.

Spencer Rattler and Austin Stogner will play for South Carolina next season and Jadon Haselwood will employ his talents for the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2022.

Well, the Sooners finally got some good news on the portal front as wide receiver Theo Wease announced via his Twitter account that he’s “here to stay.”

Wease missed the 2021 season with a lower body injury, but appeared to be close to returning the last several weeks of the season. Now, the Sooners get Wease for 2022.

According to Eddie Radosevich of SoonerScoop.com, Wease has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal.

In 2020, Theo Wease tied for the team lead in receptions with Marvin Mims for the Sooners. With Haselwood and Stogner gone there will be an opportunity for Wease to pick up where he left off when we last saw him play.

Heading into 2022, Wease looked to be the veteran leader in the wide receiver room. When he returns, he’ll join Marvin Mims and Mario Williams as Oklahoma’s top three wide receivers. Wease will have an opportunity to resume his role as the possession receiver in the offense and the Sooners will need him to take a step forward as an offense next season.

Now the Sooners await word from several more veterans who could enter the transfer portal or declare for the NFL draft as they look to put together their 2022 depth chart.

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Oklahoma announces three members of Brent Venables’ coaching staff

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables announced Miguel Chavis, Brandon Hall and Jerry Schmidt are joining the Sooners’ staff.

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables announced the hirings of Miguel Chavis, Brandon Hall and Jerry Schmidt to the OU coaching staff.

Chavis joins OU as the Sooners’ new defensive ends coach, Hall is Oklahoma’s new safeties coach and Schmidt returns to OU as director of sports enhancement and strength and conditioning.

Chavis served in a defensive player development role over the past five seasons at Clemson. During his tenure, Chavis helped develop 2019 NFL Draft picks Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence and Austin Bryant.

Ferrell (No. 4 overall), Wilkins (No. 13 overall) and Lawrence (No. 17 overall) were each first-round NFL Draft selections, while Bryant was taken in the fourth round.

“Miguel is a great story. He’s a former player at Clemson who was recruited by Coach (Dabo) Swinney and went on to play in the NFL, but he’d probably be the first to tell you he thought he would play there a lot longer. After going back to school, getting his degree and becoming an ordained minister, he found his calling in coaching. He was a real blessing to me at Clemson in our room as we built that program – on defense, in particular.

“He’s very passionate, he’s intense, players love him. He’s very gifted as a coach, as a communicator, teacher and mentor. And he’s high on life. We have a lot of similarities, even in our journeys. These players are really fortunate with what they’re getting. He’s genuine and authentic and will connect with them. He’s got a unique way of pulling the best out of people – adults and young people alike. He’ll be a dynamic recruiter and a tenacious coach who will demand perfection. But he leads with optimism and love. That’s what I love about him,” Venables said of Chavis.

Chavis described Oklahoma as a “dream job” and said he and his family are excited for the opportunity to come to OU.

“As a football fan, I’ve always looked at about four schools as the cream of the crop – Clemson, OU, Alabama and Ohio State. All I knew about OU is I thought they were at the top of college football and that my mentor Brent Venables came from there. This is what I’ve been preparing for, even back to my playing days at Clemson. I’ve always loved coaching – always wanted to know the ‘why’ behind what we were doing, loved preparing in the NFL and appreciated the different schemes and philosophies. The past five years I’ve been attending the Brent Venables school of defense, and I was getting a Ph. D.

“I’m excited to be with the guys and develop them on and off the field. That’s my passion – to develop defensive ends into great players, but also into great men, great husbands, fathers and neighbors. And I get to do that through football. The fan base here is amazing and they have great energy. And that’s perfect because I’m a passionate guy, an energy guy who will also bring knowledge, toughness and excitement. I can’t wait. My biggest message to our current players is, ‘You didn’t choose me, but I chose you. I chose to be here and this is my dream job. And I’m excited and I’m ready,” Chavis said.

