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Signing Day Preview

In recent years for the Sooners the preview of National Signing Day was always about what would take place in the December period. And while Brent Venables and his new staff did a commendable job in about 10 days time there is plenty left for them to finish in the February signing period. We take a look at the nine primary prospects that Oklahoma is engaged with at this point while knowing new names could be added over the next few weeks.

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Primary Recruiter: Demarco Murray

Level of Interest: High

Competition: USC, Alabama, Florida St.

Breakdown: Barnes has long been seen as an Oklahoma lean but the departure of Lincoln Riley threw a lot into chaos for the Sooners. However his relationship with Murray remains and while USC has made an impressive run late it just feels like the Sooners, again, led by Murray, have done enough to win this race in the end. And no, after a few heartbreaks at running back in recent years, it doesn't feel like Alabama is going to sink the Sooners chances at the last minute ala Jase McClellan and Camar Wheaton.

Decision Date: Jan. 2, 2022

PREDICTION: Oklahoma - CORRECT - Jan. 2

Primary Recruiter: Brandon Hall

Level of Interest: High

Competition: Utah, Indiana, Missouri, and Florida Atlantic

Breakdown: Burt is little known to most Oklahoma fans but the Sooners got involved late and have made a real run at a player in Florida - where it looks more and more likely that they'll be seeking to find talent to bolster their roster. Burt is an intriguing defensive back who has the physicality to play at safety if things didn't work out and has familiarity with Oklahoma's success and the reality of Brent Venables' time in Norman.

Decision Date: Feb. 1, 2022

PREDICTION: Oklahoma

Primary Recruiter: Bill Bedenbaugh

Level of Interest: High

Competition: Texas

Breakdown: Campbell has been rumored to be high on other schools throughout his recruitment. At various points he has been rumored to Alabama, LSU, USC, and several others. For whatever reason Oklahoma never seemed to quite get it's due as a contender in his recruitment. But now he's down to a final Red River two. The Longhorns have been the most consistently believed landing spot for him since very early on and that's still the going thought. However, he has shown a lot of interest in Oklahoma and for them to remain in the top two in spite of the coaching change says a lot about his relationship with Bedenbaugh.

Decision Date: Feb. 2, 2022

PREDICTION: Texas

Primary Recruiter: Bill Bedenbaugh

Level of Interest: High

Competition: Michigan, Washington, Oregon, USC, Miami

Breakdown: Conerly is a name that had stayed connected to Oklahoma for months and months but it never felt like anything would come to pass. That was until he took up the Sooners on an official visit on Jan. 14. The Sooners made a strong impression on him but it still feels like there is a lot of work to go if they are going to push Washington or Michigan.

Decision Date: N/A

PREDICTION: Michigan

Primary Recruiter: Brent Venables

Level of Interest: Medium

Competition: USC, Oregon

Breakdown: Florence was a long-time Oregon commitment prior to Mario Cristobal's departure to Miami. Since then he has decommitted and watched a number of new, or renewed, offers roll in. One of those offers was from Venables and the Sooners. If Oklahoma can get him to campus in January maybe something could together but Oregon and USC will fight hard to keep him on the west coast and Florence has stated he isn't currently planning to take visits anyway.

Decision Date: N/A

PREDICTION: Oregon

Primary Recruiters: Miguel Chavis and Todd Bates

Level of Interest: High

Competition: Oregon, Miami

Breakdown: Halton has been a long-time commitment to Oregon but many feel the Ducks have slipped in his recruitment following the departure of Mario Cristobal. Halton is an athletic defensive lineman who could play in a number of roles. Oklahoma got involved late but has done impressive work to be a focal point of his recruitment so early.

Decision Date: Feb. 2, 2022

PREDICTION: Miami

Jan. 30 PREDICTION: Oklahoma

Primary Recruiter: Miguel Chavis

Level of Interest: High

Competition: Florida, Michigan

Breakdown: Oklahoma just got into the race with Henry on Dec. 29 and have made quick work of not only becoming a contender but the team most believe leads for his signature. Henry was expected to visit Florida last weekend but instead took a visit to Arizona where it looks like the Wildcats might pull a late surprise.

Decision Date: Feb. 2, 2022

PREDICTION: Oklahoma

Jan. 30 PREDICTION: Arizona

Feb. 2 PREDICTION: Oklahoma

Primary Recruiter: Brent Venables

Level of Interest: High

Competition: Clemson

Breakdown: Admit it, you scrolled down to see what the verdict was on this guy. There's just no denying that he is the hot name for Oklahoma fans to discuss right now. For 10 days leading into signing day there was a feeling that the Sooners had a legitimate chance, in spite of the fact it was unclear of how hard they were pushing to land Kanak. The ultra-athletic linebacker hasn't said anything in regard to his situation but him not signing with Clemson in the early period is a fairly enormous flashing red light of what's to come.

Decision Date: (Enrolled in January)

PREDICTION: Oklahoma - CORRECT - Jan. 5

Primary Recruiter:Todd Bates

Level of Interest: High

Competition: Miami, Tennessee, North Carolina, Iowa St.

Breakdown: Moten was the first move made by Oklahoma's new staff offering him almost immediately after Brent Venables was officially on the job. He had a relationship dating back to Venables' time at Clemson and that's paying off huge for the Sooners who gio an official visit in January. It also doesn't hurt that the next player on the list seems similarly high on the Sooners.

Decision Date: Feb. 2, 2022

PREDICTION: Oklahoma

Feb. 2 PREDICTION: Miami

Primary Recruiter: Miguel Chavis

Level of Interest: High

Competition: Iowa St., LSU

Breakdown: The two teammates, and recently crowned two-time state champions, have a real interest in playing together and Oklahoma seems the most likely place for them to do so after Thomas elected not to sign with the Cyclones in the early period after Oklahoma got involved. It's pretty clear that Oklahoma's new defensive end coach, Chavis, is doing a strong job with both and their official visits in January were a big aid to Oklahoma's recruiting work.

Decision Date: Feb. 2, 2022

PREDICTION: Oklahoma

Primary Recruiter: Brent Venables

Level of Interest: High

Competition: Arkansas, Florida

Breakdown: Williams grew up an Oklahoma fan and there was always a feeling his signing with the Sooners was inevitable. There were certainly some bumps along the road, including his attendance of the Peach Bowl loss to LSU and obviously the changeover of his primary recruiters in Norman in the last month. However, Williams has never decommitted and though he is speaking to some other schools there is a feeling that his primary interest is just seeing who will be Oklahoma's next cornerbacks coach - a question that figures to be resolved, publicly, in the next few weeks.

Decision Date: N/A.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma - CORRECT - Feb. 2

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