Three Oklahoma Sooners freshmen who are thriving in spring drills could have an immediate influence on the 2025 college football season
As the college football world braces for the 2025 season, the Oklahoma Sooners have been busy preparing for a promising campaign, and the key to their success lies heavily in their roster development, especially through freshman recruitment. Spring drills, often considered a crucial time for evaluation and preparation, have allowed several freshmen to stand out and potentially make an immediate impact on the field when the 2025 season kicks off. For Oklahoma, a program with a long-standing tradition of excellence, fresh talent is not just important—it’s necessary. With head coach Brent Venables leading the charge, the Sooners are working hard to build a championship-caliber team, and these three freshmen could play an important role in the team’s success next season.
The transfer portal has certainly changed the landscape of college football, but it has not stopped the Sooners from focusing on recruiting top-tier high school talent. The 2025 recruiting class includes a number of highly-rated freshmen, and it’s clear that a few of these new Sooners are ready to take the next step and contribute right away. While Oklahoma has many positions to fill as it continues its transition under Venables, these freshmen have emerged during spring drills as key players who could potentially make a massive impact in the upcoming season. Let’s take a look at three Oklahoma freshmen who are thriving and could help propel the team to a successful 2025 campaign.
1. Xavier Mitchell: A Wide Receiver Ready to Dominate
The Oklahoma Sooners have consistently been one of the most explosive offenses in college football, with the wide receiver position playing a pivotal role in their offensive success. From CeeDee Lamb to Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Oklahoma has churned out some of the nation’s top receiving talents. With that tradition in mind, it comes as no surprise that Xavier “X” Mitchell, a freshman wide receiver, has quickly become a standout player during spring drills. His combination of size, speed, and ability to make plays both deep and short could make him a key factor in Oklahoma’s high-powered offense as early as his freshman year.
Background and Recruitment
Mitchell, hailing from Waco, Texas, is a product of La Vega High School, where he was a two-way star who played both wide receiver and cornerback. Standing at 6’2” and weighing 200 pounds, Mitchell has ideal size for a modern wide receiver. He is a versatile athlete who can stretch the field with deep balls, make contested catches in tight coverage, and gain yards after the catch. Mitchell’s senior season in high school saw him record over 70 receptions for more than 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns, establishing him as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the country.
Oklahoma’s coaching staff, led by offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, immediately recognized Mitchell’s potential as a playmaker. He became a priority target for the Sooners, and his decision to sign with Oklahoma was the culmination of an intense recruiting battle with schools like Texas, LSU, and Alabama. Venables and Lebby knew that Mitchell’s skill set and physicality would fit perfectly into Oklahoma’s high-octane offensive system.
Spring Drills Performance
Since arriving at Oklahoma, Mitchell has wasted no time making an impact. His ability to perform under the pressure of spring drills and acclimate quickly to the pace of college football has impressed coaches and teammates alike. His speed and agility allow him to blow past defenders, and his strength and physicality make him a threat in jump-ball situations. Whether it’s running clean, crisp routes or showing excellent ball skills when it matters most, Mitchell has shown that he is ready to contribute right away.
Mitchell’s chemistry with starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel has also been evident in spring drills. They have quickly developed a strong rapport, particularly on deep routes where Mitchell’s ability to separate from defenders has been on full display. His potential to be a deep threat right out of the gate makes him a dynamic weapon that opposing defenses will have to game plan for. In a high-scoring offense like Oklahoma’s, the addition of a talented wide receiver like Mitchell could be just the spark the Sooners need to stay at the top of the Big 12 and remain competitive on the national stage.
Impact in 2025
With Marvin Mims heading to the NFL, the Sooners will need a new go-to wide receiver who can make plays in big moments. Mitchell’s ability to stretch the field and his polished route running make him an immediate candidate to step into that role. He could quickly become one of Dillon Gabriel’s favorite targets, especially on passing downs and third-and-long situations. Given the high expectations for Oklahoma’s offense, Mitchell’s development during the spring and summer will be crucial, and if he continues to thrive, he could very well be a key player in the Sooners’ bid to make the College Football Playoff in 2025.
2. Jared Thomas: A Defensive Lineman Poised to Make a Splash
While Oklahoma has always been known for its offensive prowess, head coach Brent Venables is a defensive-minded coach, and he is intent on rebuilding the Sooners’ defense to elite status. One of the most notable freshmen who is making an impact on the defensive side of the ball is Jared Thomas, a defensive lineman who is already making waves during spring drills.
