4-star RB Jovantae Barnes commits to Oklahoma
ORLANDO – Lincoln Riley moved on to USC. Brent Venables took over at Oklahoma. The new head coach in Norman has landed a premier offensive weapon. Las Vegas Desert Pines four-star running back Jovantae Barnes has committed to the Sooners over Florida State and USC Sunday at the Under Armour All-America Game.
“I am ready to start my journey at Oklahoma and chase my dreams,” Jovantae Barnes told On3. “There is no better feeling than the one I had when I was at Oklahoma.
“There was a coaching change, but the feeling I had was the same. I love coach Venables, coach (Demarco) Murray is still there, and coach (Jeff) Lebby’s offense is going to be strong.
“I loved Oklahoma when coach Riley was there and I never backed away. It is the right school for me.”
Venables made Jovantae Barnes a priority immediately
Not long after being announced as the new head coach at Oklahoma, Venables made a stop in Las Vegas. He got in front of Jovantae Barnes and made it clear that the No. 93 prospect in the On3 Consensus was wanted.
“It was right after he got the job that he came out to see me and that meant a lot to me,” Barnes said. “I knew I was important to him then.
“He really wanted to get to know me. We did not talk much about football at all. It was about getting to know each other, me asking any questions, and him making sure I knew he wanted me.
“That first meeting was great. I love coach Venables and what he is about.”
Barnes’ connection with Murray is strong
Murray is from Las Vegas. He has been around that area for a long time as a player and as a college recruiter. When Murray was at Arizona State, he recruited Jovantae Barnes for the Sun Devils. That relationship carried over when he left for Oklahoma.
Murray staying in Norman made Barnes’ decision fairly easy.
“We are so much alike and we have a different connection,” Barnes said. “Nothing changed for me when I knew coach Murray was staying at Oklahoma.
“I want to play for him. I trust him, I know him, and he is a great coach to play for.”
Barnes excited about his future at Oklahoma
Venables is the new leader in Norman. He has coached at Oklahoma before, he has great support from alumni, and Jovantae Barnes is excited about his future as a Sooner.
“Oklahoma has the offensive pieces and with coach Venables being a defensive coach, it is a perfect fit,” Barnes said. “The coaches he kept and the new ones he is bringing has me excited.
“I believe in coach Venables. He seems like a player’s coach and someone who cares about his players. He is everything I want in a head coach.”
Barnes was all but locked in with Oklahoma before the coaching change, and he never wavered. His took visits, he gave other schools a shot, but he was staying with the Sooners.
“I am a leader, not a follower, and my love for Oklahoma was too strong to go anywhere else.”