Brent Venables discusses Oklahoma's looming SEC move, how it impacts roster decisions

Brent Venables took over as Oklahoma‘s head coach in 2022, but in 2024 his job will change significantly, as the Sooners along with rival Texas are set to join the SEC. Venables spoke with On3’s JD PicKell on ‘The Hard Count’, and was asked how that future conference move has factored into his roster construction.

“It’s a factor, but I think kids are attracted knowing that starting in 2024 that that’s going to be an opportunity for them coming to Oklahoma, having a chance to compete in the SEC, which is one of the premiere conferences in all of college football as we all know,” Venables said.

Venables brought in an impressive recruiting class this offseason with the No. 7 ranked class in the nation and No. 2 in the Big 12 conference according to On3’s Industry Rankings. His 2022 class consists of three five-star recruits and 12 impressive transfer portal acquisitions, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on if their move to the SEC was a motivating factor in the recruiting process.

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“And so it’s hard to say what the percentage is, most I would say 90 plus percent of the guys have a very good awareness that Oklahoma is going to the SEC,” Venables said. “Many of them didn’t know which exact year now that that’s been all worked out. So it plays a part in the process no doubt.”

Next season will mark Oklahoma’s final season in the conference and will feature some new faces before their move to the SEC. The Sooners have been in the Big 12 since 1996, and 2023 will feature some new additions to conference the with BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, and Houston joining the Big 12 this upcoming season.

The Big 12 will be a little crowded this season before Oklahoma’s departure, and while Vendables may not yet see a difference in recruiting at the moment, it will surely change when they join the SEC. Venables and the Sooners will be faced with a new world of recruiting, as they’ll likely have to elevate their recruiting in the south and compete with a new pool of SEC coaches.

Looking towards the future is surely temping in Norman, but for now, Venables and the Sooners are focused on spring practice and improving their 6–7 record from his debut season at the helm.