As they prepare for the 2026 class, the Oklahoma Sooners will have one of the most significant offseason visits in 2025.

The landscape of college football recruiting is constantly evolving, and for a program like the Oklahoma Sooners, the future of their success depends heavily on how well they can recruit top-tier talent to keep up with the competition. As the Sooners prepare for the 2026 recruiting class, all eyes will be on the offseason of 2025, which promises to be one of the most critical periods in recent memory for the program. The Sooners are entering a pivotal time in their development, with major transitions occurring both within the coaching staff and in their upcoming move to the SEC.

As one of the most successful and storied programs in college football, Oklahoma has long been a powerhouse in the Big 12 and is now transitioning into the competitive waters of the SEC. The success of their recruiting efforts, particularly in the 2026 class, will be vital to ensuring that they are well-positioned to compete in the SEC and continue to be a force on the national stage. To secure the type of talent needed for this new era, the 2025 offseason will feature one of the most significant visits in recent memory, a visit that could dramatically shape the Sooners’ future recruiting efforts.

The Importance of the 2025 Offseason Visit

When it comes to recruiting, the offseason is often just as important as the regular season itself. While the on-field product certainly plays a role in attracting recruits, the relationships and the groundwork laid in the offseason—especially during official visits—are critical to a program’s success on the recruiting trail. The upcoming offseason visit in 2025 will be crucial for Oklahoma for several reasons.

Firstly, the Sooners are coming off a period of transition. Brent Venables, hired as head coach in 2022, has worked hard to rebuild Oklahoma’s defense and install a culture of toughness and discipline. As the Sooners transition to the SEC, Venables’ focus on building a top-tier program with a balance of offensive and defensive firepower will be essential to their success in a more physically demanding conference.

This means that recruiting for the 2026 class—which will include some of the top high school players in the country—is of paramount importance. Oklahoma’s ability to land high-caliber talent will help set the foundation for future years, and the recruiting class that comes out of the 2025 offseason visits will be one of the last classes Oklahoma can sign before officially moving into the SEC in 2025. Players who commit during this crucial period will be part of the first wave of Sooners to compete in the SEC, and they could play a pivotal role in Oklahoma’s ability to adapt to the more demanding environment of that conference.

As such, the 2025 offseason visit will focus on bringing in a mix of elite recruits that can fill critical needs, especially in key areas such as offensive and defensive linemen, wide receivers, and linebackers. Oklahoma needs to stockpile talent in these areas to not only remain competitive in the Big 12 but also to be able to make an immediate impact in the SEC. With their sights set on the future, the Sooners will need to make these visits as impactful as possible to ensure they secure commitments from some of the top prospects in the country.

The Role of Official Visits in Recruiting

Official visits are one of the most significant events in the recruiting process. These visits give recruits an opportunity to experience a program in its entirety: from meeting with the coaching staff to touring the campus, interacting with current players, and experiencing the culture of the team. For recruits, official visits are a chance to evaluate whether a school is the right fit, not only in terms of football but also academically and socially.

For the Oklahoma Sooners, the 2025 offseason visit presents a unique opportunity to showcase the program’s strengths as it moves to the SEC. This visit will likely feature some of the top recruits in the 2026 class, including players from across the country who are on Oklahoma’s radar. The Sooners will need to put their best foot forward, impressing recruits with the strength of their program, the vision for success under Venables, and the opportunities available to them as part of a program with a storied legacy.

In addition to showing off their football facilities and campus, the Sooners’ official visits in 2025 will likely emphasize the following:

1. The Coaching Staff and Leadership: Brent Venables has already established himself as a respected defensive mind, but recruits will want to get a feel for how he and his staff can develop players both on and off the field. Venables’ leadership and track record at Clemson will be a selling point for many, but recruits will want to hear directly from him about the vision for the team and the opportunities for growth.
2. The SEC Transition: One of the biggest selling points for Oklahoma is their move to the SEC. Recruits know that joining a program with the pedigree and resources of Oklahoma, which will be competing against some of the nation’s top programs in the SEC, gives them an immediate chance to compete at the highest level. The 2025 offseason visit will be a perfect time for the coaching staff to sell recruits on the opportunity to be part of Oklahoma’s transition into one of the most competitive conferences in college football.
3. Player Development: With a focus on building a well-rounded program, the Sooners’ staff will emphasize the comprehensive development they offer. This includes strength and conditioning programs, player mentorship, and a focus on life skills, all of which play a significant role in ensuring players succeed not only on the field but also in their future careers.
4. Facilities and Resources: Oklahoma’s football facilities have always been top-notch, and in preparation for the SEC transition, they will continue to improve and adapt to the changing needs of the program. For recruits, having access to state-of-the-art facilities is a major draw, and the official visit will give them the opportunity to experience firsthand the level of commitment the program has to their success.
5. Game Day Atmosphere: The gameday experience at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is one of the best in college football, and recruits will have the chance to witness the intensity and passion of Oklahoma football fans. While they may not be able to experience a full game during their official visit, seeing the passion of the fanbase and the excitement of the program will give them a clear sense of what it will be like to play for the Sooners.

What Does This Mean for the 2026 Recruiting Class?

As the Sooners head into the 2026 recruiting cycle, the 2025 offseason visit is likely to set the tone for the next wave of talent. With an eye on both the immediate future and long-term success in the SEC, Oklahoma is looking to secure commitments from top-tier players who can help them make an immediate impact. The players who choose to commit during this critical period will become foundational pieces in the Sooners’ transition to the SEC, and they will be tasked with upholding the tradition of excellence that the program is known for.

Some of the positions that will be especially important in the 2026 class include:

• Offensive Linemen: With the physical nature of the SEC, securing highly-rated offensive linemen who can compete at the highest level will be essential. The Sooners will look to add top-tier talent to their offensive line to provide the protection needed for the passing game and to open up running lanes for future backs.
• Defensive Linemen: As the SEC is known for its tough, grind-it-out style of play, Oklahoma will need to stockpile elite defensive linemen who can hold their own against some of the toughest offensive lines in college football. Defensive linemen who can generate pressure and disrupt plays in the backfield will be a major priority.
• Linebackers: With a focus on improving the defense, recruiting talented linebackers will be essential for Oklahoma. These players will need to be athletic, versatile, and able to contribute in both run defense and coverage situations.
• Wide Receivers: As college football offenses continue to evolve, having dynamic, explosive wide receivers is a must. The Sooners will need to recruit wideouts who can create separation, make big plays, and contribute to an explosive passing game that complements their strong defense.

The Long-Term Vision

While the 2025 offseason visit is incredibly important for the 2026 recruiting class, it’s important to note that the Sooners’ recruiting efforts extend far beyond just one class. This visit is part of a larger strategy that will involve continued success on the field, effective player development, and a sustained commitment to building a top-tier program. Oklahoma’s move to the SEC is a monumental shift for the program, and how they manage their recruiting efforts over the next few years will have long-term implications for the future of the program.

With Brent Venables at the helm, the Sooners are poised to maintain their reputation as one of the nation’s elite football programs. As they continue to stockpile talent, the 2026 recruiting class will play a pivotal role in their success in the SEC. The 2025 offseason visit will be one of the key moments in the recruiting process, setting the foundation for a new era of Oklahoma football.