NORMAN -- College football's early signing period opens Wednesday and OU football has plenty of work to do.
The Sooners are knee deep in their offensive coordinator search all while aiming to keep 2025 commits in the fold and preparing for the transfer portal opening on Dec. 9. It's no secret OU has had a disappointing season but its upset win over Alabama seems to have given a jolt to the class.
Prior to the Sooners' win over the Crimson Tide, four-star quarterback Kevin Sperry flipped his commitment to Florida State and five-star offensive lineman and OU's top committed prospect, Michael Fasusui, announced he was visiting Texas and Texas A&M.
"I've been doing this a long time, so I know, certainly, when to play off of that window," Venables said. "'You see what I've been saying?' Just affirmation, 'Hey, we're getting better.' There's a lot to be excited about the future. And if we put it all together and Oklahoma doesn't beat Oklahoma, this is what we're capable of.
"And this is an opportunity to say 'Didn't we just say that a week ago? It's the simple, basic things. And so, we certainly have tried to promote that, nurture that."
Here's everything you need to know about the Sooners' 2025 recruiting class ahead of early signing day:
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With Sperry's commitment flip, the Sooners currently don't have a quarterback committed in the 2025 class.
OU's quarterback situation will become much clearer following the conclusion of the regular season once Jackson Arnold and Michael Hawkins make it clear they're staying or leaving and whether the Sooners go quarterback hunting in the transfer portal. The Sooners still have a commitment from 2026 four-star Jaden O'Neal but for depth purposes would seemingly want to sign a 2025 commit as well.
Muskogee's three-star Jamarian Ficklin, a Texas State commit, has visited the Sooners a handful of times throughout his recruitment and was thought to be a signing day flip option. Ficklin told The Oklahoman he hadn't heard from OU as of Wednesday.
Following Kevin Wilson's firing, Tulsa commit Eli Marcos could be a name to watch.
Fasusi, a five-star offensive tackle, committed to OU on Aug. 21 and the Sooners have been working hard to keep him committed ever since.
With Texas and Texas A&M competing to flip Fasusi, it's essential to the entire 2025 class that Venables and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh finish the deal with Fasusi.
"Nobody's done it better than coach Bedenbaugh," Venables said. "He's got an amazing track record at the very highest level, both in college and guys with the opportunity to go to the NFL and play and be prepared to play at a really high level."
In addition to Fasusi, OU also boasts a commitment from four-star offensive lineman Ryan Fodje, whose commitment appears to be safe.
For depth purposes, the Sooners should try and sign another linebacker.
OU's lone linebacker pledge in the 2025 class is Carl Albert's Marcus James, a three-star recruit. Four-star linebacker and Baylor commit Kaleb Burns has been on the Sooners' radar for a while and visited during their win over Alabama.
Burns seemingly confirmed on social media what has been widely speculated -- he'll make a final decision between Baylor, Oregon and OU on signing day.
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After signing three consecutive top-10 recruiting classes in his first three cycles as the Sooners' coach, Venables' 2025 group seems a bit behind those past groups.
Here is where OU's 2025 class ranks on the four major recruiting sites (as of a week before early signing day):
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Here is a list of the Sooners' 20 commitments in their 2025 class:
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College football's early signing period is from Dec. 4-6.
February's signing day is scheduled for Feb. 5, 2025.