Defensive tackle Josh Ellison opts to hit transfer portal

Oklahoma’s roster reconstruction sees defensive tackle Josh Ellison depart for the transfer portal. From @thatmanbryant

Oklahoma’s growing list of transfers continues to get longer as defensive tackle Josh Ellison entered his name into the portal on Wednesday afternoon.

Ellison becomes the 13th Sooner to enter the portal. He’s the third interior defensive lineman to exit, following Alton Tarber and Cedric Roberts. Ellison, will have one year remaining wherever he lands.

Ellison joined the Sooners after spending time at Blinn College, one of the more prominent JUCO’s in the country. He was a part of Oklahoma’s 2020 recruiting class which also included Marvin Mims, Anton Harrison, and Andrew Raym.

Ellison was never a consistent starter and was more of a rotation piece during Alex Grinch’s “Speed D” days. He stuck around for the Brent Venables era and was again primarily a rotational guy.

His departure leaves Oklahoma desperate to find players via the transfer portal. They’ve now lost five defensive linemen between the transfer portal and guys like Jalen Redmond and Jeffery Johnson, who are headed off to the NFL.

As it stands right now, Notre Dame transfer Jacob Lacey is the only arrival from the transfer portal along the defensive line for the Sooners. Look for that number to grow in the coming weeks.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

[listicle id=76909]

[listicle id=76629]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

Oklahoma receives multiple crystal ball predictions for Notre Dame transfer DL Jacob Lacey

The Oklahoma Sooners projected to land former four-star defensive tackle and Notre Dame transfer Jacob Lacey. From @john9williams

It’s expected that the Oklahoma Sooners will be active in the transfer portal this offseason, and before the season’s even over, they look to be trending toward adding talent along the defensive line.

The Sooners look like the favorite to add Notre Dame defensive tackle Jacob Lacey via the transfer portal. Lacey, a former four-star player out of Kentucky, entered the portal back on October 6 after appearing in 25 games over four years for the Fighting Irish. Lacey was the No. 15 defensive tackle in the 2019 class according to 247Sports.

In four games in 2022, Lacey recorded five tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks. Snaps had been difficult to come by for the senior defensive tackle, seeing just nine snaps against North Carolina.  Against Cal, Lacey recorded both sacks and both tackles for loss in Notre Dame’s win.

Lacey visited with the Oklahoma Sooners back on Nov. 4, and Oklahoma’s now received a pair of crystal ball predictions from OUInsider’s Parker Thune and Brandon Drumm.

The Sooners will need veteran defensive tackle help with the possibility of losing [autotag]Jeffery Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Jalen Redmond[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Coe[/autotag], and [autotag]Jordan Kelley[/autotag] to graduation or the NFL. Oklahoma has young guys like [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag], [autotag]Kelvin Gilliam[/autotag], [autotag]Cedric Roberts[/autotag], and [autotag]Alton Tarber[/autotag] in their first or second year with the program. So, having a guy that’s played more than 600 snaps for Notre Dame will help mitigate the potential losses of experienced depth on the roster.

The transfer portal may not be as active for the Oklahoma Sooners as it was a year ago in the wake of [autotag]Lincoln Riley[/autotag]’s departure to USC. However, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and his staff will look to add players that make sense as they continue to rebuild the roster.

[listicle id=76119]

[listicle id=76087]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=none image=https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Oklahoma defense has ‘good blend’ of returning players and newcomers

Oklahoma defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof discussed what OU has added to its roster defensively.

Oklahoma is replacing six starters defensively, so there were always going to be plenty of new faces across the Sooners’ defense in 2022. It feels like quite the defensive overhaul, though, thanks to a rash of transfer portal additions, several late signees and a defensive coaching staff that’s brand new at every position group.

