Brent Venables stepped into his role as Oklahoma’s head coach under intense pressure and with little time to prepare. Following Lincoln Riley’s unexpected departure to USC in December 2021, Venables had to scramble to assemble a recruiting class in just a few short weeks. Arriving from Clemson on Dec. 5, Venables immediately got to work, understanding the importance of salvaging and rebuilding a class that had been shaken by the coaching change. In that whirlwind first week, he made high-stakes visits to critical prospects like Gentry Williams, a defensive back from Tulsa, and Kobie McKinzie, a linebacker who had decommitted from OU in favor of Texas following Riley’s exit.
Venables successfully resecured commitments from both, a significant early victory that laid the groundwork for his first recruiting class. This 2022 class, loaded with 4-star talent and a heavy focus on defense, would eventually be ranked 10th in the nation by 247Sports and 8th by Rivals. It was an auspicious start for the defensive-minded coach as he looked to reshape the Sooners into a tougher, more physical team — especially with the SEC move looming in the near future.
Fast forward to 2025, and that once-promising class is entering its senior season. It’s a pivotal time not just for the players, but for the program. Out of the original 21 high school recruits, 12 still remain with the team. That 57% retention rate may not seem impressive at first glance, but in the current college football landscape, where the transfer portal has radically altered player movement, it actually stands as a relatively strong number.
Of those 12 still on the roster, six are seniors who, unless an appeal is granted, will use up their college eligibility this season. The other six redshirted at some point and are listed as redshirt juniors — they’ll have one more year of eligibility remaining after the 2025 season.
Breaking down the class in more detail:
- Six players have become major contributors and starters for Venables and his staff. These athletes have either developed steadily or seized opportunities due to injuries or roster changes, solidifying their role in Oklahoma’s starting lineup.
- Two players seemed destined for similar success, but injury setbacks and depth chart logjams prevented them from realizing that potential at OU. They’ve since entered the transfer portal, hoping to revive their careers elsewhere.
- The remaining six have shown glimpses of their potential but have dealt with adversity, including injuries, inconsistent performance, or changes in position or coaching staff. These players remain question marks — talents still seeking their full breakout moment.
This is a common story in college football: every recruiting class has its stars, its role players, and its departures. But considering the context in which this class was assembled, the 2022 group has performed admirably. Venables was not only taking over a reeling team following Riley’s abrupt departure, but he was also making his first-ever foray as a head coach, transitioning from a long and successful run as Clemson’s defensive coordinator.
The 2022 class was his first big test — a foundational step in rebuilding Oklahoma’s roster around toughness, defensive discipline, and long-term development. While the class didn’t produce an overwhelming number of superstars, it’s already yielded multiple starters and has laid the groundwork for the team’s defensive identity heading into the 2025 season.
Individual Highlights and Key Contributors
Let’s take a closer look at some of the notable names from that 2022 class:
- Jaren Kanak, a linebacker, has emerged as one of the centerpieces of the defense. Known for his athleticism and relentless energy, Kanak quickly made an impression with his versatility and hard-hitting style.
- Kobie McKinzie, the aforementioned linebacker who initially flipped to Texas, returned and has developed into a valuable piece of the linebacker corps. While his path hasn’t been without bumps, his commitment to the program and steady improvement make him one of the class’s more successful stories.
- Gentry Williams, who Venables convinced to stay committed shortly after arriving in Norman, has played a key role in the secondary. Injuries have limited his availability at times, but his talent is undeniable, and when healthy, he has locked down opposing receivers at a high level.
Each of these players represents a different arc in the class: those who have become full-fledged starters, those who are still trying to reach that level, and those who may have needed a change of scenery to find success.
The Transfer Portal Effect
As with nearly every recruiting class these days, the transfer portal has played a significant role in reshaping the roster. While nine members of the 2022 group have left OU via the portal, this is far from abnormal. Across the country, elite programs are seeing similar turnover rates. In fact, the ability to retain over half of the original class speaks to the trust and culture Venables has worked to build over the last three seasons.
For many of the players who transferred, their decision was less about dissatisfaction with the coaching staff and more about competition and opportunity. Some were squeezed out by incoming talent, others wanted a better fit or a fresh start. This is the new reality in college football, and OU has weathered it about as well as could be expected.
Incomplete Legacies
There remains a group within this class whose stories aren’t quite finished. Whether due to injuries, redshirts, or simply slow development, several players are still hoping to make their mark in 2025. This includes former highly-rated prospects who haven’t quite found their niche but still have the tools and time to make an impact.
These players could still tip the scales in how this class is ultimately judged. A strong finish in 2025 — particularly in Oklahoma’s first SEC campaign — could elevate their stock and rewrite their narratives.
Big Picture: What This Class Means for OU
In retrospect, Venables’ 2022 class should be seen as solid and promising, if not spectacular. It was forged under pressure, held together through urgency and persuasion, and featured a clear emphasis on building a defensive identity. It helped Venables weather the turbulence of a coaching transition and laid the groundwork for future classes that are now ranked even higher.
Recruiting is a long game, and it takes time for head coaches — especially first-time head coaches — to fully instill their vision. The 2022 class may not be the crown jewel of Venables’ tenure, but it served its purpose: stabilizing the program, producing core contributors, and offering a template for what future Oklahoma teams under Venables might look like — tough, physical, and defensively sound.
As the senior season begins for this group, they have one more chance to cement their legacy. Whether they lead the Sooners to a successful first SEC season or merely finish their careers as reliable contributors, their importance to the Brent Venables era at Oklahoma is unquestionable. They were the foundation, and now, they hope to finish what they started.
