Sooners Big Spring Keeps Rolling

The Sooner Scoop – March 15, 2024

Attention Ladies and Gentleman, I have an urgent and breaking Sooners news story!

Without question the news of the week was the parting of ways with Oklahoma City Millwood wide receiver Jaden Nickens. We discussed how that came to pass a bit earlier this week, but now the question remains, where does Oklahoma’s focus move to?

Oklahoma currently has two commitments in Gracen Harris and Dallas Under Armour WR MVP Elijah Thomas. But the thought is they’ll likely end up with four in the class.

Some names that the Sooners have considerable connection with are Andrew Marsh and Quincy Porter, who both visited Norman last weekend. Along with them are Cooper Perry, who is expected for an official on June 21, Caleb Cunningham and Emmanuel Choice.

Scoop’s general feeling is that all five could factor into Oklahoma’s final lineup.

Choice – This is one that Oklahoma has plenty of reason to feel good about as he and Emmett Jones are very well connected.

Cunningham – The Sooners are going to do all they can to be in this race but Mississippi State, and some other newly-minted SEC brethren, are going to make it very, very difficult.

Marsh – visited Oklahoma last weekend and loved his trip, there’s a strong bond between he and Jones.

Perry – Has loved his communication with Oklahoma but there’s some thought Oregon leads the field at the moment.

Porter – He surprised many with the visit last week and in spite of the distance, things apparently went quite well. He should be back for an official visit this summer.

Sooners Finding Some Footing at Duncanville?

One of the more interesting storylines to emerge over the past week has been the Sooners contact with Duncanville, Texas duo Kevin Ford Jr. and Zachery Turner. Turner had seen Oklahoma way back during the 2022 season but has, along with Ford. Jr., made back to back trips to Norman over the past seven days. First they were on campus for the Sooners Future Freaks event last Saturday and then followed that up with another trip to Norman on Thursday.

The two are good friends and seem to be on the same page in regard to the Sooners.

Turner admitted to a reporter or two last Sunday that Oklahoma had caught his eye at this point in time and Ford Jr. seems to be sending back similar reports. The two took in practice on Thursday and it’s pretty clear the Sooners style of work and the general demeanor of the program are hitting the right notes.

It’s obviously very early for the duo but the Sooners have had one win at Duncanville, Savion Byrd, since 2002. So to have some early momentum with two of the programs top sophomores is a strong, and frankly unexpected, showing.

Sooners Turning Focus with Jenks Standout

Speaking of young prospects, one of the Sooners earliest, ever, offers among in-state players went to Jenks, Okla. standout Semaj Stanford. The big-time safety was expected in Norman last weekend but things were changed before he could leave for Norman.

“I didn’t get to go [on Saturday] coach B(randon) Hall wants me to come to the spring game when there are less recruits there,” Stanford said.

It’s clear that Oklahoma is working, at all times, and trying to keep their visiting numbers at manageable levels. However, it’s also clear that they want Stanford to know he’s a priority for them amongst that rising sophomore group.

OU Building Momentum with Legend

Sticking with OU’s themed week of younger prospects, one who didn’t make it to Future Freaks but did get to campus is Mesquite (Texas) Horn 2026 quarterback Legend Bey. The explosive athlete had a chance to watch Oklahoma’s first practice of the spring along with three of his teammates, including 2025 offensive tackle offer Lamont Rogers.

And when asked what stood out to him about his time in Norman, he had a unique answer.

“The team bonding,” Bey said.

But, what about it?

“The players and coaches intensity. The communication between one another. It felt like a historic football environment.”

Bey, and a few other prospects Scoop spoke to this week, have talked about this team looking like a good one for the Sooners.

Horn’s Fourth OU Offer Enjoys Himself

As mentioned, Bey was joined by several of his teammates, the lone one who arrived in Norman without an offer didn’t have to wait long to get one. That’s because Jay Valai offered Horn’s 2026 cornerback Ryan Gilbert. The talented corner who has been reeling in numerous offers over the past few months enjoyed his time at Oklahoma.

“The coaches were very welcoming. The campus, football facilities, and the atmosphere were amazing,” Gilbert said. “[I] most definitely need to get back there. Hopefully I can get back down there for the spring game.”

Brother of Sooner Royalty Enjoys Coaches

One of the names that Scoop knows Sooner fans won’t have any trouble remembering is Forney, Texas 2026 quarterback Nelson Peterson Jr.

For the few who haven’t noticed, he’s the younger half-brother of former Sooners All-American and NFL legend Adrian Peterson. And though it’s a but unclear how the younger Peterson brother is going to be recruited, the Sooners are doing legwork to make sure he’s comfortable in Norman.

“The thing that really stood out was the coaches building a personal relationship with me,” Peterson Jr. said.

So far he hasn’t made any concrete plans to return but it feels like something that could be happening.

Sooners Still Identifying 2026 Quarterback Targets

We keep saying it but Seth Littrell and the Sooners are leaving no stone unturned in their 2026 quarterback evaluations. Two who don’t currently hold offers but were in Norman over the last week or so were Romin Seymour of Manvel, Texas and Tait Reynolds of Queen Creek, Ariz.

Reynolds hasn’t had much to say but making the trip says plenty of his interest in the Sooners. Meanwhile, Seymour has plans to be back in the spring or summer and maybe both.

“They liked my film and would like to have me back for the spring game and come to camp in the summer,” Seymour said.

Again, just keep an eye on things.

Reynolds Not the Only 2026 To Keep an Eye On

Seymour has been mentioned before and is certainly regarded as one of the most promising quarterbacks in Texas for the rising junior class. Meanwhile, Reynolds is a very new name for Sooners fans. Another new name to perhaps keep an eye on was a quiet Future Freaks guest – Henry Harris of San Marcos, Texas.

Harris was a sneaky standout at at the Under Armour Dallas event and after checking around, the Sooners are well aware of him and had brought him to Norman last weekend. It’s too early to tell what might happen going forward but he has plenty of length and was as smooth as any receiver we watched going through the Gauntlet drill. He’s got a lot of promise and is a name Oklahoma fans may need to remember.