Following a rough SEC debut last season, the Sooners find themselves in the hot seat entering 2025. Brent Venables, at 22-17 over three seasons (with two 6-7 campaigns bracketing a 10-win year), is taking it on the chin. The heat is on—he’s got a $51.6 million contract, through 2029, and an unmistakable Do or Die directive from those in charge. In response, Venables has handed over the offense to new coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Ben arrives with transfer quarterback John Mateer to kick-start the Sooners’ attack. The schedule is fierce, starting with Illinois State before a highly publicized game against Michigan. But Oklahoma at least figures to be in the mix for 10 wins with the latest addition to the class of 2026.
The gem of the 2026 recruiting class is Brian Harris. This youngster from Jacksonville’s Mandarin High is a huge pickup for Venables and his squad. Harris is a 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman who’s been taking off on recruiting boards. Rivals has him as a four-star and the No. 20 DL in the class. Harris impresses with his diversity; he has played on the interior and the edge, displaying quick feet, sure hands, and a motor that never stops. He’s a player who can run down running backs and sack the quarterback, which is what you need in the SEC.
On the 23rd of May, the OU Insider channel released a one-on-one interview with Harris, the interviewer asks him, “What made Oklahoma the right call for a guy like you?” Harris responds, “I can see how my family feels about it, and you know, hearing my mom say like ‘Man, I could see myself living here, I could see you going here.’ And that’s another big thing for me is to see if my mom feels that same energy I feel.” So, what swayed him was how his mom was about Norman, Oklahoma. He didn’t cite NIL or facilities (although he adores Coach Venables’ energy and Coach Bates’ warm presence). It was a homely environment that allured him. The players were honest with him, not pitching the dream but telling him what life is like in Norman.
“I’ve gone to so many different schools i’ve gone to everywhere down from Miami in Minnesota, like I’ve gone everywhere and you know I haven’t ever ever had an experience in a place like Oklahoma. Oklahoma is something different and I believe in what they’re building. I believe in their program,” says Harris. Brian’s been on the recruiting trail for quite some time now, and he’s done it all. He’s been to powerhouse programs from the sun-kissed beaches of Miami to the frozen fields of Minnesota coast-to-coast. He’s toured top-of-the-line facilities, met with name coaches, and experienced the hype at each stop.
But none of those places ever made him feel the way Oklahoma did. There’s something about Norman that resonated with him differently. In Oklahoma, he sees a program rising up and not just seeking wins, but creating a culture, a brotherhood. The vision Venables put out isn’t about football success; it’s about creating something that will last, and Brian wants to be a part of that. He put it best: “Oklahoma is something different.”
Why Alabama’s recruiting machine hit a speed bump?
Harris was not merely another face on their board—he was a legitimate SEC-level prospect who had the Crimson Tide looking his way up until he committed to the Sooners. Alabama, famous for bringing in top defensive linemen year in and year out, doesn’t lose very often in recruiting battles, particularly for a kid from the Southeast. So when a blue-chip recruit such as Harris, who had Alabama in his top five and was holding a committable offer, signs with Oklahoma instead, it’s a sign that Brent Venables and his team are coming out swinging big and landing hits in SEC country.
Harris is a 6-foot-4, 290-pound Jacksonville, Florida, product with the ability to play on the edge and inside. He has earned the Defensive Line MVP honors at the Under Armour Next Camp in Orlando. Last season, he notched 29 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 10 games. He has the athleticism, size, and technical ability that SEC schools appreciate. For Alabama, to miss out on a player like this, particularly in a recent SEC competition, means they’ll have to find another individual to slot into a position that Harris could’ve claimed for the next several years. But it’s not all about the player; it’s about the message. Harris was adamant that Oklahoma’s family culture, open communication, and one-on-one attention from Venables and D-line coach Todd Bates mattered.
Harris felt like he was a priority in Norman, and the Sooners’ coaches ensured he realized he was their No. 1 dude. That’s the type of recruitment speech Alabama typically wins with, but this week, Oklahoma outworked them. Harris even reports he’s closing down his recruitment—no more trips, no more hype—he’s committed to OU. For Alabama, that’s a rare loss. Not only do they lose a top defensive line recruit, but they also watch as Oklahoma, now an SEC equal, makes recruiting inroads deep in the Southeast.
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