The Oklahoma Sooners are closing in on another potential blue-chip addition to what’s already shaping up to be a powerhouse 2027 recruiting class. This Thursday, four-star wide receiver Zerek Sidney is set to announce his college commitment, with Oklahoma, Washington, and Arizona State making up his final three.
Sidney, a standout from Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona, has been a hot commodity on the recruiting trail. His offer sheet reads like a who's who of college football: Texas, USC, Notre Dame, Florida State, Michigan, and more. But after trimming the list, it’s come down to a tight three-school race-and the Sooners are right in the thick of it.
A Home-State Challenge
Oklahoma’s biggest competition? Arizona State.
And it’s not just geography that gives the Sun Devils an edge-it's also NFL pedigree. Hines Ward, a Super Bowl MVP and longtime Steelers star, is coaching ASU’s receivers, and he’s been instrumental in the Sun Devils’ recruiting pitch.
Sidney’s most recent visit came on November 28, when he spent time on the ASU campus, just under an hour from his hometown.
That said, the Sooners made a strong impression during Sidney’s visit to Norman back on September 6. That trip coincided with a primetime win over Michigan, and Sidney came away clearly impressed, posting about his visit and thanking head coach Brent Venables and assistants Jim Nagy and Emmett Jones. It was a weekend that may have helped push Oklahoma into serious contention.
The Talent and the Tape
Sidney’s junior year was cut short by injury-he played in just four games, tallying 11 catches for 111 yards and a score. But the flashes were there, and his sophomore season in 2024 showed what he’s capable of when healthy: 45 receptions, 591 yards, and 11 touchdowns across 12 games, helping lead his team to a state title.
At 6 feet tall, Sidney has the kind of frame and route-running polish that fits well in Oklahoma’s system. According to the 247Sports Composite, he’s the No. 46 wide receiver in the class, but 247’s in-house rankings are even higher on him, slotting him at No. 36 nationally. He’s also the No. 6 overall player in Arizona-a state that’s quietly producing more and more high-end talent.
And when the lights are brightest, Sidney shows up. In a third-round playoff game this past season, he hauled in six catches for 72 yards and three touchdowns. That kind of clutch performance is exactly what coaches look for in a future No. 1 receiver.
Sooners Building a Deep WR Room
Oklahoma’s 2027 class already includes two wide receiver commits: four-star Demare Dezeurn out of California and three-star Tra’Von Hall from Alabama. And the staff isn’t stopping there.
Brent Venables was recently in the Los Angeles area visiting Quentin Hale, a top-10 receiver in the class. The message is clear: the Sooners want to build a deep, dynamic receiver group that can keep pace with the high-octane offenses dominating college football.
Adding Sidney would be another big swing-and potentially a big hit-for a program that’s already recruiting at an elite level. His decision Thursday will be one to watch, and if he picks Oklahoma, it’ll be another sign that the Sooners are stacking talent for a serious run in the years ahead.