Latest news with #BillBedenbaugh
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
OU football adds 4-star OL Deacon Schmitt to Sooners' 2026 recruiting class
NORMAN — Bill Bedenbaugh earned a major recruiting victory on Saturday afternoon. OU landed its 10th commitment in June when four-star offensive lineman Deacon Schmitt chose the Sooners over Alabama and Colorado in a ceremony at Windsor High School in Colorado. Advertisement "Thank you to everyone who believed in me," Schmitt told the crowd. "I was a kid with a dream walking in and I feel like I've done my part. ... It's been a great journey and I'm super blessed but with all of that being said, I'm here to announce my commitment to the University of Oklahoma." Schmitt is ranked as the 371st player in the 2026 class and the No. 1 prospect in Colorado, according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings. Schmitt visited Norman earlier this month as part of one of OU's major recruiting weekends. Before committing to the Sooners, Schmitt canceled official visits to Nebraska, Tennessee and USC, according to On3. Schmitt is Bedenbaugh's highest-rated offensive line commit of the 2026 class. Schmitt is the second offensive lineman to commit in the 2026 class, joining four-star Noah Best. Best committed on June 9. Advertisement Following a slow start to the year, OU has had a hot June on the trail. Schmitt's commitment comes days after four-star quarterback Bowe Bentley picked the Sooners over LSU. Before Schmitt's commitment, the Sooners ranked No. 43 in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports' team ranking. More: How will OU football's John Mateer adjust to SEC? One burning question for each position Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@ or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football adds OL Deacon Schmitt to Sooners' 2026 recruiting class
USA Today
01-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners expected to host transfer offensive lineman per report
Oklahoma Sooners expected to host transfer offensive lineman per report The Oklahoma Sooners will be active in the spring transfer portal window that opens for football on April 15. But with the coaching change that recently happened at Stanford, the Sooners may have the opportunity to add to their roster before the portal opens in a couple of weeks. According to Pete Nakos of On3, the Oklahoma Sooners will be hosting Stanford center Jake Maikkula. Maikkula started 11 games for the Cardinal at both left guard and center in 2024, playing 764 snaps according to Pro Football Focus. It's that kind of versatility the Oklahoma Sooners could use on the interior in 2025. Oklahoma is lacking depth on the interior. Right now, Troy Everett is projected to start at center with Febechi Nwaiwu and Eddy Pierre-Louis getting first-team snaps at the guard spots. Ryan Fodje has been getting a lot of wor at right guard and Josh Aisosa has seen the second team reps at center. But with Heath Ozaeta nursing an injury, the Sooners don't have much experience to work with behind the projected starters. Maikkula's ability to play center could pay dividends for Bill Bedenbaugh's offensive line at center and could back up one of the guard positions. The Sooners got caught without much experience along the offensive line last season after dealing with a number of injuries. They added Derek Simmons and Luke Baklenko (also from Stanford) this offseason to provide some veteran options to compete with the young offensive linemen on the roster. Simmons has emerged as a possibility to start at right tackle. Finding a depth piece in the transfer portal will be paramount for Brent Venables, Ben Arbuckle, and Bill Bedenbaugh so they don't find themselves in the same position they were in last season.
