Football <\/p>\n
With the college football world always on the lookout for the next big thing, Brent Venables and his staff have been making waves, steadily building a class that\u2019s already turning heads. The Sooners have already secured commitments from a handful of players who bring a blend of athleticism, potential, and versatility. Jaden O\u2019Neal, a four-star quarterback impressing scouts with his arm talent and leadership, and Jakore Smith, a dynamic four-star linebacker drawing comparisons to past standouts, are among the Sooners\u2019 recruits. Add in a pair of four-star skill players\u2014wide receiver Daniel Odom and tight end Ryder Mix\u2014and you\u2019ve got the makings of a class that could help Oklahoma compete at the highest level for years to come.<\/p>\n
And that brings us to the latest headline\u2014Brian Harris<\/strong>, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman from Mandarin High School, has officially pledged to join the Sooners\u2019 2026 class. Harris\u2019 commitment is a big win for Oklahoma, especially considering he chose the Sooners over powerhouse programs like Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, and South Carolina. And if you want to know what sealed the deal for Brian Harris and the Sooners, look no further than the recruiting efforts of Oklahoma General Manager Jim Nagy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In Harris\u2019 recent interview with Jay Smith of UNFAIR SPORTS<\/em><\/a>, he highlights the crucial role played by Oklahoma\u2019s $2.55M hire, General Manager Jim Nagy. \u201cI really do have a really strong connection with the staff, especially Jim Nagy,\u201d <\/em>says Brian to Jay Smith. \u201cEspecially uh these last couple of months leading into my commitment, I\u2019ve gotten a stronger connection with Jim Nagy. He\u2019s a dawg man, and I really do think that he knows what he\u2019s doing.\u201d<\/em> Jim Nagy is a recruiting coordinator with serious NFL credibility, having spent years scouting and evaluating talent at the highest level.<\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Brian goes on to say, \u201cI mean he really understands how to analyze guys regardless of the stars and recruit those guys and be like \u2018Okay that\u2019s the guy I want.\u2019 like he\u2019s handpicking these guys and he\u2019s not just going off of how many stars they got.\u201d<\/em> The Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Commanders employed Nagy for nearly two decades. In those rooms, stars next to a kid\u2019s name don\u2019t mean much if he can\u2019t play. Nagy made his bones by digging deep into film, looking for traits that translate\u2014guys who play hard, have instincts, and fit the system. That\u2019s what he got for the Sooners.<\/p>\n At the Senior Bowl, Nagy was the one making the calls on whom to invite. He looked for players from everywhere across the FBS and FCS who proved themselves on film, and it worked out: over 40% of last year\u2019s NFL Draft choices came by way of his event, a record 110 picks. According to reports, Oklahoma didn\u2019t just call and text Harris; they created a group chat with his family and the defensive line coaches, making sure everyone felt involved in the process. That kind of personal touch can make all the difference when a recruit is weighing offers from Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, and South Carolina. Nagy told him that Harris was a priority, telling him he was \u2018No. 1 in their board room right from the beginning.\u2019<\/p>\n