Up next: The Sooners’ new safeties coach

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Caleb Williams among USA TODAY Sports’ top 10 contenders to win the Heisman Trophy in 2022

Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams was listed as one of the top-10 contenders for the 2022 Heisman Trophy by USA TODAY’s Paul Myerberg.

Alabama sophomore quarterback Bryce Young captured the Heisman Trophy after passing for 4,322 yards and 43 touchdowns. Young led the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship and a 12-1 season thus far.

He and Alabama will square off in one of the College Football Playoff’s semifinal games against Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31. Young will have the rare opportunity next season to join Ohio State running back Archie Griffin as the only two-time winners of the Heisman Trophy.

Oklahoma true freshman quarterback Caleb Williams will be a popular pick to capture college football’s coveted individual crown in 2022 as well. USA TODAY Sports listed Williams as one of the top 10 contenders to win the Heisman Trophy next season.

USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg wrote this about Williams’ chances.

Williams will enter next season with enormous name recognition after spending a few midseason weeks as the talk of college football. Being a household name may only get him so far. There are some major questions about the future of Oklahoma’s offense without coach Lincoln Riley and just how strong his supporting cast will be given the rash of transfers and lost verbal commitments since Riley left for Southern California. – Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

Of course, Oklahoma has since hired Brent Venables as its new head coach and announced Jeff Lebby as the Sooners’ offensive coordinator for next season.

Oklahoma wide receivers Jadon Haselwood and Theo Wease each entered their names into the transfer portal following Riley’s departure to USC. Tight end Austin Stogner did as well.

Haselwood is transferring to Arkansas, Stogner to South Carolina and Wease’s future is still uncertain.

Still, finding skill players to come join Lebby and Williams in Norman shouldn’t be a problem fans have much to worry about with.

Two other Big 12 players made Myerberg’s top-10 Heisman Trophy contenders list for the 2022 season. Texas running back Bijan Robinson and Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn.

Here’s what Myerberg wrote about the Longhorns’ Robinson.

Robinson was one of only a few bright spots during coach Steve Sarkisian’s miserable debut season. Whether the sophomore factors into the Heisman race depends on what sort of growth Texas and the offense makes during a crucial offseason. If Sarkisian can identify a permanent starting quarterback and take the next step in a roster rebuild, Robinson has the ability to run for 1,500 yards with another 500 as a receiver. – Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

Myerberg discussed Vaughn’s prospects, too.

Robinson may not be the best option at running back coming out of the Big 12, however. The one reliable piece of Kansas State’s offense in each of the last two seasons, Vaughn went over 1,000 rushing yards during the regular season and is leading the Wildcats in receptions for the second straight year. There’s a matter of getting his team into New Year’s Six consideration, but Vaughn’s numbers may speak for themselves. – Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma has seven Heisman Trophy winners in its program’s history: Billy Vessels in 1952; Steve Owens in 1969; Billy Sims in 1978; Jason White in 2003; Sam Bradford in 2008; Baker Mayfield in 2017; and Kyler Murray in 2018.

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Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables’ comments on the Sooners’ 2022 signing class

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables met with the media and commented on what the Sooners are adding in their 2022 signing class.

For a coach, each signing class is different and each is special. Oklahoma’s 2022 signing class will be a memorable one for Brent Venables because it’s his first signing class as a head coach.

Venables addressed the media and discussed what he and the Sooners have added in its “#ChampU22” signing class.

“It’s good to be off the road, finally take a deep breath. We’ve covered a lot of miles here over the last seven days in the recruiting trail. Really exciting about the 13 guys that we announced today that signed. We are waiting on a few other young men to announce here in the next 24 hours or so. I feel terrific about the group of young people that we’re bringing in and their families. I think that they represent the values that we also value,” Venables said.

OU signed players from six states with its class of 13. The class is currently comprised of seven offensive players and six defensive players. All 13 are high school players that are joining the program, so there aren’t any transfer additions yet.