In addition to its 2022 signees, Oklahoma added transfer defensive linemen Jeffery Johnson from Tulane and Jonah Laulu from Hawaii; linebacker T.D. Roof from Appalachian State; and Wyoming transfer C.J. Coldon, North Carolina transfer Trey Morrison and Louisville transfer Kani Walker in the defensive backfield.

“The emphasis is get better at every spot, you know, because at a place like this, when you go through the grind of a season, you’ve got to have quality depth. One deep is not going to get it done. I know that we’ve got some guys that have started some games in the front, but we were able to address the defense at every level. Certainly, if you’re not winning up front on defense, you’re not going to win very many ball games. If you can’t get to the quarterback and you can’t stop the run, that’s going to be a long day at the office,” defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof said on national signing day.

“We’ve got some guys returning that we’re really excited about. At the same time, needed to add depth there and we did between the portal and obviously high school. We’ve addressed it at every level and there’s opportunities. At the same time, really like what we’ve got here that were already on the roster, so I think it’ll be a good blend.”

Of course, Roof likes the numbers that Oklahoma has added across the board. Combining the signing class arrivals with transfer portal additions, OU is bringing in seven defensive linemen, four linebackers and seven defensive backs.

He also feels OU’s additions provide more than just balance in numbers across the board. According to Roof, they’re the right type of players to join Oklahoma.

“You want to as you recruit have the balance in your classes as you go along, but there were some things, opportunities and some things that were out of our control that created opportunities. When they came, we had to have first of all players that fit Oklahoma from a skill standpoint, from a character standpoint, from just a fit, because the longer that I’m in it, the more I believe it’s about getting players that fit where you are,” Roof said.

“Whether from a mentality standpoint, obviously from an ability standpoint, but from a work ethic standpoint, all those things where a guy has to fit because we’re a blue-collar program and you’ve got to work to be successful here. If you’re going to be in this program and be part of it, you’re going to have to put in the work and you’re going to have to grind, so getting the right type of young man in here was critical. Things had popped up where we knew some guys. I had recruited a couple of those kids before, so there was some opportunity there, some familiarity and it worked out.”

It makes sense because it’s the position group Roof will coach directly, but there’s a genuine excitement from the longtime collegiate coach about what Oklahoma already had at linebacker.

“You’ve got DaShaun [White] and David [Ugwoegbu], two of the older guys there that have played a lot of football who are doing a great job leading in the offseason program. You’ve got Shane [Whitter], you’ve got Joseph [Wete] and Danny [Stutsman]. You know, Danny has some real toughness and some grit and I love that about him that he’s shown so far. With Shane, the athleticism that he has, the speed. He’s got some real ability there and looking forward to working with those guys,” Roof said.

And, of course, what the Sooners are adding at linebacker as well.

“Then, have added a combination of three young guys and an older guy to that room. All of those guys are unique in what they bring. Jaren [Kanak] is, he’s really mature in his body. His strength numbers and speed and his measurables are all off the charts for somebody his age from where he is. He’s worked really hard to get there. Kobie McKinzie has a really high football IQ that, again, understands concepts and things of that nature. Kip Lewis has got a huge upside, a guy with a lot of ability and a lot of want-to. So, we’re looking forward to developing those three young men. And then, T.D., you know, he’s been around the block a time or two. It’s a good blend and excited about all of them, the unique things that they bring to the table. A couple of the grad transfers that we signed were captains at their schools, so, we’re putting leaders into our locker room as well from a grad transfer standpoint,” Roof said.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

[listicle id=57549]

Oklahoma football’s official recruiting class after national signing day 2022

A look at the 2022 recruiting class and where each player ranks with the four major recruiting services after national signing day.

The Oklahoma Sooners put together one of the eight best recruiting classes in the country through national signing day. The declarations of the Sooners’ demise was greatly exaggerated as Brent Venables and his staff has breathed new life into a program that had struggled to maintain its top spot in the Big 12 over the last couple of years. That ultimately led to missing the Big 12 title game altogether in 2021.

