Sunday Offering: Oklahoma in the Mix for Two More Talented Recruits

MELISSA, TX — Oklahoma continued to climb up the 2024 team recruiting rankings on Friday evening.

After earning a commitment from 5-star defensive lineman David Stone in late August, the Sooners' added another highly touted pass rusher in the upcoming cycle late last week when 4-star defensive lineman Nigel Smith II committed to OU.

Smith announced his decision with a video that played on the big screen at his high school stadium just moments before kickoff of Melissa's 39-7 victory over Royse City (TX).

OU's newest commit said that down the stretch, it was a close race between the Sooners, Penn State and Ohio State. This makes landing a commitment from Smith even more impressive, as Miguel Chavis and Todd Bates had to beat out two of the best programs in the nation. Those coaches were on the sidelines to watch Smith's announcement and stayed for the game.

The Cardinals' standout is rated the No. 82 player and No. 5 defensive lineman in the 2024 recruiting class, according to Rivals. Smith is the son of Nigel Smith, a former SMU basketball player who was listed at 6-foot-10 and 275 pounds on the team's roster.

Smith joins Stone, Wyatt Gilmore and Jayden Jackson in the Sooners' incoming defensive line unit, bolstering what already had the makings of a solid group. If Brent Venables and company are able to flip Williams Nwaneri or earn a pledge from Danny Okoye, the team's 2024 defensive line class would be an elite bunch.

Earlier in the week, OU learned that it was in contention for two other prospects as well.

Eddy Pierre-Louis, a 4-star interior offensive lineman from Tampa Catholic (FL), released his top five on Sunday; featuring Oklahoma, UCF, Miami, Oregon and Texas A&M. Rated one of the top 15 players at his position according to the 247Sports Composite, Pierre-Louis would be a huge addition to Bill Bedenbaugh's 2024 offensive line group that currently has three commitments.

Currently, it appears that UCF is the favorite for Pierre-Louis, meaning that the Sooners still have work to do in order to land a commitment. Still, it appears that Bedenbaugh and company still have a chance at Pierre-Louis.

Also, 4-star 2025 wide receiver Marcus Harris included OU in his top schools list last week, putting Oklahoma alongside Tennessee, Georgia, Penn State, Miami, Auburn, Mississippi, Florida, Texas, Oregon, Washington and Texas A&M in his Top 12.

The Mater Dei (CA) pass catcher is rated the No. 32 overall player and No. 6 wideout in the 2025 cycle, according to On3.

If Harris does commit to OU, he would join a 2025 class loaded with receiver talent, as Emmett Jones has already earned pledges from 4-star junior receivers Gracen Harris, Elijah Thomas and Jaden Nickens.

Venables and company also extended two scholarship offers this week, despite a busy schedule of game planning and hosting visits.

Jordan Young, a highly coveted athlete from Monroe, NC, picked up an offer from the Sooners on Tuesday while Zion Williams, an interior defensive lineman from Lufkin, TX, received an offer on Sunday morning.

Young is one of the top players in the 2025 cycle, and is rated the No. 1 athlete in his recruiting class by On3 and 247Sports.

Williams is a 6-foot-4, 300-pound d-lineman also in the 2025 class. Listed as one of the top 200 players and top 10 junior defensive lineman in the country, Williams has already racked up an impressive offer list that features the likes of Alabama, Georgia and LSU.

On Saturday, the Sooners hosted a large group of recruits who visited campus and got to watch Oklahoma take down SMU in week two of the college football season.

OU commits Xavier Robinson, Kevin Sperry, Joshua Aisosa, Ivan Carreon and Taylor Tatum were all in attendance for the game, speaking with other potential Oklahoma commits prior to kickoff.

Shadow Creek (TX) defensive back Cobey Sellers, Lewisville (TX) offensive lineman Michael Fasusi, Flower Mound (TX) offensive lineman Drew Evers, Trinity Christian Academy (TX) offensive lineman Jaylan Beckley, Arbor View (NV) linebacker Christian Thatcher, Derby (KS) tight end DaSaahn Brame, Carl Albert (OK) defensive back Trystan Haynes, Carl Albert athlete Trynae Washington and Carl Albert linebacker Marcus James, who all have offers from Venables and company, were also in Norman on Saturday to see the Sooners meet the Mustangs.

Lovejoy (TX) defensive back Daniel Williams, Ponca City (OK) tight end Gavin Cunningham, Norman North athlete Garrison Utley, Prosper (TX) offensive lineman Zaden Krempin and Arbor View (NV) wide receiver Damani Warren were also on campus for recruiting visits in week two. While none of the aforementioned players hold a scholarship offer from Oklahoma, they are all talented prospects who could garner interest as preferred walk-ons or players who earn a scholarship from OU later in the recruiting process.