Brent Venables has Oklahoma in position to pull off a recruiting win that looked tailor-made for Clemson or Georgia.
The Sooners are the projected leader for 2028 four-star linebacker Jay Schell, according to Rivals director of recruiting Chad Simmons. Rivals has Oklahoma with a 68% chance to land Schell, while Clemson sits at 5.9% and Georgia at 4.3%.
If that prediction holds, it would stand as one of Venables’ biggest recruiting victories. Schell is a Clemson legacy, and Georgia has the hometown pull working in its favor. Oklahoma still came out on top in the latest forecast, and part of the reason appears to be who was in Norman when Schell visited: legendary linebacker Brian Bosworth.
Schell is already drawing attention as one of the better players in the 2028 cycle. The 247Sports Composite ranks him as the No. 8 linebacker in the class and No. 142 overall.
He’s also the 17th-ranked prospect in Georgia, coming out of Rabun Gap-Nachoochee High School in Rabun Gap, Ga. As a sophomore last season, he posted 77 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble return.
He’s just now entering his junior year, but his frame has already made him a major target. Schell is listed at 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds, giving him the kind of SEC-ready size that has pulled in interest from across the country.
The offer list reflects that. Schell has been offered by Georgia, Georgia Tech, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and Clemson. Clemson’s interest makes sense beyond the family tie: his father, Matt, played quarterback there from 1998-2001.
That connection helped make Schell a priority for Dabo Swinney in the 2028 class, and Georgia has also been pushing hard for one of its top local prospects. Even so, Oklahoma has emerged as the team to beat, with Venables’ Clemson background looking like a major factor in the Sooners’ rise.
Still, this one is nowhere near finished. Schell hasn’t named any final schools, and a decision remains a ways off. He’s expected to take unofficial visits throughout the college football season before choosing a school.
Oklahoma’s 2028 class could also be on the verge of a bigger surge. The Sooners currently have one commitment, four-star quarterback Trey Tagliaferri, but predictions are already in for more. Oklahoma is expected to eventually add four-star wide receiver Dedrick Kimbrough, three-star wide receiver Kenyon Sweat, three-star offensive lineman Gavin Wilson, four-star defensive lineman Logan Lokey, four-star running back Jayshawn Mitchell and four-star athlete Kamieon Compton-Nero.
In Other News...
Sooners May Have Landed A Backfield Difference Maker After All
Jonathan Hatton Jr.s recruiting path was winding even by modern standards, but Oklahoma never really stopped being part of the conversation. The four-star running back first committed to the Sooners in October 2023, backed off that pledge in December 2024 and later chose Texas A&M in March 2025 before flipping back to Oklahoma in November 2025, just ahead of signing day. For a program trying to keep building out its offense, landing a player with that kind of track record matters almost as much as the talent itself.
Brent Venables recently shared a story from Hattons recruiting process and made clear why the staff kept pushing. The Oklahoma coach praised Hattons physical and mental traits, and the Sooners believe he can become a key offensive piece once he gets on campus. The only question left now is how quickly that promise turns into production. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Freshman Back Is Giving Sooners A New Reason To Watch This Battle
Jonathan Hatton Jr. is making one of the quieter but more important kinds of preseason progress for Oklahoma, the sort that usually decides whether a freshman back gets on the field or spends his first fall learning from the sideline. In practice, he has been showing early growth in recognizing protections and reading defensive fronts, a key step for any young running back trying to earn trust in a system that demands more than just carrying the ball.
John Mateer has noticed the work Hatton is putting in, pointing to his work ethic and his willingness to pick up blocking assignments, both of which matter when coaches are sorting out playing time in the backfield. With the Sooners also dealing with concerns about the health of other running backs, Hattons development adds another layer to a competition worth watching as camp moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahomas Week 1 Lineup Is Already Shaped By One Early Setback
Oklahomas projected two-deep for its 2026 season opener against UTEP is already taking shape, and the early look says fall camp has done more than sort out a few jobs. Returning players and incoming transfers are expected to populate the top spots at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and across the offensive line, giving the Sooners a clearer picture of what the first game could look like.
Even so, the depth chart is not fully settled, which is no surprise this time of year. Injuries have altered parts of the competition, and a few battles are still ongoing as Oklahoma tries to settle on the right mix before Week 1. For a team trying to build continuity fast, the final decisions up front and in the skill group will tell plenty about how ready this roster really is. [Read more 🡒]