Oklahoma
Current Record: 3-3
Current Recruiting Ranking: No. 6 (per 247)
Current Gems:
QB Jackson Arnold – Guyer (Denton, Texas) 5-star
EDGE Adepoju Adebawore – North Kansas City (Kansas City, Missouri) 5-star
WR Jaquaize Pettaway – Langham Creek (Houston, Texas) 4-star
Class Assessment:
While Year 1 for Brent Venables hasn’t gone exactly to plan on the field -most notably a three-game losing streak where the Sooners have been outscored 145 to 58 – he and his staff have put together a Top 10 class that includes six recruits that are ranked Top 10 nationally at their positions.
Venables has highly regarded EDGE rusher Adepoju Adebawor and ESPN No. 2 defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc, as well as Colton Vasek locked in and committed even with the dysfunction of this season.
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After the departures of Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams, look for Jackson Arnold to compete right away for the starting quarterback position. Arnold has the ability to be effective in the RPO game and possesses a big arm to make any throw possible. He is effective and accurate on the run throwing.
Jaquaize Pettaway, who is a Top 10 receiver nationally per 247, was sought after by Georgia, Texas, and Ole Miss. Pettaway has elite skills in all phases of being a wide receiver, highlighted by his high-end acceleration that very few receivers possess.
Class Outlook To Signing Day
Most Sooners commits aren’t phased by setbacks and speaking to Sooners Insiders saying they are fully committed.
Don’t be shocked if Venables is able to land a big piece, along with Texas A&M are hot on the heels for Top 3 safety Peyton Bowen, who is a Notre Dame priority to hold onto as Marcus Freeman recently flew to Texas to take in Bowen’s high school game and to protect his commitment.
The David Hicks stunner shouldn’t set back the Sooners in recruiting and with 22 commitments already in Venables class, it will be the job maintaining this top class and potentially flip a key target or two before Signing Day.
Miami
Current Record: 2-3
Current Recruiting Ranking: No. 10 (per 247)
Current Gems:
T Francis Mauigoa – IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) 5-star
EDGE Jayden Wayne – IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) 4-star
QB Jaden Rashada – Pittsburg (Pittsburg, CA) 4-star
Class Assessment:
Mario Cristobal’s return to Miami has been filled with mixed reviews so far. On the field, the Hurricanes have been troubled by an anemic offense, something most offseason prognosticators didn’t think would happen considering how high most talent evaluators had quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.
Off the field, however, Cristobal has re-established a lot of key relationships in recruiting that has helped the Hurricanes have a Top 10 class so far according to 247. Their prized recruit is tackle Francis Mauigoa, who is rated as the top tackle in the country and is one of four commitments from the IMG Academy.
Quarterback Jaden Rashada is the country’s No. 2 dual-threat quarterback and chose the Hurricanes over LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M should bring instant competition to the quarterback room.
Class Outlook To Signing Day
Much like the situation in Oklahoma, most recruits are buying into Cristobal’s vision for The U. While the former ‘Canes offensive lineman has made many great inroads in relationships with South Florida high school coaches, he still has a ways to go to getting them concrete.
Two major recruiting losses are very likely on the trail with Lakeland’s Cormani McClain, who is the highest touted defensive back prospect in the region since Patrick Surtain II, who even after recent visits from Miami’s Jahmile Addae and Josh Gattis, it hasn’t shifted the needle from Miami to Florida.
The second is IMG Academy EDGE rusher Samuel M’Pemba who after a September visit to Georgia has seemingly taken a strong liking to Kirby Smart’s program. M’Pemba is taking an official visit to Tennessee this weekend ahead of their titanic clash with Alabama.
The key race where Miami should win is five-star Thayer Academy (Brockton, MA) tackle Samson Okunlola, while Miami is showing favorable with the crystal ball, Bill O’Brien and Alabama has been right on the heels for Okunlola. It should be the Hurricanes prospect to lose at this point.
Texas A&M
Current Record: 3-3
Current Recruiting Ranking: No. 18 (per 247)
Current Gems:
DL David Hicks – Paetow (Katy, TX) 5-star
LB Anthony Hill – Ryan (Denton, TX) 5-star
CB Bravion Rogers – La Grange (La Grange, TX) 4-star
Class Assessment:
After making the Alabama game a close one, Jimbo Fisher may have ever so slightly turned down the temperature on his seat. It still doesn’t excuse the Appalachian State debacle, but for the Aggie program trying to tread in the right direction it didn’t slow down any momentum in the recruiting trail, which included a stunning flip for Paetow’s David Hicks who was seen for the longest of time as an Oklahoma lock.
Fisher’s other gem is linebacker Anthony Hill, who is rated as the top linebacker in the country by 247 and is a firm commitment to the Aggies.
Class Outlook To Signing Day
The Aggies are looking to play big-time flipper between now and signing day.
As mentioned previously they are looking to flip Peyton Bowen, but they are heavily after Miami Gulliver Prep’s Jalen Brown, who recently took an official visit to College Station. The Aggies may try to reconnect with recent 4-star wide receiver Jonah Wilson, who recently decommitted from Texas, and has offers from Ohio State, Arkansas, and Baylor.
Two key races for the Aggies will be for 4-star defensive lineman Johnny Bowens out of Judson HS (Converse, TX), who is beginning to lean for the Aggies, and 4-star safety Rahmir Stewart out of Imhotep Institute (Philadelphia, PA) which is a three-team race between the Aggies, Penn State, and Oregon, which Texas A&M should win, but if the Nittany Lions lose DaKaari Nelson, this should be a great head to head battle between ace recruiters Elijah Robinson (Texas A&M) and Terry Smith (Penn State) for Stewart’s services.
