Completed Event: Football at Temple on September 13, 2025 , Win , 42, to, 3
Final
Football
42
at Temple
3
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sooners Sign 24 Players on First Day of Early Period
December 21, 2022 | Football
NORMAN — University of Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables announced the signing of 24 members of OU's 2023 recruiting class Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA's early signing period.
Of OU's 24 signees, 19 are ranked as four- or five-star prospects on a five-star scale by recruiting sites 247Sports, ESPN, On3 or Rivals, while the five others received three-star ratings. The early signing period lasts through Friday, while the regular signing period runs from Feb. 1 through April 1.
As of 3:15 p.m. CT, the Sooners' class is No. 7 nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings, and No. 4 according to ESPN.
"I'm incredibly proud of our staff for putting together an amazing class to this point in time," said Venables, who is wrapping up his first year as OU's head coach. "I love the 24 guys we have signed right now. Fourteen different states are represented. I love the belief of all of these recruits and their families, the stick-to-itiveness that we ask our players to have all the time. They certainly have represented that. Obviously, you have to be talented and good enough athletically, but I think that's just the bare minimum. We're really looking for the right people. Eighteen of the 24 guys we're talking about are former captains where they come from. Great leaders where they are, excellent students, but just people that have been about commitment and they understand the heart and the work ethic that it takes."
All but one of Wednesday's 24 signees are high school seniors, with the other — defensive back Kendel Dolby — coming from the junior college ranks. Ten of the signees are offensive players (one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end and four offensive linemen) and 14 are defensive players (five defensive linemen, three linebackers and six defensive backs).
The Sooners signed five players who are rated as the top recruit in their state in Missouri five-star defensive end Adepoju Adebawore (247Sports, On3, Rivals) and offensive tackle Cayden Green (ESPN), consensus five-star Texas quarterback Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma athlete Jacobe Johnson and Washington cornerback Jasiah Wagoner. Twelve prospects are rated among the top 10 nationally at their respective positions.
The state of Florida (five) produced the most OU signees on Wednesday and was followed by Texas (four) and Oklahoma, Missouri and Washington (two each). The Sooners also signed one player each from California, Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, for a total of 14 states.
"We're looking for young men who are looking for the things that we value, that we've talked about many times over the last 12 months — relationships, education; they value structure and accountability and discipline," added Venables. "They're looking for connection, not only in the present, but forever. These are young men who care about their legacies and leaving their mark somewhere and being committed to something at a place like Oklahoma, that represents excellence. I'm really proud of our staff and all the people internally, they just did an outstanding job. Relentless in their work, finding the right guys who are going to fit the profile we're looking for here at Oklahoma."
Thirteen of OU's Wednesday signees are planning to enroll at OU for the spring semester. They are Adebawore, Arnold, Dolby, Green, Wagoner and running backs Kalib Hicks and Daylan Smothers, offensive lineman Joshua Bates, defensive linemen Derrick LeBlanc and Ashton Sanders, linebacker Phil Picciotti and defensive backs Erik McCarty and Makari Vickers.
Of OU's 24 signees, 19 are ranked as four- or five-star prospects on a five-star scale by recruiting sites 247Sports, ESPN, On3 or Rivals, while the five others received three-star ratings. The early signing period lasts through Friday, while the regular signing period runs from Feb. 1 through April 1.
As of 3:15 p.m. CT, the Sooners' class is No. 7 nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings, and No. 4 according to ESPN.
"I'm incredibly proud of our staff for putting together an amazing class to this point in time," said Venables, who is wrapping up his first year as OU's head coach. "I love the 24 guys we have signed right now. Fourteen different states are represented. I love the belief of all of these recruits and their families, the stick-to-itiveness that we ask our players to have all the time. They certainly have represented that. Obviously, you have to be talented and good enough athletically, but I think that's just the bare minimum. We're really looking for the right people. Eighteen of the 24 guys we're talking about are former captains where they come from. Great leaders where they are, excellent students, but just people that have been about commitment and they understand the heart and the work ethic that it takes."
All but one of Wednesday's 24 signees are high school seniors, with the other — defensive back Kendel Dolby — coming from the junior college ranks. Ten of the signees are offensive players (one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end and four offensive linemen) and 14 are defensive players (five defensive linemen, three linebackers and six defensive backs).
The Sooners signed five players who are rated as the top recruit in their state in Missouri five-star defensive end Adepoju Adebawore (247Sports, On3, Rivals) and offensive tackle Cayden Green (ESPN), consensus five-star Texas quarterback Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma athlete Jacobe Johnson and Washington cornerback Jasiah Wagoner. Twelve prospects are rated among the top 10 nationally at their respective positions.
The state of Florida (five) produced the most OU signees on Wednesday and was followed by Texas (four) and Oklahoma, Missouri and Washington (two each). The Sooners also signed one player each from California, Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, for a total of 14 states.
"We're looking for young men who are looking for the things that we value, that we've talked about many times over the last 12 months — relationships, education; they value structure and accountability and discipline," added Venables. "They're looking for connection, not only in the present, but forever. These are young men who care about their legacies and leaving their mark somewhere and being committed to something at a place like Oklahoma, that represents excellence. I'm really proud of our staff and all the people internally, they just did an outstanding job. Relentless in their work, finding the right guys who are going to fit the profile we're looking for here at Oklahoma."
Thirteen of OU's Wednesday signees are planning to enroll at OU for the spring semester. They are Adebawore, Arnold, Dolby, Green, Wagoner and running backs Kalib Hicks and Daylan Smothers, offensive lineman Joshua Bates, defensive linemen Derrick LeBlanc and Ashton Sanders, linebacker Phil Picciotti and defensive backs Erik McCarty and Makari Vickers.
Players Mentioned
DL
/ Football
QB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
CB
/ FootballProblem Solvers: Beyond The Game - Owen Heinecke
Thursday, November 06
Sooner Football With Brent Venables - 11/2/25
Sunday, November 02
FB Highlights: OU 33, Tennessee 27
Saturday, November 01
Brent Venables Postgame at Tennessee
Saturday, November 01