Unlike other major college programs that experienced a coaching change, the Sooners were able to create positive momentum heading into the spring despite the coaching change.

The Sooners are the only team in the top 10 without a five-star recruit. While it would be nice to land Josh Conerly or Lebbeus Overton in the 2022 cycle, the teams high ranking in the cycle reveals just how good their four and three-star players are.

The Sooners have several incoming freshman that could come in and earn an opportunity right out of the gate. A top eight class is nothing to sneeze at and it speaks to the tremendous talent of the players and the work done by the coaching staff to get the guys on board.

As we continue our look at national signing day, here are where the Sooners 21 incoming freshman rank across the four major recruiting services; 247Sports, On3, Rivals, and ESPN.

Oklahoma Sooners ink four-star EDGE R Mason Thomas out of Florida

Oklahoma and new defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis signed four-star EDGE R Mason Thomas, winning the recruitment over Iowa State and Miami.

New Oklahoma defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis made R Mason Thomas one of his first targets when he arrived in Norman.

It paid off today as Thomas officially signed with the Sooners.

The 6-foot-2, 215 pound EDGE rusher is out of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. OU won out over Iowa State and Miami. Thomas had been committed to Iowa State since July 6, 2021, but a Dec. 9 visit from Chavis began to flip his recruitment.

Thomas was offered the next day by Oklahoma and he officially visited the Sooners on Jan. 21. OU also had to hold off a late charge from Miami. Thomas visited Miami on Jan. 28 and his high school teammate and fellow OU target Ahmad Moten wound up signing with Miami today.

Ultimately, Moten and Thomas’ paths diverged and the allure of being coached by Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables and Chavis won out over both Iowa State and Miami.

Naturally, Chavis was fired up about the signing.

According to both On3 and 247Sports, Thomas is a four-star signee. On3 ranks Thomas as the No. 139 player nationally, the No. 17 EDGE and 20th-highest-rated player from the state of Florida. 247Sports rated Thomas as the No. 205 player overall, the No. 22 EDGE and the 24th-best player from Florida.

Rivals and ESPN rank Thomas as a three-star signee. Thomas is the No. 34 weakside defensive end according to Rivals and the 67th defensive end in ESPN’s rankings.

Thomas joins cornerback Gentry Williams, safety Robert Spears-Jennings, athlete Jaren Kanak, linebacker Kobie McKinzie, linebacker Kip Lewis, cornerback Jayden Rowe, defensive lineman Cedric Roberts and defensive lineman Alton Tarber as a defensive signing in Oklahoma’s 2022 class.

R Mason Thomas’s Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
ESPN 3 N/A 119 67
Rivals 3 N/A 79 34
247Sports 4 205 24 22
247 Composite 3 410 52 34
On3 Recruiting 4 139 20 17
On3 Composite 4 284 31 28

Vitals

Hometown Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Projected Position EDGE
Height 6-2
Weight 215

Recruitment

  • Offered on Dec. 10, 2021
  • visit Jan. 21, 2022

Film

Here’s a look at Thomas’ Hudl tape.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

[listicle id=50598]

Offers list at DL/EDGE illustrates Brent Venables and Oklahoma’s commitment to transformation up front

Since being hired, Brent Venables and his staff have sent out at least 25 offers to EDGE/DL talent. What does it say about the future at OU?

Since being officially introduced as Oklahoma’s head football coach on Dec. 6, Brent Venables and his staff have sent out at least 25 offers to edge and defensive line talent spanning the 2022, 2023 and 2024 classes.

Oklahoma will need to replace its top three sacks and tackles for loss producers from the 2021 season: outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, defensive lineman Isaiah Thomas and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey. The three announced ahead of OU’s bowl game versus Oregon their intentions to declare for the 2022 NFL draft.

Venables quickly offered and signed Deerfield Beach High School (Florida) defensive lineman Alton Tarber. Then, OU added Hawaii defensive lineman Jonah Laulu and Tulane defensive tackle Jeffery Johnson from the transfer portal. That pair combined for 77 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2021.

