4-star S Makari Vickers commits to Oklahoma and Brent Venables: 'I am a believer'

Tallahassee (Fla.) Robert F. Munroe Day School four-star safety Makari Vickers is “honestly a little surprised of how things worked out.” Earlier this year, he was “all but set to go” to Alabama. Then, Oklahoma offered the 6-foot-1, 189 pound defensive back on Jan. 16.

Vickers decided to delay his commitment to give himself more time to analyze his options. As months passed, Oklahoma gradually climbed his list. Following a June 3 official visit to Norman, the Sooners and the Crimson Tide were tied in the chase for Vickers’ pledge.

Then, the four-star recruit made another trip to the Sooners. During a July 28 unofficial visit, Vickers realized Oklahoma was the program for him. Vickers made the news official Friday when he announced his commitment to the Sooners over Alabama and Michigan.

“I feel the most at home at Oklahoma,” Vickers told On3. “Oklahoma is not just a program that speaks about being a family… the family vibe is real at Oklahoma… I have been there, seen it, felt it, and I am ready to be part of that Oklahoma family.”

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Vickers was drawn to Oklahoma because of Valai and Venables

According to Vickers, his recruitment to the Sooners started with defensive backs coach Jay Valai. He recruited Vickers when he was at Alabama, and did the same when he joined Venables’ coaching staff.

After receiving his Oklahoma offer, Valai and Vickers began to bond. Their connection was one of the reasons why the Sooners became a contender for Vickers.

There was another key factor as well. If he chose Oklahoma, Vickers would have the opportunity to play for Venables, who orchestrated national championship-winning defenses when he was Clemson‘s defensive coordinator.

“I believe coach Venables will build something great at Oklahoma,” said Vickers, the No. 87 overall prospect and No. 8 safety in the 2023 On3 Consensus. “He is a strong defensive mind, he has been part of championships, and he is bringing that attitude to Oklahoma.”

It isn’t just Venables’ “great defensive mind” that intrigued Vickers, however. He pointed out how Oklahoma’s head coach has created initiatives to support players, including the SOUL mission, in which former Sooners mentor current Oklahoma players.

“He has created SOUL missions, showing he truly cares for his players,” Vickers said. “Many coaches talk about caring, but coach Venables doing this for mental health showed me a lot. He is actively looking to help people. What is he doing on and off the field drew me in. I am a believer.”

Vickers is the latest blue-chip prospect in the Sooners’ 2023 class

By landing Vickers, the Sooners now have commitments from six top-100 prospects. They are Vickers, Denton (Tex.) Guyer five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold, Kansas City (Mo.) North Kansas City five-star EDGE Adepoju Adebawore, Houston (Tex.) Langham Creek four-star wide receiver Jaquaize Pettaway, Lee’s Summit (Mo.) Lee’s Summit North four-star offensive tackle Cayden Green and Mustang (Okla.) four-star athlete Jacobe Johnson.

Vickers is now the 22nd member of Oklahoma’s 2023 recruiting class, a group that contains two five-stars, 12 four-stars and eight three-stars. He continues a strong August for the Sooners, who have also landed commitments from Johnson, Austin (Texas) Westlake four-star EDGE Colton Vasek and Converse (Texas) Judson four-star wide receiver Anthony Evans.

“Adding pieces… Jackson Arnold, Jacobe Johnson, and this is going to be a great class,” Vickers said. “We are bonding together and we could end up winning a national championship at Oklahoma.”