Before the 2025 season, which new OU football players have already enrolled?

As the Oklahoma Sooners gear up for the 2025 college football season, one of the most exciting developments in the offseason is the arrival of a fresh crop of new players—freshmen, transfers, and early enrollees—who are ready to make an impact. The Sooners have consistently recruited at a high level under Brent Venables, and their 2025 class promises to be one of the most talented and impactful in recent memory.

In college football, the early enrollment period allows players to join the program ahead of the traditional summer move-in, giving them a head start in learning the system, getting acclimated to the college environment, and, most importantly, getting stronger and faster through the team’s offseason training programs. These early enrollees often emerge as key contributors in their first seasons, and their arrival in Norman has Sooners fans buzzing with anticipation about the future of the program.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the new Oklahoma football players who have already enrolled ahead of the 2025 season, examining how they might impact the team and what fans can expect from them as they begin their journeys with the Sooners.

Overview of the Early Enrollees and Their Importance

Before diving into the list of players, it’s important to understand why early enrollees are so important to the success of a college football program. When a recruit chooses to enroll early, they effectively get a head start on learning the playbook, building chemistry with their teammates, and getting acclimated to the physical demands of college football.

For Oklahoma, the 2025 season is an important one as the Sooners continue to build under Brent Venables and transition to the SEC. With a heavy emphasis on developing a strong defense, maintaining offensive balance, and building depth across the roster, the early enrollees will be critical to filling in gaps and adding fresh talent to the lineup.

For freshmen players, enrolling early gives them the chance to work in the weight room with Oklahoma’s strength and conditioning staff and participate in the team’s spring practice sessions, which are crucial for their development. This preparation can be the difference between a player taking a redshirt year or stepping in immediately to contribute.

Key Early Enrollees for the 2025 Oklahoma Sooners

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable new players who have already enrolled at Oklahoma ahead of the 2025 season. These early enrollees come from a variety of backgrounds—highly touted recruits, transfers looking for a fresh start, and athletes eager to make an impact in their first season at Norman.

1. Jackson Williams (QB, Freshman)

Jackson Williams, a four-star quarterback from Dallas, Texas, is one of the most highly anticipated early enrollees for the 2025 Sooners. Williams, a dual-threat quarterback with impressive athleticism, could become a key figure in the Sooners’ offense in the coming seasons. Known for his ability to extend plays with his legs and make pinpoint throws on the move, Williams adds a new dynamic to the Oklahoma offense.

With the Sooners transitioning to the SEC, where defensive competition is especially tough, having a quarterback who can make plays both in the pocket and on the run will be vital. By enrolling early, Williams will have the opportunity to learn the offensive playbook, develop his chemistry with the team’s wide receivers, and compete for a starting role early in his career.

While Williams will face stiff competition from veteran quarterbacks already in the program, including Dillon Gabriel, his early enrollment gives him an advantage in terms of preparation. Williams will be able to work closely with offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and get a jump on his development as Oklahoma looks toward future seasons.

2. Xavier Johnson (RB, Freshman)

Xavier Johnson is another key early enrollee who will make waves in the Sooners’ backfield. The highly touted running back out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is known for his blend of speed, vision, and power. Johnson’s commitment to Oklahoma was a huge win for the Sooners’ recruiting class, as he is a highly versatile back who can make plays as both a runner and a receiver out of the backfield.

With Eric Gray heading to the NFL, the Sooners’ running back position will be up for grabs. Marcus Major and Jovantae Barnes will look to take on larger roles, but Johnson’s ability to contribute right away could give him an edge. His early enrollment allows him to work with the Sooners’ coaching staff during the spring and get familiar with Oklahoma’s offensive system, making it likely that he will have an opportunity to see significant playing time in 2025.

Johnson’s ability to pick up blitzes and excel in pass protection will be key to earning reps, and he’ll likely get a lot of chances to impress the coaches during the spring practices. With his skill set, it’s not hard to imagine him being an immediate contributor in Oklahoma’s offensive backfield.

