If you’re looking for drama, tension, and a dash of existential dread, forget daytime soap operas; just tune into the Brent Venables era at Oklahoma football. The only thing more unpredictable than the Sooner defense lately is the weather in Norman. Following two losing years in three (yes, you read that correctly, Oklahoma has experienced 6-7 twice since 2022), Venables is coming into 2025 with his employment status as solid as a folding chair during a tornado. Venables set out to restore swagger and stability to Norman. Instead, he’s under pressure that would make a diamond perspire. On3 Sports and FOX’s Joel Klatt have both sounded the alarm: with another challenging SEC slate ahead, with Michigan, Texas, Alabama, and LSU, Venables has absolutely no room for error.

While the progress in 2025 is surely the focus for Venables, the head coach also needs to have an eye on the future. Here, the future implies the recruiting classes, especially in 2026 and 2027. When it comes to the 2026 class, the Sooners are yet to get going. They are close to the bottom in the SEC and have just four commits. 4-star QB Jaden O’Neal is an exciting prospect, but Brent Venables is looking to add more weapons. He may be getting lucky with one of them. A 209-pound defensive lineman, Brian Harris.

Although Harris will announce his commitment on May 23, the Sooners are at the top of his list. This is not some huge body for the trenches; Harris is a true disruptor, a man who can pursue running backs and rush quarterbacks with a motor that won’t slow. He glides like he has rollerblades buckled to his cleats, and his tape at Mandarin High reveals a guy who can position himself anywhere in the defensive line and make it terrible for the offense.

His recruitment was a veritable who’s who of college football heavyweights. Alabama knocked on his door, and you can be sure Kalen DeBoer’s team doesn’t mess around with mediocre talent. Michigan, Penn State, and South Carolina also made the final five, each rolling out the red carpet and selling their own NFL pipeline visions. However, Harris clarified to On3, “I want to be part of the solution and not part of a program that’s already up there.” He continues, “I want to be part of a coaching staff that sees me on top of their board and sees me as a playmaker day one that can make an impact my freshman year.” 

Harris cut his list and made it known he wanted to play for a program that made him feel like a priority. Oklahoma’s staff did just that, with regular communication and making him feel like “the guy” on their board. “Oklahoma has stayed consistent with me,” Harris said. “I like their coaching staff. That’s the biggest thing for me about Oklahoma.”

“What continues to excite me about the opportunity to play for Brent Venables…Brent’s attention to detail and his innovative approach to coaching resonate with me, and I know that being part of this program will push me to elevate my game.” Venables brought some serious confidence to the table when he pitched his program to Brian Harris. Venables is all confidence; he talks it, but he is walking it as well. When asked why he’s assuming play-calling duties for the defense this year, he straight-out answered, “Because I’m good at it,” and you can’t help but love the swagger.

Can Venables turn the tide in year two?

If you were expecting Oklahoma’s SEC debut to be a Cinderella tale, well… let’s just say the glass slipper broke somewhere around Week 5 last season. The Sooners’ inaugural tour of the SEC wasn’t a learning experience, it was a plunge headfirst into a ditch courtesy of a 6–7 record that had fans grabbing their red-colored pearls. Meanwhile, Texas sauntered through their SEC schedule as if they’d been performing it for years, leaving the OU faithful asking themselves if there was someone at conference HQ out to get them. Spoiler: the 2025 schedule looks even more like it was constructed by a Marvel villain.

The schedule’s a real rollercoaster, full of highs, lows, and times when you’ll just cling to your seat. They start things with some out-of-conference warm-ups against Illinois State and Michigan before jumping headfirst into the SEC grind. Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, and LSU come to Norman, offering the Sooners some comfort zone feels, but the South Carolina, Tennessee, and the ever-intimidating Alabama stadium road trips? Yeah, those are going to put their mettle to the test.

Brent Venables has been keeping himself busy in the transfer portal, and QB John Mateer and RB Jaydn Ott arriving on campus have insiders and fans abuzz. Mateer, who led the country in total touchdowns last season, didn’t arrive by himself-he brought his offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, along with him. With Troy Everett returning and blue-chip rookies such as Michael Fasusi already tossing defenders around like rag dolls, there’s genuine optimism in the trenches. And with added firepower in the form of JaVonnie Gibson and Deion Burks, Mateer won’t lack for targets. The offensive line now looks respectable.