2026 IOL Will Conroy commits to Oklahoma: 'I love the culture at Oklahoma'

In July, a month before his junior season started, Will Conroy named Arizona State, Florida, Miami, Michigan and Oklahoma his top schools. He took visits in the fall, one was to Norman, and the 2026 interior offensive lineman out of Cleveland St. Ignatius has committed to the Sooners.

“Right after I got the offer, I visited for a spring practice and I loved it at Oklahoma,” Conroy told On3. “I went back for the Tennessee game and it was one of the best environments in the country. I knew when I decided that I wanted to be in a true college town, and Norman encapsulates that. The fan base is passionate about Oklahoma and I love it there.”

The first visit set the bar high. The second visit didn’t disappoint and the 6-foot-3, 275-pound junior sees the SEC program as a perfect fit.

“When you go to Oklahoma, it starts in the weight room, then on the field you see it happen. Everyone plays for each other. It is really a team and not many programs are like that anymore.

“I love the culture at Oklahoma. One thing about Oklahoma is, they know who they are. They stand on that and they don’t change for anyone. It is a storied program with a lot of history and you feel that as soon as you walk into the building.”

Playing for Bill Bedenbaugh had a lot to do with Conroy’s decision

After playing at Iowa and making stops at Texas Tech, Arizona and West Virginia, Bedenbaugh started at Oklahoma in 2013. He has been developing offensive linemen in Norman since.

“I realized the development under coach Bedenbaugh and I don’t see a better place to be developed at than at Oklahoma under him,” Conroy said. “Coach B has a proven track record. Look at the guys he has developed and the money they are making now in the NFL. I will play center, and looking at centers in particular, Creed Humphries has the highest contract in the NFL. I don’t want to make college my last stop for football and coach B can help me a lot in the next 3-4 years.”

Not only does Conroy like his track record, but he also likes Bednbaugh’s style and the way he coaches.

“Coach B will get on you, he will push you and he is the kind of coach I want to play for. He is about development. He loves what he does and he loves seeing his players excel. The little details matter with him, and with a new offensive coordinator and a high-powered offense, this will be a good fit for me.”

Conroy sees Venables as a great leader in Norman

Venables knows what Oklahoma is about. He coached linebackers and was defensive coordinator there from 1999-2011. After a strong run at Clemson as defensive coordinator, he returned to Norman to be the head coach.

Conroy loves who his future head coach is.

“Coach Venables is all about passion,” Conroy said. “He is one of the most passionate people I have ever met. Coach Venables has a true love for the game. He has great intensity, he wants to win and he will be a part of Oklahoma’s success.

“Coach Venables cares about the program, he cares about the people in the program and nobody wants Oklahoma to succeed more than Venables.”