On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Oklahoma trending with some of its top targets

Oklahoma has yet to make its first splash in the 2024 recruiting cycle. But that doesn’t mean the Sooners don’t have some serious momentum behind them as official visits kick off next month.

Brent Venables and Co. locked in another top-10 class in 2023, and if the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) is any indication, Oklahoma could be in for another loaded group in 2024.

With the help of the RPM, we look at some of the top prospects OU is trending for early on this cycle.

5-star DL Williams Nwaneri

School: Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 7
On3 RPM: Oklahoma 77.5%, Missouri 5.1%, Kansas 2.6%

The Skinny: Williams Nwaneri has ascended from one of the top prospects in the Midwest to one of the country’s elite recruits over the past few months. He’s still early in his recruiting process, but the Sooners have made a strong impression and have hosted him as much as any other school.

He is close to multiple staffers, including Todd Bates and Miguel Chavis, and he has strong ties to the Sooners through his high school program: his head coach is Jamar Mozee, a one-time running back at Oklahoma. Four-star tackle Cayden Green also played for Mozee and signed with the Sooners in 2023.

4-star RB Caden Durham

School: Duncanville (Texas)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 200
On3 RPM: Oklahoma 92.8%, SMU 1.4%

The Skinny: Oklahoma was on Caden Durham early as a recruit and has built a strong foundation quickly with the junior from DFW powerhouse Duncanville, which has produced a handful of Sooners over the years. LSU, Texas and a few others are still in the mix, but right now the Sooners look to be in pole position.

4-star QB Michael Hawkins

School: McKinney (Texas) Frisco Emerson
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 239
On3 RPM: Oklahoma 92.0%, Arkansas 3.9%

The Skinny: Oklahoma signed one of the nation’s top quarterbacks from a Texas powerhouse last cycle with Jackson Arnold. And they look to be in prime position for another Lone Star State passer in 2024:  Michael Hawkins. The On3 Industry four-star is set to commit on April 8, and all signs point to him announcing for the Sooners.

4-star DL Nigel Smith II

School: Melissa (Texas)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 53
On3 RPM: Oklahoma 73.8%, Ohio State 5.9%, Texas A&M 2.8%

The Skinny: According to On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons, the buzz is strong with Oklahoma for Nigel Smith II. He was back in Norman in January and he has grown close to numerous coaches there, especially Todd Chavis. Smith likes the opportunity to play multiple positions on Oklahoma’s front, and the comfortability is different for him at Oklahoma than other schools. Texas A&M and Ohio State are the schools still pushing for him as well.

3-star CB Eli Bowen

School: Denton (Texas) Guyer
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 387
On3 RPM: Oklahoma 91.0%, Notre Dame 5.3%

The Skinny: Eli Bowen is the younger brother of Oklahoma 2023 five-star signee Peyton Bowen, and the Sooners have been trending for Eli ever since Peyton signed with the Sooners. Texas, Texas A&M and Oregon are among the other schools in pursuit.