3. Elijah Williams (OT, Freshman)

Elijah Williams, a highly sought-after offensive tackle from Dallas, Texas, was one of the crown jewels of Oklahoma’s 2025 recruiting class. As an offensive lineman, Williams is a massive presence at 6’6” and 315 pounds, with the mobility to match his size. He was a force in high school and earned national recognition for his technique, strength, and ability to dominate defenders in both the run and pass game.

Oklahoma’s offensive line has been one of the program’s strengths over the years, and Williams is expected to continue that tradition. With the Sooners heading into the SEC, the physicality of the offensive line will be crucial for success, and Williams has the potential to step in immediately and contribute to that unit. Enrolling early gives Williams the chance to work in Oklahoma’s strength and conditioning program and get familiar with the system during spring practices.

In addition to his physical attributes, Williams is known for his work ethic and leadership qualities, which will help him adjust to college football. With the opportunity to learn from seasoned veterans on the offensive line, Williams could find himself in a starting role sooner than later.

4. Kamari Fagan (LB, Freshman)

Kamari Fagan, a linebacker from Miami, Florida, is one of the most highly ranked recruits in the 2025 class. Fagan is a versatile defender with the ability to play both inside and outside linebacker, making him a valuable asset for Brent Venables’ defense. With his speed, athleticism, and instincts, Fagan has the tools to be an immediate contributor.

Oklahoma’s defense has undergone significant changes under Venables, and adding talented linebackers like Fagan will be critical for success, especially in the SEC. The ability to stop the run, cover tight ends, and provide pressure on the quarterback are all aspects of Venables’ defense that Fagan excels at.

Enrolling early will allow Fagan to immerse himself in the Sooners’ defensive scheme and build chemistry with his future teammates. Given the youth and depth at linebacker, Fagan has a strong chance of earning playing time in 2025, and fans will be excited to see how he develops throughout the season.

5. Jalen Harris (DB, Freshman)

Jalen Harris, a defensive back from Fort Worth, Texas, is another significant early enrollee for the Sooners. Harris is a highly athletic player with the ability to play both cornerback and safety, giving the Sooners flexibility in their defensive backfield. His quickness, ball skills, and ability to read the quarterback make him a dynamic addition to Oklahoma’s secondary.

With the Sooners entering the SEC, where passing attacks are often explosive, having depth in the secondary is more important than ever. Harris has the chance to be a major factor in the Sooners’ defense as they prepare to face some of the best quarterbacks in the nation. By enrolling early, Harris can get up to speed with the defensive system, and it’s likely that he’ll see significant action in the nickel or dime packages during his first season.

6. Tyler Brooks (WR, Freshman)

Tyler Brooks, a wide receiver from Oklahoma City, is one of the most exciting early enrollees in the 2025 class. Known for his explosive speed and ability to make plays after the catch, Brooks adds another weapon to the Sooners’ wide receiver corps. Oklahoma’s offense has been known for its ability to stretch the field with talented receivers, and Brooks’ speed gives the Sooners the deep threat they need.

With several key contributors at wide receiver heading to the NFL, including Marvin Mims, Brooks will have the opportunity to compete for early playing time. By enrolling early, Brooks will get valuable reps during spring practices and gain an understanding of the offense’s nuances. His combination of speed, route running, and ball skills could make him a dangerous weapon in the Sooners’ passing attack.

7. Avery Martin (EDGE, Freshman)

Avery Martin, an edge rusher from Houston, Texas, is one of the top defensive recruits for the 2025 class. Known for his explosive first step and ability to get after the quarterback, Martin has the potential to become a cornerstone of Oklahoma’s pass rush. With Venables’ emphasis on creating pressure with his defensive line, Martin’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses could play a huge role in the Sooners’ defense.

Martin’s early enrollment will give him a chance to develop physically and mentally before the 2025 season begins. His natural ability to bend the edge and get after the passer will be key to Oklahoma’s defensive success as the Sooners transition to the SEC and face more dynamic offenses.