Background and Recruitment
Thomas, a 6’4”, 280-pound defensive lineman from Dallas, Texas, was one of the top recruits in the 2025 class. A standout at Cedar Hill High School, Thomas was a disruptive force on the defensive line, tallying 10 sacks and 20 tackles for loss during his senior season. His strength, quickness, and ability to collapse the pocket make him an ideal fit for Venables’ aggressive defensive system. Thomas has the physical tools to dominate both as a pass rusher and in stopping the run, which will be critical in the Big 12, where high-scoring offenses are the norm.
Venables recognized Thomas’ potential early in the recruiting process, and the Sooners fought off competition from other elite programs like Alabama, Georgia, and Texas to land his commitment. Thomas has been described as a relentless worker with a high football IQ, which are characteristics that make him a perfect fit for Venables’ defensive philosophy.
Spring Drills Performance
In spring drills, Thomas has quickly made his presence felt. His quickness off the line of scrimmage, combined with his strength and natural pass-rush abilities, have been apparent throughout the early practices. Thomas has shown the ability to disrupt the quarterback’s rhythm and get into the backfield consistently, which will be crucial for the Sooners as they look to improve their pass rush. He’s also shown good lateral movement and strength in both the run game and in getting after the quarterback.
One area where Thomas has truly impressed is his ability to beat blockers off the edge. His combination of speed and strength makes him a difficult player to block one-on-one, and as he continues to refine his technique, he could become one of the most disruptive forces on the Sooners’ defensive line. His presence in the trenches could allow Oklahoma’s defense to be much more effective in creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks, helping the team in key situations.
Impact in 2025
With an opportunity to compete for a starting spot in Oklahoma’s defensive line rotation, Thomas could see significant playing time as a true freshman. His pass-rush skills and ability to control the line of scrimmage will make him a key contributor to Oklahoma’s defense. As part of a revamped defense under Venables, Thomas’ development throughout the spring will be crucial, and if he continues to perform at a high level, he could be one of the team’s standout players in 2025. His ability to create havoc on opposing offenses will help Oklahoma compete in the competitive Big 12 and potentially even on the national stage.
3. Caleb Daniels: The Linebacker with Playmaking Potential
When it comes to building a championship-caliber defense, Brent Venables knows that the linebacker position is one of the most important. His defensive schemes require linebackers who can cover in space, blitz the quarterback, and make plays all over the field. One freshman linebacker who is already impressing during spring drills is Caleb Daniels.
Background and Recruitment
Daniels, a 6’1”, 230-pound linebacker from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was a high school standout at Tulsa Union High School, where he recorded over 100 tackles and 10 sacks during his senior season. Daniels is known for his sideline-to-sideline speed, toughness, and ability to make plays in coverage. He has the versatility to excel as both an inside linebacker and an outside linebacker, which is a key attribute in Venables’ defense.
Daniels was one of the most sought-after recruits in the country, and Oklahoma was quick to secure his commitment. Venables and his staff believe that Daniels has the potential to be a key piece in their defense moving forward, and they were thrilled to bring him in as part of the 2025 class.
Spring Drills Performance
During spring drills, Daniels has been one of the most impressive freshmen on the field. His quickness and ability to read offenses have been apparent in every drill. Daniels has shown an ability to diagnose plays quickly, which allows him to make tackles for loss, disrupt passing lanes, and cover ground in coverage. His sideline-to-sideline range makes him a valuable asset in stopping the run, and his physicality allows him to be an effective tackler in space.
One of Daniels’ standout qualities is his ability to blitz the quarterback. He is an excellent blitzer, using his speed and strength to get to the quarterback quickly. This is a crucial aspect of Venables’ defense, and Daniels’ ability to provide pressure on the quarterback will be key in Oklahoma’s defensive game plans moving forward.
Impact in 2025
Daniels’ performance in the spring has placed him in a strong position to earn significant playing time as a true freshman. Given Oklahoma’s need for playmakers at linebacker, Daniels could quickly find himself as a starter or a key rotational player. His ability to cover in the passing game, stop the run, and provide pressure on quarterbacks will make him a key piece of the Sooners’ defense. His development will be crucial for Oklahoma’s defense in 2025 as the team looks to contend for a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
