4-star WR Zion Ragins commits to Oklahoma: 'The home-feeling and the people made Oklahoma right for me'

Gray (Ga.) Jones four-star wide receiver Zion Ragins knew he’d be committing to a major power five program when he made his college decision. After narrowing his list down to three, Ragins list featured Florida State, Georgia and Oklahoma.

After first going for a Junior Day visit in January and official visit on June 9, it became clear to Ragins where he needed to be. That school was Oklahoma as he announced his pledge to the Sooners on Tuesday.

“On the official visit is when I knew it was Oklahoma,” Ragins told On3. “How I was feeling in that atmosphere made it right for me. It was just cool and it felt right for me.

“The environment is different from where I am from as it’s just chill and I like the vibe. The home-feeling and the people made Oklahoma right for me.”

From the jump Ragins said that it was clear Oklahoma wanted him. Their recruitment of him wasn’t something new as the new coaching staff initially got involved during his sophomore year.

Oklahoma wide receiver coach Emmett Jones has been Ragins’ primary recruiter during that time and the two have built a strong bond.

“We have a good connection and we have been talking about every other day for a while,” said Ragins, the No. 206 player in the 2024 class. “We talk about some football, but we talk about family, check in with each other and just make sure everything is going good. Our bond is more like a father-son.

…it’s more about life, family and things like that with Coach Jones. As a coach, I see him as someone who can help me be in the position I need to be in on and off the field.”

Oklahoma brings a familiar feeling to Ragins

An attraction to Oklahoma’s offense also made the decision on Ragins’ end easy. He noted that getting to play in a Jeff Lebby’s offense would feel familiar to him as his high school runs several of the same plays and routes that Lebby runs.

He hasn’t played a snap for Brent Venables yet but Ragins also has a strong, familiar feeling with his future head coach as well.

After several talks between the two, it was clear to Ragins that Venables was the only head coach he could see himself play for at the next level.

“Coach Brent Venables is a straight-up guy and I really do love Coach V,” Ragins said. “He’s a good person, good person and just an honest guy. Coach V has been by my school and he’s gotten to know me on and off of the field. He’s just a guy who already knows me and a coach I’m excited to play for.

…I like his personality, his energy and he is always hyped. Oklahoma is going in the right direction under Coach V.”