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Happy Hump Day, Sooners fans!
Today is the less-celebrated of the two national signing days, but with the Oklahoma Sooners in a transitional phase, this turned out to be an important day for this program.
The day began with the signing of four-star safety Gentry Williams out of Tulsa’s Booker T. Washington, who had been committed to OU since mid-October. Following Lincoln Riley’s untimely exit, Williams and his family wanted to get a feel for the new staff before signing an NLI. It’s safe to say that all of his questions were answered.
A home grown beast.
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) February 2, 2022
Welcome @gentrywilliams5 https://t.co/7vL758Y5Du | #ChampU22 pic.twitter.com/xTbE9aiCB6
The Tulsa World’s Eric Bailey caught up with the Williams family, who gave some great details regarding the process and the decision. Riley and his USC staff tried to bring him out west, but the Williamses were not on board with that idea whatsoever.
Gentry Williams was chased by USC's Lincoln Riley. Deion Sanders wanted him. But BTW star stayed true & signed w/OU.
— Eric Bailey (@EricBaileyTW) February 2, 2022
His mom said Riley leaving #Sooners "was like being in a relationship w/somebody for 3 years & then you find out that person is married."https://t.co/tKzKFqObSB
OU would follow this up with commitment announcements from pass rusher R Mason Thomas, defensive back Jamarrien Burt, defensive lineman Gracen Halton and pass rusher Kevonte Henry, bringing the 2022 class all the way up to No. 8 in the final rankings per Rivals, 247 and On3. Considering the circumstances, this is an incredibly impressive feat for Brent Venables & Co.
- Henry, a Lawdale, Calif. native who had previously been committed to Michigan, sat down with 247’s Craig Biggins to discuss his reasoning for picking the Sooners. One of the primary factors was a desire to get away from home and challenge himself. It seems as though he’ll fit right in with the new culture in Norman.
- Speaking of fitting right in, here’s Halton announcing his decision live via 247:
The moment San Diego 4⃣⭐️ DL Gracen Halton picked Oklahoma.
— ℍ - - ℍ ℝ (@soonergridiron) February 2, 2022
"Horns Down."
[ ️ via @247Sports]#OUDNA | #ChampU22 pic.twitter.com/990lHEf5A4
- Thomas, who up until today was committed to Iowa State, was still considering sticking with the Cyclones as recently as this week. However, he tells On3 that he gave new DE coach Miguel Chavis the call on Monday.
4⃣⭐️ DE R Mason Thomas on his commitment to Oklahoma. ️
— ℍ - - ℍ ℝ (@soonergridiron) February 2, 2022
“I think I can take off at Oklahoma."
"People out there may not know a lot about me yet, so I am ready to shock the world.”#OUDNA | #ChampU22https://t.co/cV9TcqC4ZP
- When asked about the 2022 roster, Brent Venables stressed that it is still a work in progress. Once the spring rolls around, the transfer portal will begin to rev up once again, creating some new opportunities for this staff on the trail.
Venables: We're not finished yet. We have a couple more spots. We're going to push forward during the rest of the semester and look to continue to strengthen a couple of positions ... Excited about how put exclamation mark on it today. #Sooners
— Eric Bailey (@EricBaileyTW) February 2, 2022
- Jeff Lebby also had plenty to say today, notably that there will not be a fake QB competition this year. Hallelujah!
BREAKING: For the first time in over five years, there is no quarterback "competition" for the #Sooners.
— Parker Thune (@ParkerThune) February 2, 2022
Jeff Lebby says, "Dillon [Gabriel] is our guy."
- According to this report from Pete Thamel, OU is hiring former Buffalo Bills and Tulane QB JP Losman to a player personnel position. This further illustrates this regime’s commitment to building a stout support staff — similar to what one would see at an Alabama or a Clemson.
Sources: Oklahoma is hiring former NFL QB J.P. Losman to work in player personnel and football administration. He'd been an offensive analyst at Clemson.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 2, 2022
- The day we anticipated finally came to pass for the Oklahoma Sooners Football team. Caleb Williams has picked a destination for next season and it’s on the West Coast, rejoining Lincoln Riley at USC. Williams is the third player to leave Norman for LA, joining WR Mario Williams and CB Latrell McCutchin. ESPN’s Pete Thamel spoke with Williams about the decision, while Barry Tramel explores the effects the Transfer Portal is having on players and fanbases. The Tulsa World’s Guerin Emig explains how Williams finally moving on is actually good for the Sooners fanbase.
ESPN Exclusive: Star quarterback Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) tells ESPN that he’s transferring to USC. He’s expected in class there today. Full story: https://t.co/MQYn063zDR
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 1, 2022
Tramel: OU loved Caleb Williams yesterday, but in college football, yesterday's gone https://t.co/dFoMVgGJaq
— OklahomanSports (@OklahomanSports) February 2, 2022
Caleb Williams made it official. The Band-Aid over the wound left by Lincoln Riley 2 months ago finally ripped completely off. Everyone moves forward now. And that's a positive for the #Sooners. https://t.co/UNsGUGBfQW
— Guerin Emig (@GuerinEmig) February 2, 2022
- More news as 2023 4-star wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. out of Los Alamitos, CA has de-committed from OU. Moore wants to be able to talk to other schools and explore his options, while Oklahoma would like to assess the WR a little bit more before they honor the previous offer.
— ᴅᴍᴏ. (@DeandreMooreJr) January 31, 2022
- Also, on Monday’s Hot Links we talked about the Oklahoma ties to Super Bowl LVI. The Oklahoman’s Jenni Carlson dives a bit deeper into what this game means for the Sooner State.
Carlson: Don't forget how special Super Bowl LVI is for so many with Oklahoma ties https://t.co/qUyeVd3KpG
— OklahomanSports (@OklahomanSports) February 1, 2022
OU Men’s Basketball
- Oklahoma Men’s Basketball has lost six of their last seven games, after starting the season 12-3. Barry Tramel shows us how the Sooners recent play might be seriously jeopardizing their postseason hopes.
Tramel's ScissorTales: OU men's basketball jeopardizing NCAA Tournament status https://t.co/lCkIimOmGO
— OklahomanSports (@OklahomanSports) February 1, 2022
Other OU Sports
- OU Softball is a unanimous preseason No. 1 in every poll you can imagine. Should be another memorable season for Coach Gasso and the ladies.
favorites in both polls ️ #Sooners No. 1 in @NFCAorg Preseason Poll » https://t.co/3xnnwFdYT3#ChampionshipMindset pic.twitter.com/fWKubZv1WP
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) February 1, 2022
@USASoftball '
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) February 1, 2022
Alo, Coleman, Hansen and Jennings named to USA Softball rosters for this summer. » https://t.co/g3SPgcubyk
#ChampionshipMindset pic.twitter.com/GQYIzRY5rE
— Oklahoma Women's Gym (@OU_WGymnastics) February 1, 2022
Congrats to @AudreyDavis132, @carlyw_19 & Danae for sweeping the @Big12Conference weekly awards!
» https://t.co/L7bKlMNhq4
— Oklahoma Tennis (@OU_WTennis) February 1, 2022
‼️#OUrFight pic.twitter.com/TBuTXMfUF5