Tag: Jacobe Johnson

Dillon Gabriel, Drake Stoops have huge nights; Sooners dominate West Virginia 59-20

The Oklahoma Sooners got back to their winning ways with a huge 59-20 win over West Virginia.

The Oklahoma Sooners entered their primetime matchup with the West Virginia Mountaineers on a two-game losing streak. The OU team that showed up on Saturday night looked nothing like we’d witnessed in their road losses to Kansas and Oklahoma State in their 59-20 win over West Virginia.

On the opening drive of the game, the [autotag]West Virginia Mountaineers[/autotag] marched down the field on an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that took a little over four minutes off the clock to take a 7-0. And then it was all Oklahoma from then on out.

The Sooners put together their own eight-play, 75-yard drive, culminating in Dillon Gabriel’s first touchdown of the night, a two-yard run to tie the game.

After the opening drive, the Sooners’ defense locked in and shut down the Mountaineers’ offense until their final drive of the first half. Oklahoma’s defense forced three punts, two turnovers on downs, including one at the goalline, and WVU missed a field goal. By the time West Virginia scored their second touchdown of the game, it was 31-14 Sooners.

In the first half, [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] threw touchdowns to [autotag]Austin Stogner[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Gibson[/autotag] and ran for two scores to stake Oklahoma to a big halftime lead.

In the second half, Oklahoma kept the pressure on West Virginia, and [autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag] started to take over the game. On another career day for the veteran wide receiver, Stoops caught three touchdown passes in the second half to leave no doubt in the Sooners win.

On one of those scores, Stoops was hit hard in the end zone on a play that was reviewed for targeting. That play led to a skirmish under the strobe lights inside Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. No penalties came of it, but on the ensuing point after attempt, [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag] went after Anthony Wilson for his hit and taunt of Drake Stoops and was ejected from the game.

But by that point in the game, the outcome was academic, as the Sooners had run away with the game.

In the win, Gabriel passed former Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan for 10th all-time in passing yards and had eight total touchdowns in the Sooners’ win. Gabriel finished the day completing 64% of his passes for 423 yards and five touchdowns and added 50 yards and three rushing touchdowns in the huge win. His eight total touchdowns are the most combined passing and rushing in the history of Oklahoma Football.

[autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag], who had a career game a week ago in the loss to Oklahoma State, was dominant for the Sooners in the passing game. He had 10 receptions for 164 yards and three touchdowns.

Getting his second consecutive start, [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag] carried the ball 22 times for 135 yards, showing great patience and explosiveness.

[autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] returned for the Sooners defense and recorded eight total tackles and two tackles for loss. [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] had seven total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.

The Sooners held West Virginia to 330 total yards, 4 of 16 on third down, and 2 of 4 on fourth down. Oklahoma was able to keep Garrett Green in check running the football, holding the dual-threat quarterback to 24 yards on 10 attempts.

Oklahoma recorded two interceptions in the win. One from [autotag]Reggie Pearson[/autotag] and the other from true freshman [autotag]Jacobe Johnson[/autotag]. As they had done during their 7-0 start to the season, the Sooners won the turnover battle.

With the win, the Sooners move to 8-2 on the season and 5-2 in Big 12 play. They received a bit of help from UCF who dominated Oklahoma State, opening the door a bit more for a trip to the Big 12 title game.

Oklahoma took care of their end of the bargain and will travel to Provo next Saturday to see if they can beat the BYU Cougars. BYU holds the all-time series lead at 2-0 over the Sooners.

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5 storylines to follow as the Oklahoma Sooners get set to open fall camp

As the Oklahoma Sooners get set to open fall camp, here are five storylines to follow ahead of the 2023 season.

You can taste it. We are so close to the start of the 2023 college football season.

Some teams that will play in Week 0 have already started fall practice. For everyone else, such as the Oklahoma Sooners, they start this week. The first event on the horizon is OU football media days on Tuesday.

The summer is filled with official visits and major recruiting events. The Sooners just concluded their summer recruiting efforts with “Sooners under the Stars” and “Party at the Palace.” They’ve put a good foot forward and have already reaped the rewards of their efforts.