Oklahoma signed offensive linemen Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor, wide receivers Nicholas Anderson and Jayden Gibson, running back Gavin Sawchuk, tight end Jason Llewellyn and quarterback Nick Evers on offense.

Defensively, the Sooners signed defensive linemen Cedric Roberts and Alton Tarber, linebackers Kip Lewis and Kobie McKinzie and defensive backs Robert Spears-Jennings and Jayden Rowe.

“Just a group that again covers every level at every position outside of a specialty position. We’ve had three new additional commitments since we started the week initially recruiting. Just feel terrific about again as much as anything else the type of people that they are. They fit our philosophy and our locker room. The things that we value, they value as well,” Venables said.

Venables didn’t comment on all of the 13 signees specifically, but here’s a look at the comments he made about the four that he did address individually.

Kobie McKinzie, linebacker

Kobie McKinzie is rated as the nation’s No. 13 linebacker and 144th player overall in the 247Sports composite rankings. The four-star out of Lubbock-Cooper High School flipped back to the Sooners recently.

“First of all, Kobie’s just an incredibly bright young guy. Got a lot of life to him, huge personality. He’s a relationship-driven young guy, got a wonderful family, just a terrific story,” Venables said of McKinzie.

Venables indicated that McKinzie will be one of the founding blocks for his defense.

“Just really thankful for him. If you’re going to build a great defense, it starts up the middle, you know, inside, up front and at middle backer and with your safeties. You’ve got to be really strong up that middle. His presence, his size, his strength, his power, his physicality gives us a chance for exactly that,” Venables said.

Continue reading “Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables’ comments on the Sooners’ 2022 signing class”

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Clemson director of player development Thad Turnipseed joining Oklahoma staff per reports

Tiger Illustrated’s Larry Williams reports that Clemson director of player development Thad Turnipseed is joining Oklahoma.

Tiger Illustrated’s Larry Williams reported that Thad Turnipseed is leaving Clemson to join Brent Venables at Oklahoma.

Turnipseed served as Clemson’s director of player development, freshman transition and external affairs.

ESPN’s Chris Low confirmed the report and said that Turnipseed will serve as Venables’ “right-hand man.”

Without an official announcement from Oklahoma yet, it’s unclear what exactly Turnipseed’s role will be with the Sooners, but he’s worn a variety of hats in the past and chances are his job title at Oklahoma will be similar to the position he just vacated at Clemson.

Turnipseed’s background is interesting. He was a former Alabama football player that was part of the Crimson Tide’s 1992 national championship team whose career ended early because of knee injuries.

The story goes that Turnipseed owned a construction and flooring business when he was approached by former Alabama athletic director Mal Moore for a donation on a capital campaign Moore wanted to kick off.

Jokingly, Turnipseed responded that he couldn’t help much in terms of donations but that he could help build it.

What followed was Turnipseed became one of the most important behind-the-scenes figures at Alabama.

The New York Times’ Matt Fortuna wrote a great piece about Turnipseed ahead of the 2017 College Football Playoff’s national championship game.

Here’s a portion of what Fortuna wrote about Turnipseed at the time detailing his role to begin with at Alabama and some of what he wound up doing at Clemson.

He started as the director of capital projects, working his way up to roles as associate athletic director for special projects and, more important, as Saban’s director of football external affairs. The catchall job titles forced Turnipseed to perform many duties; he helped to design and oversee more than $200 million in athletic projects, including stadium renovations and expansions, and helped to build a room in Saban’s house dedicated to recruiting.

