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Video: OU commit Jaden Nickens finds 'his love' again

Bob Przybyloby:Bob Przybylo•08/13/23•

BPrzybylo

Jaden Nickens
OU commit Jaden Nickens. Photo credit: Bob Przybylo - SoonerScoop/On3.

Everybody knew Oklahoma City Millwood recruit Jaden Nickens was going to be an elite national prospect. The question was about in which sport, football or basketball?

Nickens initially hit everybody’s radar through basketball, but it has shifted toward football. That shift was punctuated by Nickens committing to Oklahoma to play football on Saturday afternoon.

He becomes the fourth commitment for OU’s 2025 class and the third in-state prospect. You know full well head coach Brent Venables is going to keep coming for them as well, with how loaded the group is.

“Playing in front of Oklahoma I get to have everyone come and watch me,” said Nickens at his ceremony. “Playing in front of the whole state of Oklahoma and playing for the Eastside community, it really means a lot. Oklahoma is always in the loop, no matter what. Playing for OU, I’ve been seeing OU all my life. It’s always been a Sooner, since I was a kid. Man, I’m really lost for words.”

It took a while for Nickens to find that love of the game again. But when he did, he knew. He was front row all freshman year, not playing football. He told the coaches early in the season that he would be out for football as a sophomore.

However, he needed to prove it. That’s what he did.

“When I stepped back onto the field,” said Nickens when asked by SoonerScoop about football being the choice. “Freshman year didn’t even play. I was front row for every game. ‘I’m back out there next year.’ Spring ball came around and started working out six days a week and getting that work in. Finding the love again for the first sport I played. That’s when I knew.”

Nickens quickly became a name to watch, a consensus four-star prospect and ranked in the top 200 of every major recruiting service.

With his commitment in the books, he has his eyes on a couple of very familiar names to target the rest of the way.

“I’m really trying to get David Stone over, try to commit to OU too,” Nickens said. “Out of my 2025 class I’m really going after Nate (Roberts) from Washington. I really want Nate.”

Stone, the five-star defensive lineman from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy via Del City, is announcing Aug. 26.

Roberts, an elite tight end for the 2025 class, is committed to Notre Dame. But the winds are starting to shift toward OU and Venables being able to make that flip happen.

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