Recruits react to weekend spent in Norman with the Oklahoma Sooners
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A rough first season on the gridiron for Brent Venables, and his staff didn’t slow them down one bit on the recruiting trail for 2023. And it’s unlikely to hinder anything they do in the 2024 cycle as well.
A month removed from a strong performance in the Cheez-It Bowl, the Oklahoma coaching and recruiting staff have been grinding in preparation for this past weekend’s “Junior Day” on campus at the University of Oklahoma.
The Sooners hosted a number of top prospects in the 2024 recruiting class, including four-star quarterback Michael Hawkins, four-star running back Jeremy Payne, four-star OL Casey Poe, and four-star safety Aaron Flowers. Each has been trending in the Oklahoma Sooners’ favor.
Venables and his staff also hosted four-star in-state product Xadavien Sims, a defensive lineman out of Durant, Oklahoma. Michigan State is heavily pursuing Sims in addition to David Stone, who will be coming to Norman in a couple of months. These will be two crucial recruiting battles for the Sooners, especially after losing Norman’s Bai Jobe to the Spartans.
The Sooners’ staff has shown that they can recruit in the little more than a year they’ve spent in Norman. This weekend was a big opportunity to make some headway in some notable recruitments.
Here’s how a number of those prospects reacted to their time in Norman.
Father of 4-Star QB Michael Hawkins also with 5-Star TE Davon Mitchell
Trust God & Stack The Days @mikehawkinsj @davonmitchell82
Great Day at the Palace 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/JGudEUXtSw— Mike Hawkins (@HawkIcanNfl) January 29, 2023
4-Star RB Jeremy Payne
Had an amazing time at @OU_Football for Junior Day. Thank you Coaches and staff for the hospitality! pic.twitter.com/pu2jmV3Yji
— Jeremy Payne (@jeremypayne_) January 30, 2023
4-Star EDGE Zina Umeozulu
Had a great time at @OU_Football yesterday hope to be back soon! #BoomerSooner #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/8EQuwcu24N
— Zina “ZOO” Umeozulu (@zina_umeozulu) January 29, 2023
4-Star WR Zion Kearney
#Soonernation What y’all thinking? #BoomerSooner #notcommitted pic.twitter.com/h6D219adNx
— Zion Kearney (@ZionKearney2024) January 29, 2023
4-Star LB Payton Pierce
Felt great to be back in Norman! Can’t wait to come back in the Spring. Thank you @CoachVenables @CoachTedRoof @JamesSkalski pic.twitter.com/DvJg3irlQw
— Payton Pierce (@payton_pierce26) January 30, 2023
4-Star Safety Aaron Flowers
Had a Great Time at the University of Oklahoma !!#BoomerSooner #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/OPVrJaakBD
— Aaron Flowers (@aaronflowers06) January 29, 2023
4-Star OL Casey Poe
Thank you @OU_Football for an amazing Jr. Day! I really enjoyed my short stay in Norman and can’t wait to return! #Sooner @Coach_Cochran @JacobAlford50 @CoachVenables @OU_CoachB @_ClaytonWoods @thePGshow_ @ParkerThune #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/2juFoAMOHi
— Casey Poe (@CaseyPoe2024) January 29, 2023
4-Star DL Nigel Smith
#BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/kDKEF0ui9n
— Nigel Smith (@NigelSmith_25) January 29, 2023
K Liam Evans
Had a great elite junior day visit at @OU_Football today! Big thanks to @nunez_jay for the invite and hospitality! @CoachVenables @moorelion_fb pic.twitter.com/Xnzvp3NhxY
— Liam Evans (@LiamDEvans05) January 29, 2023
4-Star RB James Peoples
Had an Amazing time in Norman Today‼️ I’m pumped to be able to get back, Thank you !!! @OU_Football #BoomerSooner⭕️ @DeMarcoMurray @CoachVenables @ParkerThune @SoonerScoop @Perroni247 pic.twitter.com/PsdrUimsiX
— James (@James_peoples17) January 29, 2023
4-Star OL Max Anderson
Boomer??🤍❤️#OUDNA pic.twitter.com/EFqtkod8uD
— 𝙼𝚊𝚡 𝙰𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗 (@MaxAnders0n1) January 29, 2023
4-Star RB Caden Durham
Show love OU fans @OU_Football https://t.co/YoOifJDkCo pic.twitter.com/WLzlc4zaUa
— Caden Durham (@CadenDurham29) January 30, 2023
4-Star DL Xadavien Sims
Great time at OU this weekend! Can’t wait to get back soon! #BoomerSooner @CoachToddBates @CoachVenables @OU_Football pic.twitter.com/AGGt4il8qv
— Xadavien Sims🌟🌟🌟🌟 (@XadavienS) January 30, 2023
3-Star LB Tyanthony Smith
Wonderful time in Norman ! Go mess with the post https://t.co/8KQeUMQ2r3 pic.twitter.com/aHzobQc2l7
— Tyanthony “Ty” Smith (@Tyanthonysmith1) January 30, 2023
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