At Clemson, Turnipseed was tasked with building the Tigers’ recruiting department, which has added positions with new-media-era titles — assistant director of football operations and creative media, director of new and creative media, coordinator of digital content — not to mention dozens of student helpers. These seemingly amorphous roles are all aimed at spreading Clemson’s message in forward-thinking ways, using social media to connect with recruits from a distance while also monitoring their behavior for potential red flags. – Fortuna, New York Times

Turnipseed is the second Clemson staffer to join Oklahoma. Venables announced that defensive analyst Ted Roof would be joining OU as the Sooners’ next defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Venables also announced Jeff Lebby as Oklahoma’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and that OU would retain Bill Bedenbaugh, Joe Jon Finley, Cale Gundy and DeMarco Murray on his coaching staff.

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Brent Venables announces first two assistant coaching hires in Jeff Lebby, Ted Roof

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables announced the hirings of offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and defensive coordinator Ted Roof.

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables announced his first two assistant coaching hires on Friday. Venables named Jeff Lebby as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and Ted Roof as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Lebby comes over to the Sooners from Ole Miss where he was the Rebels’ offensive coordinator and helped lead Ole Miss to its first 10-win regular season in program history.

Ole Miss currently owns the nation’s No. 4 total offense, averaging 506.7 yards per game. The Rebels are No. 9 in rushing offense with 224.2 rushing yards per game and No. 21 in passing offense with 282.4 passing yards per game.

Under Lebby’s direction, each of his past three offensive units have ranked in the top four nationally in total offense and in the top 20 in scoring offense.

“I’m grateful to Coach Venables and Joe Castiglione for the chance to come back to OU and serve as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. My five years here as a player and then student assistant under Coach (Bob) Stoops represent some of the best of my life. They provided me with a real love and respect for the game of football and laid the foundation for my understanding of what it means to be a successful coach. I will work daily to earn the faith Sooner Nation has put in me to represent this storied program,” Lebby said in a statement.

Venables said Oklahoma is getting one of the most talented offensive coordinators in the country.

“We’re thrilled to welcome to our staff maybe the hottest offensive coordinator in college football. The more thoroughly we scouted Jeff, the more we became convinced that he has the character and ability we need and want at OU. Jeff’s offenses and the players he’s coached are some of the most productive in the game. He’s going to bring a dynamic and diverse system that will take advantage of our playmakers. He’s one of the best when it comes to game planning and attacking defenses with his smart and aggressive style. His relentless and innovative approach will make us incredibly difficult to defend. We’re excited to have one of the fastest-rising coaches in the game leading our offense and quarterbacks,” Venables said.

Meanwhile, Roof joins Oklahoma after a 35-year coaching career. Roof served as a defensive analyst for Clemson this season.

The Georgia Tech alum has served as defensive coordinator at Massachusetts, Western Carolina, Georgia Tech, Duke, Minnesota, Auburn, UCF, Penn State, North Carolina State, Appalachian State and Vanderbilt.

In the 2019 season as Appalachian State’s defensive coordinator, Roof helped the Mountaineers to a 13-1 record and guided a unit that led the nation in defensive touchdowns.

As Auburn’s defensive coordinator, Roof led an Auburn defense in 2010 that held Oregon to 19 points—30 points below the Ducks’ season average—and a 14-0 campaign and the BCS national championship.

From 2008-20, Roof’s defenses held opponents to 110 rushing yards or less 57 times.

Roof was also Duke’s head coach from 2004 to 2007. During his playing career, Roof was a first-time All-ACC selection as a senior in 1985.

“There have been so many great coaches, players and tough-minded competitors who have made up all the championship teams that have been part of the incredible Oklahoma tradition. For me, it is an honor and a privilege to serve on an OU football staff under the strong leadership of Coach Venables. I have a tremendous amount of admiration and respect for him both as a man and a coach. He’s got a long track record of success, molding championship teams and maximizing student-athletes’ football abilities. But he gives them much more than that. He equips them with the tools and helps them develop the successful habits that will make them champions off the field for the rest of their lives. Brent gets that. He understands the privilege and responsibility that goes with it,” Roof said of joining Oklahoma.

Venables cited Roof’s experience, ties to the southeast and ability as a recruiter for reasons why the hire made sense for OU.

