The 2023 cycle went about as well as it could have for the Oklahoma Sooners. They had a top 10 class heading into the early signing period and then flipped Peyton Bowen from Oregon at the buzzer.
Getting Bowen was a huge win for the Oklahoma Sooners. Anytime your favorite football program is able to get a signature from a player that was heavily pursued by Notre Dame and Oregon, it’s massive. In the 247Sports’ Big 12 roundup from national signing day, Gabe Brooks agreed.
A longtime Notre Dame pledge who announced Dec. 21 for Oregon but flipped and signed the next day with Oklahoma, Bowen (No. 57 overall) gives Oklahoma a potential early impact player in the secondary, as well as a surefire special teams option, whether covering kicks or returning them. He’s one of the nation’s top safety prospects thanks to what he’s shown on the field and the layered athletic profile and combine testing data we’ve seen over the past couple of years. – Brooks, 247Sports.
Peyton Bowen will be an impact player for the Oklahoma Sooners in year one. Even if it’s only as a rotational or matchup safety, Bowen’s athleticism and playing range will help Oklahoma on the back end of the defense, similarly to how Billy Bowman did for Oklahoma in 2021.
In addition to Peyton Bowen being a huge win, Brooks called the addition of Makari Vickers a “huge win” as well. What’s become evident in Brent Venables first full year on the recruiting trail, is that the Oklahoma Sooners are going to recruit blue chip defensive players at a much higher rate than before.
Another Sooner signee who should be considered a huge win is Makari Vickers (No. 101), who in our opinion represents a seismic victory for OU to pull the versatile, athletic defensive back out of Tallahassee (Fla.) Munroe and away from all the programs nationwide who frequent the Sunshine State. Vickers impressive in his man coverage ability during All-American Bowl week and, like Bowen, could become a personnel chameleon in Norman. Piling up defensive prospects such as Bowen, Vickers, big-bodied in-state corner Jacobe Johnson (No. 115),and Florida linebacker Lewis Carter (No. 123) gives Brent Venables and his staff exceptional talent for their stop unit. – Brooks, 247Sports
The Oklahoma Sooners defense struggled to get stops in 2022. They struggled both through the air and against the ground game. It was crucial for the Sooners to hit some home runs on the recruiting trail in 2023 and Venables and his staff did just that.
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Oklahoma Sooners up to No. 4 in the final 247Sports composite rankings for 2023 cycle
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Which players signed with the Oklahoma Sooners 2023 recruiting class?
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