But the dead period starts Tuesday, so it’s time for these teams to lock in and get ready for the season.

Oklahoma kicks off fall camp on Thursday and there are a number of storylines to look for. Whether that’s position battles or progress from players from a year ago, we’ll have you covered throughout camp here on Sooners Wire.

So, without further adieu, let’s take a look at the five storylines I’m looking for this fall camp.

ChampU BBQ Visitor List: Who’s coming to Norman this weekend?

A look at who’s coming to town for the ChampU BBQ this weekend.

Oklahoma’s future looks bright. Less than a day ago, they received news of their first slate of SEC opponents when they begin play in their new conference in 2024. It’s a compelling slate and something that gets the competitive energy flowing.

If they plan to make an impact when they get there, the class of 2024 will have a profound hand in that. This class will be the first class that hits the ground and is immediately thrown into the fire that is the SEC. They’ll spend their whole careers being molded by the best football conference in the country. For the Sooners to compete for the top, this 2024 class must be unique.

It’s only fitting that Oklahoma has its premier recruiting event, the ChampU BBQ this weekend, right after the SEC opponents were revealed.

The Sooners can use the SEC to their advantage, selling the appeal of playing in an elite conference to any athlete unafraid of competing against the best in the country.

Last year’s ChampU BBQ had attendees signing with the Sooners and are now on campus with the current roster. Here’s a running count:

  • OT [autotag]Cayden Green[/autotag]
  • LB [autotag]Phil Picciotti[/autotag]
  • ATH [autotag]Jacobe Johnson[/autotag]
  • RB [autotag]Daylan Smothers[/autotag]
  • CB [autotag]Makari Vickers[/autotag]
  • WR [autotag]Jaquaize Pettaway[/autotag]
  • OT [autotag]Logan Howland[/autotag]
  • QB [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag]

In short, a nice chunk of OU’s 2023 class came to the event. Arnold was already committed before the BBQ, but having him there helped Oklahoma recruit and, ultimately, the remaining players committed in the months after.

The visitor list for the event is long, with well over 20 official visitors already confirmed.

This weekend in Norman will be jam-packed with an extensive amount of talent. David Stone, a consensus top-10 recruit, is the headliner. He’s a hometown kid who grew up a Sooner fan. A commitment from him would be massive. He’s at the top of the Sooners’ recruiting board and a must-have in this cycle.

[autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] and [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] are two talented four-star running backs Oklahoma would be delighted to have.

Oklahoma has four 2024 commits in the building this weekend, and aside from them enjoying their officials, they can and will likely be used to recruit some of their uncommitted counterparts. [autotag]K.J. Daniels[/autotag], [autotag]Zion Kearney[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Autry[/autotag], and [autotag]Jaydan Hardy[/autotag] are the four commits who will enjoy their officials as Oklahoma Sooners.

[autotag]Joseph Jonah-Ajonye[/autotag], [autotag]Nigel Smith[/autotag], and [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag] join David Stone as highly touted defensive linemen in Norman this weekend. Aside from landing Stone, can Oklahoma at least snag two of the remaining three? This weekend of visits could go a long way in determining that.

This weekend will have ripple effects for the 2024 cycle and help lay the foundation for Oklahoma’s future in the SEC. Last year’s event netted Oklahoma seven commits in the weeks and months after. The Sooners will be thrilled if the same happens this year.

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Oklahoma Sooners to host a number of big names June 8-11

Oklahoma will look to turn up the heat on their 2024 recruiting as they host a number of prospects for official visits this weekend.

Recruiting has hit its zenith as the June has rolled around, and prospects across the 2024 class can take official visits. Oklahoma has a number of prospects expected to visit during the month, and the program’s signature ChampU BBQ is the headline event.

While this weekend’s official visitors will be a week early, June recruiting visits are where teams begin to separate themselves. Oklahoma will aim to start the recruiting month by knocking this first weekend of officials out of the park. Here is who is expected in Norman in this weekend.

