Oklahoma Continues to Increase Local Recruiting Prowess with Recent Commitment
OKLAHOMA CITY — On Saturday afternoon, OU picked up its fifth commitment in the 2025 class.
Jaden Nickens, a 4-star wide receiver from Millwood (OK) announced his pledge to Oklahoma, giving Brent Venables and company another in-state victory on the recruiting trail.
Nickens is the eighth local prospect to commit to the Sooners over the summer, joining Xavier Robinson, Elijah Thomas, Joshua Aisosa, Ace Hodges, Bergin Kysar, Mykel Patterson-McDonald and Liam Evans. Former Rock Hill (TX) quarterback and current OU commit Kevin Sperry also moved to Oklahoma recently, joining a talented Carl Albert team in Midwest City.
With eight local players committed over the next two recruiting cycles, the Sooners have once again begun to dominate in-state recruiting. Under Lincoln Riley, many fans accused the previous coaching staff of being too hesitant to offer OK Preps prospects.
Under Venables and company, local recruits are once again being made a priority, and OU is reaping the benefits. On Saturday, Nickens said that he grew up watching Oklahoma, and that committing to his childhood team left him at a loss for words.
"Playing in front of Oklahoma I get to have everyone come and watch me," Nickens said. "Playing in front of the whole state of Oklahoma and playing for the Eastside community, it really means a lot. ... Oklahoma is always in the loop, no matter what. Playing for OU, I've been seeing OU all my life. It's always been a Sooner, since I was a kid. Man, I'm really lost for words."
Nickens also outlined his relationship with fellow in-state commits Sperry and Thomas on Saturday, saying that he talked with both players before making his decision.
"Y'all see how he showed up man," Nickens said of Sperry. "I could've committed to anywhere else, I didn't even tell Kevin. Him, just showing up, really shows what a brotherhood really means at the University of Oklahoma. ... He was just telling me how he wanted me to be one of his receivers in that committed 2025 class. ...Me, (Kevin) and Elijah definitely talked."
Like Nickens, Thomas also said that he grew up an OU fan following the Checotah (OK) wide receiver's commitment.
With so many talented OK Preps players in the 2025 class, including 4-star athlete CJ Nickson, Venables and company are still hoping to continue their streak of in-state recruiting wins.
Following his announcement, Nickens said that he is hoping to help the Sooners land commitments from 5-star defensive lineman and Oklahoma City native David Stone as well as 4-star tight end and Washington (OK) standout Nate Roberts.
"I'm really trying to get David Stone over, try to commit to OU too," Nickens said. "Out of my 2025 class I'm really going after Nate (Roberts) from Washington. I really want Nate."
Nickens has seen Roberts firsthand, as the Warriors defeated Millwood in the state title game last season. Currently, the nation's No. 2 tight end is committed to Notre Dame, but after multiple workouts with Thomas and Sperry, there have been rumblings that Roberts may be considering flipping his pledge to Oklahoma.
If Venables and company are able to earn a commitment from Roberts, the Sooners would be adding to a 2025 class that is already headlined by three talented OK Preps players.
A pledge from Roberts would not only continue OU's in-state momentum, but could help Oklahoma establish the in-state recruiting dominance that it should have held for years, given the team's on-field success.
What Venables and Emmett Jones have done on the recruiting trail locally is very impressive and will help the Sooners build a stronger culture around the program while simultaneously bringing in highly touted prospects.
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