The Sooners were one of the final choices for Missouri transfer defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo, too, before he chose LSU. OU has offers to 2022 defensive linemen and edge prospects Gracen Halton, Kevonte Henry, Ahmad Moten and R. Mason Thomas.

Halton, Henry, Moten and Thomas all have predictions from a variety of reporters to wind up signing with Oklahoma next week.

247Sports’ Parker Thune submitted a crystal-ball prediction for Halton to Oklahoma several days before Halton decommitted from Oregon. Since then, multiple 247Sports reporters have jumped on board with Halton ending up at OU.

Henry is a Michigan commit and listed as an edge by 247Sports, but the Sooners offered him on Dec. 29, and he visited Oklahoma on Jan. 14. On3 director of recruiting Chad Simmons updated his prediction for Henry from Michigan to Oklahoma. It’s worth noting 247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins flipped his prediction for Henry from Michigan to Arizona several days ago, so that’s a conflicting prediction.

Moten was offered by OU on Dec. 7. Thune submitted a crystal-ball prediction for Oklahoma on Dec. 19, and 247Sports’ Southeast recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins put in a crystal-ball prediction for Moten to Oklahoma last week.

Thomas earned an Oklahoma offer on Jan. 12. Thune flipped his prediction for Thomas from Iowa State to Oklahoma on Dec. 19.

Whether or not Oklahoma lands all of these prospects, it seems safe to assume the Sooners are adding at least a couple of prospects on national signing day. All of this is just in the 2022 class to potentially go along with defensive line signee Cedric Roberts.

In the 2023 class, Oklahoma has sent out offers to 13 recruits listed as either defensive linemen or edge players since Venables was hired. That list comprises Rueben Bain, Vic Burley, Kelby Collins, Enow-M’beleke EttaKeldric Faulk, Derion Gullette, Bai Jobe, Kayden McDonald, Xzavier McLeod, Jaquavious Russaw, Desmond Umeozulu, Colton Vasek and A’mauri Washington.

In the 2024 class, the Sooners have sent out four offers to defensive linemen since Venables’ hiring. The 2024 list comprises T.A. Cunningham, Hevin Brown-Shuler, Nigel Smith II and a re-offer to David Stone.

What does all of this mean? For starters, it indicates Venables and his staff knew they needed an infusion of proven collegiate starters, Johnson and Laulu, out of the transfer portal to help offset the losses of Bonitto, Thomas and Winfrey.

After that, it’s a clear indication of two things: Venables understands a move to the SEC means Oklahoma needs to address its depth up front defensively. It also shows a belief that Oklahoma’s foundation moving forward needs to start in the trenches defensively.

It’s probably worth pointing out that a couple of these prospects listed as edge players could end up playing linebacker. Still, the message has been sent loudly and clearly.

Now and into the future, it starts at Oklahoma along the defensive front.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

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”

Oklahoma Sooners 2022 Recruiting Class Commitment Tracker

As early signing day approaches, where does the Oklahoma Sooners 2022 recruiting class stand?

It’s been a wild couple of weeks for the Oklahoma Sooners on the recruiting trail. What once had the makings of a top-five recruiting class dipped down to 27 a week ago in the 247Sports Team Composite Rankings. Now, on the eve of the early signing period, the Oklahoma Sooners have climbed back into the top 10 and could climb higher over the next couple of months with National Signing Day a couple of months away.

The Sooners have seen their fair share of de-commitments along the way, as one would expect with a coaching change. But that hasn’t stopped Brent Venables and his staff from making a statement in the 2022 recruiting cycle. The Sooners have had several players affirm their commitments over social media.

With early signing day set to kick off, here’s a list of the current commitments according to 247Sports. We’ll update the tracker as it evolves, but here’s Oklahoma’s 2022 recruiting class thus far.