“Ted is one of the most experienced coordinators and one of the best teachers in all of college football, and he’s done it in some of the premier conferences in the sport – the SEC, Big Ten and ACC. He has a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience, most of which has been in the southeastern part of the country where he is very well connected. He’s been a head coach, is a fabulous recruiter and is one of the most revered players in Georgia Tech history from his time as a linebacker there. We’re fortunate to have a person of his stature lead our defense, and he’s going to make us stronger and tougher on that side of the ball,” Venables said.

Venables also announced that he is retaining Cale Gundy, Bill Bedenbaugh, DeMarco Murray and Joe Jon Finley on his Oklahoma coaching staff.

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Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg wants Bedlam to continue in all sports but football once Oklahoma leaves for SEC

Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg said the Cowboys’ athletic department wants to continue Bedlam in all sports but football.

Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg provided an update on the future of the Bedlam Series.

Weiberg said Thursday at the Sports Business Journal Intercollegiate Athletics Forum in Las Vegas that the Cowboys’ athletics department hopes to continue the Bedlam rivalry with Oklahoma in all sports except football.

Action Network’s Brett McMurphy shared Weiberg’s comments on Twitter.

While Weiberg didn’t rule out Bedlam continuing in football, he noted how future schedules could act as a roadblock.

“I’m not saying we would never play them, but logistics need to be worked out. There are a lot of unanswered questions,” Weiberg said per McMurphy’s tweet.

The future of the Bedlam series has been in doubt ever since Oklahoma and Texas accepted invitations to join the Southeastern Conference. OU and Texas leadership have stated that they intend to remain in the Big 12 conference until the league’s media grant of rights deal expires on June 30, 2025.

Naturally, it again became a storyline leading up to this season’s edition of Bedlam. Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy addressed the future of the rivalry on Nov. 22 and said his expectation was that the series’ future was in jeopardy.

“I don’t think it will. I just don’t think there’s a business side of it that…I don’t make that decision. I guess Dr. Shrum and Chad Weiberg, they could do whatever they wanted or the board. I don’t know who’s involved in this. I don’t think it’s a realistic thing that it’s going to happen based on the business side of power-five conference football in the Big 12 or the SEC. That’s just my opinion on it. I mean, I could be wrong and I’m not getting that from anybody. I’m just answering the question you asked me,” Gundy said.

Gundy referenced the new members that will be joining the Big 12 in the coming seasons—BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF—and said it’s unlikely Oklahoma State would want to play Bedlam in addition to its existing non-conference commitments and future conference schedule.

“So, that’s 10 power-five conference [games], so if you’re going to go back into this game, you would be willing to play 11 out of a 12-game season, which would be extremely difficult,” Gundy said.

Gundy also discussed how adding another difficult non-conference opponent could affect Oklahoma State’s financial bottom line.

“And, from a business standpoint, we all know this. The more success and games you win in football is a huge revenue avenue for your athletic department and your university, because the more you win in football, enrollment goes up. That’s the fact. Marketing money goes up. There’s a huge amount of money involved in that. So, you would say, if we were running a company and you’re in a business standpoint, somebody would have to make a decision. Do you want to risk some of that and how many other teams across the country that are competing to get into the final four are willing to play 11 conference games and only have one non-conference based on the amount of money that could be sitting there at the end? Whether you like it or not, I’m guessing that’s what’s going to take place,” Gundy said.

Oklahoma State snapped what had been a six-game losing streak in Bedlam by rallying to beat Oklahoma 37-33 on Nov. 27.

Oklahoma true freshman quarterback Caleb Williams passed for 252 yards and three touchdowns against the Cowboys, but the Sooners’ offense was held scoreless in the second half.

Redshirt junior running back Kennedy Brooks carried 22 times for 139 yards against Oklahoma State.

The two teams are set to meet on Nov. 19, 2022, in what will be Oklahoma’s regular season home finale next season.

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