  • Four-star OL [autotag]Grant Brix[/autotag]  

  • Four-star OL [autotag]Jason Zandamela[/autotag]

  • Four-star OL [autotag]Eddy Pierre-Louis[/autotag]

  • Four-star OL [autotag]Weston Davis[/autotag]

  • Four-star DB [autotag]Marcelles Williams[/autotag]

  • Five-star DL [autotag]Williams Nwaneri[/autotag]
  • Five-Star CB [autotag]Kobe Black[/autotag]
  • Four-star CB [autotag]Eli Bowen[/autotag]

  • Three-star Edge [autotag]Caleb Redd[/autotag]

  • Four-star OL [autotag]Eugene Brooks[/autotag]
  • Four-star WR [autotag]Zion Ragins[/autotag]
  • Four-star QB [autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag] (committed)

There’s a great deal of talent coming to Norman this weekend, headlined by five-star prospects Williams Nwaneri and Kobe Black. The Sooners have been the projected leader for Nwaneri, who hails from the Kansas City area, but this is a huge weekend for Brent Venables and his staff to close the deal. Georgia, Oregon, Tennessee and Missouri are serious names to watch.

Black’s recruitment is more contentious at this point, but given the success Jay Valai has had over the last two recruiting cycles, I wouldn’t count out the Sooners.

The Sooners also welcome fellow blue-chip defensive backs Eli Bowen and Marcelles Williams. Oklahoma leads for Bowen based on recruiting projections. The Sooners are hoping to pry Williams from West Coast schools USC and UCLA.

Oklahoma’s also is hosting five offensive linemen over the weekend, which provides them a good opportunity to spend time with the staff, namely Bill Bedenbaugh, but also each other. Chemistry is a huge factor in offensive line play. Spending time with offensive linemen on campus and those the Sooners are pursuing could create a further comfort level with Oklahoma.

This is a big weekend to kick start Oklahoma’s June recruiting efforts.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

Led by Adepoju Adebawore and Jackson Arnold, 9 Sooners featured in final Top247 for 2023

Led by Adepoju Adebawore and Jackson Arnold, nine Oklahoma Sooners ranked inside the final Top247 rankings for the 2023 recruiting cycle.

The Oklahoma Sooners finished strong in the 2023 recruiting class, landing a top-five group in Brent Venables first full year on the job in Norman.

It’s an incredible feat considering the season the Sooners had on the football field in 2022. Despite all that didn’t go right, Venables and his staff showed that they can flat-out recruit.

The 2023 class featured nine players inside the 247Sports final Top247 for the 2023 class, and all nine were inside the top 125 and six inside the top 100.

Armed with a top-five group in 2023 and the No. 8 class in the 2022 cycle, the Sooners have laid the foundation for success as they prepare for a future in the SEC.

Where did Oklahoma signees from the 2023 recruiting class land in the final ESPN 300?

Which Oklahoma Sooners were ranked in the final ESPN 300 for the 2023 recruiting class?

The Oklahoma Sooners had a field day in the 2023 recruiting cycle, closing with a recruiting class that ranked in the top five according to 247Sports and ESPN and were seventh nationally according to On3 and Rivals.

With the early signing period, much of the 2023 cycle is finished, which has led several publications to release their final player rankings for the class. Over at ESPN, 13 of Oklahoma’s signees for the recruiting class were ranked inside their top 300. By comparison, Alabama had 23 players and Georgia had 21 of the top 300. The Sooners still have a ways to go to get the number of top recruits like the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs. Another team relevant to the Sooners, the USC Trojans, only earned signatures from five players in the ESPN 300.

Led by Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma had seven players in the top 100, including four on the defensive side of the football. And that’s the biggest difference in this recruiting class compared to those from the past. The Sooners added a ton of defensive talent, 10 blue-chip prospects on defense, according to 247Sports.

Here’s a look at where each player ranked in the ESPN 300 and where they ranked at their position.

9 Oklahoma Sooners ranked inside the updated On300

Led by P.J. Adebawore, 9 Oklahoma Sooners ranked inside the updated On300.

The Oklahoma Sooners had a tremendous year on the recruiting trail closing with the No. 5 class in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings after the early signing period. With national signing day approaching for the 2023 class, recruiting services are updating their final rankings for the cycle.

Oklahoma’s well-represented with nine players in the On3 On300, including two in the top 10 and three in the top 15. The Alabama Crimson Tide are the only other program with multiple top 10 prospects signed in 2023 with three.

Armed with 16 blue-chip prospects and 10 on the defensive side of the ball, this collection of players has a chance to be a transformational group for Oklahoma.

Here’s a look at the players that landed in the On300.

P.J. Adebawore, Lewis Carter shine brightest at Under-Armour All-American game

Oklahoma had seven signees in the Under-Armour All-American game. PJ Adebawore and Lewis Carter stood out for the Sooners.

The future of Oklahoma Football was on full display Tuesday evening as seven Oklahoma signees took the field in Orlando for the Under-Armour All-American game.

Jackson Arnold, Jaquaize Pettaway, Cayden Green, PJ Adebawore, Jacobe Johnson, Lewis Carter, and Peyton Bowen represented the Crimson & Cream at the all-star event for Team Speed.

Five-star QB Jackson Arnold dominated all week during the practices and earned captain status and was the starter for Team Speed. Arnold was under duress much of the game but threw a dart for a touchdown to Utah WR commit Mikey Matthews. Four-star offensive lineman Cayden Green pancaked an opposing defender which gave Arnold the bit of time he needed to get the pass off.

Arnold showed why he is considered one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation as he ripped off multiple runs via scramble or zone-read. The only blemish for Arnold will be the interception he threw that was tipped by DL Peter Woods of Team Phantom before being intercepted by four-star Texas signee Derek Williams.

Defensively is where the Sooners shined the brightest. Four-star LB signee Lewis Carter and five-star EDGE AdepojuAdebawore were everywhere for Team Speed.

Adebawore recorded a sack and had multiple other pressures while Lewis Carter pressured the quarterback on blitzes and did an excellent job making tackles running sideline to sideline.

Adebawore made a strong case for being the second-best player on the field behind fellow five-star and Clemson signee Peter Woods.

On the backend, four-star signee Jacobe Johnson, a homegrown Sooner, had a great rep in coverage.

All in all, it was a nice showing from some of Oklahoma’s stars of tomorrow. Oklahoma has two other commits playing in the All-American bowl in San Antonio. Four-star CB Jasiah Wagoner and four-star linebacker Samuel Omosigho wrapping up the all-star game circuit for Oklahoma’s 2023 class.

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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.

How to watch future Sooners in Under Armour All-American game?

Seven Oklahoma Sooners’ signees are set to take part in Under Armour All-American Game, and here’s how to watch.

Oklahoma’s future will be on display in the 2023 Under Armour All-American game on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Jackson Arnold, Adepoju Adebawore, Cayden Green, Jaquaize Pettaway, Jacobe Johnson, Lewis Carter, and Peyton Bowen will all take part in the annual all-star game.

Seven of Oklahoma’s 16 blue-chip signees will provide a sneak preview of their talents before heading to Norman to begin their college careers in earnest.

The Sooners have had several players stand out in this week’s practice, but perhaps none have been better than Adebawore. His speed, strength, and bend have stood out in individual drills against the nation’s top offensive linemen. The five-star edge rusher has all the tools to be an elite player at the collegiate level.

Armed with a top-five recruiting class in 2023, the Sooners have a group of players that will be a part of the foundation of Oklahoma’s future. From the top of the signees list down to the lowest-rated player, the Sooners have added a bunch of talent in the 2023 cycle.

Some of the best in Oklahoma’s signing class will have a chance to show Sooners fans why they were so highly regarded before they ever step foot on campus in the Under Armour All-American Game.

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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.

Breaking down the Oklahoma Sooners 2023 recruiting class by position

How does the Oklahoma Sooners 2023 recruiting class look broken down by position?

The Oklahoma Sooners have put together a really nice recruiting class through the early signing period of the 2023 cycle. We haven’t even made it to February’s national signing day, and Oklahoma’s sitting with the No. 5 class in 247Sports recruiting rankings.

The Sooners have added a four- or five-star player at every position save for tight end. Even there, the Sooners added one of the best players in the state to Joe Jon Finley’s room.

It’s an incredible collection of athletic, fast and versatile players that will, along with the 2021 and 2022 recruiting classes, be the foundation of Oklahoma’s journey into the SEC.

Let’s break it down by position group.